shoujiki ga ichiban.....

honesty above all.....

Natsuo frowns "It must be an accident....an accident....there's no way Jun would be brought to the police station otherwise...." Chika says worriedly "But if it's an accident, why would he be brought to the police station?" Hiroto adds equally worried "That right....something must have happened...." Natsuo retorts "Then for what other reason would Jun be brought to the police station?! He's not like you! He's not like you!" glaring at Hiroto. Natsuo gets to his feet "I'm going to the police station!" grabbing his keys & hurriedly putting on his shoes. Chika anxiously sees him off "Call us as soon as you hear anything!" as Natsuo rushes off "I will...." Hiroto looks as if he's about to complain & Chika asks "What?" Hiroto mumbles "Natsuo-san thinks that I...." Chika retorts "So what?" Hiroto replies "He doesn't trust me after all...." "If you have something to complain about then talk to onichan directly! How do you expect him to trust you if you don't tell him anything?!" scolds Chika. Hiroto mumbles "Sorry....." but Chika bangs her fist on the table "Get your act together!" Hiroto meekly nods "I understand....." & Chika sighs.....

 

Natsuo screeches the van to a halt in front of the police station. Scrambling out of the van, he runs inside & enquires at the counter "Excuse me...I got a call just now about my Shinoda Jun....what happened to my brother?" "Shinoda?" "Yes, Shinoda...."

 

Natsuo stares at a detective in charge of the case "....caught in the act of committing a crime?" "Yes....he was with a group of high school students at a pachinko parlor stealing cash....." "Wait a minute, something's not right....." "He's being questioned right now....for the time being, please wait over there......" the detective tells Natsuo, walking off. Natsuo quickly follows "Is that really the truth?" "Yes...." "Really?" "Yes...." "But...." "That's the truth...." "Something's not right, please let me see my brother...." "He's being questioned right now...." "I want to hear it from my brother directly....." "He's being questioned right now...." With that, the detective walks off, leaving Natsuo staring at his departing figure in frustration....

 

 

With a wide bandaged wrapped around his head, Jun is brought into the interrogation room where Shogo & his partner Morimoto are waiting. Shogo looks at Jun "You're Shinoda Jun? Sit down...." Jun, unable to hear without his hearing aid, merely looks down at the floor. Shogo asks in a friendly tone "What's wrong? There's nothing to be afraid off....." Slowly, Jun looks up & sees Morimoto, fear in his eyes. Morimoto grabs Jun by the shoulder & shoves him onto one of the chairs. Jun slouches over, not looking up & not realizing that Shogo's speaking to him "How's the wound on your head? You've had stitches haven't you?" Morimoto smirks "You deserve it.....you didn't listen to my orders & tried to run off with the others....." Morimoto grabs Jun's shoulder "Didn't you?! You tried to run off didn't you!" Almost in tears, Jun replies "I don't understand what you're saying....." Morimoto growls "Are you making fools of us?!" Shogo however, looks at Jun, hearing his slurred speech & realizes something's not right. Morimoto grabs Jun by the collar "Hey!" but Shogo stops him "Wait a minute! Wait!" Shogo looks at Jun & says slowly, deliberately "Is there something wrong with your hearing? Is there something wrong with your hearing?" pointing to his own ear. Jun finally replies "I can't hear very well....." Both detectives look shocked.....

 

Past 1.30am, both Chika & Hiroto do their homework while waiting anxiously for news of Jun. As Hiroto nods off to sleep, Chika sighs worriedly. Suddenly the phone rings & Chika grabs it "Onichan! Where's Jun-nichan?" Natsuo sighs "He's still being questioned....they won't let me see him....." "What happened to Jun-nichan?...yes...yes....what?!" Hiroto asks sleepily "What's wrong?" Chika tells him "He said that Jun was with the high school students stealing money from the pachinko parlor!" Hiroto suddenly realizes what happened & grabs the phone from Chika "Hello, Natsuo-san? Can you hear me?!" Natsuo grumbles "Don't shout, I can hear you..." Hiroto tells him "The parlor.....they asked me to go....."  Natsuo looks shocked "Eh?"

 

In the interrogation room, Shogo holds a clear plastic bag with a hearing aid inside "Is this yours?" Jun nods "Yes....." "It was found at the scene..." Shogo tells Jun, opening the bag "Put it on....." Jun puts it on & Shogo asks "Can you hear me?" Jun nods "Yes....& I read lips at the same time so I can understand...." Shogo nods understandingly & then gets back to questioning "Why were you at the parlor?" Jun thinks & then replies hesitatingly "I thought....." Shogo & Morimoto, not understanding Jun's words "Eh?" Jun starts again "I thought my friend had joined in the robbery....." Shogo looks at Jun "Your friend?" Jun nods & Shogo asks "Who's this friend of yours? Can you tell us?" Looking a little at a loss, Jun finally says "Suetsugu Hiroto...." Both detectives look taken aback "Suetsugu Hiroto?" Shogo explains to Jun "He came to give himself in that evening this happened....." Jun looks surprised "Is that so?" "Yes...I was here at the time...." "Then what about Hiroto?" "He wasn't involved in this incident....." Hearing that, a smile of relief appears on Jun's face "That's great!" 

 

Shogo, standing in front of the department head, listens to him say "....arresting 5 juveniles & injuring one, needing stitches in the process...." Shogo replies "I'm very sorry....." as Morimoto looks on without a word. "This is not good....how do you expect me to answer for this?" Shogo explains "He dropped his hearing aid & couldn't hear our orders to stop.....he was mistakenly arrested as one of the others......" "That's why I keep emphasizing.....especially with juvenile crimes.....you have to make certain of the situation at the scene....makes my stomach hurt....." moans the man. Shogo walks off & as he passes Morimoto, Morimoto says "I don't agree...." Shogo asks "With what?" Morimoto insists "That kid was trying to run off....." "That's because he couldn't hear...." "You believe him? He's lying!" "I've done this job for years......looking at their eyes, you know if they're lying....." "But...." Shogo looks at his partner "He's eyes weren't lying......" leaving Morimoto with nothing to say......

 

On a bench along the corridor, Natsuo waits glumly, sighing every so often. Suddenly Hiroto & Chika come running up "Onichan!" "Natsuo-san!" "You haven't seen Jun-nichan yet?" Natsuo grumbles "I told them not to be unreasonable, they arrested my brother so when did they intend to let me see him? They didn't even think about how worried I was...." Chika tries to interrupt "Jun-nichan...." but Natsuo rattles on "The police are public servants aren't they? & we pay our taxes properly too! Although we don't pay very much but still, they don't have to that unreasonable! They're not even compassionate! Got to tell them off!" Chika tries to stop him again "Onichan!" as Shogo appears with Jun. Seeing everyone waiting for him, Jun smiles "Aniki!" Turning around, Natsuo sees Jun & Shogo at the same time. Shogo looks at Natsuo in surprised "He's your younger brother?" Natsuo nods "Yes....." Shogo looks at Jun again & then says "It appears that we've made a mistake....." Natsuo nods uneasily "I see....." as Chika asks Jun "Your head...." Shogo explains "He was hurt struggling with the police....sorry....." Chika retorts "What sorry?!" Hiroto adds "Yeah! Causing him to get hurt...." Shogo tries again "I'm really sorry...." but Hiroto raises his voice "We don't want your apology!" & then to Natsuo "Right Natsuo-san!?" However, Natsuo meekly says to Shogo "Thank you for taking care of my brother....." Chika looks shocked "Why are you thanking him?" Hiroto adds "Yeah! You just said that you had to tell them off!!" Natso tells them "Keep quiet! Everyone makes mistakes, even the police are not God...." Reaching out & grabbing Jun, Natsuo tells Shogo "We're taking him home now....." Shogo looks at Jun "We're really sorry.....we'll reimburse your medical fees...." but Natsuo quickly tells him "That's not necessary....we'll pay it ourselves....it's not a big deal....." touching Jun's bandage "Ow...." Natsuo rattles on "Sorry.....excuse us...come one everyone, let's go home.....this way, this way....." 

 

Out the front door, Natsuo looks at Jun "That's great Jun, we can go home now...." Behind them Chika & Hiroto follow grumbling "Onichan! Didn't you say you wanted to tell them off?!" "Yeah, cringing in front of that detective when you were boiling mad just before!" Natsuo finally says "....there are reasons for certain things...." "What's that?" Chika asks, discontentment in her voice. Natsuo says "Well....he might be my future father in law....one can't exactly tell him off....." Understanding dawns on all of them & Chika says "That detective....." ".....is Yuki's father?" Hiroto finishes her sentence for her. Natsuo says "That's why I couldn't tell him off....." & then to Jun "Right Jun-kun?" looking a little sheepish. Jun however, smiles "He's a good detective.....he listened to me....." "He did?" "He seriously listened to me...." "Seriously listened to you? Oh I see....no one ever listens to me seriously....." Natsuo mutters walking to the other side of the van. With a sigh, Natsuo mutters "If only he'd listen to me....he's still so against me seeing Yuki....." Glancing at the windshield, Natuso's expression changes as he takes the parking ticket stuck to it......

 

Things return to normal within a few days. Hair standing on end, Natsuo walks into the living room "It's a great morning isn't it? How's your wound? OK?" Sitting down, everyone says "Itadakimasu!" & starts eating their breakfast. Natsuo looks around at everyone eating in silence & says "Summer's going to end soon....." When no one responses, Natsuo says again "When summer ends.....this is the question......what happens?" Chika asks "The end of summer?" "Yes, the end of summer...." "Jelly fish...." "Jelly fish?" "Yes, the ocean seems to be full of them at the end of summer....." "Yeah, when you get stung by them it really smarts......but that's not it.....what about you Jun-kun?" Jun seriously ponders & Natsuo hints "Happens every year...." Jun says "Ah, that?" "Yes, that...." "Dragon fly?" "Yes, dragon fly.....in the evenings dragon flies are all over the place.....but that's not it....what do you think it is Hiroto?" Hiroto tilts his head "I don't know...." "I'll give you a hint "Everyone does it once a year......" Hiroto mutters "Once a year?" "Yes, once a year...." "Ah....speaking of which..." "Yes?" "We should finish the watermelon that's in the fridge....." Chika says "Ah, I'd forgotten about it! Good of you to remember Hiroto....we'll have it for tea later today....." & reaches out for the rice stuck on Hiroto's face, everyone back to ignoring Natsuo......

 

Returning to his van after servicing at a customer's house, Natsuo looks at his watch....just past noon....

 

Entering the cafeteria, Yuki sees Suzuki with her lunch "I've started....." Yuki nods & hurriedly takes her cell phone out of her purse to answer a call "Hello?" "Hello? It's Natsuo.....is it ok to talk right now?" Yuki looks around to see Suzuku grinning at her & Yuki smiles "Yes, what is it?" "I was wondering if we could meet up today.....we thought we'd get everyone together, have some fun, get a cake, get some candles as well....everyone have fun together...." Yuki asks "What's the celebration?" Natsuo replies "Speaking of celebrations......well, actually today's....." However before he can finish, Yuki interrupts "Ah, I'm sorry.....I've got something on tonight.....bye....." & hangs up on Natsuo. Suzuki looks at Yuki "Sound kind of cold....are you tired of him already?" Yuki smiles to herself "That's not it......" 

 

Returning home, Natsuo glumly says "I'm back....." but not seeing anyone, looks around "Oii~, Jun-kun? Chika-chan? Hiroto-kun?" Not getting a response, Natsuo mutters to himself "No one's around...." Looking at a calendar hanging on the wall "It's even marked on the calendar.....& no one's around.....we used to celebrate as a family.....everyone's pretending not to know.....feels kind of lonely...." sighing. Suddenly firecrackers pop & Hiroto pulls down the banner as everyone yells laughing "Happy Birthday!!!" With streamers all over him, Natsuo sit in shock, not saying a word. Yuki says "Ah, sorry, did we scare you?" Natsuo finally stammers "My heart.....just got a shock..." Everyone starts cheering & Natsuo grins "Thanks!" 

 

"I'll take this out...." Chika tells Yuki & brings a plate out into the tiny garden where Hiroto & Jun are slaving over the barbeque. Chika says to Hiroto "That's too burnt!" but Hiroto retorts "It's fine!" Hiroto burns himself "Owww!" & Chika scolds him "Idiot!" & grabs him, putting his hand into the barrel of ice where the watermelon's being chilled. Natsuo comes out "It's really hot today, why are we having a barbeque?" Chika retorts "Because it's better than your nabe....." "Nabe's good for your health....." but Chika tells him "Shut up....." Natsuo quietly mutters "Alright....." & walks back into the living room, muttering "I guess I'm the main guest today....I'll just keep quiet & eat....." Yuki, helping out in the kitchen, goes over & takes a present out of a bag & gives it to Natsuo "Here....I hope you like it......" Natsuo looks surprised "Eh?" "Birthday present...." "Thanks.....can I open it?" "Yes...." Opening it, Natsuo takes out a glass globe filled with coral & water. Yuki takes it "Here...." & tilts it over before righting it again. Natsuo looks at in awe "Ooo......it's snowing!" "It's beautiful isn't it?" "Yes......really beautiful....." Yuki quietly says "I wanted to see this together someday....." Natsuo nods "Uhm...." & then turns around to see Chika, Jun & Hiroto looking at them from the kitchen "What are you all doing?!" Hiroto replies "It's great isn't it.....there's Yuki-san here to celebrate your birthday with you this year....." Chika adds "You only used to have us....." as Jun chirps "This is your happiest birthday ever right?" Natsuo looks at them embarrassingly "Be quiet! Go finish up outside! I'm the guest of honor today......hurry up!" as Yuki smiles......

 

Seated around the table in the garden, everyone raises their glasses "Kampai!" Taking a sip of their drinks, everyone claps & cheers. Natsuo gets to his feet "On this 22nd birthday, I'd just like to thank everyone & say a few words....first Jun-kun, I wish you all the best & getting into college & at the same time taking a big step into fulfilling your dreams of becoming a teacher....." Jun says a little sheepishly "Actually, I've got a recommendation to enter Touto Gakugei Daigaku....." Everyone cheers at the news "That's fantastic!" Natsuo points at Hiroto "You definitely can't get in!" "Neither can you!" retorts Hiroto & Natsuo cringes, laughing "That's true!" & then continues "Next is Chika-chan....have a as cheerful & bright as the sun......it doesn't matter if it's a girl or a boy....." Chika nods "Yes....." Natsuo looks at Hiroto "Next....ah well.....finally....." Hiroto looks at him "Hey!" Natsuo retorts "Be quiet!" & then looking at Yuki "Yuki....please be careful about your health.....& never forget that smile on your face....I'll always be with you....." Everyone around the table grins & claps. Chika asks "Onichan.....what about you? Your hopes on your 22nd birthday...." Natsuo says "Ah, well.....going from 21 to 22, I guess one has to take life seriously & not do things half heartedly.....as for me, that's what I think.....one has to life life to the fullest......" Behind her, the barbeque pit catches fire & Yuki says "It's burning!" Natsuo mutters "I'm burning too...going from 21-22....ah, it's burning! What's happening?!" Chika says "Use the tea!" "Are you sure tea can put it out?" as they all scramble around the barbeque pit......

 

Facing the department head, Shogo looks shocked "shurui-souken?" (Sending the documents of the case to the Public Prosecutors Office) "Yes....." "But that boy's got nothing to do with the case....." "When the police were trying to arrest the other high school students, he got in the way......" "But that's because he couldn't hear....." "Think about it, Shogo-san.....head quarters will start their investigations next week....if they find out that we arrested an innocent boy, injuring him on top of that....what do you think will happen?...in any case, he ignored the orders of the police!" "But that's too much!" "You're also a policeman, you should understand my position!" "But this case....." "That's enough!"

At the bus stop together with Yuki, Natsuo says "Thanks for coming today....I had a great time....but I have a good time whenever you're around...." Natsuo moves closer to Yuki wanting to kiss her but backs off at the last minute "The bus is late....still not coming....." Yuki smiles "That's good.....I can spend a little more time with you....." "Really?" Natsuo asks a little embarrassed & Yuki nods shyly. Softly, Yuki says "Natsuo?" Natsu looks at her "Hm?" Yuki closes her eyes & Natsuo slowly leans forward to kiss her. However just at the last moment, a bunch of old ladies run up making a racket "We've missed it!" & Natsuo pulls away. One of the ladies approach them "Has the bus gone?" Natsuo replies "No, it hasn't...." The bus arrives & the ladies noisily scramble up as Natsuo says disappointedly "Yuki, the bus is here...." Reluctantly Yuki walks up to the bus "Bye...." "Thanks...." reply Natsuo, seeing her board the bus & leave, waving goodbye. With a sigh, Natsuo mutters "Those ladies are something....."

 

Arriving back home, Yuki calls out "Dad?" Shogo comes out of his room "Welcome back...." "You're back....." "Yes, I came to get a change of clothes....I might have to stay at the station for a while...." As Shogo zips up his bag, he asks "Coming back at this hour, where did you go?" "I went to Natsuo's place.....it's his birthday so everyone celebrated it together...." "I see...." "Ah, Jun-kun said to thank you very much.....he said you were very kind to him...." Shogo's face darkens hearing Yuki's words & Yuki asks "What's wrong?" Shogo quickly replies "Nothing....I'm off.....be careful......" Yuki says "Itterashai....." as Shogo closes the door, & leans against it with a deep sigh......

 

Hiroto sees a customer out "Thank you very much....." The phone rings & he runs back in but Natsuo says "I'll get it.....hello, this is Shonoda Cycle.....ah, sensei, thank you very much for looking after Jun...." "I need to speak with you....." replies Jun's teacher. Natsuo replies "Regarding the recommendation to college? I'll be right over.....thank you....."

 

In the teacher's room, Jun's teacher says to Natsuo "Sorry to get you out here on such a warm day....." Natsuo pushes a box of cakes forward "It's alright, this is for everyone..." "There's no need...." "It's alright, you're always looking out for my brother....." The teacher stops short "Regarding that...." "Yes?" "Please take a seat.....certainly Shonoda-kun got a recommendation to the college...however.....but it appears that it's been cancelled....." "Why is that?" Natsuo asks in surprise. "It appears that Shinoda-kun was involved in that robbery at that pachinko parlor....." "But that was just a mistake by the police...Jun's got nothing to do with it...." "But that's strange.....the police contacted us, said that the case was being sent to the Public Prosecutors Office....." "Sent to the Public Prosecutors Office?" "Yes.....& after the summer holidays.....he might be asked to leave school....." Natsuo frowns "...leave school?"

 

Shogo pleads with the department head "Can you please reconsider Shinoda Jun's case?" "You're really persistent! It's been settled!" "But...." "I'm late for a meeting!" With that, the department head rushes out, leaving Shogo frowning. A colleague comments "You're really heated up about it, Shogo-san....." "It's going to be a serious matter for the boy concerned....." "We're salary men after all....if the top gets upset with us, we'll be in for it....here's some cold tea for you...." putting a glass in front of Shogo.....

 

Natsuo speaks to Morimoto at the police station "What's the meaning of this? Even the school has heard of the case being sent over to the Public Prosecutors Office....." "Weren't you contacted?" "We weren't....." "That's strange......" "We heard from Katase-san that my brother was wrongly arrested....." Morimoto leans forward on the counter & arrogantly states "Your brother ignored my orders to stop & tried to escape.....not only that, he got in the way of the police trying to catch the others....." Natsuo retorts "No way....my brother has nothing to do with those high school students...." "I was at the scene of the crime....he was interfering with government officials in the performance of his duties......" "You didn't know that my brother has a problem with his hearing, did you...." "In any case he got in the way, that's all I have to say....." Morimoto stalks off, ignoring Natsuo yelling at him "Wait a minute! I'm not done! Call Katase-san here!"

 

Looking at the glum faces around the table, Hiroto finally speaks up "That's why I said that the police can't be trusted! I'll go to the police station one more time!" Chika pulls him back down "Hiroto!" Hiroto spits out "I'll drag out that detective that beat up Jun!" Natsuo retorts "Calm down! You'll get caught if you do that!" "But I can't stand it! Jun didn't do anything bad & the case gets sent to the Public Prosecutors Office! That's ridiculous!" Upset, Jun scrambles to his feet & flies upstairs to his room. Hiroto & Chika call out "Jun!" "Jun-nichan!" However Jun disappears upstairs, ignoring them. Natsuo sighs & hears the door open. Getting to his feet, Natsuo say "I'm sorry, we're closed for......" & stops when he sees Shogo at the entrance. Without a word, Natsuo bows respectfully as Shogo returns the greeting.....

 

Seated at the table, Shogo asks Natsuo "Where's Jun-kun?" Natsuo replies politely "He's upstairs right now....." "I see....." Shogo nods. Chika & Hiroto sit by the kitchen & listen as Natsuo asks "Could you tell us what's going on?" Before Shogo can reply, Hiroto says heatedly "What's there to tell us?! It's obvious that what he says is a lie!!" Natsuo turns around & looks at Hiroto "Shut up! He took the trouble to come here.....just listen to what he has to say....." Hiroto looks away & Natsuo turns back to Shogo "I'm sorry....the other detective said that Jun got in the way of the police.....I think it's just because my brother couldn't hear anything at the scene....like 'stop' or 'don't move'......he also dropped his hearing aid....although one could say he was in the way of the police doing their job......but I think that's going a little overboard...." Shogo says "I think so too....." Natsuo gives a little smile in relief "I see...." "Natsuo-kun...." "Yes?" Shogo looks firmly at Natsuo "I don't think that Jun-kun has done anything wrong.....but, it's been decided....I'm powerless to do anything...." The expressions of Hiroto, Chika & Natsuo darken into hopelessness. Natsuo finally says "....then what happens to Jun?" Shogo gets on his knees & bows deeply to all of them "I'm very sorry......I'm really sorry....." Natsuo hurries over to the other side of the table "Please don't do that! I don't want your apology! Jun's always wanted to be a teacher, no matter how hard it is, he said he'd do his best....he can't hear but he's done everything he can.....but if things go on like this, he might be expelled from school.....if he's expelled, what's going to happen to him? It might not be a big deal to the police.....but this will affect my brother for the rest of his life! Seeing something like this happen to my brother, how can I not do anything?!" Shogo replies "I don't want this to happen either! I've been a detective for 30 years....to be honest, this is the first time I've seen something like this happen....done in order to save the face of the police....this case too, it's frustrating that I can't do anything either.....I'm powerless....I can't do anything...." Hiroto gets upset & starts yelling at Shogo "Stop kidding! He only went to stop me! He didn't do anything wrong!" Natsuo grabs Hiroto "Stop it!" but Hiroto continues yelling "Why does his case have to be sent to the Public Prosecutors Office?!" Natsuo yells at Hiroto "I said shut up!!" Hiroto yells back defiantly "Why?! Just because he's Yuki's father?!" Natsuo retorts "Of course not!" "Then why?!" "I can't take it myself! I'm mad at the police too! But blaming Katase-san isn't going to change anything.....everyone has their positions to consider.....I'm sure Katase-san has done all that he can.....I'm sure that he's done all he can for Jun!" Turning back to Shogo, Natsuo takes a deep breath, calming himself down & says "Katase-san......I understand your position....." "Natsuo-kun....." "We'll figure ourselves where we go from here....."

 

That night alone in the living room, Natsuo sits at the table & on a white sheet of cardboard, writes in black paint "shoujiki ga ichiban" (literally honesty / truthfulness is number one). Turning to look at a family picture on a side table, he says "This is the only thing I can do.....you think so too, don't you Dad?" 

 

The next morning, Chika calls out "Jun-nichan!" Although awake, Jun doesn't stir from his bed. Chika enters his room & climbs up the bunk bed & put her hand on Jun "Jun-nichan, breakfast is ready...." Jun looks at her "Thanks....but I think I want to sleep in a little longer...." Chika nods but looks worried. Coming downstairs, Hiroto setting the table, asks "Where's Jun?" Chika replies "He said he doesn't want to eat....where's onichan?" looking around for Natsuo. Hiroto replies "He's not around....." "It's so early in the morning....where has he gone?" ponders Chika.....

 

At the entrance to the police station, Natsuo holds up a signboard "shoujiki ga ichiban", greeting the policemen as they arrive for work. Two policemen come up & grab him, half walking & shoving him out to the main gate, blocking his way in. From the window above looking on, Shogo mutters to his colleague "Staging a sit-in protest....." Morimoto asks "What do we do?" The department head merely replies "Leave him alone....he'll give up soon enough.....what can he do by himself?" Shogo looks at Natsuo & suddenly grins......

 

Sitting at the gate, Natsuo says to the security guard walking up & down behind him "It's ok, I'm not doing anything....ah, I'm hungry.....you're hungry too aren't you?" From across the street, Chika sees Natsuo sitting there & quickly rushes up "What are you doing onichan?!" "A sit-in protest....." "What are you doing in front of the police station? This is embarrassing....come one....." Chika grabs Natsuo by the arm & pulls him to his feet. Natsuo takes the bag Chika's holding "Is that lunch? Here...." hanging her the signboard. Chika looks at it "What's this? "shoujiki ga ichiban"?" "Yes....shoujiki ga ichiban....I just want to remind the police of that which is why I'm doing this....." Looking into the bag, Natsuo says "Ah, it looks like I've got three onigiri (rice ball) here....would you like to have one?" The guard looks away, not reponding & Natsuo continues "I guess not.....in that case I'll have one.....itadakimasu! " Biting in one, Natsuo sighs "It's delicious!"

 

Back at home, Chika wonders "How long does onichan intend to do the sit-in protest?" Without a word, Jun says "gochisosama" & gets up from the table. Hiroto gets up after him "Jun.....I'm sorry...because of me, this had to happen...." However Jun tells him "It's not your fault....you refused to go with them after all...." "But....." "I'm sure aniki is happy that you're doing the right thing for Chika's sake....." The phone rings & Chika gets it "Hello, this is Shinoda Cycle....ah, just a minute please....." & then to Jun "Jun-nichan, it's a call from your teacher...."

 

Some students walk by "Look! shoujiki ga ichiban...." laughing noisily as they walk off. Jun arrives & sees a rather bored & stiff looking Natsuo still staging his sit-in protest at the front gate. Natsuo notices & calls out "Oi~! Jun-kun! Over here!" Jun crosses the road & comes up to Natsuo "It's enough, aniki....." "What are you saying? If we give up meekly right now, that's what they want......" "My teacher Matsunaga called....." Natsuo stares at Jun "You're being expelled?" but Jun smiles instead "No....I won't have to leave school....Yuki's father went to school & explained everything to them......" Happily, Natsuo cheers "Is that so? That's great! Jun!" Jun presses on "Come on, let's go home already....." grabbing the signboard from Natsuo. However, Natsuo snatches it back from him, stubbornly saying "I'm not going home.....what happens to the false charge on you?" "Forget it already...." "No!" "Even if you don't have to get leave school now, you shouldn't just accept everything as is either! The world is not a matter of gaining or losing.....it's if you didn't do something, you didn't do something.....only that..." "Aniki....." "Even if you're satisfied, I'm not....go on home...." Jun sighs, looking at the stubborn expression on Natsuo's face......

 

As the police rush out sirens screaming, Natsuo gets up out of the way but points out to the departing patrol cars "shoujiki ga ichiban...."Upstairs working, Shogo takes a walk to the window & looks out "He's still here....." Morimoto suggests "I'll get him to leave...." "Well, he hasn't done anything besides carrying a signboard....." The department head asks "So what shall we do?" Shogo replies "He'll give up soon I guess....you said so too yourself earlier....."

 

Sitting in the garden having some watermelon, Chika comes up with a flask & packed food "Hiroto, let's bring this for onichan  afterwards....." Hiroto nods "ok...." Chika sighs "He's really stubborn! He's always been like this, just says as he pleases & never listening to anyone else..." Jun agrees "Yeah, he never listens to us, only orders us about....." Chika adds "I wonder who he takes after....that character of his...." Jun replies "Dad.....exactly like him...." Hiroto finally say "I wish he'd act like a grown up...." Chika looks at Hiroto "That's goes for you too, Hiroto...." Hiroto replies meekly "Yes...." Chika suddenly says "Rain....." & all three look up into the sky to see big fat raindrops falling down.....

 

Drenched in the rain with only the signboard for shelter, Natsuo glumly mutters to himself "Doesn't look like it's going to stop....." sighing. Suddenly, the rain around him stops falling & looking up, he sees Yuki holding up an umbrella over him "Oh, why are you here?" Yuki smiles "I heard your voice....." "My voice?" "I'll catch a cold...." smiles Yuki "Get up....here....." handing another umbrella to him. Natsuo takes it gratefully "Thanks...." Taking out a towel from her bag, Yuki puts it over Natsuo's shoulders "Actually I got a call from my father...." Natsuo looks at her in surprise "Your father?" "He said to bring an umbrella for you....." "Oh, I see....." "He laughed & said that he thought the sit-in protest was a good idea...." "Really? Oh...." Natsuo nods, not knowing what to say. Yuki adds "I'll stay here with you too...." Natsuo protest "No, no way!" "Why not? It's ok...." "No it's not...." "Then let's decide it this way....achi muite hoi!" Before Natsuo realizes it, he's been had by Yuki. Yuki laughs "I won..." "Then just for 10 minutes..." "1 hour...." "20 minutes...." "50 minutes....." "30 minutes but no longer than that!" From across the street carrying bright colored umbrellas, Hiroto, Chika & Jun look on grinning. Chika calls out "Onichan!" Natsuo looks over "What are you all doing here? I'm not going back no matter what you say!" All three walk up smiling & Natsuo asks "What is it?" Chika takes a bag from Hiroto & gives it to Natsuo "Here.....hot coffee & sandwiches for supper...." Hiroto adds "We'll spend a night here with you...that's about as much as we can do...." Chika moans "Yeah, because we've got such a stubborn older brother!" Jun chimes in "That's for sure!" Chika then says "Alright! Hiroto! Jun-nichan!" "Yes!" both guys reply in unison getting to work. Chika pushes Yuki & Natsuo "Move a little bit out of the way....." Natsuo looks puzzled "What's going on?"

 

Seated in a row, white, blue, yellow, green & pink umbrellas over their heads, the sit-in protest continues. From the windows upstairs, Shogo says "Looks like there are more people now....what are we going to do?" The department head hesitates "What are we going to do?" "If they stay until the morning it might become a nuisance....if the press gets a whiff of this....." The department head looks troubled "The press?" Shogo adds "You might want to figure out how we deal with them....you'll have to answer to them how you intend to this problem....." Flustered, the department head looks around & Shogo takes a swallow of tea, smiling to himself.....

 

Shogo walks outside of the station & holds up an umbrella. Stopping behind them, he smiles at the row of brightly colored umbrellas. Walking up to them, he says "You've all won....." Surprise at the sound of his voice, all of them scramble up to their feet & look at Shogo who tells them "Jun's case is being dismissed...." Relief & smiles appear as Chika says "Jun-nichan!" Jun grins & bows gratefully "Thank you very much!" Hiroto congratulates Jun "That's great Jun!" Yuki & Shogo exchange smiles before Shogo turns to leave. Natsuo however, hurriedly says "Excuse....I'm sorry to have caused you trouble....." Shogo merely says "Don't worry about me.....I only intend to do what's right....shoujiki ga ichiban....that's what it is....." Pulling Natsuo off to the side "You're causing my daughter to do reckless things again....staging a sit-in protest.....you & my daughter....." Before he can continue grumbling at Natsuo, Yuki runs up "Dad!" Shogo looks at her "I know...." Natsuo asks "You do?" Shogo replies "I'm not talking about that....I'll never agree to you seeing my daughter...don't forget that...." With that, Shogo walks back into the station, closing the umbrella when he realizes it's stopped raining. Just as he reaches the steps into the building, Shogo gives a huge sneeze & everyone laughs.....

 

Chika hastily clears the table while Natsuo shouts "If you guys don't hurry up, you're all going to be late for the first day at school!" Dumping the dishes into the sink, Chika looks at Hiroto walking in buttoning his shirt "Hiroto! Where's your school bag?" Hiroto moans & starts to head upstairs only to have Jun holding it out for him as he comes down "I've brought it for you....." Grabbing it, Hiroto mutters a quick "Thank you....." Chika holds out two packed lunches "Here, obento! Check if you have your wallets!" Both boys pat their pockets & grimace before running upstairs again with Chika moaning "Idiots! I've reminded you all already!" At the table, Natsuo grumbles "Such a racket the first thing in the morning, can't even have my breakfast in peace....." taking a sip of tea....

 

Chika gets on her bicycle "Hiroto! Jun-nichan! Let's go!" As the boys run out behind Chika, Natsuo comes out "Be careful! Look out for cars!" sending them off. With a smile, Natsuo says to himself "Alright, let's work hard today too....first the deliveries......" On the table sits the present Yuki gave to Natsuo for his birthday.....

 

At the bank, Arimura calls out "Katase-san! Katase-san!" Yuki comes over as Arimura says "Personal call on line three...keep it short....." Yuki nods & picks up the phone "Hello, this is Yuki...." "It's me, Seiji....I just arrived at Haneda....." calling Yuki from the airport. "Welcome back...." "Yukari-chan's surgery was a success...." "That's great....." "It's your turn next.....let's meet & talk about it......." The expression on Yuki's face sobers at his words........