koibito no himitsu...

Lover's secret....

The three siblings plus one freeloader sit down to breakfast "Itadakimasu!" & start on the miso shiru (soup). Natsuo grimaces "What's this?" Chika frowns "It's salty...." Jun looks at Chika "You added salt?" Hiroto, however, slurps it down, enjoying it. Everyone turns to look at him & Chika mutters "Hiroto made the miso shiru......." Hiroto nods "I like it the saltier the better...." Natsuo grumbles "In this house we're used to our own tastes, don't go changing it, you freeloader.....free meals & sleeping here....." Hiroto replies "Talking about sleeping, aren't I just sleeping in your room?" Natsuo retorts "& who's room do you want to sleep in?" Hiroto glances at Chika who quickly shakes her head. Natsuo noticing, adds "You listen to me....do you think I'd let you & Chika sleep in the same room without you guys being married?! Idiot!! & if you're done eating, go air the futon (bedding).....& since it's Sunday, polish the store windows until they sparkle & also, I'm thirsty, go make me some mugicha (barley tea)...." Hiroto mutters under his breath "Irritating....." Natsuo asks "What did you say?" Hiroto quickly shakes his head, getting to his feet "Nothing...." Chika offers "Hiroto, I'll do it........" giving Natsuo a whack on his back. Hiroto replies "Thanks..." & Natsuo frowns "Chika, you can't spoil this guy, he'll get conceited....a guy like him..." Chika replies "Yes, yes, yes....so onichan, what are you doing today? Going diving?" Natsuo nods "Uhm....Jun, what about you?" Jun says "I'll go too...." & Natsuo looks up surprised "Eh? You're going? But your exam is during the summer holidays isn't it?" Jun replies "But you said that it was ok to have a change once in a while...." Natsuo mutters "I did? Ah, if I said so...." Jun frowns "You look like you don't want to take me along....." Chika, bringing in the tea, adds "Lately onichan's been rather strange....going off to the sea by himself.....or..." Natsuo mutters "What?" as Chika gives him a strange look, smiling "You've got a girlfriend?" Natsuo chokes on his food & both Jun & Hiroto laugh "No way, that's impossible...." & then turn to each other "....right?" Natsuo looks at them "Aren't you guys being rude? 'No way...' is still acceptable, but 'no way, that's impossible right?'....that's too much......" cracking up laughing......

(-= CJ =- Looks like Dohmoto goofed up at the very end of that scene but it was funny....)

 Yuki's in the kitchen preparing a sumptuous obento when Shogo comes out of his room "You're awake early on a Sunday morning....." Yuki looks up & then packs the food away "Ah, good morning...I'm going out today....." Getting a drink from the fridge, Shogo says "You've been going out a lot recently...." Yuki smiles "Really?" "You went out early last week too, where did you go?" Yuki glances at her watch "With my friends.....ah, I've got to go.....I'm going..." hurriedly grabbing her things & heading for the door. Shogo looks at the table "Hey, you forgot your flask...." Yuki takes it from him "Thanks....I'm off..." Shogo tells her "Be careful...." & then mutters to himself "....even taking a flask...." yawning sleepily.....

Driving along, Natsuo sings to himself as Jun, sitting beside him looks around "You're not going the usual way...." Natsuo feigns ignorance "Is that so?" carrying on singing. Jun smiles "You're in a good mood..." & Natsuo nods "Uhm...well, sort of...." Jun looks ahead & seeing someone waving at them, turns to Natsuo in surprise "Aniki!" Natsuo nonchalantly replies "Well, that's the way things are..." pulling up next to Yuki. Coolly, Natuo says "Yuki....wait long?" Yuki shakes her head, smiling "Good morning....." Natsuo grins a little sheepishly "Morning...." Jun smiles to himself before giving Yuki a nod.....

At the cove where the new divers are practicing, Natsuo leads Yuki out into the sea "It's alright....it's no different from being in a pool...." Yuki nods wading into the water & then stops "But, I'm still really nervous..." Natsuo assures her "There's no need to worry, if anything happens I'm right here to help...." "Really?" "I'm your dive buddy aren't I? You should trust me...." "I do...." "Then let's go...." Wading out further into the water at waist height, Natsuo asks "Ready?" Yuki puts her hand on her chest, breathing deeply. Natsuo holds out his hand "Here..." & slowly, Yuki puts hers in his. Natsuo tells her "Don't let go....." When Yuki nods, Natsuo adds "Let's go...." & together hand in hand, Natsuo takes Yuki into a new world....

After their dive, sitting on the ledge by the sea, Natsuo makes ice shavings for Yuki "What flavor would you like?" "Strawberry...." "Strawberry it is......" "Thanks......" "How was it...your first dive in the sea today.....here...." Yuki takes the shavings from him "Thanks.....it's just like you said.....really quiet & beautiful....." "Glad you took the risk?" "Uhm...." "Then this summer we'll do lots of diving....." Yuki's face clouds over before she nods "Uhm...." Natsuo looks at her "Oh....do you have plans for the summer? A trip or....." Yuki looks up in surprised "Eh?" Natsuo explains "I overheard your conversation the other day.....at the hospital lobby....going to America...." Yuki hesitates "...that....uhm, I had plans with some friends from Tandai to go for a graduation holiday.....we never made it....." "With that guy? The one whom you were talking with....." "That guy is the son of the director of the hospital.....I was only discussing it with him....he's like an older brother....." "Older brother?" "Uhm...." "Really?" Natsuo can't hide his glee at the news & Yuki grins "Uhm..." Natsuo grins idiotically "Older Brother? Ah, older brother....." Behind them Jun calls over from the van "Aniki! Sorry to interrupt...." Natuo turns around "Then don't interrupt...." However Jun adds "I'm hungry! Let's go get something to eat..." Natsuo looks at his watch "It's noon....yeah, getting hungry...." Yuki tells them "I made obento....it's warm today so I left it at the diving shop...." getting up to go get it. Natsuo asks "That obento...it's you made it?" Yuki smiles "I made a special hamburger...." Natsuo mutters to himself, grinning from ear to ear "Special hamburger....special hamburger....what kind I wonder....." Jun comes over & grins over Natsuo's shoulder "She likes you...." Natsuo nods, a tad haughtily "Well...yeah....she made a special hamburger for me...." 

That night, Jun, Hiroto & Chika huddle around the table in the living room. Chika says "Onichan's got a girlfriend?" Hiroto adds in disbelief "You're serious?" Jun nods "Uhm...." Chika asks excitedly "What's she like?" Jun grins "Really pretty....& she seems really nice....." Hiroto tilts his head to the side "I can't believe it....that brother of yours & a pretty girl together...." Chika giggles "Can't imagine it...." They hear Natsuo singing at the top of his voice coming out of the bath & coming into the kitchen muttering "This is happiness.....I'm happiest when I'm with you....." At the table, Hiroto mutters "This guy?" & Chika adds "This idiot?" Natsuo notices them "What are the three of you whispering about?" Chika asks "I hear she's called Yuki...." Hiroto adds "Seems like she's really pretty...." Natsuo grins looking rather self contented "Jun's been talking I see..." walking over to join them at the table "...well, talking about pretty...more like her face is small, she's fair, her black eyes are like Bamby's...." Chika mutters "You're boasting onichan...." Natsuo replies "Does it sound like that?" Hiroto moans "Yes...." Jun adds "Why don't you invite her home & introduce her to everyone?" "How can I bring her here? The floor's tatami, tatami....." Hiroto looks at Natsuo "It's more fun taking her to a hotel alone right?" Natsuo frowns "Idiot! We're not like that...." Everyone looks surprised "Ehhh~~?" Natsuo looks at them "We're not like that....we're different from you, we've got plans....don't know what's with the youngsters these days....the moment they start going around,  they go from A to C instead of A B C.....love between a man & woman....." Chika interrupts "Then you guys haven't done anything?" Jun frowns "Aniki, is that so?" Hiroto adds "At the very least a kiss....right?" With everyone staring at Natsuo, making him uncomfortable, he finally says "You guys are annoying....what we do is up to us...don't need you to tell me....I'm going to bed....& clear up the mugicha....." Natsuo walks out of the room with the three of them staring at him. Chika mutters "Anything's possible if it's onichan I guess...." Jun adds "Yeah...if it's aniki...." Hiroto adds "I wonder if something's wrong with Natsuo-san...." Natsuo, unfortunately on his way upstairs, overhears Hiroto's comment.....

Falling back on the futon in his room, Natsuo moans "Am I being too naive I wonder....aa~~....." Suddenly, Natsuo stares at the pillow & reaches out to kiss it. At the last moment, he turns away "I can't...I can't....what am I going to do..." tossing & turning, mumbling to himself.....

In her room, Yuki looks at the photographs Natsuo's taken on his dives. Attached to a beautiful picture of a diver deep in the ocean is a little note. Opening it, Yuki reads what Natsuo's written "It's such a beautiful ocean....let's go see it together....." A smile appears on Yuki's face. Suddenly, the door chime goes off & together with sounds of someone banging on the door, Shogo's voice saying "Yuki, it's me! Open up...." Hurriedly, Yuki puts her bag away "Coming!" & opens the door. Shogo, tipsy, being propped up by Seiji, appears "I went for a drink with Seiji.....come on in....." Yuki apologizes to Seiji "Sorry...." Seiji helps a rather wobbly Shogo to the chair amid protests of "I'm fine...." Yuki gets a glass of water from the kitchen "You're not fine...you can't even walk by yourself....." Shogo says "I heard from Seiji, why didn't you tell me?" Seiji adds "We talked about the transplant in America...." Yuki mutters "They haven't decided if I'll be the one...." Shogo mumbles "It's not possible to have a transplant overseas on a detective's meager salary....but if you can go with the hospital, it'll be great.....right Seiji-kun?" Yuki looks at her father "Don't give Seiji-san a hard time, it still hasn't been decided yet...." However, Seiji tells her "They haven't decided yet but I think it'd be great if they decided on you...." Shogo says "That would be great....let's have another drink....." getting up & taking a step before falling to the floor. Seiji hurries over to help him but Shogo doesn't get up, telling him "Seiji-kun, please take care of Yuki....onegaishimasu....." Seiji tells him "It's ok, get up...." but Shogo merely stays on his knees, his head bowed down to Seiji "Onegaishimasu....onegaishimasu...." as Yuki stares at her father, unable to say a word.......

At the bank, Yuki stands in front of the branch manager & Arimura. The branch manager looks at the cards in his hand "You got two new customers, well done...." Yuki smiles at the praise "I was just lucky that a grandparent wanted to open accounts for his grandchildren...." Arimura adds "Thanks to you going out every day to look for new customers.....unlike someone else...." speaking loud enough to reach the ears of a bored looking Suzuki yawing away at her desk. The branch manager smiles "Arimura-kun...here, keep it up..." returning the cards to Yuki. Yuki smiles "I will....."

At lunch, Suzuki comments "You've changed....." Yuki gets her food from the counter "Have I?" Suzuki nods "Yes...you've become more cheerful.....something good happened?" Yuki grins sheepishly "That's a secret....." Suddenly, Yuki notices her phone vibrating & answers it "Hello..."

In the store, Natsuo crouches down behind the counter "Hello? It's me, Natsuo...." looking around to see if anyone's noticed him "....I was thinking it was lunch time....." Yuki replies "Ah, I'm having lunch right now...." Suzuki comes up & whispers "Who is it? A guy?" Yuki mutters "Excuse me....." & goes outside to continue her conversation. Natsuo says "You'll be going to the hospital for the volunteer session to day, aren't you?" "Not today...." "I see....in that case....." Suddenly Natsuo notices Hiroto looking at him, a grin on his face & orders "Get back to work....go...." Grinning, Hiroto walks away & Natsuo continues "Hello? Sorry....uhm, tonight there might be an important guest coming over to the house...." "Important guest?" "Uhm....a very important, special guest....if that person comes, we'd have to prepare something.....ah, that important guest is....uhm, ahem, uhm....well, that would be you....." Surprised, Yuki goes "Me?" "Yes....well, the guys over here want to meet you & keep asking me to bring you over....but, but....if you don't feel like it, it's ok....." "Well...Dad said that he'd be working late tonight.......then, I'll come...." "You'll come? You'll come? Great, you're coming! ok, ok, see you later...." Hanging up, Natsuo turns around & notices with a start at Jun & Chika grinning "What?!" Chika says "That's great, onichan!" & Jun, with an equally big grin "So Yuki's coming...." Natsuo brags "Well, since you were saying that you wanted to meet her, I'm bringing her over tonight....." Chika says "We'll make something delicious...." Natsuo mutters "You know, that kind....."

Chika puts the nabe pot on the table & gets Jun's attention "Jun-nichan, can you lay the table with those plates, together with the chopsticks....." Jun grins "ok...." doing as ordered. To Hiroto, Chika adds "Hiroto, could you put the food on the table?" Hiroto, adjusted the flame under the pot, replies "Got it....." Getting the plates, Hiroto asks Chika "How should we behave when we see Natsuo?" Chika replies "Just don't laugh at him I think it'll be ok...." Hiroto nods "Got it...." Suddenly they hear Natsuo call out "Good evening....." & Yuki saying sweetly "Ojamashimasu....." Hiroto grins "They're here...." & everyone rushes out eagerly to meet Yuki....

Showing Yuki the front of the store, Natsuo tells her "There's no need to stand on ceremony....this place is small & messy.....this is where I work...we renovated it last year so it's a little more organized now....." Yuki looks around "So this is where you work...." Natsuo nods a little tensely "Yes...everyday....." & then noticing the eager faces staring at them, Natsuo clears his throat "Ahem.....I've brought her home....." Politely, Yuki greets them "I'm Yuki....pleased to meet you...." holding out a cake box "This is for you...." Although Chika reaches out for it, Natsuo nervously takes it "Thank you very much....." & everyone stares at him. Natsuo adds "I guess I should introduce everyone.....this is my sister Chika-chan...." Chika politely bows "Thanks for taking care of my brother...." Yuki smiles "It's nothing....." Natsuo points to Jun "Jun you've met...." Jun nods "Good evening...." & gets a "good evening" with a smile back from Yuki. Natsuo glances at Hiroto "& this guy in the blue shirt with the messy print is the freeloader....." Hiroto protests "Say my name!" Yuki smiles "Suetsugu Hiroto-san....the one who got the new account?" Hiroto suddenly recalls "Ah~, so you're from the Shinyou Kinko.........." but Natsuo interrupts "Let's go eat....hey freeloader, make sure her shoes are turned back 180 degrees..." Hiroto moans "Natsuo-san...." Handing the cake to Chika, Natsuo calls out "Yuki-chan, come sit over here....on this mat, this is my favorite...." Hiroto comes in grumbling "Natsuo-san, why are we having nabe on such a hot day?" Natsuo starts on his lecture "When you meet new friends for the first time, eating from the same pot, it means that they become friends...." Jun stops his brother "Aniki...we know...." Natsuo grumbles "Looks who's talking big....Chika, how long as the konbu (kelp) been in the soup?" Chika comes back with a plate & the timer "About 10 minutes..." Natsuo takes the timer from her "You pressed the timer & then added it in?" Chika nods "Yes.....I did...." Natsuo says "Alright, sit down....." Everyone sits down & slowly leans forward towards the pot, not saying a word. Yuki looks at them, wondering what's going on "Uhm...let me do it....." but Natsuo stops her "Wait a bit....." The timer goes off, surprising Yuki & Natsuo says "It's done.....there's a secret to having nabe....after 10minutes & 30seconds, you take out the konbu....." Natsuo starts adding food into the soup, explaining to Yuki "After that, you put in the chicken drumsticks.....after that it's the daikon (radish) that's been boiled....after that ginger....doing that brings out the flavor of the chicken....after that you add the shiitake, maitake & enoki.....after that, the white cabbage & other vegetables...." Jun gives a wry smile to Yuki "Aniki's our nabe specialist...." Hiroto mutters "Doesn't matter, as long as it's edible..." Natsuo retorts "Hey....just changing one little thing & the taste changes completely....when you can make nabe, you're an adult, my Dad used to say...didn't he Chika?" Chika nods "Uhm...." Yuki nods "I see....." Chika asks "I hope we haven't shocked you?" Yuki shakes her head, looking amazed at Natsuo balancing the various mushrooms in his hands, putting them into the pot. Natsuo says "I'm the only one that can do this....." "That's true.....only you can do it......" making Yuki laugh......

Done, Natsuo tells Yuki "Have more of the chicken, it's nutritious, have more...." Instead Hiroto answers "ok......" & holds out his bowl but Natsuo tells him "You can do it yourself....." Chika suddenly says "Yuki-san, can I ask you something?" "What is it?" "What do you see in onichan?" Natsuo frowns at Chika "Oi...." Jun smiles "It's ok, I want to know too......" & Hiroto adds "What do you see in this guy who has no money & fixes bicycles?" Natsuo tells him "Shut up!" Yuki smiles "Uhm....." Nervously, Natsuo takes a big gulp of beer. Yuki says softly "I guess he's kind....." In joint unison, Jun, Chika & Hiroto grin "Ehhhhh~~~?" Chika adds "I see! Natsuo's nice to you!" Hiroto says "& he's so fierce towards me!!" Natsuo tells them "You guys are really annoying...." taking another gulp of beer. Chika stops him & then says to Yuki "But to say that his nice....isn't he more like being nosey?" Jun moans "Aniki likes to bother other people....didn't even have time for a girlfriend...." Natsuo retorts "I do! I have plenty of girlfriends!!" Yuki looks at him "Plenty of girlfriends?" & Natsuo quickly says "Ah, no, no...." Hiroto adds "He likes to act tough too....." getting a glare from Natsuo. Chika puts down her chopsticks & solemnly says to Yuki "Even though onichan's like this.....yoroshiku onegaishimasu...." Jun bows "Me too....yoroshiku onegaishimasu....." Hiroto adds "Me to...please look after him...." Yuki smiles & nods shyly "I will......." Everyone cheers & Natsuo downs the rest of the beer. Jun & Chika try to stop him "Aniki!" "You're drinking too much!" but Natsuo merely grins in seventh heaven......

As Jun & Hiroto clean up the table, they look at Natsuo asleep on the floor. Jun says "He's sound sleep...." Hiroto adds "Just having two glasses of beer...." In the kitchen, Chika's about to put the nabe pot away, getting on a step when Yuki tells her "I'll do it..." "Hm?" "It's the most important time for you now isn't it?" "Ah, you've heard about the baby....." "Yes, a little...." "Thanks...." Yuki puts it away in a cabinet "You're really brave Chika...." Chika smiles "I didn't think I'd be able to have this baby alone.....but my brothers said they'd help....the person I rely on most in this world is onichan....." Yuki smiles "Uhm...." Chika tells her "Everything's cleaned up....it's time to go if you're going to catch the bus home....." Yuki nods "I guess so...." & taking her bag, Yuki goes over to the sleeping Natsuo & whispers "I'm going...." Natsuo stirs but doesn't wake up. Hiroto offers "I'll send you home...." Yuki declines "It's ok, I can go alone..." "But it's late...." adds Hiroto. Suddenly Natsuo sits up with a start, surprising every one & in a daze tells Yuki "I'll see you off....I'll see you off....."

Walking Yuki to the bus stop, Natsuo says "They're really a nosey bunch don't you think?" Yuki smiles shaking her head "No...it was fun....." "Couldn't really take our time to enjoy the food...." "I usually have meals with only my father, we don't get a chance to eat with so many people.....nabe's really more delicious when you eat with many people..." "Is that so? Then come again....definitely come again.....ah, just a second...." Natsuo runs ahead & checks out the bus schedule "It looks like we have a while yet..." Leaning back against the rail along the road. Natsuo says "Uhm....that..." & digs something out of his pocket & give it to Yuki "Here..." Yuki looks at the little pouch tied with a pink ribbon in surprise. Natsuo explains "You made the obento for us the other time....this is to say thank you....& also to congratulate you on getting your diver's license....well done...." With a smile, Yuki reaches out to accept it "Thank you.....can I open it?" "Sure...." nods Natsuo & Yuki opens the present, takes out a fine gold chain with a single while pearl hanging on it "A pearl?" Natsuo replies "I was thinking that it would suit you best....like it?" Yuki nods "Yes, very much....hey, do you know that pearls are the tears of mermaids...the flowing tears of mermaids under the sea change into pearls.....I read that in a fairy tale when I was a kid...." Natsuo looks up into the sky "Sounds rather romantic....." Yuki looks at Natsuo "I'll take good care of it...." who nods happily before adding "Hey..." "Hm?" "Let's go diving again....." "Uhm..." "This time it'll just be the two of us....." Yuki nods smiling "Uhm..." Hesitatingly, Natsuo slowly reaches out to hold Yuki's hand, moving to kiss Yuki when the bus approaching, startling the both of them. Natsuo mutters "The bus is here...." exchanging embarrassed looks with Yuki. Natsuo tells her "Then, bye...." "Goodnight...." "Goodnight..." replies Natsuo, tinged with disappointment.....

Shogo & Morimoto pay a visit to Shinoda Cycle. Walking in, Natsuo, working alone, greets them "Welcome...." Shogo, moping his forehead with his handkerchief, says "It's really hot outside....just walking a little bit & I'm perspiring like crazy...." Natsuo, not realizing who he is, replies "It must be the hottest day this summer.....& how can I help you?" Morimoto says "Is Suetsugu Hiroto around?" Natsuo looks back in surprise "Eh?" Both men dig into their pockets, showing Natsuo their identification "I'm Katase from the Suginami Chuou Police Station, Juvenile Department....this is Detective Morimoto....." Natsuo asks "Detectives?"

Sitting at the table across from each other, Shogo explains their reason for their visit "There hasn't been any cases recently regarding those thefts using the bikes....the youngsters know that we're watching out for them I suppose....." As Chika serves them tea, Natsuo asks "So Hiroto is involved with them after all?" Shogo replies "We're thinking that he might be part of the group....but we just don't have any proof..." Morimoto adds "I think he'll spit everything out if we get a hold of him...." however Shogo looks apologetically at Natsuo "But I don't really want to do that....it's the summer holidays right now & visiting each one of the group individually, we can't do that....." Natsuo replies "That's true....gokurousama desu..." Shogo merely says "It's part of the job....."  Chika listening in the hallway, looks worried. Just then, Hiroto voices calls out from the front of the store "I'm back...." Natsuo gets up "Hiroto, you're back....come here....." Walking in, Hiroto stops when he sees Morimoto glaring back at him. Natsuo adds "Come over here......it's such a hot day & the detectives took the trouble to come pay you a visit..." Hiroto mutters "It's not like I want them to come..." Natsuo warns "Hiroto!" Shogo looks at Hiroto "I heard from you mother that you left home..." Morimoto glares down into Hiroto's face "You had a fight with your father? What did you fight about?" Hiroto retorts "Why do I have to tell you detectives my private life?" Morimoto tells him domineeringly "Do you know the position you're in right now?! You're still under suspicion you know!!" grabbing Hiroto by the shoulder. Shogo tries to calm his partner down "Alright, alright....." Natsuo calls over "Hiroto...anyway, just come sit over here...." & then politely to Shogo "Sorry....." Shogo smiles "It's alright....." As Hiroto grudgingly walks over to sit next to Natsuo, Natsuo explains "Hiroto's been helping me out at the store during the summer holidays.....& also doing all the deliveries for me...." Shogo looks at Hiroto in surprise "You're working hard aren't you....." Natsuo adds "Even the detective is praising you..." Hiroto merely retorts "So what?! These people would never believe what I say anyway....." Natsuo tells him "With an attitude like that you'd never get any one to believe you....." Hiroto mutters "Forget it...you yourself don't even believe me...." At that, Natsuo loses his temper & banging his fist on the table, lights into Hiroto "You idiot! That's pathetic! You have to tell other people what you think & what you're thinking about! If you go out into society like that how will you be accepted?! You have to change! For Chika's sake too!" Chika, standing at the doorway, looks upset but doesn't say a word as Natsuo continues "If you're going to be independent, then you'll have to face up to people, tell them what you think & get them to understand you! That's what being a person is about!" Turning to Shogo, Natsuo adds in a calm tone "Isn't that right, detective?" Shogo, surprised at Natsuo's tirade, nods "Yes.....would you like to tell us about it? We'll listen...." telling Hiroto with a sincere smile. Finally after a while, hesitatingly & looking at the floor, Hiroto starts "....I....I...thought about lots of things before leaving home......although my father wants me to go to college, I hate studying.....working here & being looked after all this time, I feel like it's better to get a job & work....that's why I'm thinking of quitting school & working instead....." 

On the way back, Morimoto comments on Hiroto's attitude "He looked very obedient....I wonder if people can change that easily....." Shogo ponders "Rather than changing...maybe he's an obedient kid in the first place....." "Yes, Saint Shogo...." Shogo laughs & then turns to look back down the street "I think he'll be alright...." Morimoto asks "You believe him?" Shogo nods "Yes....with that trustworthy older brother looking out for him, I don't think there's a need to worry any more....." smiling. His cell phone rings, getting his attention & he answers it "Hello, this is Shogo....ah, Seiji-kun....yes....yes.....eh?! Really?!"

Coming back to his apartment, Shogo looks at the mail sticking out of the postbox "Eh? Still not back yet?" & pulls out his keys from his pocket. Grabbing the mail, Shogo opens the door & enters, looking through the mail at the same time. Noticing one from PADI about diving, Shogo reads the words on the envelope "Information with regards to the next term's diving session....." 

Yuki comes home "I'm back.....you're home early....have you had dinner?" to find Shogo sitting at the table, a serious look on his face "I was thinking of having it with you....." Yuki smiles "Ah, I'll start on it right away....it's rare for you to be home so early....." Shogo adds "I wanted to let you know as soon as possible...." "Hm?" "I got a call from Seiji-kun today....they've decided that you'll be getting the transplant...." "Me?" "It looks like they'll make their decision formally next week.....I've never been this happy before....I've always been prepared that if anything happened to you, there was nothing I could do....I'm grateful that my daughter could live this long....." Noticing something not quite right at Shogo's serious tone, Yuki ventures "Dad?" Shogo looks at her & then places the envelope from PADI on the table. On top, Yuki's diving license "What's this? Going out every Sunday....were you taking diving lessons?" Yuki quietly apologies "I'm sorry......but I'm really careful.....as soon as I don't feel well, I stop....."  However, Shogo says angrily "That's not the problem! Diving is dangerous......if something happens when you're in the water, what are you going to do?! Doesn't it matter if you die?!!! You're not like everyone else, you know that! Why did you do such a reckless thing like this?!" Getting up, Shogo warns Yuki in a calm tone "Don't ever do this again, you hear?....go get changed, I'll start on dinner...." rolling up his sleeves, walking into the kitchen. However after a pause, Yuki says with quiet determination "I won't quit....I'll carry on diving...." Shogo stares at his daughter "What I've just said, didn't you understand any of it? If anything happens to you....." but Yuki retorts "I'm not going to quit!" At that, Shogo loses his temper & slaps Yuki across the cheek in anger. Yuki falls to the floor & Shogo, worried, grabs her by the shoulders "I'm sorry.....but I'm just worried about you! If anything happens to you!" Yuki yells, crying "I know!!" Shogo stops, staring helplessly at his daughter. Yuki says "I understand....I know that no one else worries about me more than you do.....that's why I've just put up with it all my life....during all the swimming lessons at school, I'd just stand by the side watching...at sports days, I've never even joined my friends once....I was always alone sitting at the stands, cheering every one else...." Shogo tells her "But that can't be helped....you're not well...." "Even then I wanted to be like everyone else...!!! To swim, to run.....I've suppressed those feelings all my life...because I never wanted to worry you....." Shogo looks at her as Yuki adds "Just this once, I'd like you to let me do as I wish...." Shogo shakes his head "No...I won't allow you do anything reckless! You remember don't you? When you were in the 3rd year at junior high & you had an attack....in that ambulance, I thought you wouldn't make it.....just thinking about it now, my hands shake.....you remember the fear don't you?!" Yuki gets to her feet & looks at her father "I'm not afraid.....when I'm diving in the sea, I don't feel the least bit afraid.....because there's someone beside me all the time......when I'm with him, I forget that I'm sick.....I feel like I can go on living....this is the first time I've ever felt it.....Dad, I've found someone I love....I want to go diving with him...when I'm with him, I'm not afraid....." Shogo looks at his daughter, stunned speechless.....

At a diving shop looking around, Natsuo calls to Yuki "Hey, what do you think of this?" Yuki looks & goes over "Ah, I don't really know much about that...." Natsuo explains "This is a regulator, a beginner's....but for you, I think this might be better..." picking up another one. Calling out to the store attendant, Natsuo says "The scuba gear can be tried on, right?" "Yes, over here please..." Yuki takes a seat & Natsuo mutters happily to himself "Regulator's decided, next the gauge....." Suddenly, he notices the pearl pendent he gave to Yuki around her neck "You're wearing it...." Yuki smiles "Yes, ever since you gave it to me...." "I see...." "Ah.....does it look ok?" "Yes...well, that's to say...like a mermaid princess...." Yuki smiles as Natsuo mutters to himself, pleased "Mermaid princess.....mermaid princess......" The store employee fixes the regulator onto a tank & lets Yuki tries it. As she takes deep breaths, Natsuo advises "Better if you breath slowly....breath properly?" Yuki nods & carries on, suddenly putting her hand to her chest. Natsuo, happily chattering on, doesn't notice "Shall we go further out this Sunday? There's a good spot south of Izu....there's fantastic coral reefs there it seems....." Natsuo suddenly notices Yuki having difficulty breathing "What's wrong?" Yuki falls to the ground, unable to reply, struggling to breathe as Natsuo holds onto to her worriedly "Yuki!"

Shogo rushes to the hospital in a cab "Forget the change!" & rushes inside. Seeing the director of the hospital, Shogo calls out "Doctor! How's my daughter?!" "She's fine now....it wasn't anything serious so she'll be able to leave shortly....." "I see...." Shogo looks relieved but it is short-lived as the doctor adds "Unfortunately, it appears that her condition's worsen...." Shogo asks worriedly "It's getting worse?"

Walking down the corridor in search of Yuki, Shogo suddenly hears Sakurai call out "Shogo-san!" & hurries up to her. Sakurai tells him "Luckily it wasn't anything too serious....right now she's on an intravenous drip in one of the rooms...." Shogo asks "Where did she collapse?" "Apparently in a diving store...." "Was she alone?" Sakurai shakes her head & looks over to the waiting lounge "Natsuo-kun...." Natsuo turns around & Sakurai tells him "This is Yuki's father...." Natsuo quickly get on his feet & bows in apology "I'm really sorry...." Shogo rushes up & grabs Natsuo "What were you trying to do?! Kill my daughter?! Kill her?!" Sakurai pulls him back "Calm down Shogo-san!" Shogo stares at Natsuo & recognition dawns "You...." Natsuo looks back in surprise "Yesterday, the....?" Sakurai asks "You know each other?" Shogo replies "Well, sort of...." & then turning back to Natsuo "You're the one that Yuki mentioned?"

Regaining conscious, Yuki looks to see someone by her side "Seiji-san....." Seiji asks anxiously "Are you alright?" Yuki nods & Seiji says "You went diving? Your father got a shock when he heard, me too...." Yuki breathlessly says "I'm sorry....." Seiji presses on "Together with him? The guy you brought here...." Yuki nods "Uhm...." "Who is he?" "Someone I've been seeing for a while...." "Uhmmmm......I didn't know anything about it.....so you have someone...." Seiji walks to the window, playing it cool. Suddenly serious, he turns around & looks at Yuki "Does he understand about your illness?" Yuki doesn't answer & Seiji tells her "It can't just be any guy that you can go out with, Yuki....." Yuki turns away, not saying anything, understanding the implication in Seiji's words.....

Sitting in the waiting lounge, Shogo relates Yuki's history to Natsuo "The first time she came to this hospital was just before she entered grade school.....I just thought it was a little cold....but then from an examination, we found out about the irregularities of her heart.....the first time she had an attack was the spring in the third year at junior high....her heart had enlarged...& since then she's been under medication....." Understanding Shogo's worry, Natsuo says "I'm sorry....I...." but Shogo merely says "It's ok, you didn't know.....but that you're Yuki's friend.....you're called Natsuo?" "Yes...." "I heard about you from Yuki....it was the first time that my daughter spoke so seriously about her feelings.....but as a father, I won't allow her to do anything reckless.....I want her to go on living...." "Is it really....that bad?" Natsuo asks hesitatingly. Shogo says with resignation "Whenever there's an attack, her condition gradually worsens.....no one knows when....." Natsuo looks away, pain on his face. Shogo looks at him "I know this is selfish of me.....but will you please not see my daughter anymore?" Natsuo looks at him shocked "Eh?" "You know her condition.....if you ask her out diving again, she'll go for sure..." Natsuo gets to his feet "I'll be careful from now on....I'll really think about her condition from now on....." bowing to Shogo. However, Shogo tells him "Natsuo, as long as you're by her side....she'll attempt more than she can handle....because she wants to go out with you, just like any other normal person.....that's why please, don't see my daughter anymore.....please....." This time it's Shogo who bows to Natsuo, pleading with him. At a loss, Natsuo says "Please don't do that...." but Shogo gets down onto his knees "No, until you agree, I won't......please.....even if this is selfish of me.....please.....please, I'm begging you....." Natsuo stares at Shogo's figure, unable to do or say anything.....

Coming back home, Natsuo walks in morosely, not saying anything. At the table, Chika, Hiroto & Jun are doing the accounts when Chika sees him "Welcome back....you're back late....have you had dinner?" Jun says "Must have eaten with Yuki already...." Hiroto mutters enviously "Eating out....." When Natsuo doesn't say anything, Chika asks "Onichan, what's wrong?" Hiroto mutters "Looks like he just returned from a funeral or something....." At that, Natsuo whips around & yells at him "Shut up! Don't say that!" In anger & frustration, Natsuo storms off.....