ichigo no kissu

 

~ strawberry kiss ~

 

In class, the teacher is reading aloud when he passes Yui & notices her slumped over dozing at her desk. Annoyed, he prods her on the shoulders "Irie! Irie!" Yui reluctantly sits upright mumbling "Yes." "Just transferred to this school & nodding off asleep already?!" Yui pouts "But...." "But what?" "It's so boring!" The whole class bursts out laughing & thankfully, the bell chimes. The teacher clears his throat & announces "Alright! That's all for today!" When the class monitor calls out "Stand up!" the class get to their feet but Yui, in a rush, adds "Bow!" Bending over in a quick bow, she dashes out of class, ignoring the teacher yelling at her "Oi! Irie!" Running out into the corridor Yui happily goes up the stairs......

 

In the class above, Taeko asks Manato "Irie, who's that girl?" Manato feigns ignorance "Who?" Haruka adds "That transfer student, haven't you seen her?" Manato replies "No." Suddenly Yui appears "The transfer student is here!" Haruka looks a little curious at her appearance but not noticing, Yui cheerfully runs up to Manato "Let's have lunch together?" Manato nods. Taeko looks at Manato & bluntly says "She's your girlfriend?!" Manato starts to reply  but Yui interrupts "We're living together." Shocked, Haruka stares at them "What?!" Yui turns to Manato "Right Manato?" Manato hesitatingly nods "Well, yes...."

 

Haruka waits at the bottom of the stairs by the shoe lockers. When Manato passes by & changes his shoes, Haruka nonchalantly walks up "You've taken off your glasses." "They broke." "You look better without them." "You think so?" "I feel kind of strange without them, I'm still not used to it." "If you change your hairstyle you'll look even better, you'll definitely become popular with the girls." "I wonder." "You'll get a lot of love letters for sure." "Love letters....." "I never thought that your father would remarry." "To tell you the truth, I didn't either. When mom left he was devastated." "Are you alright?" "I'm no longer a kid." "That's true. Well then, I'm off. Bye bye." "Bye bye." Haruka takes a step & then turns around "Ah, your sister Yui-chan....she's really cute." Manato replies "I wonder....." Haruka smiles & then turns to leave.....

 

Standing outside by the school gates, Manato looks at his watch, muttering "She's taking a long time." As students leave for the day, Manato paces by the gates, waiting.....

 

 

thinking back, I was always like this,

I was always waiting for you...

 

 

Upstairs in the music room, Yui is on all fours, searching through all the desks & the floor muttering worridly "Where's my key?" Suddenly she remembers "Ah! Manato has the house key too! What an idiot I am!" Getting up, she turns around & sees Saeki standing behind her. With a grin, he holds out a key attached to a pink bell key chain "Here!" Saeki tosses it & Yui, catching it, looks back at him. Saeki grins & gives her a sign of victory, getting a sweet smile from Yui.....

 

 

but I will never ever forget you...

even then, I was happy....

 

 

Downstairs by the school gates, Manato stares up into the school building, waiting......

 

Manato & Yui walk up the flight of stairs into their home. Walking ahead, Manato finds the door locked "I wonder if they're gone shopping..." & starts to get his key out. From her coat pocket, Yui takes out her key "Wait! Let me open it?" "Alright." Yui unlocks the door "This is officially the first time I'm 'coming home'. When I open the door & say 'I'm back', you have to say 'welcome home', ok?" Manato replies "I usually say 'I'm back' too....." but seeing Yui's pleading look on her face, gives in "Alright." Yui enters & turns on the light, calling out "I'm back!" Manato, coming in behind her, says a little awkwardly "Welcome home." Yui turns back to look at him & Manato quickly says "Did it sound strange? I'll do it again." However Yui merely smiles "Come help me unpack." Manato nods "Uhm." & locking up, follows her upstairs.....

 

Saeki knocks on the door of an apartment "It's me. You're home, aren't you." Not getting a response, Saeki knocks again "Mariko...Mari-chan....Asami-sensei?" On the other side of the door, Mariko remains silent, listening to Saeki speak "Today was....ah, his death anniversary's coming up soon, so that's why you're like this. I just remembered, last year around this time you were like this too. I know as soon as you start acting cold towards me. He was a good teacher. I liked him a lot too. I was in love with you at the time but I thought it wasn't possible. I didn't think that I could match up to him. Even now, I know that I'll never be able to match up to him so you don't have to worry about me. It's alright if you don't think of me as a man. It's just one sided on my part going after you so you don't have to feel guilty." Finally Mariko says "Why? Why are you being so nice?" Saeki replies "I am not nice. Rather, I think I'm very cold towards strangers. You're the exception. You're special. Try pronouncing it, special." "Don't make fun of an English teacher." "Oh, I see you've cheered up a little. I'm going home. If I don't eat & get some sleep, Mom will get worried." With that, Saeki leaves. Inside, Mariko mutters to herself "Idiot!"

 

Manato carries a carton into Yui's room "Where do I put this?" "Over here." "This is really something! Everything's pink!" Yui, putting on pink cover on her pillow, replies "It's my lucky color, don't you think it's romantic?" "Don't you get a headache?" "No, I love reds & pinks." "What about food?" "Well, I like eating strawberries." "Hmm, with condense milk?" "No, not that kind of strawberries." "Not that kind?" "I like the kind of strawberries on top of cakes." "Shortcake?" "Yes. Only one strawberry. & it's the first thing I eat." "The first? But if you like it don't you leave it to the last?" "Because I like it, it's the first thing I eat." Manato nods, pondering on Yui's logic. The phone rings & Manato tells Yui "I guess it's done." Yui nods "Thanks."

 

Going into his room, Manato picks up the receiver "This is Irie." "It's me." "Sawamura?" "Yes." Manato goes to the window & draws open the curtain. In her room looking through the window, Haruka says "I'm sorry, are you studying?" "Studying? No, helping her....ah, I was helping my new sister unpack." "I see." "As for the university entrance exam, I don't think I'll be able to make it this year. I'll probably wait another year." "You can't say such things like that." "What about you?" "I've been recommended to college by the principal." "That's great. But then again, you've always been a better student than I am." "Says who. You used to be better than me." "That was in grade school!" "You've got more hidden potential than I do." "Hidden potential.....ah, did something happen?" "Eh?" "Did you parents have another fight?" "No, ah, I can't do this?" "Hm?" "Calling you for nothing." Before Manato can answer, Yui grabs the receiver from Manato & answers "You definitely can." Making a grab for the phone, Manato misses & tumbles to the floor. Ignoring him, Yui looks out the window with a big smile "Good evening." Surprised, Haruka replies "Good evening." "You're in the same class as Manato, aren't you?" "Yes." "I'm Irie Yui, yoroshiku again." "I'm Sawamura Haruka." "Do you like my brother?" Shocked at Yui's bluntness, Sawamura doesn't answer. Annoyed, Manato grabs the receiver back from Yui "What are you saying?!" Quickly speaking into the receiver "Hello? I'm sorry..." but Haruka's hung up. Looking through the window, Manato sees Haruka drawing her curtain shut. With an irritated glare at Yui, Manato starts to say "Hey....." Hearing sounds from below, Yui ignores Manato & runs out of his room "Mom & Dad are home!" Nothing left to say, Manato puts the receiver down & gives a glance at the window.......

 

Later during the night, Manato stares out the window at Haruka's window & sees the light go out. Hearing a knock on his door, Manato quickly draws his curtain shut & sits back down at his desk "Yes?" The door opens & Yui peeps in "Are you studying?" "Can't you tell?" "Can you come for a second?" "No, I'm in the midst of studying." Yui puts her hands together "Please? Just for a bit." With a sigh, Manato turns around & looks at her.......

 

Quietly, Manato follows Yui down the stairs "What is it?" Yui puts her finger to her lips "Shhhhh!" From the foot of the stairs, they look across to their parents' bedroom with the door left ajar. From the room, sounds of their parents making love filter out. Embarrassed, Manato turns to go back upstairs "This is not a good idea!" However, Yui sits down on the last step & continues listening. Turning back to look at her, Manato tells her "There's something wrong with you!" However, Yui quietly says "I'm glad." With a puzzled look, Manato says "Eh?" Moved to tears, Yui replies "Mom's found happiness." Without a word, Manato quietly sits down on the steps, staying close to her......

 

At the breakfast table the following morning, Irie says "Ah! Having such a good breakfast in the morning, this is great, isn't it Manato?" Manato nods, a tad awkward. A little embarrassed, Yurie replies "I didn't make anything that special!" Yui adds smiling "I wonder, feels like it's a little more special than normal." Yui retorts "No it isn't, it's the same as always. Don't say strange things." Yui smiles "You're cute when you get serious!" "I am not serious!" "Alright, alright, you're not, you're not." Irie laughs at the banter between mother & daughter "It's getting lively around here, feels like we're a family." Yurie gets up "Isn't it time for you to go?" Irie looks at his watch "It is, gochisosama." Yui looks up "Papa, take care." Surprise appears on everyone's faces. After a pause, Irie replies "Well them, I'm off." Yurie calls out "Manato-kun?" "Yes?" "Help yourself to more food." "Ah, alright." As Yurie sees Irie off, Manato & Yui are left alone at the table. Manato gives Yui an assessing glance & Yui asks "What?" "It's nothing to you, is it." "You mean calling him 'papa'? Would it be better if I called him ojisan (uncle)?" "I'm not talking about that..." "You can call my mother 'Mom' too. Ah, then again you remember your own mother so it's hard for you to call her that." "I'm not talking about about that!" "What then?" "I couldn't look them straight in their eyes." "Why not?" "Why?" "Because of last night?" Manato nods & Yui smiles "Ah, you're thinking dirty." Manato retorts "What do you mean dirty?! You were the one that got me to listen in on them!" "I didn't ask you to listen in on them that way." "Then what did you mean?" "To share their emotion." "To share their emotion?" "To share their feeling of happiness. I think that a person's feelings are like a contagious disease." "Contagious disease?" "Feelings of joy & happiness can be spread around to other people. If mom's feelings of happiness spreads to me, then I'll become happy too." "That's why you cried?" "Yes. I cry when I'm happy." "Don't you think that's weird?" "So you don't cry when you're sad?" "I don't." "Cause you'll spread it to other people?" "Yes." Manato smiles "You're really something!" "I am not!" pouts Yui.......

 

At the bus stop, Yui looks at the bus schedule just like an innocent child & Manato, watching her, smiles to himself. Yui asks "What is it?" "Nothing." Yui pouts "What is it?" coming to sit by him on the rail alongside the walkway. Manato says "Well, I was just thinking about what you said earlier, I guess you're still very much like a child after all. Forget it...." "Because I don't have any idea?" "What?" "About sex." Manato nods "Well, I guess so...." Yui looks at him "So you think that I don't have that experience?" Surprised, Manato looks at her "Eh?" The bus arrives & Yui walks towards it. Shocked, Manato gets to his feet "You do?!" Turning around with a smile, Yui nods "Yes." Speechless Manato merely stands immobile. From the steps of the bus, Yui calls out "Hurry up!" Manato finally finds his voice & picking up his bag, follow her up the bus. Just as the bus is about to pull away, Yui calls out to the driver "Please wait a minute!" The door opens & Haruka comes up "Sorry!" & turns when Yui calls out "Good morning!" Sheepishly, Manato looks at Haruka "Good morning." Haruka, a little uneasy as well, smiles "Good morning." When a seat is vacated, Yui sits down & calls out "Come sit." Manato tells Haruka "Go sit." "I'm fine." Yui calls out again "The three of us can seat together." Manato says "Go ahead Sawamura." "But...." However, Manato's moved away & Haruka, hearing Yui calling out again "Come sit", goes over & takes a seat beside Yui. Yui smiling, gives Haruka a long assessing look & then at Manato......

 

Saeki spots Mariko approaching him. Cheerfully, Mariko greets him "Morning!" as she passes by, striding along. Saeki replies "Good morning...sure is chirpy....." muttering to himself. Watching Saeki from a distance is Haruka.......

 

Saeki walks into a class & interrupts Taeko & Haruka "Excuse me..." Taeko gets up from her desk "Saeki-san!" "Morning!" "Good morning, what is it?" Saeki tells her "I'm not looking for you." "Eh?" Looking at Haruka, Saeki asks "Can I talk to you for a minute?" Haruka doesn't reply......

 

In the counselor's room, Manato pushes a paper bag across the table towards Mariko. Accepting the bag & looking into it, Mariko sees her lingerie that Manato stole previously. Looking appropriately remorseful, Manato mutters "I'm sorry." Awkwardly, Mariko replies "It's not a big deal...." "Am I going to be suspended?" "Expelled." Manato nods "Oh." Mariko laughs "I'm kidding! I guess boys your age all have an interest in women, it's normal. Don't worry about me. I'm happy that you think that I'm an attractive woman. Of course I'm a little uneasy but.....what am I saying....really......" When Mariko nervously rattles on, Manato says "sensei..." "Yes?" "Can I go now?" "Yes." Manato gets up & leaves. Alone, Mariko sighs "This is tough to talk about...."

 

On the roof top, Saeki tells Haruka "I don't think you're the kind that will gossip but just in case...." "I haven't told anyone." "Thank you. It doesn't bother me but it bothers her....I mean sensei." "I said I wouldn't tell anyone! I hate that sort of thing." "What?" "Teachers & students having that sort of a relationship." Saeki laughs & Haruka looks at him annoyed "You think I'm old fashioned?" "No, I don't." "I think she's a good teacher but now I look down on her." "You should get your mind out of the gutter. The moment men & women are together you think of sex right away." Uneasily, Haruka looks away defensively "I do not...." "You've never been in love before, have you." "That's got nothing..." Saeki continues teasing her relentlessly "You're overly defensive, or are you afraid of doing it?" At the insinuating tone, Haruka raises her hand & smacks Saeki across the cheek. Amused, Saeki pouts "Oww...my teeth might have fallen out...." Saeki grins "I'm kidding, alright?" Upset, Haruka runs off, leaving Saeki alone up on the roof top muttering to himself "She's cute."

 

Running down the stairs without looking, Haruka crashes into Manato & they both go tumbling down. Manato grimaces "Ouch!" & then turning to look, sees Haruka "Sawamura?" However Haruka doesn't look at him, merely picks herself up & continues running down the stairs.......

 

In class, Haruka glances at Manato who's taking down notes. Reaching under her desk, Haruka pulls out blue colored writing paper.....

 

In the music room, Saeki plays a pensive tune on the grand piano. When he finishes, he hears someone clapping. Looking, he sees Yui smiling, clapping, watching him. With a nonchalant smile, Saeki asks "Left something behind again?" Yui shakes her head with a smile. "Then what? Do you want to join the brass band?" Yui shakes her head again & Saeki says "In the first place there wasn't enough members so the club was disbanded last year anyway." Yui asks "What's the name of that song you were playing?" "Name? There isn't one, I made it up." "I see...." "If there's nothing, could you please leave?" "I recalled something listening to your music." "Hm? Well, if you want to be here, fine. Then I'll leave." Saeki gets up from the piano & starts to leave when Yui says "A pink colored chick." With a laugh, Saeki says "A pink colored....?" "Chick. I had one when I was in kindergarten. It was really adorable & I loved it. I was in love with it. One day when I came home from school one day, the neighbor's dog had eaten it." "What a sad story." "I don't think it was sad. It's insides were all over the place, it made me sick. & then I threw it into the river nearby." "So you lost interest in your love then." "Yes." Saeki looks at her & then frowns "& my music made you think of that?" Yui nods with a smile. Saeki grimaces, amused at the same time "It made you remember that?" Yui nods again & they both end up laughing.......

 

Downstairs by the school gates, Manato paces "She's taking forever...." Looking at his watch, he sees the time at 4.39pm. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a blue colored letter 'I'll be waiting for you at 5 by the fountain.'

 

Manato comes running up to the fountain. Panting trying to catch his breath, he looks around & then glances at his watch, 5.12pm. Looking around & not seeing anyone, he mutters to himself "I sure am an idiot doing this!" Dropping his bag on the ground, Manato takes a seat on the ledge of the fountain. Haruka watches him from a distance & starts approaching. Taking the letter out from his pocket, Manato starts ripping it up. Suddenly noticing her, he gets up on his feet "Sawamura! What are you doing here?" Hesitatingly, Haruka stammers "Uhm.......it's me....that...." Manato asks "That what?" "The blue letters." "Eh?" Looking at the letter in his hand, Manato says "Oh, I see." Awkwardly, the both of them look at each other, neither finding any words to say......

 

At home, Manato soaks in the hot bath, lost in thought.....

 

Over at the Sawamura home, Satoru says "Mom went to bed after drinking again tonight." Breaking out of her reverie, Haruka replies "I see." "I'll bet it's because she knows that Dad's having an affair outside." "Hey..." "I'm not the one having the affair so I wished she would at least make dinner for me." "That's true." "But then again, it's alright. Your cooking's delicious too." "You think so?" "You'll make a good wife." "Thank you." "I want to marry you." Haruka laughs at her younger brother "Brothers & sisters can't get married." "Why not?" "Because we're blood related." "Hmmm....then brothers & sisters who aren't related by blood can get married." Taken aback, Haruka ponders "Eh? Well, I guess so........"

 

Manato lies on the floor in his room, Yui sits down next to him, fanning him with some paper "Why did you soak in the bath until you got dizzy?" With a towel covering his eyes, Manato replies "I was thinking about something." "What? Is it interesting?" "I don't know if it's interesting or not..." "What is it?" Excitedly, Yui pulls the towel away from Manato. Looking at her, he asks "Why do you keep asking?" "Well, if it's something interesting, I want you to share it with me too!" "Yeah yeah, I see..." mutters Manato, sitting up. "So what is it?" "I got another letter again in my shoe locker." "That's great!" "It's the same as before, another blue letter. You've see it too." "I see, someone playing a prank on you?" "It said to meet at 5 by the fountain again." "Did you go?" "I did." "Ah, so that's why you stood me up!" "I waited until 4.30! Where were you anyway?!" "Well, I had something to do." "Do what?" "Forget it." "Fine, I will." Manato gets up off the floor & sits at his desk. Yui asks "So was it because someone played a prank on you & you were so upset you got dizzy?" "Well, actually......it wasn't a prank." "Eh? What do you mean? Then it's a real love letter?" "I guess you could say that." Excitedly, Yui asks "Did she come? What's she like? Is she cute?" Manato nods. Yui smiles "Really? Cuter than me?" Manato looks at her "That's a matter of taste." laying his head down on the table. Yui frowns not liking his answer "Bu bu bu....never mind, so is she the same age as you?" "The same." "Which class?" "The same?" "Ah! I'll sneak in tomorrow to take a peek!" "You've seen her already." "Eh?" Manato gets up "You sat next to her on the bus this morning." Yui turns to the window & points enquiringly, getting a nod from Manato. Yui bounces up to the window, drawing open the curtain "Ah, it's just as I thought!" "Liar!" "It's the truth! She's really conscious of you." "Isn't that because you said that to her on the phone? Even I feel self conscious now." Staring at Haruka's window, Yui ponders out loud "Blue curtains, blue letters.....her lucky color must be blue." Sitting on the bed, Manato frowns "Speaking of which, her muffler is blue too." "& then?" "Then what?" Yui moves to the bed beside Manato "What did you talk about?" Hesitatingly, Manato replies "Well..." "Well what?" "I suddenly got very nervous." "I think she would be even more nervous than you." "Well, the both of us were. It was like the air around us suddenly froze." "So neither of you said a word?" "For about 30 minutes." Yui grimaces "Uwaaa....." "& then Sawamura slowly looked like she regretting the whole thing...." "Of course she would! She gave up on you!" "Then I said 'sorry'..." "You spoke to her?" "Then without realizing it..." "Without realizing it?" "I said "Let's go to go to the movies tomorrow"..." "You asked her out?" "Well, yeah...." "So what did she say?" "She said "Uhm."" "That's great!" Yui exclaims, prodding him with her elbow, causing Manato to fall of the side of the bed, banging his head on the lamp. With a sheepish grin, Manato replies "I wonder...."

 

Sitting on the stairs of Mariko's apartment building, Saeki smokes a cigarette, waiting. A white car pulls up & Mariko gets out, telling the guy who's sent her home "Thank you very much." The guy nods "I'll see you again." "Take care." When the car pulls away, Mariko walks up the stairs & then spots Saeki. Blocking her way, Saeki asks "Who's that guy?" "Does it matter who it is?" Saeki grabs her hand "It matters, who is he?" "Let go of me!" "Who is he?" "I said let go!" "Sorry....does it hurt?" Mariko ignores him & walks to her apartment.....

 

Sitting by her bed, Yui plays with the bell on her key chain. A knock on the door & Yui sleepily answers "Yes?" Manato answers "It's me, are you asleep?" "Half asleep." "Then I'll talk to you tomorrow." Manato starts to walk back to his room when he hears Yui say "I'll listen to you half awake." Manato pauses & turns back "Oh.....I was thinking....that I should cancel the date with Sawamura tomorrow. To be honest, I don't feel that sort of emotion for her." Yui opens the door & peeps out. Manato adds "Of course it's not that I don't like her. Rather it's more like I don't feel I can like her that way. It's just that since we were talking about it, & I asked her out without thinking about it." Yui laughs & Manato gets upset "Don't laugh! I'm seriously thinking about her. If I don't feel that way about her....." Suddenly Yui interrupts "By any chance you haven't got any experience?" "What?" "Gone on a date before." Manato lies through his teeth "Of course I have! I'm a senior at high school! Don't be ridiculous! Well, it's not that I've been on a lot of date but...." Yui gives in "Alright, I understand. Then if you have gone on dates, have you held hands?" "What do you mean "if I have"? Well, more or less." "Have you kissed before?" Manato stares at Yui surprised "Kiss?! Kiss...." "Not on the cheeks...." "I know!" Manato looks away & sighs dejectedly "I don't...." At the same time, Yui says "So you don't...." Quickly Manato adds "But I've been in that sort of situation...." Yui suddenly faces him "Let's practice?" "Eh?" "Practice with me?" "What are you saying..." However, Yui reaches out & holding him by his shoulders, turns him to face her "When you get close to a girl, she'll naturally close her eyes." Yui closes her eyes & then putting her hands on Manato's head "Tilt your head so your noses won't get in the way. & then gently...." Manato slowly approaches Yui. Just as his lips are about to touch hers, Yui suddenly moves away "& then the rest will happen naturally" going into her room & shutting the door. Stunned, Manato remains frozen. Yui's door opens again "Do you understand now?" Gathering his wits about him, Manato nods "Uhm." "Then goodnight." Yui shuts the door again & Manato, half puzzled & wondering at what's happened, walks into his room & shuts the door.......

 

Sawamura goes for her run around the school tracks. Done with practice, she sees Manato by the shoe lockers "Good morning." Manato, awkwardly replies "Good morning." The both of them start changing their shoes, Haruka saying "You changed your hairstyle." "Well, just a little." "I went by the Tokyo Theatre yesterday." "Eh? Ah, what are they showing now?" Haruka gets up & approaches Manato "One of them was....." Suddenly another student comes by "Good morning." Both Haruka & Manato self consciously turn back to changing their shoes. Haruka tentatively suggests "Are you ok with a horror movie?" Manato proceeds to nod before grimacing "Not really......"

 

In the music room, Saeki takes a look at the apple in his hands before biting into it. The door opens & Mariko walks in. Saeki holds out the apple in offering & Mariko shakes her head. Saeki says "So you're here to give me an excuse." "I'm not giving any excuses. It's exactly as what you saw." "What I saw was a couple together, him sending you home after a date & you sending him off with a smile." "If that's what you saw, then that's what it is." "That's a lie. It's just for appearances. That's because I believe that you won't do something like that." "I met him before at an arranged marriage meeting." "Arranged marriage? I didn't hear anything about it." "I turn down the offer immediately. However the matchmaker was really enthusiastic, saying that he was working at a good company & a nice man. So I agreed to meet with him once." "Even though you turned him down he's still coming after you?" "I called him." "Why?" "Because I was lonely. It's been three years since he died & I was thinking, it's that time of the year again....." "I know that. That's why I'm here. That's why I'm here by your side." "I'm very grateful to you. Even after his funeral, you were there by my side, not saying anything. & even after that you......" "Yes, I....?" "You let me forget my pain." "Yes. So why?" "Because the loneliness is still here. You're not the one who can make it disappear." "Because I'm a kid?" "I'm sorry." Mariko starts to leave & Saeki asks "Why are you telling me this now?" However Mariko ignores him & walks out the door. Left alone, Saeki flings the apple against the wall in anger "What do you want me to do now?!"

 

In class, Yui doesn't pay attention but plays with her key chain.....

 

At the movies, Manato & Haruka, awkwardly watching the screen, both intensely aware of the other's presence. Manato offers her some popcorn but she declines. He suddenly feels something & looks to see Haruka's hand on his. Haruka, however, doesn't look at him but stares ahead at the movie screen. After a moment's hesitation, he makes his decision & turning his hand, holds hers.......

 

At a cafe, Haruka ponders "I think it was the wrong choice..." Manato looks at her surprised "Eh?" "Maybe an action movie would have been better?" "It's ok, the ending was good." "I'm glad. I guess whether one likes a movie or not depends on one's tastes." Silence falls between them again. When Manato notices Haruka eat a piece of shortcake, leaving the strawberry on top untouched, he asks "You don't like strawberries?" "I like them. Why?" "You didn't eat it first." "I'm leaving it for last." "Well if you like it then shouldn't you eat it first?" "Because I like it, I leave it to the end." Manato nods. Haruka asks "What about you?" "I guess I'll probably leave it to the end too." "That makes us the same." "Yeah...." Tension easing between them.......

 

In the music room, Yui practices on the piano & fumbles "Ah, I can't do it! I've forgotten what I learnt in kindergarten." Saeki says "Well, you have to practice everyday." "Yes, sensei." Getting up from the piano, Yui says "You're 20 already. I found out from the other students that because you're ill, you haven't made the required school days attendance. I wondered why you felt like a grown up. Ah, if you don't make it this year too, then we'll be classmates in April." Seated at the piano, Saeki replies "I'll be graduating this year." "Is that so? That's unfortunate." Saeki, playing the pensive tune on the piano, suddenly stops, he hand trembling. Yui turns to look at him & Saeki, tears in his eyes, says "I don't want to talk about it......please........"

 

Walking home, Haruka says "Thanks for today." Manato replies "You don't have to thank me for anything." Haruka continues "I hate it." "Eh?" "I hate myself." "Oh. How come?" "Because I'm boring. It feels like I'm being bound by morals & ethics. I'm not even good inside." "Everyone's the same, even me." "I hate myself being like that, really hate it. & because I hate feeling like this, I want to change myself but I'm not brave enough." "I understand." "I feel uneasy with other people. When I'm with other people other than you that I've known since we were children, I'm afraid." "Afraid?" Haruka looks at him & Manato, understanding, nods "Ah." Slowly, hesitatingly, Manato positions himself in front of Haruka. Yui's words ring in his head as he reaches out for Haruka's shoulders "When you get close to a girl, she'll naturally close her eyes. Tilt your head so your noses won't get in the way..." Yui's face appears in his mind & Manato moves forward, gently giving Haruka a kiss.......

 

Arriving home, Manato enters the living room. Fresh out of her bath, Yui cheerfully greets him "Welcome home!" "Where's Dad?" "They went to the hospital for a checkup." "The hospital?" Grinning, Yui sits on the couch "What would you think if mom's pregnant?" "Don't talk rubbish." Yui gets up & grabs Manato, pulling him down on the couch beside her "So how was it?" "What?" "Of course I'm talking about your date!" "Oh." "Was it exciting?" "The movie? So so." "Hey!" Manato gets to his feet irritably "Don't ask!" Yui follows him out "What do you mean 'don't ask!' We're brother & sister after all!" Manato stops in his tracks & turns around, looking at Yui "Brother & sister?" Innocently, Yui nods "Yes. So, did you hold her hand? Did you kiss her?" Manato replies "I didn't." Yui pouts "What's that? How boring!" Upset, Manato raises his voice at her "Do you find that exciting?!" Stunned at Manato's reaction, Yui merely stares at him. Manato turns & starts up the stairs. Yui calls out "Wait a minute! What are you upset about? Hey!" Manato goes upstairs & pauses outside his door.....

 

 

when did I start thinking of you that way

even now I don't really know

it doesn't matter either

only that I will never ever forget you.....

even if I forget the number of times

I have tried to erase you from my heart.....

 

 

Entering his room, Manato sits on his bed, in darkness, alone with his thoughts......