nakimushi aniki

 

crybaby big brother....

 

 

Natsuo's repairing a bike in his store when someone walks in the door. "Welcome...." he says in greeting before realizing it's Hiroto. Sauntering in, Hiroto says "Good afternoon...." but Natsuo retorts "What, it's you.....cut school again?" Hiroto replies offended "No~~....we had a self-study session in the morning & then the teacher had a ulcer & left suddenly....." Natsuo gets to his feet & waves a wrench at Hiroto "More like stressed out because you guys never pay attention in school.... don't know what's happening in the classrooms these days...." Hiroto grins "You sound like an old man...." "Shut up...." replies Natsuo, crouching back down working on the bike. Hiroto continues grinning at Natsuo, giving him a strange look. Natsuo says "What.....you're giving me the creeps...." Hiroto replies "I know why you asked me to go open a bank account all of a sudden.....she's a real beauty......she's heard about you to.....are you interested in her?" Natsuo replies grumpily "No matter how beautiful she is, if her character sucks, you can't call her a beauty....don't talk to me about her again...."

 

Opening the door to the locker room, Yuki suddenly pauses on seeing Suzuki inside, changed out of her work clothes putting on makeup. Without a word, Yuki goes to her locker. Suzuki looks at her "Sorry about what happened earlier....I never expected him to have a brother like that...." Yuki turns around, softly asking "What happened yesterday?" Suzuki replies "That high school student yesterday.....although he was pretty good looking, he spoke funny.....seems like he's hearing-impaired....don't you think that's annoying?" After a pause, Yuki asks "....did you say anything to hurt him?" Suzuki continues putting on her makeup "If I had known, I would've gone to that get-together instead...." Not getting an answer to her question, Yuki finally turns & opens her locker, bothered that Natsuo's mistaken her for Suzuki......

 

Out on his rounds, Natsuo comes out of a customer's home cheerfully saying "Thank you very much...." Coming around to his can, he sees Yuki in the distance, going around trying to get new accounts & his grin disappears. Yuki notices Natsuo & approaches Natsuo "Uhm....." Natsuo merely gets into his van & drives off, ignoring her. For a moment, Yuki stands on the side of the street looking at the departing van when all of a sudden, she starts running after it. Glancing into the rear view mirror, Natsuo notices Yuki running down the street after him. However, unable to catch up, Yuki stops, crouches down on her heels gasping for air, her hand on her chest. Suddenly, Natsuo's van backs up & stops next to her. Rolling down the window & in a huff, asks "What is it? You have something to say?" Panting & trying to catch her breath, Yuki tells him "It wasn't me..." Natsuo looks surprised "Eh?" but Yuki merely says "You got the wrong person....that's all I wanted to say...." & with a bow, Yuki turns & walks back down the street. Natsuo says "Wait a minute.....hey...." but Yuki merely walks on, leaving Natsuo looking puzzled.......

 

Returning home, Natsuo works on a bike. Bothered by Yuki's words, Natsuo turns towards Jun sitting at the table doing the accounts. Clapping his hands, Natsuo gets Jun's attention "Jun...the OL-san you met....is her hair about this length?" indicating chin-length with his hands. Jun replies "Much longer...." & Natsuo nods nonchalantly "Oh I see, I see....& is she fair?" Jun frowns "Why are you asking all this?" Natsuo quickly shakes his head "Nothing....just small talk...thanks for doing that...." indicating the accounts but Jun frowns at Natsuo suspiciously. Natsuo mutters "It's really nothing, just talking....talking......" turning back to his bike. At that moment, Chika walks in "Onichan!" Natsuo looks up & both brothers greet her "ah, welcome back...." However, Chika starts on Natsuo "I heard from the lady who runs the cleaners, what happened at the bank yesterday?" Natsuo acts dumb "Hm?" Chika continues "She said she was there & had a shock of her life...." Natuso gets to his feet muttering "Oh, so she had a shock...." "Why on earth did you do something like that?!" asks Chika, annoyed. Natsuo mumbles "Well, uhm...." turning away but Jun walks up to him "Aniki!" Natsuo nonchalantly replies "Well, she said nasty things to you didn't she? She hurt you didn't she? You can't let off someone who doesn't care about the feelings of others.....that's why I told her 'No one has the right to hurt other people!'...." Hearing that, Jun scowls "You busy body....." & stalks off upstairs to his room. Natsuo calls after him "Jun! Oi~ Jun!" & then mutters to himself "What's he mad about?" Chika grumbles at him "Of course he would be! Idiot!" walking off to the kitchen leaving Natsuo wondering "Hm?"

 

At the bank, Yuki starts to say "Uhm...." to Suzuki but Suzuki looks around, glances at her watch & then gets up to leave "Otsukaresama deshita..." not giving Yuki a chance to speak to her. Yuki follows her down the corridor "Suzuki-san...." Suzuki pauses outside the locker room "Yes?" Yuki says "About that high school student....." but Suzuki merely replies "Ah, forget about that already....I feel a little bad about it too....." "Then send him a mail.....I think he's upset about it....." "What if he starts getting persistent? What am I going to do? No, no, I don't want to write to him anymore....sorry....." With that, Suzuki goes into the locker room, leaving Yuki unable to do anything.......

 

Changed & coming out of the bank, Yuki sees Natsuo waiting for her. Looking a little embarrassed, Natsuo says "Uhm....ah.....I think I might have made a mistake....." Seeing Natsuo feeling apologetic brings a smile to her face.....

 

Sitting on a bench at a bus stop, Natuo apologizes to Yuki "Sorry, I'm really sorry....." Yuki replies "It's ok, you've apologized already....." "But I said all that in anger in front of everyone...." "You got me a new account didn't you? I wanted to thank you for it....this makes us even then......" "Really?" Yuki smiles assuring him "Yes...." Relieved, Natsuo nods "Oh, ok...that's great....uhm, uhm.....ah, in that case, I'll get more accounts for you.....I know a lot of people around here....." Yuki replies "Thank you but it's ok...." Natsuo tells her "It's not a bother....." but Yuki explains "It's not that....I just want to try to do my job myself......I'd like to get a new account on my own...." Natsuo nods "Oh....oh, I see...." Yuki asks "Your brother's hearing-impaired?" Natsuo looks at her "You heard from that girl?" "She feels bad about it too...." Natsuo doesn't quite believe her "Really?" Yuki nods "Uhm...." Natsuo doesn't press on "Forget it.....I went too far myself......when it comes to my brother I take things too seriously.....when he was four, he injured his ears in an accident......after that, he lost most of his hearing ability......although he wears a hearing-aid, he pretty much can't hear everything......because he can't hear himself speak, he can't pronounce his words properly.....the syllables 'ta chi tsu te to' are especially hard for him.....but he seems to be working very hard, practicing every day....." Yuki smiles "Your brother's really something....." Natsuo grins with pride "yeah, he is....how shall I put it.....he's a ganbariya (a person who perseveres).....even the doctors were surprised 'you've done well to speak like this, ha ha ha'.....they praised him......" Yuki laughs "Ah, I heard your brother dives?" Natsuo looks surprised "How did you know?" "I saw the e-mail.....they were all about the ocean....." "The two of us go diving often....in the ocean...." Yuki smiles enviously "Sounds nice.....the ocean....I only get a chance to see it....." Yuki's expression darkens & Natsuo asks "You can't swim?" Yuki smiles nodding "Uhm....." "Actually, I was like that too.....I was afraid of the water.....but diving in with the oxygen tank, one can breathe in the water too.....when I realized that somehow I got the courage....." Yuki laughs at Natsuo's actions & noticing, Natsuo says "Are you laughing at me?" Yuki shakes her head "No...." but Natsuo looks at her "You're thinking 'What a simple minded idiot' aren't you...." Yuki laughs shaking her head but Natsuo grins at her "I am a simple minded idiot....."

In high spirits after his meeting with Yuki, Natsuo returns home singing aloud. Upstairs in her bedroom, hearing Natsuo coming up the stairs, Chika looks at Hiroto frantically "Oni-chan! Oh no! What are we going to do?" Natsuo calls "Oii! Chika!" Hiroto scrambles looking for a place to hide going to the veranda but Chika pulls him back "Not there!" Hiroto looks around the room panicking "Where!?" "Here! It'll be fine!" trying to stuff Hiroto into her closet....

Prancing down the hallway, Natsuo stops outside Jun's door & slide it open, peeping in "Jun...." Seeing Jun studying, Natsuo slinks in "....uhm, I heard from that girl's colleague, that she feels bad about it too....." Jun replies grumpily "Forget it...." "But...." "It's over now...." Natsuo nods "That's good....better if you reject that sort of girl....." but Jun just tells him "I'm studying, don't disturb me....." Natsuo mumbles "Uhm...ok, sorry....ah, let's go diving this Sunday...it'll cheer you up.... " but Jun doesn't reply & Natsuo slides the door shut, sighing to himself "I guess he's still mad about it...."

Looking at Chika's shut bedroom door Natsuo calls out "Chika? Are you inside?" opening the door "...ah, you're home after all...." At her desk, Chika turns around "Welcome back, you're home early...." getting up to block him from coming further into her room. Natsuo asks "Anything today?" Chika kicks Hiroto's bag under her bed with her feet as she replies "There were two calls for repairs tomorrow, I wrote them down in the book...." Natsuo nods "Oh...then I'll go take a shower..." Chika quickly replies "ok, after that you can make dinner...." glad to get him out of her room. However at the door, Natsuo turns back looking at the drawn curtains "It's so hot today, why have you shut the windows?" Chika frantically comes up with an excuse "Oh, insects....insects are coming in....." but Natsuo walks towards it "But it's so hot...." Chika grabs him & pushes her brother of the room "Never mind.....I don't want the insects getting in...." Natsuo mutters "But insects..." Chika follows him out, closing the door "It's fine....." Outside the window on the ledge, Hiroto hangs on precariously onto the window grill & moans to himself "So I'm an 'insect' after all......"

In his room, Jun lies in bed, holding up a piece of paper as he glumly stares at it......'shinro kibou chousa' (questionnaire regarding a student's career/academic aspirations).......

 Natsuo drives into Jun's school, shiseikan koutou gakkou. Waiting in a lab, Natsuo fiddles around with the glass apparatus when the door slides open & a teacher walks in "Ah, hello....sorry to call you in when you're so busy....I'm his form teacher Matsunaga....." Natsuo gets to his feet politely "Thank you for looking after my brother....this is a little something for you...." placing a bag on the table. Matsunaga replies "You don't have to....." "It's from the country...." But...." "It's delicious, share it with the other teachers....." At Natsuo's insistence Matsunaga accepts it "In that case, thank you....." With the formalities out of the way, they sit down & Matsunaga opens up a file "The reason I called you here today was because of this....." handing a piece of paper to Natsuo. Natsuo takes it "What is this?" "These are the colleges Jun wants to apply for....we normally get the students to write it every year before the summer....." Natsuo looks at at Jun's application listing his three choices of colleges & then the faculty Jun's written "Education?" Matsunaga looks at Natsuo "So you didn't know about it...." "I didn't...." "I see....well, I think with Jun's academic results, there should be no problem getting into any of the colleges he's indicated.....however....selecting education as a major would be....how shall I put it....that would mean that he intends to become a teacher....well, with that intention......" Natsuo gets the hint "I know what it is you're trying to say...." Matsunaga nods "I see...." Before the conversation can continue, there's a knock on the door & a student enters. Matsunaga looks up "Jun...." & both brothers exchange looks in silence......

Back home seated across the table from each other, Natsuo asks Jun "You're really serious about getting into the Education faculty?" Jun nods without a word & Natsuo continues "Being a teacher's not easy, can you do it? Being a teacher, one has to speak in front of many students....at the same time, one would have to speak & explain clearly to the students....can you do it?" Chika, sitting behind Natsuo says "Onichan, you don't have to say that....." but Natsuo merely tells her "You keep quiet...." Back to Jun, Natsuo tells him "You should look for other more suitable careers like computers or designing.....work that doesn't need you to speak much would be easier on you too....." When Jun doesn't reply, Natsuo taps the table to get his attention "Tomorrow, tell your teacher that you'll change the faculty....understand?" With that, Natsuo gets up & takes two steps before turning back to look at his brother who's frowning in silence. Putting a hand on Jun's shoulder, Natsuo says "Jun, this is for your own good.....you can't do it....become a teacher....." Finally Jun replies, challenging Natsuo "....why?! How do you know?!" but Natsuo calmly tells him "If you can't you can't.....so give it up...." Upset, Jun yells "Who are you to decide?!" & scrambles to his feet, dashing out the door in anger. Chika gets up to go after him "Jun-nichan...." but Natsuo tells her "Let him go! Let him calm down a bit....." Chika stops in her tracks, looking torn between her brothers....

Over at his home, Hiroto's on the phone hearing Chika says "...so Jun-nichan's over at your place...." Hiroto replies "We'll let him stay over so don't worry...." "I'm glad, if he's at your place I don't have to worry....thanks, goodnight....." Hanging up, Chika tells Natsuo "He's at Hiroto's & will be spending the night there...." Natsuo, clipping his toe nails, replies nonchalantly "Oh, let him do as he pleases....he was the one who ran out of here...." With a sigh, Chika starts wiping the table "You were wrong too....even if you hadn't said all that, Jun-nichan knows about his handicap perfectly well.....he knows it but still wants to become a teacher....." Natsuo replies "I know...." Chika's hand stops moving as she looks at Natsuo, who's back is towards her. Without turning around, Natsuo continues "....that's why I said it.....becoming a teacher, it's obvious that it'll be tough on him....he's really smart ....he can easily get a job that won't be so tough for him......if he insists, he'll suffer like he's never had to before....." Chika mutters "...I guess so....but......" Natsuo adds a little morosely "I'm sure Dad would say the same thing up in heaven....."

In Hiroto's room, Jun's reading while Hiroto's playing computer games when Hiroto's mother Toshie walks in with a tray of food "Welcome, Jun-kun...." Jun smiles "Sorry to bother you...." Hiroto quickly tells his mother "Please leave us alone...." Toshie replies "Since Jun's here, get him to help you with your studies...." Hiroto gets up "ok, ok...." pushing his mother out the door "...whenever Mom sees anyone studying, she'll keep nagging at me to study too.....even since grade school, she hasn't changed.....I'm now in high school.....ah. go ahead & eat....." Jun picks up a fork & Hiroto mutters "But then again, becoming a teacher....you're really strange...." Jun smiles "...I want to meet different people.....I want to get to know different people.....want them to understand me...I want to try on my own....this I won't give up.....that's because I've already given up on a lot of things in life....." Hiroto nods "If that's what you really want to do, you've got my support....but, would Natsuo agree I wonder....." 

At the Katase home, pill boxes & a medicine envelope lie on the dining table. Shogo puts on his tie & says to Yuki who's washing up at the sink "You're going for your regular checkup today...did you tell the people at the bank?" Yuki smiles "It's Sunday today, it's closed...." Shogo sighs with a laugh "I haven't had a day off in so long I don't even know what day it is anymore....is the Director at the hospital on a Sunday to take a look at you? Make sure you thank him properly...." Yuki nods "Yes...." With a worried look, Shogo says "....& go have the checkup...if there's anything call me at right away....." With a smile, Yuki replies "I will....."

At the Tachibana Hospital, Yuki finishes her checkup. The director of the hospital Tachibana tells her "Take a seat...." & then looks at her X-rays. Yuki, tense, asks "How is it?" Tachibana staring at the X-rays, replies "Well....as of right now, there doesn't seem to be any enlargement of the heart muscle....." Relieved, Yuki smiles as a nurse Sakurai Miyako adds "That's great.....your father will be relieved to hear that....when you said you wanted to work he was very worried.....looks like when one is young, even if it appears risky, there are things one has to do....right doctor?" Tachibana replies "Well....within limits...." Sakurai gives Yuki a little embarrassed shrug at being mildly told off. Tachibana adds "By the way, Seiji is back today....I said that you'd be here so he might be waiting for you...." Yuki smiles "Seiji?"

Up on the roof of the hospital, Seiji lights up a cigarette "You look great....." Yuki smiles walking up to him "I've been doing fine...." "I see...." "Ah, I heard that you're specializing in cardiac surgery at the medical university...." "Well, I'll come back to this hospital someday so I decided to follow in my father's foot steps...." "Then you'll be the one taking care of me?" Seiji looks at her "Why? Don't like the idea?" Yuki  replies "No, it's not that...." Seiji tells her "You'll have to show me your chest..." teasing her with a smile taking a seat on a bench. Yuki pouts "Seiji-san!" Right at that moment, a folded paper airplane falls at her feet. Picking it up, Yuki sees a little girl about four years old running up to her "Thank you....." The little girl runs back & plays with her older brother. Seiji watches them "You were around that age when I first met you....." Yuki looks at the little girl "You're right, that was when I first stayed here..." Seiji adds "Everyone would cry at at least once because they got lonely....but you never did...." Yuki sits down next to Seiji "Really?" Seiji looks at her saying bluntly "I thought there was nothing cute about you...." & then gives her a big grin......

Natsuo puts his diving gear into the back of his van & gets into it. Chika comes up to him "You're really going alone?" Natsuo grunts "Yeah...." Chika adds "I wonder when Jun-nichan will come back...." but with a curt "Leave him alone...." Natsuo puts the van in gear & drives off, going diving by himself.....

Chika calls out "Hiroto!" At a park, Hiroto looks up & gets Jun's attention. Chika comes running up giving Jun a bag "Here, I brought a change of clothes...." "Thanks...." replies Jun, taking it from her. Chika tells him  "Onichan went diving alone....come back home....." but Hiroto interrupts "Why? Jun's said he doesn't want to go home...." Chika says to Jun "Onichan's really worried about you....think it over again?" However Jun refuses to budge "This is the only time when I'm not going to listen to aniki...." Hiroto nods "Yes...." Jun adds "I've made up my mind...." & Hiroto nods again "Yes, yes....." Chika finally gets annoyed "Hiroto, shut up...." & Hiroto meekly nods "Sorry....."

Invited out on a drive by Seiji, Yuki ends up at a cove, looking out into the water "It's been a long time since I had a chance to look out at the sea.....but is it ok Seiji? Yyou're on your day off....." Seiji assures her "It's a good change for me too....on top of that, if I'm with someone else I can't relax..." Yuki merely replies "I see...." & Seiji says "I'm really popular you know..." With a laugh, Yuki answers "Yes, yes...." With a sigh, Seiji leans on his car "Lately I've become used to people dying....I guess it's because I see it everyday...." Yuki looks at him "It's a tough job isn't it....being a doctor......" Seiji's expression darkens "But I finally understand one thing....there's no such thing as a God....there's only people with luck, & people without it in this world....." Yuki doesn't say anything, looking sad. Seiji adds "Yuki-chan, although you're alright now, don't forget that your heart is carrying a time bomb waiting to explode...." Yuki nods as Seiji continues "But you're definitely a lucky person....cause you've got such an excellent doctor like me around..." Yuki smiles, nodding "That's true...." Seiji's cell phone rings & he goes back to his car to get it "It's from the hospital...might take a while...." Yuki nods "It's ok....I'll just walk around for a bit....." Seiji answers the call "Hello....that patient?...." 

Yuji walks along the cove when she suddenly notices Natsuo coming out of the water after his dive. When Natsuo notices her, he cheerfully greets her "What are you doing here? What a coincidence! You came alone?" Yuji shakes her head, looking over at Seiji. Natsuo sees Seiji on the phone next to a gleaming red car & asks in a tone, tinged with slight disappointment "Ah, here with your boyfriend?" Yuki replies "No, it's not what you think..." Natsuo looks at her "Not what I think..." Yuki nods "Uhm...." & Natsuo's smile returns "I see...." Yuki asks "You just went diving?" "Yes, it feels great....took a lot of pictures too....." "Underwater pictures?" "Yes, my one & only hobby...." "I see....where's your brother? Don't you dive together?" Natsuo, getting out  of his diving gear, takes a seat on an overturned boat on the shore ".....he left home..." "Left home?" "He said he wanted to become a teacher so he's decided on the education faculty in all the colleges he wants to apply to.....without discussing it with me...." Yuki takes a seat on the boat "....he can't become a teacher?" Natsuo explains "I told you before about my brother didn't I?" Yuki nods & Natsuo continues "He can't do it.....in this world there are things that one can & can't do.....although I was thinking of him when I disagreed, he flew out of the house.....he's really ungrateful, not knowing how I worry about him....who does he think worries about him most?" As Natsuo gets up & starts towards his van, Yuki speaks up "....I think your brother knows your feelings exactly....." Natsuo pauses in his tracks & turns around "Eh?" Yuki continues, looking out into the sea "....that's why he's lived all his life just the way you've wanted...denying himself of his own true feelings, living life in order not to cause the people around him to worry.....but this time, maybe he just wants to try to so something on his own...." Yuki turns around "Being a teacher.....I think he wants to take a chance to see how far he can go by himself....." Natsuo looks at her "Take a chance?" Yuki nods "Yes....that kind of feeling, I think he won't give up on it....I can understand a little of that feeling......" Curtly, Natsuo tells Yuki off "What do you know? You've never even met my brother.....I'm the one who knows him best....more than anyone else....." Yuki starts to say something but hear's Seiji sound the car horn. Natsuo says irritably "He's calling you...." Quietly, Yuki says "I've said too much, I'm sorry....." Natsuo shakes his head "Don't worry about it...." & walks to his van. Yuki heads back towards Seiji without another word. Natsuo however, turns around & takes one look at Yuki. Seiji asks "Someone you know?" Yuki nods "Yeah, a little...." getting back into the car. "Looks defiant...." says Seiji, closing the door & throwing a glance in Natsuo's direction......

The phone is ringing as Natsuo enters the shop "Yes yes, wait a minute...." & picks up the phone "Shinoda Cycle...." Jun's teacher replies "It's Matsunaga, Jun's teacher...." "Ah, hello..." "Hello...uhm, what happened to Jun today?" Natsuo doesn't understand "What?" "Well, it's the first time he's ever been absent without letting anyone know...." Natsuo looks shocked, at a loss for words....

At a game center, Hiroto says to Jun who's sitting next to him "Are you sure it's alright not going to school? I never go so it doesn't matter...." Suddenly someone calls out "Hey Hiroto...." Turning around, Hiroto sees four guys looking at him, motorcycle helmets in their hands....

At the police station, a detective briefs the other officers "Starting last month, there's been a group of snatch thieves, juveniles on bikes....all their targets are older women....there are more cases when the women are attacked just after they've withdrawn money from banks....we also think that they even tail their victims......" Behind Shogo, his partner says "This has been happening a lot hasn't it...." Shogo asks "Are there no witnesses?" The officer replies "Yes there were.....but they were wearing helmets so technically there aren't any witnesses....the places where the crimes took place were....." Shogo's partner whispers "Looks like a tough case...." but Shogo merely tells him "Take notes....."

At the game center, the leader of the group says to Hiroto "Who's that?" referring to Jun. Hiroto explains "He stayed over & came with me...." The guy says "There's an 'event' next week, you come too...." Hiroto replies "I'll think about it...." & one of the other guys jeer "What?! Still afraid?" Jun whispers to Hiroto "What 'event'?" but Hiroto merely retorts "None of your business...." Jun asks "Is it something bad?" Hiroto replies "It's not...." The leader asks "What's wrong with the way he speaks?" Hiroto says "He can't hear...." One of the other guys comes up behind Jun, takes Jun's hearing-aid & sticks it on his own ear "Hey, say something...." His friend says "Can you hear me?" "Wow! It's really loud!" "Really?" Jun comes up to them "Give it back...." but they start throwing the hearing-aid about & watching, Hiroto gets worried "Stop it! Leave him alone, he can't hear...." The leader says "Lend it to me...." & when the guys toss it over to him, puts it on his ear. Jun breaks away from the guys holding him down & charges at the leader, who falls to the ground "Give it back!" The guys surround Jun "What are you trying to do?!" Hiroto fearfully tells Jun "Apologize to him....." but Jun merely shakes his head. The leader gets up "Who the hell are you...." but at that moment, Natsuo comes in & yells into his ear. The hearing-aid amplifying the sound hurts the guy & Natsuo says "You can hear better can't you...." Hiroto looks surprised "Natsuo-san!" Natsuo grabs the hearing-aid from the guy's ear grumbling "Why aren't you in school? It's not the time for playing!" One of the guys throws Natsuo a punch but Natsuo sidesteps & grabs the guy's arm, twisting it in a lock behind him "Hurts doesn't it? You don't want to cause a scene here do you?" Looking around, Natsuo calls over to an employee "Excuse me, could you call for the police?" Hearing the word police, the guys get scared & start running out of the place, Natsuo yelling behind them "Be good...." & then turning "Hiroto! Not going to school but hanging around places like this, you'll only end up mixing with bad company....do you understand what I'm saying?" Properly chastised, Hiroto meekly nods "Yes...." Natsuo then holds out the hearing-aid "Here Jun....." but Jun merely stares back at his brother. Natsuo asks "What's wrong? Here...." Jun tells him "You're always like this....since I was a kid.....I can't even fight....you're always there to help me....." Natsuo doesn't understand "What are you saying....here..." still holding out the hearing-aid to Jun. Jun slaps Natsuo's hand away & the hearing-aid falls to the ground. Shocked, Natsuo looks at Jun glaring back at him"....does my handicap bother you so much?!....I can't fight.....I can't be a teacher....although you say you're not bothered about my handicap....the one who's bothered about it most....is you!!!" With that, Jun runs out as Hiroto calls after him "Jun!" Turning back, Hiroto sees Natsuo merely standing there, Jun's words hitting home.....

Closing up the shop for the night, Natsuo sits down at the foyer, deep in thought. Glancing at the altar, he stares at the photograph of his parents. Suddenly, the door opens & seeing Jun, Chika runs up whispering "Welcome back....what happened with onichan?" Jun walks in slowly, looking at Natsuo "Aniki....I shouldn't have said what I did just now...I'm sorry...." Finally, Natsuo gets up "Don't worry about it...." but Jun merely looks at him. Natsuo sits back down & looking at Jun, says "You used to follow me around a lot when you were a kid....after school, coming home....when I'd dump my knapsack & about to go out to play....you'd say "Let's go together.......once I'd planned to go out cycling with some friends & decided to keep it a secret from you.....however you found out....so at a park nearby, I left you on a swing....when you weren't looking, I planned to leave....."

Natsuo remembers the day at the park, pushing his younger brother high up on the swing "How's that Jun? I'm going to push harder..." Jun nods "Uhm..." When Jun doesn't notice, Natsuo runs off towards his friend waiting with their bikes. Suddenly, he hears a loud thump & then Jun crying. Frantically running back, he finds Jun lying on the ground crying, blood coming out of his ears. Natsuo says over & over "Jun! Jun! Are you alright? Jun!"

Tears in his eyes, Natsuo says "Mom & Dad never blamed me....they never said a single word....." Jun looks at him "That was an accident...." Natsuo adds "But.....that was my fault...if I hadn't thought about leaving you behind, that wouldn't have happened...." Chika & Jun look on in silence. Natsuo continues, the pain at having caused Jun's loss of hearing evident in his voice "....I kept thinking that if I could take your place, I would....but I can't.....that's why at the very least, I don't want you to ever have to suffer pain & sorrow because of your hearing....that's the only thing I can do...." Touched, Jun mutters "Aniki...." His voice still trembling, Natsuo says "That's why it's just like you said...the one that's bothered about your hearing most....is me....." Jun goes up to Natsuo & smiling, assures him "I won't lose...no matter what happens, no matter how tough things get...I won't lose...." Natsuo looks at his younger brother trying to cheer him up. Jun puts his hand on Natsuo's shoulder "Believe in me....your brother!" Seeing Jun smiling back at him, Natsuo starts to cry again & Jun laughs "Why are you crying...." Natsuo sniffles "I'm not crying...." "You are...." "Am not...." Behind them, Chika looks on with a smile......

Standing in front of the altar the next morning, Natsuo holds up a letter "Dad, Mom....this is alright I hope...." Chika runs out "I'm going...." Natsuo says "Itterashai..." As Jun runs out "I'm going....", Natsuo runs out after him "Ah, Jun, Jun!" Finally getting his attention, Jun turns back & Natsuo runs up to him "Give this letter to your teacher for me...." Jun looks at him but Natsuo merely says "Don't worry....do what you want.....it's your life, so do what you want to....." A smile slowly appears on Jun's face as he gives a happy nod. Chika, looking on, smiles as Natsuo tells them "Bye..." "Let's go...." Natsuo says again "Itterasshai.....be careful, look out for cars!" Smiling, both Chika & Jun turn around "We know!" Natsuo mutters "As long as you know...." & then when Jun hops onto the back of Chika's bike, Natsuo yells after them "Don't ride double! It's dangerous!" Natsuo sighs, then nods contentedly....

At school, Jun hands over Natsuo's letter to his teacher. Taking it, Matsunaga opens it reading "Matsunaga-sensei, please let my brother do as he wishes, yoroshiku onegaishimasu....Shinoda Natsuo" He looks up at Jun "Hmmmmmm......" Jun bows & Matsunaga smiles "Alright, I understand....." & Jun grins happily.....

Tensely, Chika waits. Finally with a deep breath, she looks at the pregnancy test kit in her hand....positive....dismay on her face....

Sitting in his parked van across the street from Hikari Shinyou Kinko, Natsuo finally sees Yuki & sounds the horn getting her attention. Natsuo gives in gracefully "It's just like you said....I was a little....no, very protective of my brother.....I was wrong...." Yuki smiles as she listens to Natsuo, his problem with Jun resolved.....

In her room, Chika says quietly "What am I going to do?" Looking equally troubled, Hiroto says "....'What are you going to do'.....are you really sure you're pregnant?" Chika asks, scared "What shall I do? Tell me, what am I going to do?" Hiroto looks back, unable to answer....

At a cafe, Natsuo shows Yuki the bright & colorful pictures  of the fish he's taken on his dives "This is a hanami no kasago....this is kumanomi....this is ibarakan....it's is a species of sea anemone....." Yuki looks at the pictures "These are really beautiful...." Natsuo grins "Pretty aren't they? Uhm.....there is one picture that I want to take....have you heard of 'snow falling' deep in the ocean?" Yuki asks "Snow falling deep in the ocean?" Natsuo nods "Yes....it's unbelievable isn't it....it's actually plankton....when plankton die, they turn into little things like snowflakes.....it's called marine snow....however you can only see it really really deep in the ocean....." Natsuo's eyes glitter as he says "I want to see it someday....." Yuki smiles "I'd like to see it too...." Natsuo asks "Let's go see it together...." Yuki looks surprised "Eh?" Natsuo says "Ah, you're afraid?" Yuki hesitates "I've never swum before...." Natsuo looks at her "Then, why not 'take a chance'? using Yuki's own words. Not knowing the cause of Yuki's hesitation, Natsuo says "We've only got one life & since we're here, it'd be a waste not to try...." Thinking about it, a smile appears on Yuki's face & Natsuo grins.....