17sai no ninshin...

pregnant at 17....

Harmony restored among the siblings on a Sunday morning, Jun & Chika tuck in to breakfast. All except Natsuo who sits at the table making fish faces. Chika looks at him "What are you doing?" Natsuo replies "Just pretending to be a fish....every morning having nothing but urumeiwashi (herring)...." Chika sighs "Onichan, don't keep repeating the same thing....we've got debts to pay...." Natsuo looks at her "...'we've got debts to pay'.....you keep repeating the same thing yourself....if you keep doing that no one will want you..." Chika mutters "What....idiot....." Natsuo raps the table to get Jun's attention "Jun, the exam you're taking today will determine which college you get into?" Jun nods "Uhm...." Natsuo grins "Ganbatte....I don't think you'd have any problems though....ganbatte...." The clock chimes & Chika frantically says "Jun-nichan, you'd better get going!" Jun scrambles to his feet as Chika & Natsuo run about getting the obento (packed lunch) for Jun "Obento! Obento!" Natsuo being more nuisance than help. Chika finally gets it "Jun-nichan obento!" & grabbing it, Jun dashes out with Natsuo yelling "Be careful! Especially of cars!" Natsuo half mutters to himself "Well, I guess I better get ready...." Chika asks "Where are you going?" Natsuo replies evasively "Uhm, just going out for a bit..." Chika presses "...a bit where?" Natsuo finally says "Ah, well....diving...." "Alone?" Chika looks at him suspiciously. Natsuo growls "What?" & Chika grins "Sounds rather fishy to me...." Natsuo looks at her "Ahem....." & walks away....

Driving in his van, Natsuo looks about muttering to himself "Ah, that it? That's it...." He sees Yuki waiting for him & pulls up "Morning....wait long?" Yuki shakes her head with a smile. Putting her bag in the van, Natsuo tells Yuki "First, the basic rules will be explained to you & then after that there'll be a lesson in the pool...." Yuki doesn't answer, looking away, putting her hand on her chest. Not getting a reply, Natsuo looks back at her "What's wrong? Not feeling well?" Yuki says hesitatingly "Just feeling nervous I guess...." "You've never swum before have you....but not to worry, I know that diving school pretty well....." However, Yuki still looks a little worried & Natsuo walks up to her "Alright, I'll teach you something special.....put your hand out..." Natsuo grabs her hand & holds it out "Spread our hand out....now follow me...." Yuki nods. Natsuo tells her "First, write the word 'hito' (person)....write it & then drink it...." Yuki follows Natsuo's actions writing the word hito on her palm & then drinks it. Natsuo pretends to fill a glass & drinks it "Ah, it's great...." & a smile appears on Yuki's face. Natsuo looks at her "Still worried? Ah, still worried...I've got an omamori (charm)...you won't have to worry..." From the dashboard, Natsuo takes out a omamori & Yuki laughs at his silly antics as he holds it out to her "Here.....koutsuu anzen...." (charm for protection when one is traveling). Finally they get on their way.....

Chika shuts her bedroom door & looks at Hiroto "Have you thought about it? The baby....." Hiroto nods "Yes, I said leave it to me.....I'll get the money somehow...." Chika looks disappointed "Money?" Hiroto, not noticing Chika's reaction, continues "It takes about 100,000 yen for the abortion....it's better to get it down as soon as possible, if Natsuo-san finds out, we'll be done for....." Chika says pensively ".....there's no chance of having the baby I guess...." Hiroto looks at her "We're still high school students...." "There's true...." agrees Chika. Hiroto assures her "It'll be fine, I'll figure something out...." but Chika looks troubled....

At the diving school, Yuki fills out a registration form at the counter. Checking 'no' for the list of illnesses, her pen pauses when it comes to 'Heart trouble'. Wavering in indecision, Natsuo suddenly comes up waving diving flippers "Let's go! Let's go...." Yuki grins, watching him go by & quickly checks 'no' on the form....

Yuki sits with the others listening to the instructor "Next I'll explain about the water pressure....if you've ever been in an elevator or in an airplane you would've felt a pressure in your ears, it's the same thing in the water...this is caused by....." Suddenly someone all decked out in diving gear approaches, it's Natsuo clowning around with his gear & flippers worn backwards "Ah, you're conducting a class? I didn't know, sorry...." Yuki's initial smile at Natsuo's intrusion fades into worry....

All suited up by the pool, the instructor says to the students "Those of you who are ready may enter the pool....as explained earlier, try breathing through the regulator...." As the others get into the pool, Natsuo says to Yuki "Let's go in too....put on your mask..."  However, Yuki suddenly finding it hard to breathe, puts her hand on her chest. Natsuo looks at her "What's wrong?" Yuki looks at the other in the water & softly says "I don't think I can after all..." Natsuo gets to his feet "What are you afraid of? Let's go...." & jumps into the pool with a splash "Come on in, you can touch the floor....it's ok, you can touch the floor...." However, Yuki wraps her hands around her knees, terrified "....I....can't....I can't...." & starts crying, startling Natsuo.....

Sitting outside, Natsuo hands Yuki a towel "Here....I guess it was too much for you, haven't ever swum before, I guess it's scary....." Turning around, Natsuo notices the other students staring & tells them "It's ok, nothing to worry about....." Turning back to Yuki, Natsuo crouches down in front of her "I was too pushy....I won't force you again....I'm sorry....let's go change?" Finally Yuki speaks up "You're wrong....." Natsuo looks at her "Hm?" "It's not your fault.....I.....I....." Yuki starts to cry & Natsuo in a fluster, says "Please don't cry...my father said never to make a girl cry.....but....uhm.....I......." Natsuo looks around not knowing what to do, how to comfort Yuki.....

Arriving home, Yuki looks at Natsuo "Thanks, bye...." & gets out of the van. As she walks around towards her apartment, Natsuo winds down his window "Bye....see you again....." Yuki gives a faint smile & Natsuo looks at her walking off, not quite knowing what to make of the situation.....

As Yuki enters the apartment "I'm back...." Her father Shogo, preparing dinner in the kitchen looks up "Welcome back....where did you go?" Yuki, not looking up, replies "I met some of my friends from Tandai...." & heads straight into her room. Putting her bag down on the floor, Yuki pulls out the towel Natsuo gave to her. From the kitchen, Shogo says "You should be relaxing at home on Sundays....must be tired from work....." Coming out of her room, Yuki smiles "I'm fine....the checkup results were fine too....." "Who were your friends from Tandai?" "I don't think you know them....let me do it...." evades Yuki, offering to help with making dinner. Shogo tells her "It's ok, go sit own..." "But...." "It's ok......from tomorrow I'll be coming back late for a while so would like to have dinner with you today...." "Another case?" Shogo lifts a pot from the stove "Yes, it's a difficult case...." & then as the heat from the pot burns his fingers, starts yelling "It's hot! It's hot!" as Yuki scrambles to look for a table mat but can't find one "Put it back on the stove!" Shogo puts it back & then turns around to Yuki, calmly saying "You're right...."

Working on a bike after dinner, Chika comes up with some tea "Here, mugicha...." Taking it from her, Natsuo mutters "Thank you...." & takes a sip. Chika asks "Not done yet?" "No....need to get these three done by tomorrow..." "I see....so where did you go today?" "Didn't I tell you already? I went diving...." "That's strange, usually there's the smell of the sea...." "Hm? What smell of the sea?" "The smell of the saltwater & the sun mixed together.....whenever you go diving there's always that smell....I love that...." "Your sense of smell is good...." "But today I don't smell it..." grins Chika. Natsuo pauses & looks up at her "It's time you went to bed...." "Yes, yes....." smiles Chika & turns to go but suddenly, she stops & turns back to look at her brother "Onichan....." Natsuo, busy working on another bike "What is it?" Chika starts softly "...I......" Natsuo turns around to look at her "Hm?" & Chika shakes her head "...nothing, don't work too hard...goodnight...." Natsuo nods "Uhm...goodnight...." not noticing the change from his sister's usual direct manner of speaking.....

At the bank, Suzuki flashes her fingernails all brightly colored at Yuki "Hey look at this! Don't you think it's nice?" Arimura comes up to her "What's with those fingernails? Get them off....." & then to everyone else, she warns "Lately there's been a spate of robberies by a gang of bikers targeting old ladies around banks....please be on a lookout everyone....understand?" Everyone mutters "Yes...." & gets back to work....

Withdrawing cash for a customer, Yuki calls "Matsumura-sama...." An old lady approaches the counter & Yuki says "Here's your cash withdrawal, your bank book & seal...." Taking the money from Yuki, the lady mutters "Although they say using the automated teller machine is more convenient but I still don't know how to use it....." Yuki smiles "You're welcome here at the counter any time....." Nodding, the lady smiles "Thank you..." & walks out of the  bank, money in her hand. Yuki bows "Thank you..." & then looks over when she hears Suzuki next to her moaning about her fingernails "It was expensive to do too....." Turning back to the counter, Yuki notices Matsumura's seal left behind forgotten......

Across the street from the bank, Hiroto & his pals watch as Matsumura walks out, putting the money away in her handbag. The leader says "Hiroto, go...." Hiroto timidly asks "That old lady?" The guy smirks "What are you afraid of? You need money don't you?" shoving the helmet at Hiroto. "That's true but....." Hiroto mutters, putting on the helmet. Another guy gets on the bike "Hurry & hop on...."

Coming out of the bank, Yuki looks around for the old lady. Spotting her, she calls out "Matsumura-sama....you forgot your seal....." "Ah, thank you very much....." Matsumura takes the seal from Yuki & walks on. Yuki turns & starts heading towards the bank when she suddenly notices two guys on a bike with the license plate covered. As the bike trails Matsumura, the guy says to Hiroto "Get ready...." but Hiroto replies "I can't...." "What? I can't hear you...." "I can't do it!" The guy driving gets mad & revs the bike close to Matsumura. Matsumura turns around & in shocked, falls to the ground as the bike speeds past. Yuki comes round the corner just in time to see it happen & comes running up "Matsumura-san! Are you alright?" The lady moans "It hurts....hurts...." as Yuki looks on worriedly......

Shogo having heard about the attempted robbery is at the bank, questioning the branch manager & Yuki. Seated across from the branch manager & Yuki, he asks "Have you heard about the robberies committed by high school students?" The manager replies "Just this morning...." Shogo spreads out some pictures on the table "These are some of the high school kids that hang out frequently at a game center nearby....any one look like the criminals?" Yuki looks at the slightly fuzzy pictures taken from the game center's surveillance cameras "They had helmets on, & it happened so quickly...." not noticing Hiroto in one of the pictures as the new customer introduced by Natsuo. Shogo nods at his daughter "I thought so....." The branch manager adds "Thanks to Katase-kun, this time the attempted robbery failed....however, how should we go about dealing with this case?" Shogo replies "We're going to have more patrols around the vicinity in the hopes that we'll get the criminals as soon as possible....." The branch manager bows to Shogo "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu....." At that moment, Shogo's partner Morimoto enters the room "There's news from the hospital...." Shogo looks up "How is she?" "Just a slight sprain...." "I see...." "Also, the kids from the game center have been taken to the police station for questioning...." Shogo nods "Alright....let's go back...." & then picking up the pictures from the table, he says to the branch manager "...sorry to have bothered you when you're so busy....." "It's alright...." replies the manager. On the way out, Shogo turns around & says to Yuki "Sorry to disturb you...." Yuki shakes her head & Shogo half whispers "But having seen you working now, I don't feel so worried...." Bother father & daughter exchange smiles......

As Natsuo shows a customer out "Thank you.....see you again.....", the phone rings & Natsuo hurries to answer it "Shinoda Cycle....ah.....the....police?"

At the Suginami Chuou Police Station, the guys from the game center & their parents sit along the corridor, waiting, wiping sweat of their foreheads in the summer heat. In the interrogation room, Shogo looks at the picture of Hiroto & then at the real person in front of him "You frequent that game center very often don't you....." Hiroto replies defiantly "Excuse me....but I'm a customer there...." Morimoto flares up "What's with that attitude?!" Shogo pulls his partner back & says to Hiroto "It's alright....I just want to know where you were at the time of the attempted robbery....what were you doing at about 2pm today?" Hiroto replies "At the game center....that's why I was brought in here....." Shogo asks "So you were there?" Hiroto nods "Yeah...." Shogo continues "That's strange....according to the game center employees, they said that you disappeared for a while...." Hiroto mutters "Is that so....." Morimoto lunges at Hiroto yelling "Don't act dumb!" & Shogo pulls him back again. Hiroto insists "I didn't do it!"

Done with the questioning, Morimoto leads Hiroto out to the corridor & grabs the leader. Walking past Hiroto, the leader glares at Hiroto as if daring him to tell the police the truth. Morimoto grabs the guy & shoves him into the interrogation room. Looking down at his feet, Hiroto starts walking down the corridor, hands in his pocket, shoulders slumped over. Taking a few steps, Hiroto notices someone leaning against the wall & looks up. Seeing Natsuo glaring back at him in anger, Hiroto straightens, as if afraid.......

Walking out of the police station, trailing behind Natsuo, Hiroto apologizes "Getting you to come here....sorry....." Natsuo retorts "Do you understand?! I'm the only one running the shop! If I'm not there work can't get done!!" Hiroto mutters "But I didn't want to get my parents to come down here...." Natsuo suddenly spins around "Did you do it?!" Hiroto is stunned speechless. Natsuo says "Well?" Hiroto asks instead "You think I did it?" Natsuo looks at him & then without a word, starts walking away. Hiroto follows "You're wrong! I didn't do it!" Natsuo spits out "I told you long ago, that if you hung around with those guys, nothing good will come out of it....in any case, I'll give you a ride home, get in.....after that make sure you talk to your parents about it...." Hiroto can't believe his ears "Eh? You're told my parents?" Natsuo replies "But of course! The ones who worry the most about you in this world are your parents....go back & have a good talk with them...." But Hiroto leans back on the van, looking sullen. Natsuo looks at him "You don't realize the value of parents, do you....." getting into the van, slamming the door shut.....

"You're suppose to be taking the college entrance exam next year....are you even studying?" lectures Hiroto's father Hideaki. Hiroto looks away sullenly, not saying a word. Hideaki puffs on a cigar with a sigh "But then again....I don't have much hope in you...." & then looks at his wife Toshie "& you, what are you doing?"  Toshie meekly says "Sorry....." Hiroto finally speaks "It's got nothing to do with Mom...." Getting up, Hideaki walks to his study "If you get caught by the police, you can deal with it yourself, it's your life.....however if my company finds out about this, how do you think that will affect my position? Don't create trouble for me...." Hiroto retorts "So that's the way it is! You're more worried about your position in the company that about me...." "Don't be cocky! You can't even get into a decent high school! Sent you to a cram school, got you good tutors, & yet you end up being a dropout! Having a son like you....it's pathetic....." "I don't like being your son either...." "What?!" Hiroto gets up & yells back at his father "If I had known I'd have you for a father, I wouldn't have come into this world! Unfortunately, kids don't get a chance to choose their parents!" With that, Hiroto storms out of the house. Toshie starts to go after her son "Hiroto!" but Hideaki tells her "Let him go!"

Hiroto ends up outside Shinoda Cycle, now closed for the day. Inside, Natsuo works on his bills, upstairs in her room, Chika stares blankly at the book in front of her, reading up on the signs of pregnancy. Suddenly hearing a thump, she looks up. Outside, Hiroto takes off his other shoe & tosses it up to Chika's veranda but hits the sliding door with a loud thump which Natsuo hears. Chika runs out & looks down "Hiroto!" Hiroto half whispers "Hi....sorry I scared you...." Chika asks "What's wrong?" "Nothing....." "I'll come down...." "No, it's ok....if Natsuo finds out, I'll get into trouble....." "Did something happen?" "Nothing.....I just wanted to see you that's all....." "Really...." "Yes...." Suddenly, Natsuo appears behind Hiroto "What are you doing?!" Hiroto spins around, caught off guard. Chika calls "Onichan...." but Natsuo barks at her "Get inside!" Without a word, Chika goes back inside. Natsuo glares at Hiroto "Hiroto! Did you talk it over with your parents?" Hiroto mutters "Well, I.....they just got mad at me, so I...." Natsuo continues "So you just flew out of the house...." Hiroto nods "Yeah....I don't want to see them again....all they think about is keeping up appearances...they won't even listen to my side of the story.....even if they asked, I don't even feel like answering...." Natsuo asks "So they're in the wrong...." Natsuo mutters sullenly "But....." Mad, Natsuo yells "Stop being a brat! Who do you think sends you to school & feeds you? I thought you were at least a better person than that.....don't ever come back here again...."  shoving Hiroto out the gate. Looking up, Natsuo glares at Chika before going inside. Chika looks down at Hiroto before hearing Natsuo come upstairs. In a panic, Chika covers up her book on pregnancy & sits at her desk. "I'm coming in!" says Natsuo, barging into Chika's room "Chika, have you been seeing Hiroto?" Silently, Chika nods. Natsuo asks "When did it start?" Chika replies "We started seeing each other when I entered high school..." Natsuo folds his arms muttering "That Hiroto......" Chika quickly defends Hiroto "Onichan, Hiroto is not as bad as you think....he cuts school & he doesn't like to study....but when he discovers something that he wants to do, I'm sure he'll do his best...." Natsuo cuts her off "He can't! Especially the way he is right now....he's just running away from his parents, running away from school....on top of that he's hanging around with bad company...." Picking up Hiroto's shoes from the veranda, Natsuo looks at Chika "Why do you think he got me to go get him from the police station today? The group he's with are involved with purse-snatching....although the attempt failed today, they targeted an old lady...." Chika says "Hiroto wouldn't do something like that...." "You don't know that!" "Onichan!" "Whatever it is.....he's connected to those guys who are petty thieves....do you think I'd let my precious sister go around with some one like that?! I've told him never to come back here again....so don't ever see him again...." In tears, Chika sits back down at her desk, not saying a word. Natsuo adds "Understand Chika?" & storms out, slamming the door. Stomping downstairs, Natsuo stops by the veranda & sliding the door open, tosses Hiroto's shows outside. Seeing Natsuo stomp off, Hiroto appears & picks up his shoes with a big sigh.....

Glumly walking to school the next day, Chika suddenly hears someone call her "Chika...." Turning around, she sees Hiroto lying on a bench "Hiroto!" Waving his shoes sleepily, Hiroto mutters "Morning...."

Chika comes running out of a convenience store with a bag of food. Standing by a canal, Hiroto takes an onigiri (rice ball) out, opening it, tells Chika "I spent the night on a bench in the park....that was the worse...." Chika replies "Natsuo found out about us...." Hiroto surprised, drops the onigiri into the canal. Chika goes "Ah!..." & then holds out the bag for Hiroto to take another one "What did Natsuo-san say?" Chika merely shakes her head silently. Hiroto groans "Just like I expected...." Chika says tentatively "You had nothing to do with the trouble yesterday did you? Hiroto?" Hiroto confesses "I did it.....I needed to get the money for the abortion somehow....." Upset, Chika asks "Why? Why did you do that?!" "But I couldn't do it! When I saw the lady's face I couldn't put my hand out...." Chika looks away, not saying anything. Hiroto says "It's fine....you don't have to believe me...." walking away. Chika calls out "I believe you Hiroto!" Hearing Chika's words, Hiroto stops in his tracks. Chika adds "You're not someone who bullies the weak....I remember in grade school when Jun-nichan got bullied by the older kids because of his hearing problem, you used to protect him.....you'd say 'If you're going to bully him, you'll have to beat me up first!'....." Hiroto smiles "That was my line...." "They were taller & bigger, but you're still challenge them...." "I was always good at fighting...." Hiroto throws a punch & drops the onigiri again. Chika laughs "But you always lost....." Hiroto mutters "Totally un-cool huh...." bending down to pick up the onigiri. Chika looks at him tenderly "You were cool....I thought you were really cool...I was only in third grade but I wanted to be your bride....that's because I know your good side too....except that you're kind of incompetent at the moment....." Chika smiles at Hiroto who's at a loss for words. Suddenly the school bell chimes & Hiroto tells Chika "You'd better get to class...." however Chika grabs his arm "I'm cutting class...I want to be with you today....." & they run off.....

Lunch time & Yuki hurries into a restaurant "Sorry I'm late....." Seiji, already waiting at a table, replies "I just got here too.....ehhhh, that's your uniform at the bank?" Yuki, approaching the table, nods "Yes...does it look weird?" when Seiji keeps staring at her. Seiji grins "What a pity....if that skirt was 15cm shorter, you'd get a lot more male customers....." "Seiji-san!" Yuki mutters taking a seat, smiling at his teasing. Seiji lets up "It suits you....how about lunch?" Yuki nods & Seiji orders "Excuse me, two set lunches please....." Turning back, he sees Yuki staring at the heart transplant information he's brought & his expression turns serious "I wanted to talk to you about this, your heart transplant.....you've thought about it haven't you?" Yuki nods "Yes....well....." "It's about time you register yourself as a recipient....." "But I'm fine right now...." "Right now you are....but .your heart is slowly becoming enlarged, just like a balloon....you won't know when it's going to burst.....my Dad approves of this operation too...." Yuki tells him "....I'll read the material first....." Lunch is served & Seiji says "Let's eat...itadakimasu....." picking up a fork. "Do you know what my Dad's intention was asking me to come back? Omiai! (Arranged marriage). Yuki smiles "Omiai?" Seiji nods "Yeah...on top of that, she's from a hospital, a doctor herself.....no way it's going to work...." Yuki asks "You don't like it if the other party's a doctor?" "I prefer uniforms other than the white coat....like stewardesses, policewomen or high school girls....." Yuki looks amazes "High school girls?" Seiji looks at Yuki's outfit "Ah...that's a uniform too...." hinting at Yuki. Changing the subject, Seiji says "What are you doing this Sunday? If you're free would you like to go out?" "Sorry, but I've got something on this Sunday...." "I see....hmmm, I just got rejected....." Seiji sighs with a laugh, getting a smile out of Yuki.....

As Natsuo walks out carrying his diving gear, he tells Jun "Sorry, leaving you behind....." Jun replies "It's fine with me...." Natsuo adds "You understand right.....if that bum Hiroto comes by, don't let him into the house...." Jun replies, disagreement in his voice  "Aniki...." but Natsuo merely instructs Jun "You're also her brother, keep an eye on her....." & walks out.....

Upstairs in her room, Chika gets a call from Hiroto on her cell phone, telling her the address & telephone of a maternity clinic & she jots it down "It's troublesome at a hospital but at this place it'll be ok....I'll get the money in a couple of days...." Chika says "You don't have to hurry...." but Hiroto replies "But the earlier the better....there'll be problems once it becomes noticeable....." "But that quick...." "I said leave it me....you don't have to worry about a thing...." Chika nods "Uhm....." Suddenly, Jun opens the door to the veranda & Chika quickly says "I'll call you back....." & hangs up. Jun starts taking down the laundry "That was Hiroto wasn't it..." Chika shakes her head "No, just a friend from school...." Jun grins "It's ok, you don't have to lie to me...." "Jun-nichan...." "It's not that aniki hates Hiroto....if Hiroto takes things a little more seriously, aniki would be more understanding too....." ".....I don't think onichan will ever forgive Hiroto......" Chika half mutters to herself, sliding the veranda door shut & going back into her room....

At the diving school, the students practice in the pool while Yuki's the only one sitting on a bench by the side. Surfacing, Natsuo says "There's really no diving atmosphere in a pool.....the scenery's just walls......" "Sorry....keeping me company....." "Don't worry about it.....so you'll just watch today too? There's no need to rush things....."  Getting out of the water, Natsuo sits next to Yuki & points over to the other side of the pool "Look over there....when you get used to it, you fall backwards into the water....it's easier to dive that way....." The student tumbles awkwardly into the pool & Natsuo grins "Flunked....flunked...did you see that?" Yuki speaks, her voice sounding lonely "I'm always sitting here whenever it's time for lessons in the pool....& I want to swim just like everyone else.....I'm also troublesome to you, aren't I....I guess I...." Natsuo doesn't let her continue "Don't say you're going to give up....you wanted to try didn't you? Also, you said you wanted to see it..." "Snow falling in the ocean?" Natsuo nods "Uhm.....let's go see it together someday.....hmmm, it'd be better in the summer....in winter snow's normal.....that's why I'd like to go see what can't be seen, summer snow...." Yuki stares at Natsuo smile as he says with feeling "It'll be overwhelming...." The students start coming out of the pool & Natsuo gets up "Let's get going as well....." However, Yuki doesn't move, merely stares at the water. Natsuo turns around "What's wrong?" Yuki gets up as if in a trance "I want to try....." & taking a deep breath, spreads her arms out & jumps into the pool. When Yuki doesn't appear on the surface, Natsuo gets worried "Oi!" & plunges into the water but Yuki surfaces right then. Natsuo yells "Why did you do that?!" "Were you surprised?" "You scared me!" "The water's not that cold...." "You're wearing this aren't you? Wearing this...are you alright?" Laughing, Yuki nods "Yes....." fear gone from her eyes....

Driving on the way home, Natsuo tells Yuki "Don't be so reckless! Jumping into the pool without knowing how to swim, don't ever do that again, Yuki....." Suddenly, Natsuo gets embarrassed from using her name so intimately ".....can....I call you that?" With a smile, Yuki nods "Uhm....."

Stopping by the bay & watching the sun set, Yuki asks "Why do you dive?" After a pause, Natsuo replies ".....I wanted to do something with Jun....." "With your brother?" "Uhm....it's quiet in the sea.....I wanted to know what it was like to be in a world without sound....." "I see....." "It's a really......kind world.....but why did you suddenly just jump in like that? You were terrified before that...." "....I wanted to see it too.....together with you....that summer snow....." Touched, Natsuo struggles for words before saying the truth "...what...should one....say at a time like this?" Yuki replies ".....perhaps....there's no need to say anything...." Filled with emotion, both Natsuo & Yuki exchange glances & then look out over the glittering water.......

Carrying his gear back home, Natsuo grins idiotically "...there's no need to say anything....." Stepping into the living room, Natsuo announces "I'm back!" & then mutters again "....there's no need to say anything...." Going into the kitchen, he sees Jun making dinner "I'm home....." "Welcome back...." "Where's Chika?" "She's not feeling well......" "Oh....& that Hiroto didn't come by?" "Aniki, leave them alone...if it's fine with Chika then it's ok...." "It's for Chika's sake...." "You're always like this....you're always forcing your own opinions on others.....trust Chika a little....." "I do....but the problem is that bum Hiroto....." "I think you like Hiroto....you say a lot of things, but I don't think you hate him....." "Right now I'm not going to let him have his way....he'll run away from Chika too....his parents, his future.....he's not even considering any of it.....do you think I'd entrust Chika to someone like that?" Jun merely looks on as his older brother starts to cook dinner, nothing left to say......

In her room, Chika sits on her bed quietly. Picking up the memo pad, she stares at it, looking troubled.....

Chika looks at a pregnant lady come of the maternity clinic with trepidation. Turning around, she sees Hiroto running up "Sorry I'm late...." Chika, looking scared & a little depressed, puts her hand out, tugging Hiroto's shirt "Hiroto, you'll stay with  me until the operation's over, won't you? I'm scared....." However, Hiroto tells her "I....couldn't get the money....." walking away....

Down by the river bank, Hiroto moans "In this world there are people wallowing in money....but there are none around me.....aa~~~how am I going to get money....no way......" Sitting down on the grass, Hiroto mutters "I guess the only way is....." & then stops to look at Chika "....I'll get the money somehow....don't worry.....it'll be ok....." Chika stares at Hiroto, her face filled with disappointment. Suddenly she stares at the water & tears in her eyes, strides to the waters edge & into the water. Hiroto yells "What are you doing?!" Chika trips & falls into the water "Forget it!" From the water's edge, Hiroto yells again "Chika!" In tears, crouching in the water, Chika yells back "If I do this, the baby will die! It's cold! The baby will die!" Suddenly, Chika gets up & smiles weakly at Hiroto "You don't have to worry about anything....." Turning around, she walks further into the river as Hiroto yells "Come back!" "If I don't do this, you'll come up with some bad idea to get the money!" "I won't!" "I won't let you do that! I don't want to force you into doing bad things for my sake! That's why....that's why I can only do this....." Crying, Chika turns around & crouches down in the cold water. Hiroto comes flying into the water "Chika!" & grabbing her, puts his arms around her ".....I can't be counted on...I can only cause you pain....but I'm glad that I love you.....it's like Natsuo-san said, we shouldn't have seen each other...." Chika cries "Don't say that...." "I'm sorry Chika...." "I love you....love you....." "Chika....." Holding on to each other still standing in the water, Chika suddenly moves away "Hiroto.....the baby just moved....." "Really?" "I felt it....it's alive, our baby.....it's living right here right now....." Looking up into Hiroto eyes, Chika says "I want to have the baby....I want to have your baby....." Hiroto puts his arms tighter around Chika, not saying a word....

Entering the hospital lobby, Yuki looks around. Sakurai Miyako sees her & calls "Yuki-chan....thanks for coming....this way....." showing Yuki to the playroom in the pediatrics ward. Looking at the kids playing by themselves, Sakurai explains "Their parents come visit but due to work or having to look after younger children, these kids are left alone after dinner....you were the same too....." Yuki nods. Sakurai says "I was wondering if you could come once a week, just to see the kids....only if you can though....." Yuki replies "Can I do it, I wonder....." "Of course you can, you're their senpai (senior)....they'll understand your feelings of wanting them to get better faster, to live....." Yuki nods....

With a book on her lap, Yuki reads to a little girl "....the white cat became sort of like an aunt....the little cat purred....thinking that he wanted to live together with the black cat forever....." The little girl smiles sweetly at Yuki as she flips the page. Yuki continues "One day....."

As Natsuo works on a bike, the door opens & without looking up, calls out "Welcome...be with you in a minute..." Getting to his feet, Natsuo sees Chika & Hiroto walk in, dripping wet "What's wrong? What happened?" Hiroto bows apologetically to Natsuo as Chika says "Onichan....I need to talk to you.....something important...." Natsuo doesn't know what to make of it, staring at the both of them.....

Making two hot drinks, Natsuo glares at Hiroto across the table. Changed into dry clothes, Chika walks in & sits next to Hiroto. Putting the drink down with a thumb on the table in front of Chika, Natsuo starts "What is it?...that something important...." Hiroto stares at the floor "Uhm.....uhm....." Natsuo raises his voice "What is it? Just say it?!" Chika pleads "Onichan, don't get mad, please listen...." Natsuo looks at her "What is it?" Finally, Chika replies ".....I'm pregnant....." Jun & Natsuo are shocked speechless. Chika adds "I want to have the baby....Hiroto's baby....." Suddenly, Natsuo gets to his feet & lunges at Hiroto, throwing him a punch "What have you done to my sister!!!" Chika & Jun yell "Stop it!" as Jun pulls Natsuo off. Hiroto, on his knees, bows to Natsuo "Please let us get married!" Furious, Natsuo spits out "Marry?" Hiroto says "I'll quit school & start working! I'll find a job & start working! I'll make Chika & the baby happy! Please let us get married! Onegaishimasu!!" Natsuo struggles to get out of Jun's grip "You can't even take care of yourself, marriage?! What happiness?! Stop fooling around!!" Natsuo lunges at Hiroto again but Chika protects Hiroto yelling "Don't blame Hiroto! I was the one who said I wanted to have the baby!!!" Natsuo freezes, stunned. Chika, voice quivering, says "I know.....the both of us are still high school students....having this baby would cause a lot of trouble for both of you & Hiroto's parents....it'll be tough.....that's why we had no intention of having the baby....." Natsuo starts to speak "If that's the case...." but Chika interrupts "But....the baby's already living inside me.....Hiroto's & my baby.....Hiroto's promised me that we'll bring this baby up together.....Hiroto & I will do our best together....even with the baby....." Natsuo pulls away from Jun "You can't, you're only 17...." Chika cries insisting "I can try!" Natsuo barely controlling his temper, says "Having a baby at that age, what will Dad think about it? Don't you think it's shameful!!!" Chika yells back "There's nothing to be ashamed of!!! I love Hiroto!"  Hiroto adds "I'm serious about this!" Natsuo looks at them "Are you really serious?!" Chika gets up & looks straight at Natsuo "I'm serious! No matter how much you're against this, my feelings will not change! I'll marry Hiroto & have this baby! It's got nothing to do with you!" Hearing that, Natsuo loses his temper, raises his hand & slaps Chika across the cheek. Chika falls to the floor & Hiroto holds on to her. Natsuo takes a step towards them but Jun grabs him "Calm down! Aniki!" Natsuo shoves Jun so hard he falls to the ground "Do you think I can be calm?!!!" Natsuo struggles to get his composure back, looking at Chika, wondering where the little sister he's always known, has gone......