sekai de ichiban no inochi...

Precious life....

Save for the clinks of chopsticks against bowls & munching, silence ensues at the breakfast table. Jun glances at his brother & sister, the complaints from Natsuo about having urumeiwashi (herring) & Chika's unyielding retorts accompanying breakfast missing this morning. Finally, Chika finishes & with a solemn "gochisosama....I'm going...." picks up her bag to leave for school. Natsuo suddenly speaks "Watch out for cars...." surprising both Chika & Jun. Grudgingly he adds "Greetings in the morning are a different matter.....doesn't mean I'm no longer against your decision......" not looking at Chika. Without a word, Chika walks off. Jun looks at Natsuo "Aniki!" but Natsuo ignores him. Getting up, Jun goes after his sister "Chika...." With a smile, Chika looks at her brother "Jun-nichan...." Jun casts a glance back at Natsuo & then says to Chika "Talk to aniki one more time...." Stubbornly, Chika replies "I've got nothing to talk to onichan about......I've made up my mind.....I'm having this baby......" With that, Chika walks out of the Shinoda house. Natsuo puts his bowl down on the table irritably "Aaa~~ that Chika! It's said that kids don't understand their parents' feelings....sisters don't understand their brothers' feelings either!!!

In a bad mood, Natsuo works on repairing bicycles.......

At a cafe, Hiroto mutters to Chika "Natsuo really hit me good....." Chika reaches out to touch the bruise on his face "Aa~~, it's become like this...." Hiroto flinches "Oww! & then what happened after with Natsuo?" Chika sighs "Didn't go well......I don't think he'll ever forgive us....." Hiroto mumbles in a tone of resignation "I see....I thought that might happen....looks like it did after all...." Chika looks at him "What are you saying, like it was someone else's problem.....Hiroto, it's ok that I have the baby isn't it? You said so to didn't you? that we'd bring up the baby together....I can believe you can't I?" Hiroto nods "Uhm...." & then seeing Chika's look of uncertainty, quickly assures her "Of course! Goes without saying!" A little relieved, Chika asks "So what do we do now?" "Shall we elope?" "Elope?!" "Let's get our things & go someplace far away...." "Where to? Do you have someplace in mind?" asks Chika & Hiroto tilts his head "....place in mind...." Chika adds "What about money?" Hiroto replies "Money?" & digs into his pocket, taking out a crumpled note "Look......" Chika sighs in despair & Hiroto mutters "...how about a bet at the races?" 

At the children's play room in the hospital, a little girl about 5 years old comes running up & hiding behind Yuki. The nurse Sakurai  calls out "Yukari-chan!" Yuki whispers "What's wrong?" Yukari puts her finger to her lips "Shhhhhh......." Sakurai smiles "Yukari-chan.....if you hide there I can see you....." Yuki asks "What's wrong?" "It's time for her intravenous drip.....but she hates needles...." Yukari grimaces behind Yuki "I don't want it....." Sakurai coaxes "But you want to get better quickly don't you?" Yukari throws a tantrum "But I don't want it...." clinging on to Yuki. Yuki smiles & puts Yukari on her lap "Yukari-chan.....I used to hate needles too...." "Really?" "Yes....when I was your age, I had to stay in this hospital too....but I hung in there, had those injections & then I could leave the hospital...." Yukari's eyes sparkles "I can go home?" Yuki smiles "Of course you can go home...that's why you have to hang in there too...." Yukari nods "Uhm!"

Coming back from grocery shopping, Chika steps into the house & sees Natsuo waiting for her. With a quiet "I'm home....", Chika heads for the kitchen. Natsuo sits down at the table & mutters "Oi...." Turning around, Chika says "What?" Natsuo pulls out an envelope from his pocket & puts it on the table "The sooner the better......going to the hospital...." Chika looks at him ".....you mean getting rid of the baby?" Without looking back at her, Natsuo replies "Can't be helped....no way you can have this baby.....don't worry, I'll go with you to the hospital....." Upset, Chika asks "Do you have the right to do that?! This baby is mine & Hiroto's!" Without another word, Chika goes into the kitchen, leaving Natsuo frowning, troubled & nothing to say......

Hiroto walks home despondently, lost in his thoughts. Suddenly from behind, Natsuo appears behind him, matching Hiroto's stride for stride. Hiroto finally realizes someone's presence behind him & spins around to see Natsuo staring back at him....

At a pachinko parlor, with Hiroto sitting next to him, Natsuo starts playing "Do you really think you can become a father? Bringing up a child isn't easy......" Hiroto meekly replies "Chika said she wants to have the baby so....." but Natsuo shoots another question at him "What about you?" "I..." "Huh?" "For the sake of the baby, I'll do my best....." "You said to me that you'd quit school & work....are you serious?" "Yes.....this time I feel like I will do my best....." "Feel like?!" Hiroto quickly says "Ah I mean, I will do my best! My best! I'll look for a job & work!" Natsuo nods "I see....if you mean that...." Hiroto looks at Natsuo "Does that mean you'll forgive us?" Natsuo nonchalantly says "Well, you've spoken to your parents about this I assume? What did they say?" Hiroto stammers "....I uhm......not yet......" Natsuo sighs as Hiroto adds "But this has got nothing to do with those kinds of parents! I'm confident that Chika & I can handle this ourselves...." Losing his temper, Natsuo gets to his feet & glares at Hiroto "Who are you kidding?! You idiot! You can't even speak to your parents, what confidence are you talking about?!! What do you take my sister for?! If you can't speak to your parents about this, what does this mean to my sister?!" Suddenly the machine Natsuo was playing strikes a jackpot, interrupting Natsuo's tirade......

Exchanging the winnings from the machine, Natsuo orders Hiroto "You tell Chika yourself...that you don't have the confidence to go through with this...." Hiroto looks at Natsuo in surprise "Eh?" Natsuo frowns "...that you don't have the confidence to bring up the baby...." Hiroto mutters "But I....." "It's not only you that's involved this time....it also involves the baby's life as well....." "But...." mutters Hiroto again & Natsuo glares at him "Are you willing to take the responsibility?! Are you prepared for that?!!" Hiroto looks shaken "I...." Natsuo adds "There's no way you're going to run away from things now like you've always done!" With a glare at a downcast Hiroto, Natsuo walks off....

On the veranda, Chika waters a plant, staring pensively into space. Walking by, Jun notices Chika & asks "What's wrong?" Turning to look at her brother, Chika gives a sad looking smile "Jun-nichan....I was just wondering if I'm being too willful....." "What do you think?" ".....I'm only a high school student....when I think about it, I'm wondering if I'm doing something really stupid......" Stepping out into the veranda, Jun tells her "Aniki's really worried, thinking about your future......but....." Chika's bravado falls apart as she admits in tears "Truth is, I'm really scared....but if I don't have this baby, I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life......because the baby inside me, is Hiroto's & mine....it's alive right now...." Jun looks at her "Chika....." "I'm feeling rather strange today huh....." Jun smiles encouragingly "Then have the baby......what's most important now is how you feel.....we'll work it out somehow....." Chika looks at her brother, tears in her eyes "Jun-nichan......."

Natsuo's putting things away in the kitchen when Jun appears "Aniki....." "What?" "Did you tell Chika to have an abortion?" "Oh, that...." "Chika wants to have the baby....let her have it....." "Are you serious?" "Yes....." Natsuo sighs & looks at his brother's serious expression staring back at him "Jun, having a baby at 17 is not an easy thing.....what about its future?" Jun doesn't give up "There's Hiroto & myself....." At that moment, Chika comes downstairs & hears Natsuo telling Jun "That guy has no intentions of becoming a father.....Chika was crying & driven into a corner, he agreed.....I just came back from talking to him.....he also agrees to getting rid of the baby....." Chika storms into the room "There's no way Hiroto would say that! You made him agree to it didn't you?! He said that he'd bring up the baby with me!" Natsuo raises his voice "That guy hasn't seriously thought about anything! Not you nor the baby!" Chika retorts "That's not possible!" With a sigh, Natsuo tells her "He hasn't even told his parents about you......can you say that he's seriously thought about you & your future?!" Chika looks at Natsuo "I believe in Hiroto...." Natsuo yells at her "He thinks that you having the baby is a problem! You've been deceived.....you can't believe him......" Chika glares at her brother in tears "I don't want to hear what you have to say!" & runs upstairs. Jun mutters "Chika...." & then angrily yells at Natsuo "Aniki! You're always like this! Just forcing your opinions on everyone else! You're not necessarily right all the time!" However, Natsuo glares back at Jun "In place of Mom & Dad, I've got to bear the responsibility of Chika's future!" & storms out of the room. Jun however, merely says "Chika...." & runs upstairs, leaving Natsuo alone simmering in anger.......2 against 1......

In the pouring rain, Natsuo pulls into a cafe, Yuki with him. Natsuo on his cell phone says "...yes I understand.....thank you, good bye....." Hanging up, he says to Yuki "The practice in the sea today's cancelled....I guess with this rain it can't be helped....." Yuki mutters "It rained so suddenly too....."

Sitting at a table, Natsuo stares out the window morosely, not saying a word. Yuki hums to herself & then says tentatively "It was bright & clear this morning too....I guess it's boring after all, not being in the sea...." Yuki trails off when she doesn't get a response from Natsuo. Yuki asks "What's wrong?" but Natsuo doesn't appear to hear. Yuki puts her hand out "Achi muite hoi!" (kids game of scissors paper stone) & finally gets Natsuo's attention. Natsuo mutters "What?" Yuki smiles "You're not your usual self today....I was wondering what's wrong....." Hesitating slightly, Natsuo finally confides in Yuki "Uhm....actually....my sister's pregnant....." Yuki says "...pregnant?" "She's still in high school......even then, she said to let her have the baby.....& Jun also said to let her have the baby too....." "I see....." "As for me....I enjoy the work I'm doing now....but then, working so hard everyday....it's also for the sake of my brother & sister......I'd like to give them the chance to go to college, find good jobs after that....& then live a normal life like everyone else....& now, Chika says she wants to have the baby...what's going to her life now? You can see that her life's going to be ruined...." "....you may be right......" "Isn't it? It is, isn't it....anyone would think the same thing too.....I'm glad I spoke to you about it....." "But uhm....." "But?" Yuki looks at Natsuo "Your sister said that she wants to have the baby didn't she?......& if thinking that perhaps that the baby wants to live too........" Natsuo mutters "....what is this....even you're saying that....." Yuki thinks & then quietly replies "......because it's something important....." Natsuo retorts "I don't want to get rid of the baby either....but this is the only thing that we can do.....even if they say I'm bad it's fine...it doesn't matter what people think of me.....that's because I'm carrying the responsibility of my sister's happiness on my shoulders....." In a huff, Natsuo turns back & looks out the window.....

Hiroto hides out in his room, listening to the messages on his voice mail "It's me Chika, call me when you get this message....." "It's Chika.....I need to speak to you, please call me right away......" "It's Chika....what you told my brother, it's a lie isn't it? I....." "It's Chika....." Hiroto looks troubled, confused, bothered.....

Shogo & his partner Morimoto are outside the Suetsugu residence. Morimoto checks out the motorbike parked by the side of the house but Shogo tells him "Don't go in!" Someone answers the intercom & Shogo says "We're from the Suginami Chuou Police Station....is your son Hiroto in?" Irritated at Morimoto's actions, Shogo keeps telling him "Don't go inside!" 

In the living room, Shogo says "It appears that you haven't been attending school recently....is there any particular reason for this?" Lounging on the sofa looking disinterested, Hiroto mumbles "No....." Toshie asks worriedly "Detective....do you still suspect my son regarding the case previously?" Shogo's quick to assure her "No, no....we're just checking if he's thought about anything?" Hiroto mutters "I said I didn't know anything...." Shogo takes a photograph of a bike out "Do you recognize this bike? It was use as the getaway bike...." Hiroto shrugs "I don't know....." Morimoto says "You ride a bike too I noticed....you've got this...." bringing out Hiroto's helmet. Hiroto retorts "So what?!" Shogo adds "We checked for fingerprints...." Hiroto sits up "Fingerprints?" Shogo looks at him "But then it's unfortunate....appears that they've all been wiped off....." Hiroto sits back with relief "What a pity......"

As the detectives leave, Morimoto says angrily "He's got something to do with it! Let's bring him in one more time...." but Shogo calms him down "But we haven't got any proof...." Morimoto insists "He'll spit everything out!" Shogo says in resignation "It's better not to rile him, besides which we haven't got evidence against him....on top of that he's still a minor...." Morimoto sighs "I thought you'd be a lot tougher...." At that, Shogo turns around & makes a face at his partner.....

On the drive back with Natsuo still in a bad mood, Yuki suddenly points her finger at Natsuo "Achi muite hoi!" & laughs when she gets Natsuo. Natsuo looks a little annoyed at being taken in again. Yuki suddenly says "Ah....a bug....don't move....." & slaps her hands together right in front of Natsuo. Natsuo mutters "Did you get it?" & looks as Yuki opens her hands "There's nothing there...." Yuki laughs "It's dead..." "Eh?" "The angry bug....." Natsuo looks at her "Not funny......"

Yuki gets her things from the back of the van & walks back up to Natsuo who's wiping the window "Thanks for sending me home...." With a gruff "Uhm....." Natsuo merely continues with what he's doing. Yuki looks at him & then coming to a decision, asks "Are you free tomorrow evening?" "Tomorrow?" "I was wondering if you'd be willing to do some volunteer work...." "What sort of volunteer work?" "Well, it's like I mentioned before....just to entertain the children who are staying at the hospital.....come by if you feel like it.....I'll write the address for you right now..." Yuki pulls out her organizer.....

Coming home, Yuki notices the door's unlocked & enters to see Sakurai in her home preparing dinner "Sakurai-san!" "Welcome back.....I've borrowed your kitchen....." replies Sakurai. Yuki smiles "Sure......."

At the table, both women sit down to dinner. Sakurai smiles "It's been so long since I've had dinner with you....." Yuki nods "Yes....you used to come a lot more often...." "Yes.....after becoming head nurse, the workload's increased too....." Yuki takes a bite "This is delicious......ah, I might bring someone along the next time I come for the volunteer session, is that ok?" "Of course....a friend?" "Yeah......"

Dripping with sweat, Shogo runs back home, scrambling up the stairs & panting coming through the front door "I'm back!" Sakurai with her bag in hand greets him "Otsukaresama...." & then makes her way out. Shogo pants "You're leaving already?" Sukarai replies "I'm on night duty...." "I see....when I got your phone call I rushed back....." Yuki looks surprised "Phone call?" Sakurai explains "Well, I hadn't spoken to your father about you volunteering at the hospital so I called....." Yuki smiles "Hmmmmm....." Shogo says "I'll walk you to the station....." but Sakurai refuses "It's ok....dinner's getting cold, eat it while it's hot.....bye....." Yuki looks at her father "Dad....you really rushed back....." Shogo looks dazed "Eh?" Yuki smiles "You're sweating terribly....." Shogo, glimmering with perspiration, looks back at her with a straight face "Who is?" 

In her room, Chika calls Hiroto but doesn't get through. Hanging up, she mutters "Coward....." A knock on the door & Jun says "Chika, dinner...." Chika replies quietly "I don't want to eat....."

Having taken his bath, Natsuo gets a drink from the fridge. Jun comes by "Aniki, talk to Chika.....this is important, talk to her...." Natsuo burps disgustingly & Jun looks at him irritably "Aniki!" However, Natsuo retorts "Shut up! I said I was against this & I'm against it!!!"

The next evening, Natsuo goes to the hospital & finds the children's play area. Seeing Natsuo walk in, Yuki happily greets him "You came...." Natsuo replies a little gruffly "Uhm......I finished work early....." Yuki smiles "Are you still mad?" Natsuo shakes his head "No...." & Yuki looks away, not really believing him. However, in a short time, all the kids are clamoring around Natsuo, riding on his shoulders & having fun, with the exception of Yukari looking on enviously in a corner. Sakurai comes up to Yuki "Looks like the kids made a new friend...." Yuki smiles "Looks like they don't even notice me anymore....." "They don't get to see outsiders that often & yet they're like friends already....looks like he's the kind that can cheer people up...." "Yes....like the sea during summer....." Seeing the way Yuki looks at Natsuo, Sakurai half whispers "You like him?" Yuki looks surprised "Eh?" "It's written all over your face....." Sakurai smiles as she leaves....

Natsuo comes up to Yuki & collapses into a chair next to her "I didn't expect them to be so lively.....they're all staying here aren't they?" Yuki holds out a towel to Natsuo "Yes....Toshio-kun's been here for half a year......Kyoko-chan's been here for a week but when she'll be able to leave, we still don't know.....but everyone's hanging in there doing their best so they can get better & go home....." Natsuo nods, thinking when suddenly someone tugs at his sleeve. Turning around, he sees Yukari "I want to ride on your shoulders too...." Natsuo nods "On my shoulders? ok, but only for you....." & lifts her onto his shoulders. The other kids look on enviously "I want too...." & Natsuo quickly assures them "After this ok?" Natsuo says "It's high isn't this?" Yukari nods "Uhm...start walking?" Natsuo strides around the room & Yukari says "Go to the window..." "Window? Over here?" Natsuo walks to the window & looks out "What can you see?" Yukari replies "I can see my home....ah, Mom's on her way out, she must be on her way to see me....." Natsuo says "That's fantastic.....you can see so far.....what's your Mom wearing?" Yukari however, suddenly loses consciousness & falls backwards, Natsuo holding on to her, is taken by surprise. Yuki rushes towards them "Yukari-chan! Sakurai-san!" calling for help in a panic......

Natsuo & Yuki look on worriedly through the glass window as a doctor looks over Yukari. Sakurai comes out & assures them "It's ok, she's alright.....if she wakes up later, she'll be alright....." Natsuo says "Uhm, was it because of me?" Sakurai smiles "It's not your fault....these things happen sometimes...." Natsuo asks "Then, is it very bad?" Sakurai looks away & gives Yuki a glance before saying "Yukari-chan looked very happy riding on your shoulders.....her parents are divorced & lives with her mother....so, that must have been the first time she's ever gotten to ride on someone's shoulders.....thank you...." A nurse comes by "Shunin, we've gotten in touch with Yukari's mother......" With a nod, Sakurai leaves Natsuo & Yuki alone. Anxiously, Natsuo turns around & stares at little Yukari.....

As Chika shops at the supermarket, Hiroto suddenly pops up from behind "Yo....." Taking one look, Chika says "Why didn't you call?" Hiroto looks away as he makes up an excuse "Sorry, I left my cell phone on the table.....I just got your messages....." With a look of disappointment on her face, Chika starts walking away. Hiroto follows a few paces behind & suddenly starts to say "Uhm....." but Chika cuts him off chattering "We've got to decide on a name for the baby, girl or boy......maybe it's too early.....once the summer holidays start there'll be a lot of things to do....where to live, the furniture...we can use what we have now...." "Chika....." "What colors shall the curtains be....." "It's better not to have the baby after all...." Chika stops in her tracks "Because my brother said so?" Hiroto tells her "That's one of the reasons......I don't have the confidence.....I don't even know what I'm going to do myself, I can't think about the baby....." "Then you said that you'd bring the baby up together with me, was that a lie? Saying that you'd make me & the baby happy in front of my brother, was that a lie too?!" Hiroto bows to her pleading "Please....have the abortion....onegaishimasu......" Stunned beyond words, Chika looks dazed, tears in her eyes......

At a waiting lounge at the hospital, sitting side by side, Natsuo says to Yuki "She'll get well, right?" "I don't know....." "Eh?" "Yukari-chan's suppose to start grade school next year....she's looking forward to carrying her backpack & going to school.....at the very least, until then......" "It's as bad as that? Even until then, she might not make it?" Yuki remains silent & Natsuo grips the can drink in his hand "She's still so tiny....." Yuki says softly "There are children who can't live even if they want to.....I think that the most important thing in this world is life....." Natsuo looks at her, not saying a word. Yuki continues "As long as one can live, I think that's happiness....." Suddenly a nurse tells them "Yukari's awake!" Hurriedly getting to his feet, Natsuo flies down the corridor to Yukari's room, Yuki on his heels. Looking in through the glass, Yukari gives a little smile & a wave to Natsuo.....

As Natsuo walks home, thoughts spin in his head....."Don't you think it's shameful?" hearing himself yell & Chika saying "There's nothing to be ashamed of because I love Hiroto!.....Do you have the right to do that? This baby is mine & Hiroto's!" & then Yuki telling him "I think that the most important thing in this world is life....." 

Coming home, Natsuo sees Chika putting away the dishes "I'm back...." Not getting a response, Natsuo looks around & asks "Where's Jun?" Chika answers "Upstairs studying....." Natsuo mutters "I see....Chika...." "What?" Chika asks but Natsuo suddenly retreats, unable to say what he wants to & looks into a pot on the stove "What's for dinner tonight? Curry? Looks good...." Finally, Natsuo says ".....we need to talk about the baby......" Chika, wiping a plate, suddenly freezes, getting upset. Natsuo asks "What's wrong?" Chika, in a trembling voice, says "I don't want to hear anything! I don't want to hear anything anymore!" Throwing the plate down on the floor with a crash, Chika runs out of the house barefoot screaming & crying. Natsuo runs after her "Chika! Wait! Chika!" Running into the deserted shopping area, Chika slips & tumbles onto the ground, allowing Natsuo to catch up with her "Are you alright?" Hysterically, Chika pushes him away "Leave me alone! No one's thinking about the baby!" Natsuo tries to calm her down "We are.....calm down Chika....." but Chika cries even harder "Hiroto.....Hiroto said that it was ok to have the baby......that we'd bring the baby up together....but you went & interfered! It's all your fault!!! It's all your fault!!!" Natsuo tries to get Chika to understand "There's no way I'd let him take care of you.....I'm really worried about you, really worried....." Chika looks up at her brother  "Onichan.....I don't know what to do any more.....I don't know what to do any more....." sobbing in his arms.......

Finally back at home, Chika wipes her feet with a towel, calm but resigned, says "Onichan.....please give me the money.....I'll get rid of the baby......" Natsuo replies "Alright....if that's what you want...." Jun mutters "Aniki....." Chika leans tiredly against the wall "I thought that Hiroto would understand......how much I want to have this baby.....but I can't now....I can't bring up this baby alone....." Natsuo looks at her "I'm asking what you really want.....Chika....." Jun looks at her "Chika....." Turning around & facing both her brothers, Chika says "I want this baby......it's living inside me right now, I don't want to kill it.....I want to have this baby...." Hearing his sister's heartfelt wish, Jun gets down on his knees & says to Natsuo "Aniki, I'll get a job.....I'll be the father instead.....so please, let Chika do as she wants....please aniki!" With a sigh, Natsuo finally gives in "Chika.....if you want to have this baby, then go ahead....." Expecting to do battle with Natsuo, both Jun & Chika are surprised by Natsuo's response "Aniki!" "Onichan!" Natsuo gets up on his feet "Can't be helped....it's the baby of my cute little sister.....I was against it because I was thinking of your future......but there are things that are more important.....we live each day without thinking about it, but life isn't something that everyone can have.....it's the most precious thing in the world......" Walking up to Chika, he tells her "Chika.....from now on, I'll be here for you.....Jun too....so don't worry....have the baby......" Touched, Chika nods, crying..........

Coming down the stairs & into the living room, Hiroto looks surprised to see the Shinoda siblings sitting across from his father. His father Hideaki finally speaks "So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?" Natsuo says "Hiroto....." but Hiroto remains silent. Hideaki says "What's this got to do with my son?" Natsuo replies "I think it's best if he tells you himself but.....my sister's pregnant....the baby is Hiroto's....." Toshie asks in shock "Hiroto! Is it true?" but Hideaki calmly says "So?" Natsuo replies "Coming here today.....we'd like you to acknowledge my sister having this baby....." Hideaki looks at his son "Hiroto....what do you think?" Hiroto mutters "I....I......" Natsuo says "You did say that you didn't have the confidence in becoming a father, didn't you....." Hideaki says "Well, there's your answer....." but Natsuo adds "That's what I thought so in the beginning too......but my sister wants to have the baby....we won't give you any trouble with the baby, we'll bring it up ourselves....but we just wanted Hiroto & his parents to know......that there's a new life coming into the world, related to you....." Hideaki smirks "Is it really Hiroto's baby?" Chika looks up in shock at the insult but Hideaki continues "One doesn't know what's happening to the high school girls these days....not telling the truth, getting Hiroto to become a father...." Hiroto loses his temper & lunges at his father "What are you saying!! Are you accusing them of lying?! Idiot!" Natsuo grabs him "Don't speak to your parents like that!" Hiroto mutters "He's not a parent!" but Natsuo warns "Hiroto!" Hideaki finally says "What's your motive?" Natsuo looks at him "Motive?" Hideaki replies "Don't you need money? I heard you run a bicycle shop....business is tough too....how much? How much do you want?" Hiroto glares at his father "Dad! You!!" Natsuo, controlling his temper at the slur, stops Hiroto & then stands in front of Hideaki. Looking at the glare in Natsuo's eyes, Hideaki asks "What?" Natsuo suddenly gets down on his knees "Please, acknowledge this baby...." Chika & Jun look at their brother in shock. Natsuo says "Even for my sister, having this baby means sacrificing a lot of things.....but even then, she's decided she wants this baby.....my brother Jun & I will look after her...." Chika tries to stop Natsuo "Onichan...." but Natsuo merely continues "onegaishimasu....we won't cause you any trouble! Please acknowledge the baby!" Hideaki loses his cool "It's none of my business!" getting up. Natsuo pleads "...onegaishimasu!" over & over but Hideaki merely storms out of the room. Hiroto mutters "It's no use....Natsuo-san....." as Chika holds on to Natsuo, crying "I'm sorry, onichan.....doing this for my sake...." Natsuo tells her "It's ok, Chika...." but she merely sobs holding on to him "I'm sorry.......sorry......." 

A few days later, while working on a bike, Natsuo looks up as he hears the door slide open "Welcome...." & then sees it's Hiroto carrying a big bag & shoes slung over his shoulders "What's with the bag?" Hiroto replies "I left home...." Natsuo nods "I see....so what do you intend to do?" Hiroto mutters "Well that.....uhm....." but seeing Natsuo returning back to work, says "....for the time being, bunk in with a friend or something....." Natsuo says "Not with your bunch of friends I hope....." "No....I don't meet with them anymore...." "That's good.....do you have money?" "No....but I'll get by somehow..." "That's true....you can get a job or something...." With Natsuo ignoring him, Hiroto finally says "Then.....I'll get going....." Natsuo mutters "Take care....." Hiroto turns to go but takes a couple of steps & stops. Natsuo asks "What's wrong?" Hiroto finally comes right out & says "I.....I want to be with Chika.....so please let me stay.....I'm the baby's father....I'll do my best to be a father......" Natsuo smiles "You should have said so from the beginning...." Hiroto looks surprised & relieved "Natsuo-san......" Natsuo however sets a bunch of conditions "Well said Hiroto, but if you want to stay here, there are some rules....first, you have to graduate from high school....second, you have to help out when you get home from school, can't have you staying here for free.....third.....doesn't matter what it is, just find one thing & do your best.....if you don't, you don't have the right to be the baby's father....." Happily, Hiroto grins "I understand....." & Natsuo nods "Good....." 

Coming home from school lugging a huge watermelon, groceries & her school bag, Chika says "I'm home.....aa~~ this is heavy! There was a special sale for watermelons at the supermarket by the station so I bought one...." Hiroto, working at the store, quickly takes it from her "You shouldn't be carrying heavy things...." Turning around in surprise to see Hiroto instead of her brother, a smile appears on her face "Hiroto!" Hiroto looks at her "I've only made you worry....I'm sorry....." Happy, Chika shakes her head & leans onto him. Hiroto half whispers "I'll stay with you by your side forever...." Coming out from the kitchen, Natsuo says "Well, Chika that's the way it is....from today there'll be an additional freeloader staying here....." "Onichan...." Natsuo nonchalantly tells Hiroto "I'm going out for a bit...Hiroto, make sure you clean up......" Nodding, Hiroto replies "I will...." Natsuo suddenly tells them "& none of that hanky-panky stuff in the house...not allowed....." Hiroto & Chika grin.....

As the bank closes for the day, Arimura dumps a stack of files on the table between Suzuki & Yuki "Here.....thank you both......" Suzuki pushes the files to Yuki "Sorry, I've got a date....thanks...." & disappears. Yuki approaches Arimura "Excuse me...." 'yes?" "I've got something on today....is tomorrow ok?" "Tomorrow?" "I'll come in early to do it.....onegaishimasu....."

At the hospital, Seiji speaks to his father ".....a patient from our hospital.....to America?" "Yes....for the sake of studying organ transplants, team of doctors & a patient will be sent......& as you're specializing in cardiac surgery, you'll be part of the team sent to the San Diego Medical Center....I'll speak to the university you're attending & explain on your behalf....."  Seiji asks "& who's the patient?" 

At the children's play area, Yukari shows Natsuo a picture "I drew this...." Natsuo grins "This is great....you're taking a ride on my shoulders?" Yukari nods. Sakurai calls out "Thanks for coming by today....." Natsuo turns around & seeing her, tells Yukari "Wait a minute ok?" Going over to Sakurai, Natsuo asks "Excuse me....but she's still not here?" Sakurai replies "If you're talking about Yuki, she's in the lobby....." 

At the lobby, Seiji tells Yuki "You're a potential candidate......" Yuki, looking at the documents, nods "I see...." Seiji continues "I think this is great news....going overseas for a transplant takes a lot of money.....on a personal basis it would be really tough.....but if you go with the hospital this time, the expenses will be taken care of......" Handing the documents back to Seiji, Yuki says "But I'm fine....." not looking too enthusiastic at the news. Seiji tells her "It's planned for the summer....." Yuki says hesitatingly "I have things I want to do right now.....that's why this time....." However, Seiji asks "But what if you have an attack? What are you going to do?" When Yuki  doesn't reply, Seiji tells her "I'll go with you....." "Seiji-san....." At that moment, Natsuo appears in the lobby & overhears Seiji telling Yuki "I said so before didn't I? If there was a good doctor by your side, you'd become a happy person......let's go to America...." "Seiji-san....." "Come together with me to America......" Yuki stares at Seiji in silence. Neither Yuki nor Seiji notices Natsuo's presence behind them, a Natsuo staring at the both of them, stunned......