"Gyuu-don?" (beef on rice) Shuji asks as he comes beside Kyoko, picking up the food scattered on the ground. Kyoko replies "Yoshino's...ah, it's not that...this...you forgot this in the library...I came to give this back to you..." giving him the vinyl case. Taking it from her, Shuji nods "Ah..." continues cleaning up. Kyoko tells him "That's fine, give it back to me..." "But you brought it all the way..." "Well..." "Let's eat it..." "Not edible already..." "Why not? Those below are  still fine..." Kyoko looks awkwardly at Mayumi while Shuji peers into the bag "Where's the egg?" "Egg?" "Raw egg..." "What about it?" "What are you saying...that's the best part..." Mayumi calls "Shuji, what about Kyanti?" Shuji holds up the bag "She's brought this over, so..." Kyoko reaches out for the bag, taking it from Shuji "That's alright..." & putting it in the car. In awkward silence, Kyoko puts her wheelchair into the backseat, fastens her seat belt & shuts the door, Shuji watching her. Winding down the window, Kyoko says "Bye..." & Shuji, holding up the case, simply says "This...thank you..." Kyoko pulls away in her car, passes by Mayumi standing on the stairs, Shuji watching. As she drives along, Kyoko's voiceover comes on...

What I like about cars is that, merely by being in a car, I can be normal.

Legs even as beautiful as those (Mayumi's), I don't feel daunted at all...

 

私は車が好きなのは、車に乗っている限り、
私は普通でいられるから。あんなきれいな足にも、
びびったりしないんだ。。。

At the library, Kyoko serves a customer "...please return them in a week's time..." Someone slides a book in front of her "Gankutsu Ou" & Kyoko looks up to see Miyama "Good afternoon..." Kyoko awkwardly replies "Good afternoon..." taking his card & scanning the barcode on it & the book. Not looking at Miyama, Kyoko returns them to Miyama who says "Thanks..." Kyoko mutters "You're welcome..." & turns away to replace some books, not giving Miyama a chance to say anything. He gives a polite bow & walks away. Sachi comes by & says to Kyoko "Say something to him..." "What?" "Anything...he looks so pitiful...anything, for example "Gankutsu Ou" or "Shoukoujo" (A little princess ~ Frances Hodgson Burnett)..." "Go through the entire volumes of the world's children's classics?" Suddenly Miyama comes running back "Excuse me..." & spreads out a leaflet on the table in front of Kyoko "This...this is a two week trip to the west coast of America..." Kyoko looks up at Miyama who quickly adds "ah, no...I don't mean just the two of us...this is what we volunteers are planning at the moment...please think about it...good day..." As Miyama leaves a speechless Kyoko at the counter, Sachi says in amazement "But he's got guts! Even after being rejected he still has the spirit to come back..." Kyoko, resting her cheek in her hand "I can't...rejected means rejected..." Sachi whips around in shock "Eh?! You dumped him?!" "You sound shocked..." "I don't mean that...I didn't hear about that, that progress..." Kyoko looks at Sachi, moving her wheelchair backwards "Progress? More like retreat, withdrawal, retire..." "Why?" asks Sachi. Kyoko replies, half to herself with a big sigh "Why...shall I go I wonder...west coast..."

At Hot Lip in the staff room, Shuji discusses his latest hair design with Takumi "I'm thinking of something like this..." Takumi looking at his sketch "Looks great..." Shuji explains "It's going to be spring soon...I'm sure the shaggy look will be in...blunt & the top somewhat layered...& thinned over here..." Takumi replies "I see...then the front would be the green...for a highlights mix a little bit of purple...& over here, orange..." thinking about the permanent hair rods (colors) to use. Shuji whacks Takumi on the head with the wrapper from his snack "That should be white...using fingers..." Takumi nods & mutters to himself "Oh...using fingers...that would be lighter..." Suddenly noticing some words written at the corner of the sketch, Takumi asks "What's this? These words..." "Nothing..." Takumi takes the sketch & reads it, Shuji going after him to get it back "That's not related..." Takumi reads it "Airy Shaggy...airy shaggy?" Shuji grabs it back & laughing "In any case you know what that means..." At that moment, Mayumi walks in "Shuji...it's bad..." "What?" "Right now Satoru's doing a cut for a magazine but..."

Outside, Satoru puts his hands into a model's hair, shaking it "...like tousle it like this & it's done...styling's easy...gentle & soft...randomly...a bit of impact..." The guy from the magazine replies "I see...it's definitely a new feeling...what about a name?" Mayumi, Shuji & Takumi run into the salon just in time to hear Satoru's answer "I'm not sure but...something like Airy Shaggy..." Shuji looks shocked. The magazine guy says "Airy Shaggy? Sounds good...then Hot Lip's spring style is this?" "Yes..." "Good...then, let's take some shots..."

Takumi goes over & drags Satoru aside "What?" Takumi says "That's Shuji's design isn't it..." Satoru acts dumb "What is?" Takumi holds out Shuji's sketch "What...this!" The boss walks in towards them "Oi! What are you doing?! Stop it..." Satoru returns to the shoot & the boss tells Takumi "We're in the salon..." however, dissatisfied Takumi replies "But tenchou!" "Customers are waiting!" Shuji calls him "Takumi..." & Takumi finally gives in reluctantly. Mayumi turns around & leaves the salon. Shuji, unable to do anything, can only watch the scene in front of him in silence...

Mayumi strides purposely into the library among the bookshelves, looking for Kyoko. Suddenly, Mayumi sees Kyoko wheeling by "Sachi...this is over there right?" Mayumi approaches calling Kyoko "You..." Kyoko who's with Sachi turn to look at Mayumi. Mayumi in an angry tone asks "Who did you show Shuji's designs to?" Kyoko surprised, looks up at Mayumi "Huh?" Mayumi, with her arms crossed "Did you show it to anyone in the salon?" "Show?...ah...at first when I went to the salon, I showed it to someone called Satoru..." "You handed them to Satoru?!" Kyoko nods "Uhm...passed them to..." Mayumi lights into Kyoko "What on earth were you thinking?! Designs are our lives & you purposely showed it to a business rival?!" Sachi interrupts "What business rival...aren't you all in the same salon..." Mayumi tells her "You shut up..." Kyoko asks "What...happened?" Mayumi tells her "Shuji's design has been stolen by Satoru...it's all your fault..." Kyoko looks at Mayumi, unable to say anything...

After closing the library, Kyoko & Sachi drive to Shuji's apartment. As Sachi gets out of the car, she says "I'll be right back..." "I'm sorry you had to come with me..." "It's alright...number 203 right?" "Yes..." Sachi goes into the building as Kyoko waits in the car. Waiting, Kyoko recalls the day she came to see Shuji, both Shuji & Mayumi coming out of the building together, the gyuu-don spilling on the ground & the look on Shuji's face. Sachi comes out of the apartment building, signing that Shuji's not in...

Alone at Hot Lip, Shuji flips through some magazines when Sachi enters behind him "Hello..." but Shuji doesn't hear her. He goes to his workplace & is about to work on a wig when he looks into the mirror. Seeing Sachi's reflection in the mirror, he stands up in fright "Ah you scared me!" Sachi says "Sorry, I called..." "Really? I didn't notice, sorry...what's wrong?" Sachi motions him to wait & goes out to the corridor "Kyoko..." waving her to come in. Kyoko enters & Shuji comes out towards her. Kyoko, seeing him, somberly says "I'm sorry..." Shuji asks "What for?" "Your design...was stolen wasn't it..." "Uhm...but don't worry about it...honestly...it's not all that important a picture...design...I'll think of something..." When Kyoko & Sachi look back at him in silence, Shuji says "Don't just stay here, come inside...sorry, it's a mess, I'll clean up..." going inside. Sachi & Kyoko exchange looks & then go further into the salon to see Shuji picking up magazines from the floor. Kyoko asks "Studying?" "Huh? No...trying to do some research on hair designs but with work at the salon, I don't have the time to go out on the streets to look or go to the bookstore..." Sachi says to Kyoko "Oh...I guess we're interrupting..." Kyoko replies "Yeah..." & then says to Shuji "Anyway..." Shuji replies "Huh?" "In any case, I want to apologize..." Shuji assures her "I already said not to worry about it...I'm serious..." & then looking around at Kyoko "Speaking of which...there's none today...gyuu-don..." Kyoko doesn't reply & Shuji merely looks at her. At long last, Kyoko says "I didn't think coming alone was a good idea..." "Eh?" "I'll feel bad if there's any misunderstanding..." Shuji thinks "What misunderstanding? Who's misunderstood?" "Your girlfriend..." Shuji smiles "Mayumi? It's not what you think..." "But..." "No...we're only friends...she's just a staff here..." Kyoko speaking before she can stop herself "...friend...stays over at your house?" It's Shuji's turn to be silent as he looks at Kyoko. Sachi says to Kyoko "What are you doing? You came here to apologize didn't you?" Suddenly Kyoko says "Excuse me..." & leaves, Sachi following behind her...

Out on the streets, Kyoko's wheeling herself faster than Sachi can walk. Sachi says "You, saying things like that...you'll get into his bad books...no matter how he chooses to live his life...that's his freedom to do so..." Finally Kyoko stops but doesn't reply. Sachi takes her handkerchief & gives it to Kyoko "Here..." Kyoko replies "I'm not crying..." "You'll start crying now..." "I'm won't cry..." "Take it..." Kyoko although in tears still refuses to accept the handkerchief from Sachi. Sachi says "Here...take it..." & Kyoko finally takes it but obstinately says "I'm still not crying..." Sachi merely says "What a sore loser!" but moves away, yet being nearby for her friend. Kyoko's voiceover comes on...

The tears that overflowed were like the feelings that I was holding back,

rushing out all at once...& then, just like the tide receding, 

waiting for them to submerge in due course...

 

溢れ出る涙は、抑えていた気持ちがばあーと一度に
出てくるみたいで焦った。潮がひいていくように、
やがて気持ちが沈んでいくのを待つ。。。

The next morning, Mayumi arrives at Hot Lip to see magazines & sketches all over the floor. Picking up a sketch & glancing at it, she turns to see Shuji asleep on the couch. Going over, she goes down by his side & stares at him. Putting out her hand & running it through his hair, Shuji suddenly wakes up with a start. Sitting upright, he mutters "I fell asleep..." Mayumi sits down next to him "Up all night?" "Don't remember when I fell asleep..." "I'll make some coffee..." "Ah...I'll go out, need to wake up..." Shuji grabs his coat & goes out, Mayumi watching...

Shuji walks up an overhead bridge with a cup of coffee in hand, looking around & drinking his coffee. On her way to work, Kyoko stops at a traffic light & by chance, looks up above & sees Shuji. When Shuji gives a big yawn Kyoko smiles to herself. The car behind her honks & startled, she starts driving...

At a book store, Sachi & Kyoko go shopping for magazines. With a stack on her lap, Kyoko looks around & then calls "Sachi! Get that one..." "This one?" "Yes..." "The foreign magazines are over there..." "Yeah!..."

Out on the streets with camera in hand, Kyoko calls to Sachi "Sachi! Sachi! That girl with the black muffler..." "With the black muffler..." & Sachi goes up to the girl "Excuse me...may I take a picture of you?" They take snapshots of various girls on the streets. Kyoko takes one & smiles "Thank you very much..." Turning around, Kyoko looks up into the sky & stops, takes her camera & points it upwards, taking a shot of the rainbow in the sky. On their way back, Kyoko says to Sachi "Sorry, having to accompany me on your day off..." "It's alright...in any case I don't have a date or anything..." As they pass by the shoe store, Kyoko stops "Ah..." Sachi says "Eh? They've changed the display here..." "Eh?" "There used to be a pair of red shoes there..." "Really?" replies Kyoko, wheeling herself ahead. Her voiceover comes on...

I couldn't tell Sachi I wanted that pair of shoes...right there & then, I hid it from her...

その靴が欲しかったこと、私はサチには言えなかった。
とっさに隠してた。。。

In Kyoko's room, Sachi cuts out pictures from the magazine as Kyoko watches videos on the TV. When a picture of Julia Roberts in Notting Hill appears on screen, Kyoko says "This...this...record this..." & Sachi presses some buttons on another recorder "Ready...go..." Kyoko smiles "She's cute isn't she...Julia Roberts..." "Think so? I don't really..." "Next one...next..." At that moment both girls turn as the door slides open, it's Masao. Kyoko says "What...didn't I say you had to knock!" "Sorry..." replies Masao & slides the door shut. There's a knock on the door & then it slides open, Masao smiles "That ok?" "You have to do that all the time!" Sachi greets him "Sorry to be a bother..." & Masao comes in looking self-satisfied. "Sorry Kyoko...I'm feeling a little flattered..." "What are you saying?" asks Kyoko & Sachi looks curiously "What happened?" Masao holds out a photograph "Sachi, would you like to see too?" Kyoko takes the photo from him "Omiai again?" opening it to look. Masao says excitedly "Not bad huh! Everything comes to him who waits...the dog that trots about finds a bone..." Kyoko nonchalantly replies with a another proverb "What happens twice will happen three times...you'll be rejected again..." Masao takes the photo back from Kyoko & hands it to Sachi "What...Sachi, what do you think?" Sachi takes it from Masao, who immediately stands up & on his way out of the room, happily says "Omiai...tomorrow...Hotel New Okura..." Kyoko yells "Oni-chan! Hotel New Otani or Hotel Okura...which is it?!" but Masao's gone back out to the store. Sachi quietly says "So this is Masao's type..." "He's such a simple person isn't he..." replies Kyoko but when Sachi continues staring at the photo without saying anything, Kyoko says "Hey...Sachi...what's wrong?" "Okura or Otani..." Kyoko stares at Sachi, wondering "Uhm..."

At Hot Lip, after a round of "Otsukare sama", Shuji is left alone, practicing on a model wig. After a while, he throws down the comb & scissors muttering "No damn good..." & goes over to the row of chairs, grabbing a magazine. Coming up behind him, Mayumi puts a drink on the counter. Shuji looks around "You're still here?" "I think you've been drinking too much coffee so made you some herb tea..." "Thank you..." "Hey...why don't you try cutting my hair?" "Huh?" "It'll be better than the doll..." "But your hairstyle now suits you..." "So I won't do huh...if I'm the model you don't feel like cutting huh..." "If this is going to be a tiresome story I can do without it..." "If it's not that girl it won't do huh..." Shuji looks at Mayumi but doesn't bother replying. Mayumi's cell phone rings & she answers "Hello...yes...tonight's fine, yes...Aoyama Plaza Hotel room 1068...ok, I understand..." Shuji, listening, gets up & walks away to the reception counter. He hears Takumi's voice & looks up, surprised to see Takumi going after Kyoko outside Hot Lip...

Outside, Takumi says "Wait, wait!" "It's alright..." "But you purposely came all the way here..." "It's fine...just hand that over to him..." "But Shuji's inside..." As they're squabbling, Shuji comes outside "What are you guys doing?" Takumi explains "Ah Shuji, she said she wanted to hand something over, so I said I'd call you but she just asked me to pass this to you & wanted to leave...coming here all the way too..." Shuji cuts him off "It's cold, that's enough...let's go inside..." & pushes Kyoko into Hot Lip...

Mayumi reluctantly makes a cup of tea for Kyoko who mumbles "Thanks..." in the awkward atmosphere, none of them saying anything. Kyoko starts "Sorry to bother you when you're busy..." Shuji mumbles "Huh?" & Kyoko comes forward "I...this...I only came to give you this..." handing a filing note & video tape to Shuji. Taking them from her, Shuji asks "What's this?" opening to take a look at the cover - 'Hairstyles we like'. Kyoko explains "I made it together with Sachi..." Mayumi looks at it & gives a derisive laugh. Shuji looks at her "What...?" Mayumi walks over to Takumi, saying scornfully "Hairstyles we like...huh..." Shuji ignores her remark & flips open the cover as Kyoko tells him "Clippings from magazines, (photos of ) girls who go out on the streets, whatever we thought looked good, we filed them together..." Mayumi says "Just by looking at the beauty magazines, you'll see the latest hairstyles..." Kyoko bravely replies "We thought about that too but we thought that what we felt was nice might be different..." Shuji looks at the video tape "What's this?" "That's a tape of all what we thought looked nice from different movies...did a little dubbing..." "Really?" "Recently everyone thinks Hong Kong movies are really cool right?" "Ah..." "Some from Korean movies are also in there..." 'What's this? Monday something..." "That's an old Japanese movie, heard about it from my mother...might get some fresh ideas too..." Mayumi interrupts "Stop this nonsense...you're an amateur...Shuji's suffering right now, it's all your fault...what's this...why bring something like this here?!" Mayumi condescendingly takes the note from Shuji who grabs it back "Stop this nonsense!" Mayumi tells him "Shuji, you too!" "What?!" "Why are you bothering with something that looks like it's made by a kindergarten school kid? It's not possible she has any taste, it's not possible that she knows what is good or bad..." Shuji glares at Mayumi, not saying a word. Mayumi turns to Kyoko "You too...sitting in a wheel chair for show...using a weapon of misfortune to deceive men!" Shuji walks up to Mayumi & pushing her "What are you saying?!" & giving her a slap that she deserves. Kyoko, Takumi & Mayumi all stare at Shuji, stunned. Shuji says to Mayumi "...at the very least it's better than using your feminine wiles to get work (to get to where you are)..." Mayumi doesn't reply, runs out with Takumi going after her "Mayumi!" Shuji takes a seat with a big sigh. Kyoko tells him "It's better if you go after her...there's no need to be like this...she's hurting..." Shuji retorts "& you're not hurting!?" Kyoko replies "She loves you...being told off like that by someone you love...it's unbearable...I think she loves you..." Shuji hesitates & then looks at Kyoko who returns his look with a big smile. Decision made, Shuji says "Thank you for these..." leaving the file & tape on a stool & running out of Hot Lip after Mayumi...

Shuji runs to a park nearby & sees Takumi wetting a handkerchief for Mayumi "Thank you..." Shuji goes over calling "Mayumi..."

At Hot Lip, Kyoko takes the tape & file from the chair & turns to leave when Takumi comes running back "Shuji said to leave that behind..." "But..." "I really want to take a look at that...I know you probably think that Shuji just sent me to tell you, but I really want to use that for reference..." Kyoko shakes her head "No, it's ok..." "Really...I really do have an interest in the hairstyles of old movies..." "Really?" "Yes...in any case, please leave this behind..."

At the park, Shuji lights a cigarette for Mayumi "The both of us..." "Hm?" "Let's be serious..." "Serious?" "So...that time..." "About not staying over anymore?" "You're going out with the boss aren't you?" "'Going out with the boss'...rather..." "Rather what? If you say that, you'll going to wear yourself out..." "You love that girl?" "Who?" "The one in the wheelchair..." Shuji takes a long time before simply answering "No such thing..." "That's good...somehow I feel relieved..." "Why do you feel relieved?! 'Being serious' is...doesn't need to be said..." "You're really harsh...so I'm of no help to you anymore?" "Perhaps..." "I've never been able to do that even from before huh..."

That same evening at home, Shuji goes through the file & watches the tape. Muttering "This one..." & glancing at the video, he suddenly stops & pauses a frame as a hairstyle catches his eye. Getting up, he grabs a piece of paper & a pencil from the table, sits back down in front of the TV & starts sketching...

At a hotel lounge, a very nervous Masao waits to meet his omiai partner, taking a sip of his coffee & spilling it. As his mother goes over to greet the girl "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule...", Masao turns around to look & is stunned at the girl's beauty. As Masao goes forward to greet her "Hello, I'm Masao...", watching them from a distance is Sachi, moaning to herself "She's looks beautiful, wearing a long-sleeved kimono, looks cute..."

At the library putting books back on the shelves, Kyoko looks at Sachi "You're kidding! You went to see during lunch?" "Yes..." "I was wondering where you were..." "She was really cute, wore a long-sleeved kimono..." "Long-sleeved huh..." As they return to the counter, Sachi explains "At the seijin shiki (coming of age ceremony at age 20)...I got my parents to get me a telescope instead of a kimono..." "As might be expected of a university science student!" "I didn't think that there were times I'd wear a kimono..." "But I think your parents would've liked to see you in a kimono...seeing you carrying a telescope instead..." "Wait a minute...why would I be carrying it? Normally one looks through a telescope..." "Sachi, you're strong, it's ok..." "...thanks..." replies Sachi, hands on her hips. Kyoko continues as they leave the library "But you like my brother huh!" "A young lady's heart...can't say it..." "What's good about my brother to a young lady?" Not noticing Shuji behind the pillar, Sachi wheels Kyoko down the slope "Listening to things like 'Here's your change 300yen' I feel relieved...maybe I'm tired of the city or something..." "I'll talk to my brother about it..." "No, no, no...not like that, let things happen naturally..." "If you say 'naturally' you'll never get together with my brother...that's because he only sees you as my friend..." "You're really tough..." "So are you..." Sachi stops "Hey..." "What?" "Sense someone's presence?" "Presence?" Sachi turns Kyoko around & they both see Shuji standing behind them waving his hand "'Presence' here...the both of you are really something, chatting away, couldn't get a word in!" Kyoko asks "Is there anything?" "Uhm, I looked at the video & file...I've decided on a design..." Both girls happily reply "Really?" "Thank you!" Sachi lets go of Kyoko & gives a high five to Shuji. Kyoko starts rolling down the slope backwards & Shuji goes after her "Thank you...celebrate! let's go have ramen!" leaving Sachi waving them goodbye...

At the usual ramen place, the old man serves a customer "Here, one ramen coming up!" When he sees Shuji, he says "Ah Shuji, sorry, it'll be about 30mins..." "30mins..." "It's crowded..." "Next time then..." "Sorry..." Shuji comes back to Kyoko "It's full...let's go somewhere else..." Kyoko nods smiling "Uhm..."

On the road, Kyoko drives as Shuji fiddles around with the radio. Suddenly he says "Turn over there, there..." & Kyoko makes a turn saying "Tell me earlier, can't turn all of a sudden..." "Sorry..." They drive for a bit when Shuji says "Turn there..." but Kyoko's missed it. Shuji teases "Got you..." & Kyoko looks at him "You're mean..."

Entering a bar, Shuji greets the owner "Good evening..." "Hi..." Shuji tells Kyoko "I know the owner so let me go talk to him, wait for me..." Kyoko waits rather self consciously as some girls walk pass her, giving her curious looks. Shuji comes back "ok, let's go..." & wheels her in...

Seated at the table, Kyoko grumbles "If only Sachi came along..." Shuji replies "Hm? Haven't I been sensible (considerate) enough?" Kyoko retorts "Thinking before you speak, smooth talking in this manner?" "What?" "There's no need for you to be considerate, we haven't got a relationship like that..." Before Shuji can reply, the bartender comes with their drinks "Sorry to keep you waiting..." Shuji takes a deep breath & says "Let's not fight today, I'm in a good mood...because of you I've decided on a design...I'm serious now, not smooth talking..." Kyoko nods "I understand...cheers..."

Shuji, having had too much to drink, says "That's why forever...can't just keep doing the same thing...shaggy...the airy feeling...shaggy, even shaggy..." Shuji nods off halfway & Kyoko looks at him "Shaggy...what kind of shaggy is your shaggy?...hey..." Shuji suddenly replies "Let's go have ramen...ramen, let's go to 'ichiban'..." standing up wobbly. Kyoko replies " 'ichiban' was full that's why we came here...are you alright?" Shuji staggers unsteadily to the next table, surprising the folks there & sits down at an empty seat telling Kyoko "Be quiet...". Shuji puts his head on the table & falls asleep, leaving Kyoko sighing...

Outside on the street Kyoko says "No way!...it's always been ok to park here!" Shuji sits down on the curb "That's why I always told you to observe the traffic rules, park in the parking lot..." Kyoko retorts "Parking lots were all full earlier...it's because you fell asleep, passed the time limit..." "Sorry...it's cold, freezing...what shall we do? Get a taxi?" Kyoko nods & Shuji gets up, trying to get a cab...

With Kyoko in the taxi & Shuji, having put the wheelchair in the trunk, asks "Excuse me, can you open this side?" The driver replies "Go ahead..." Shuji gets into the back & Kyoko asks "What?" "I'll send you back..." "Eh? No need..." "I was the one that invited you out so I'll send you back..." Before Kyoko can say anything, Shuji tells the driver "To Shinkoiwa please..."

Driving along, Kyoko turns to look at Shuji yawning away. Fidgeting a little, Kyoko says "Hey...hey..." "Hm? What?" "I'm sorry but..." "What's wrong?" "I have to use the toilet..." "Toilet?" Kyoko nods "Uhm..." Shuji says "Can't use normal ones can you..." "Need one where the wheelchairs can go in..." "Oh..." The driver, listening to their conversation, suggests "There are public toilets up ahead..." Shuji asks Kyoko "So how?" Kyoko replies "No...the toilets aren't big enough, not to mention they're dirty..." Shuji looks at her "Dirty?" Shuji thinks & then tells the driver "Excuse me, please turn right at the next traffic light & return to 246..."

A few minutes later, the taxi pulls up in front of Shuji's apartment building. Shuji says "Thank you..." to the driver "It's 7,800 yen..." "Here..." "Your change 200yen..." Kyoko looks at Shuji "Hey..." Shuji tells her "My place...more convenient than the public toilets..." & then to the driver "Ah, could you open the trunk please?"

Shuji frantically clears the entrance of his apartment, shoving things out of the way & wedging the front door open. Going into the toilet he checks it goes out but rushes back in "Wrong..." & puts the toilet seat down. Going out to the front door he lifts Kyoko up "Ready...ah, you're really light..." Kyoko frantically tells him "Enough already!" "Sorry sorry..." & Shuji rushes her into the toilet, putting her down on the toilet bowl "Sit here..." Relieved, Shuji stands at the door "Alright..." Kyoko tells him "Shut the door..." "Huh?" "Shut it!" "Ah sorry..." replies Shuji, closing the door. Kyoko locks it & Shuji, outside asks "Done?" "Don't ask!" "Sorry...ah, is there toilet paper?" "Yes..." "Hey..." "Go away!" "Hey...big one?" "No! But, it takes time..." Shuji waits & then muttering "It's cold..." brings in Kyoko's wheelchair from the front door...

Done, Kyoko washes her hands, wipes it on a towel & the moment she unlocks the door, Shuji rushes in, looking a little green "Done?" "Uhm..." Shuji lifts her out "Let's go outside..." & puts her on the floor just outside the bathroom "Sorry, sit here for a bit..." Shuji goes back into the bathroom, shuts the door & throws up. Kyoko listening, starts laughing as Shuji says "Sorry, feeling sick, can you move away?" Kyoko replies "Sorry, I can't move..." Shuji looks at himself in the mirror, mutters "This it totally un-cool..." & outside, Kyoko smiles "I can hear you..."

At long last, Shuji comes out of the bathroom "Could you sit there for a while longer...I haven't got the strength to move you..." Going to the kitchen sink, Shuji turns on the tap. Kyoko asks "Are you alright?" Shuji gargles & mutters "Uhm..." Kyoko says "You really did refer to that didn't you..." Shuji takes the file from the chair & puts it on the table "How about having some coffee..." "ok..." As Shuji fills the kettle with water, Kyoko asks "Feeling sick & you're drinking coffee?" "All the time..." Kyoko looks around & Shuji asks "You surprised at the mess?" taking a couple of mugs from a shelf. Kyoko asks "By any chance did you do that on purpose?" "What?" "Going to the toilet for me is an embarrassment so you pretended to be sick?" "No...I really was sick..." "Oh..." Shuji looks at her & then says "You're really something..." "What?" "Talking like that, it's just proof that you're loved by everyone around you..." Kyoko replies "Until I was 18, yeah...when I could move about I was really popular..." Shuji interrupts "No, even now you're important to everyone, loved by your father & mother...any brothers or sisters?" "Older brother..." "Your older brother loves you too huh..." "What's that?! I'm only a pretty young lady who's fighting an incurable disease..." Shuji looks at her "What did you say?" Kyoko returns the look "Was...a pretty young lady..." Shuji nods & go gets the kettle, pauses, then as he pours the water into the mugs "Hey..." "Hm?" "What illness is it? The incurable disease that you're fighting..." Kyoko hesitates "Uhm...let's not talk about that...when I talk, I inevitably talk about being sick...it's like I swallowed the illness  or something..." Although Kyoko speaks cheerfully, it sounds lonely. Shuji asks "Milk?" "Yes please..." "Milk..." Shuji mutters to himself, looking into the refrigerator. Kyoko picks up a shoe box next to her & as she puts it onto a pile of magazines, the cover falls off. Looking in the box, she sees the red pair of shoes that she likes so much. Shuji walks over to the shelf, taking some creamer "Is this ok?" & turns around to see Kyoko holding the shoes in her hands. Shuji says "You found them...because you wanted them...the other day, going by the store I bought them on impulse, but I haven't given them to you..." Kyoko asks quietly "Why?" "Huh?" "Why are you being so nice to me?" Shuji, stirring the coffee, turns around to her "Cause I care about you......care about you..." Kyoko stares at him as he walks up to her & going down on his heels, Shuji says "...cause I really care about you..." They both stare at each other & Shuji suddenly leans over & kisses her, surprising Kyoko. Shuji looks at her "That..." Kyoko replies, stilled stunned "Yes?" Shuji half whispers "I want to hold you but...how?" Kyoko looks at him "Like normal..." Shuji says "Like normal..." & awkwardly crawls over her, with his knees spread out, sitting in front of Kyoko. Looking at her, he suddenly bends towards her, holding her. Still holding her, Shuji asks "Does it hurt?" "Eh?" "Posture or anything, awkward?" Kyoko replies "I'm fine..." Shuji mutters "Sorry, my back hurts..." Kyoko starts laughing as Shuji straightens. Kyoko looks up smiling at Shuji who leans towards her & kisses her. Shuji's voiceover comes on...

The both of us kissed in front of the toilet. 

Our first kiss. 

As I held on to you that was so fragile, I quietly tried to think about our future.

But that didn't go smoothly. 

Just like a soap bubble, it disappeared in an instant.... 

 

I....where do I go from here...

 

 

僕たちは、トイレの前でキスをした。
はじめてのキス。
こわれそうなきみを抱き寄せながら、
僕はそっとこれからのふたりのことを考えてみた。
でも、それはうまくいかなかった。
しゃぼん玉みたいに、すぐに消えてしまった。。。

僕は、これからどこに行くんだろう。