kare ga imouto wo daita asa

 

~ the morning he slept with my sister ~

 

Manato adjusts the light over his books, a blue colored good luck charm hanging from it. A knock on the door & Manato grunts "Come in." The door opens & Yui peeps in "You're still awake? The exam's tomorrow isn't it?" "Yes but I just want to study a little bit more." "Putting up a fruitless struggle?" "You could say that." Yui grins & enters "It'd be great if you get in. You'll be in the same university as Haruka." "No way, not with my level." "If you think that then if you get in you'll be doubly happy!" Manato flips pages "When I fail then I'll only be half as sad." Yui nods & then asks "Are you taking a bento (packed meal) with you tomorrow?" "Sawamura said she'd make it for me." "Oh, that's good." Manato looks up "Ah, she also made me a good luck charm, see," clipping the blue puff with his hand. Yui exclaims "A handmade daruma? (a tumbler doll) It's cute! I should get her to make me one too!" "So ask her." "Well, this is from me," Yui takes out a folded sheet of paper & puts it on his desk. Manato unfolds the sheet & Yui whispers into his ear "Exam questions. I stole it yesterday." Manato frowns "Eh?" Yui grins & snatches it away "I'm kidding! That was just a joke. The real thing is here." Jumping onto the bed, Yui puts something into Manato's jacket pocket. Manato asks "What is it?" "A secret. See what it is when you're in the exam hall tomorrow." "Oh okay, thanks." "Well then, goodnight." "Goodnight." Yui bounces off the bed & out the door. Manato turns back to his book but curiosity getting the better of him, starts to get up to take a look. Just then the door opens & Yui peeps in "Tomorrow!" Manato nods sheepishly "Okay, tomorrow." Yui gives him a pout & Manato obediently sits back down at his desk & gets back to flipping pages.

 

Manato comes out of his home the next morning to see Haruka playing with her dog, waiting for him on the stairs. Seeing him, she gets to her feet "Morning." With a scarf dangling around his neck, Manato returns the greeting "Morning." "It's cold today." "Yeah." Taking out the bento from a bag, Haruka holds it out "Here." "Thanks." "It's nothing. Do you have the charm with you?" Manato holds out his school bag & shows her the charm attached to it & she grins. As they start walking, Haruka cheers him on "Hang in there." Manato, ever modest, replies "Don't expect too much." "Pressure?" "Not exactly but...." "Sorry." "No, it's not that. Anyway, I'll do by best." Haruka nods "Uhm." Putting the scarf properly around Manato's shoulders & sends him off "Itterasshai." 

 

Manato walks through the main gates of Seiho University to take their entrance exam. 

 

 

at the time

I didn't feel the slightest bit sentimental

 

 

Manato looks at the examination card in his hand & puts it back in his coat pocket, determination written on his face. He takes two steps when he suddenly recalls something. Reaching into his pocket of his jacket, Manato takes something out & opening his fist, sees a red colored pencil sharpener & stares at it.

 

 

that's why I will never forget you

even though a bittersweet thought

you were still there not far from my side

 

 

Gripping the sharpener in his fist, Manato continues walking on.

 

At a shrine, Haruka puts her hands together & says to her brother beside her "Satoru, say a prayer too." Satoru nods & obediently puts the soccer ball he's holding onto the ground. Haruka says "Alright." They both clap their hands & then say a prayer, their eyes closed. Satoru peeks "onechan, what are you praying for?" "What for....that the exam goes smoothly." "The onichan next door?" "Yes." "Why are you praying for the onichan next door?" "Why? Because...." "I know. Because you like him, don't you." "No. It's because he likes me." "Hmmmmm....hey wait a minute, it's the same thing!" Haruka laughs at her brother "Yeah."

 

Sitting tensely at his desk, Manato waits. The examiner announces "Alright, start!" Everyone turns over their question papers & starts pouring over them. Manato starts writing on his answer sheet when the tip of his pencil breaks. Reaching out for another, he starts to write when he suddenly puts the pencil down. With a frown, he reaches for the sharpener in his pocket. Taking the broken off pencil, he sharpens it.

 

Yui's sweater drops to her feet. Slowly, Saeki & Yui move to the bed, smiling at each other. As she reaches to unbutton her blouse, Saeki stops her & continues undoing them instead. Over at the examination hall, Manato's deep in concentration over the exam. 

At the very same moment, Saeki & Yui are in bed together. During a break, Manato sharpens all his pencils. Anxiously, Haruka waits for him. The exam continues & Manato taps on the sharpener, thinking. In bed, tears of happiness down Yui face, Saeki kissing her passionately. The buzzer sounds & Manato drops his pencil down, leaning back with a deep breath. The exam papers get passed up the front & Manato adds his to the pile. 

 

With his hair tousled & a crumpled white shirt draped over his shoulders, Saeki sips a cup of coffee, coolly watches a sleeping Yui in his bed. Suddenly the phone rings, breaking the silence.

 

Saeki finds himself at a cafe, staring at the envelope on the table with the words "Private Investigations" on it. Picking it up, he looks at the man sitting across the table "A private detective agency?" The man, Mariko's fiancé, nonchalantly replies, "I met her at an arranged marriage meeting. Since we're getting quite serious & although I trust her completely, I thought I'd just check to make sure." Saeki takes a look into the envelop & tosses the photographs of himself & Mariko outside her apartment onto the table "Double checking huh." "Well, it does make things look a little suspicious but then again you are her student so going in & out of her apartment isn't anything strange. However, like I said before, I'd just like to make sure. If anything happens later, it might cause problems, you know, like finding out if she's in debt, or having affairs." Saeki ponders & then says "You didn't ask her anything?" "Hm?" "So you just came directly to find out from me, right?" "Well, yeah." "Whether or not I'm intimately involved with her?" "Well, yeah, putting it that way. She's a real beauty & has probably gone out with many men before. But then as a teacher & thinking about it morally.....at the very least, I think....." Staring at the coffee in his cup, Saeki tells him "There's nothing." "Eh?" "There's absolutely nothing between us." "Really?" "Yes." Relieved, the man smiles "That's what I thought. That's great." "Actually I've been ill so haven't been able to do all that well in school. So to catch up, I'd go to sensei's apartment for extra tutoring." "I see, are you alright?" "Besides bothering her, it's also made you suspicious of her." "You right, me being suspicious of her." Saeki gets to his feet "Well, I guess I better get going," reaching out for his wallet. Standing up as well, Mariko's fiancé stops him "I'd appreciate if you...." "Of course, I'll keep this a secret. Thanks," replies Saeki, taking his coat. "Thank you." Saeki manages a grin "All the best." 

 

With one hand holding the phone & the other flipping through a book, Manato says "I can say nothing about world history. Ah, but what you told me, the topic on the Russian Revolution appeared." Haruka looking out her bedroom window at Manato replies "It did? It seems that it's the professor's specialty. It came out the year before. What about classics?" Manato mutters "Ah, I have absolutely no confidence in that at all. When I was answering the second question, my pencil broke." "Eh? Really?" "I'm just kidding." "So how do you think you did overall?" Manato glances out the window & then turns away "I don't know but I don't think I made it." Haruka sounds disappointed "Oh." Manato laughs "Don't make it sound that bad." "Sorry." "It's alright." "I was thinking about it all day." "Hm?" "That if you didn't make it this year, I was wondering maybe I'd go to the same cram school with you instead." "Don't do that!" "You don't like the idea?" "It's not that. You managed to get such great results, it would be meaningless." "Not to me." "No, spare me that," Manato retorts & Haruka remains silent, taken aback by Manato's sudden forcefulness. Manato quickly proceeds to soften his words "I'm very grateful you think that way. I'm afraid I was being overly harsh." "No, I'm the one that's sorry. I did it again...." "I guess I'm just a little tired today." "Are you alright?" "Yeah, it's not a big deal." "Then, sleep well tonight." Manato nods "Goodnight." Haruka replies "Goodnight." Exchanging waves, Manato draws his curtains shut. Hanging up, Manato breathes out a deep sigh. Drawing her curtains shut, Haruka does the same, breathing out a tense sigh.

 

As his father leaves the next morning, Manato follows him out, sending him off "To the hospital? I thought she was going to be discharged?" Walking to the car, Irie replies "Well, there are various reasons." Not understanding, Manato asks "Various reasons?" Irie remains vague "Various reasons mean various reasons." "Oh." "Ah, so how was the exam?" Manato grimaces "Ah, well, not too good." "It's just one year." "Eh?" "I'll tell you right now that there's not much time to spare." "I know." Getting into his car, Irie adds "Then again, education isn't everything either." Manato grins amused "Hey, that's contradicting yourself." Irie winds down the window "Yurie said that one shouldn't put too much pressure on kids." "Ah, so thanks to her I see." With that, Irie drives off & Manato, feeling the cold air bite, runs back into the house.

 

In the living room, Yui's on the phone "Is it really okay? Then we'll meet in 10 minutes outside the house. Bye bye." Manato comes in, yawning "Who is it?" Yui tells him "What do you mean who is it?! You still hadn't invited Haruka?!" "Invited her for what?" "What? Didn't you look at your desk? You were asleep so I left a note on your desk." Manato replies irritably, walking off "I don't want to look at my desk anymore!" Yui grabs his arm "We're going on a drive." "Drive? I haven't got a license." "My boyfriend's got one so it's alright. Hurry & go get ready or we'll be late!" Manato stares at her blankly "Your boyfriend?" 

 

Playing with the pink colored bell on her key chain, Yui makes a phone call "Hello, where are you now? Eh? Isn't that kind of far?" At the fountain by the station, sitting next to each other waiting, Haruka says to Manato "Yui's really excited." Manato mumbles "I don't know who the guy is. But I wonder if he really wants to meet with us."  Haruka laughs "I know how she feels. It's a bit like her boyfriend meeting her parents & family for the first time, kind of like getting their approval." "Is that so?" Manato replies, looking at a very happy Yui chattering away on the phone. Haruka confesses "If I wasn't certain of his feelings, I wouldn't be able to do that." Manato looks at her "His feelings?" Haruka explains "Well, if things don't work out then everyone feels awkward." "Yui doesn't think that far ahead." "I really envy her." "Eh?" Well, it just means that she's really very happy at this very moment." "She's just a kid. I'm sure her boyfriend isn't anyone special." Yui suddenly shouts "He's here! He's here!" A white car pulls up by the curb & Yui runs forward. Getting up, Manato stares in shock to see who Yui's boyfriend is. Saeki winds down the window & calls out "Hello!" Haruka gives Manato a sideward glance as Yui calls out "Hurry up the both of you!" Yui gets into the car "You're late!" Saeki replies "Sorry, sorry, I had to drop by someplace." Haruka gets in the backseat & Saeki greets her "Hello," & does the same when a stunned Manato slides in beside her. Saeki directs his question to Manato "Boss, where would you like to go? Chiba or Kamakura?" Still not over the shock, Manato stammers "Ah, well, whichever." 

 

Mariko comes downstairs of her apartment building. As she reaches for the newspapers from her letter box, a white envelop flutters to the ground. Picking it up & with a look of wonder, opens it to see a photograph of herself with Saeki outside her apartment.

 

Driving along, Yui says playfully says "Hey, let me drive!" Saeki looks at her "Nope. People without a license are not allowed." "Why not? Just a little," Yui pouts, reaching out for the wheel. Saeki growls at her half seriously "It's dangerous!" Yui laughs "That's the first time I see you serious." Yui mischievously touches something "Let's try this!" Water spurts onto the windshield & the wipers start moving, taking Saeki by surprise. He growls at her again "I said it was dangerous!" Yui finally grins sheepishly "Sorry." In the backseat, Manato observes the banter in going on between them in the front, a forlorn expression on his face.

 

Stopping at a gas station & opening the trunk of the car, Saeki suddenly says "By chance I picked up her house keys in the music room." Alone in the backseat, Manato turns around blankly "Huh?" Saeki explains "Nothing, you just look like you didn't know anything so I'm just telling you. I only found out that she was your sister recently. Were you wondering what sort of guy would show up? 'This punk of a guy' or something." Saeki gets back into the driver's seat. Manato quickly replies "No, I didn't think that far. Only...." "Only?" "I didn't expect it to be you." "Expect it?" "Yui's character & yours...." "Don't quite match? Well, that's really something strange. Your girlfriend....or no, I mean Sawamura. She seems to be against it though. You know, 'cause I appear to be just simply playing around." "Ah, I don't think that way. Rather, I actually feel better that it's you." Saeki turns around "That's what I thought, 'onisama'." Manato grins embarrassed "Calling me 'onisama'...." Manato looks out the window & suddenly turns pensive, seeing Yui enter the store at the gas station.

 

Yui enters the store "Sorry to keep you waiting." Sitting at a table having a drink, Haruka starts tentatively "Yui-chan?" "Hm? Ah, I know what you're going to say. You told me before that senpai liked someone else?" "Well, I guess it's too late to say anything now." "No, I'm really happy that you're worried about me." "In that case...." "But that's no longer a problem." Haruka looks at Yui in surprise. Yui explains "I went to see that teacher." "What?!" "It seems that she's getting married to someone else this spring." "Really?" "Yeah, that's why she no longer has anything to do with senpai. I even got a promise from her!" "A promise?" "Yes, that she wouldn't go back to senpai." Haruka stares at Yui in admiration "You're really something!" Yui moves closer & pushes her own hair around her shoulders out of the way "Look at this! My hair's covering it." Haruka looks at the hickey on Yui's neck in surprise "That's....." Yui grins "Yeah. That's a stamp that means I belong to senpai!" Haruka starts laughing & Yui looks at her "What's wrong?" Haruka smiles "You're really something else! You're moving too fast!" Yui replies with a smile "It's not fast at all. This is normal." Haruka pauses & then laughs "So this is normal!"

 

At the beach, all four of them romp around on the sand, playing with a frisbee & laughing, having a great time. As the sun gets lower, Yui yells "Places!" & gets down beside Haruka & Saeki, all ready to race. Manato, sitting down next them, grumbles "What places...." Yui ignores him "Ready! Start!" Saeki, Haruka & Yui all take off & Manato scrambles onto his feet going after them. Saeki & Haruka race off ahead & Saeki yells out "Just like the runner you are!" Haruka, keeping up with him, yells back "So you were pretending to be sick after all!" "I guess I've been found out!" Saeki & Haruka laugh as they race off together. Behind them, Yui trails after Manato "Wait for me Manato!" Manato teases her "So you're the tail end after all!" Yui pants "I don't want to be the last!" Tripping, Yui falls down & starts whining "Owww! It hurts, Manato!" Manato, giving in to Yui, comes back & holding out his hand, helps her up "Come on." Still holding her hand, Manato starts to walk when Yui suddenly tugs at it "It's beautiful!" Manato turns back "What?" Yui points out into the sea "The sunset!" Manato looks out & quietly replies "Yeah." "Hey Manato, I can hear it." "What can you hear?" "The sound of the sun setting into the sea." Watching the sunset, Yui says "Shuu-shuu-shuuu....it's the sound of today's love slowly getting cooler." Manato looks at Yui "Why is it getting cooler?" Yui looks back at him smiling "Well, if you're too warm you can't get to sleep, right?" Manato smiles "Yeah." As Yui turns back to admire the sunset, Manato turns pensively & stares at his hand entwined with Yui's. Turning back to look at the sunset, Manato closes his eyes with a little grimace, feeling heart wrenching emotions as Yui beside him says "shuu-shuu-shuuuu....shuu-shuu-shuu-shuu-shuuuu......."

 

 

At a restaurant, Mariko puts the photograph of herself & Saeki onto the table in front of her fiancé "You met with Saeki-kun, didn't you." Looking awkward, her fiancé replies "Darn. He said that he'd keep it a secret from you." "I'm not upset that you had a private investigation agency check up on me. I'm upset that you met one of my students on your own accord." "I'm sorry." "Why didn't you ask me directly?" "That's...it's not that I don't trust you but if I had asked, would you have told me the truth?" "Well...." "Let's not talk about this anymore. It's over. He's told me everything. There was nothing between the two of you." Mariko looks at him in surprise "Eh?" "He said that he just went to your place for tutoring to catch up with his studies. He has health problems? He also said that he was sorry to give you so much trouble. He wished us all the best. At the end he looked pleased that he had resolved the misunderstanding." "He really...said that....there was nothing between us?" "Yes." Looking upset, Mariko adds "He was smiling?" "Mariko-san?" Mariko doesn't reply, struggling to fight back tears.

 

11.20pm & Saeki checks his cell phone to find 20 messages in his voice mail from Haruka & Manato. Lying down on the driver's seat, Saeki says "Don't you think it's time we go back? We left them behind but they've been calling non stop." Yui replies "It's alright." Sitting up, Saeki adds "It's alright? There'll be no more trains running soon." "It's alright. If we don't do this, the two of them....." "Ah, so that's it." "Yes, that's it." Saeki grimaces "But Manato's going to be really mad with me afterwards." "Why?" "Well, it seems that she isn't Manato's first choice." "Eh?" "Ah well, never mind. At least it's better than being a rounin." (a student who's retaking his college entrance exams.) Yui looks puzzled at the news.

 

Waiting outside the Kazusa Minato Station, Haruka tries to get a hold of Saeki again. Manato comes out of the station "Did you get through?" "No." "I guess we don't have a choice. The last train's here, let's take it." Manato starts heading back for the station but Haruka suddenly calls out "Let's wait a bit more." "But..." "I'm sure they'll come back." "Sawamura....." "Alright?" After a long pause, Manato finally gives a reluctant nod "Uhm."

 

Seated in a family restaurant across each other, Manato chatters on non stop to Haruka about nothing important. Haruka, looking uneasy, silently listens.

 

if I stopped talking

I would be forced to make a choice in the ensuing silence

somehow somewhere that was the feeling I had

my mind was in complete confusion

 

 

Manato rattles on "Ah, do you recall in kindergarten, I was always covered in dirt......"

 

 

would she even remember

I was always alone

always had pranks played on me

 

 

"...ah yes, & then....." Haruka finally breaks in "Irie-kun." "Eh?" "We're kind of alike, aren't we." "Are we?" "Not only outward appearances but it's like we can see right through each other too." "That so?" "So you don't have to force yourself." "Force myself?" Haruka looks away "It feels rather uncomfortable to see myself." "What do you mean?" "You know what I mean." "Ah, well....." Awkwardly, Manato takes a sip of his coffee. Haruka switches the topic "It's great that things are working out for Yui." Manato looks up "Eh? Working out well?" "Saeki-kun was going out with someone else." "I see. Yui said that there was someone else that he liked too." "But it seems that that person is getting married soon to someone else." "Oh. So it is someone older after all." "That's why things between him & Yui-chan..." "...are working out well? I guess that's true. They seem to get along pretty well." "They've even slept together already." Manato looks shocked "Eh?" Haruka continues "I was surprised that they've moved along so quickly but I guess that since they both liked each other it's natural." Manato, looking blank, nods "I guess so." "Although I think everyone's different, what I meant earlier about us being alike is that they're different from us." Manato looks at her "That we're moving too slowly?" Haruka admits "Or rather, it feels more like we're never going to move along." Manato replies "I see. Ah, I guess I shouldn't say that." Haruka gives a weak smile & looks out the window "Irie-kun, let's take a taxi back." However, Manato, suddenly annoyed with the way things have worked out, curses under his breath "Shit!" Haruka looks at him "Eh?" Manato gets to his feet "Let's go." "Eh?" "There's nothing we can do even if we stay here. Let's get out of here first." Manato strides off & Haruka quickly grabs her jacket & goes after him.

 

Along the road, Manato walks two steps ahead of Haruka. Coming up to a hotel, Manato suddenly stops & looks at it. Haruka stops next to him & slowly, puts her hand in his. Manato asks "Will this place do?" Haruka pauses & then nods "Uhm." In the lobby, the both of them check out the rooms available in the 'love hotel'. Haruka says "This place has karaoke too." "Yeah." "Let's get this room." Making their selection, the room key gets automatically dispensed out from the machine in the wall. Trying to act nonchalant, Manato adds "The elevator's over there." Haruka, equally uneasy, replies "Looks like it." Without a word, the two of them ride in the elevator. Opening the door to the room, they glance at the dim tackily designed interior & the big bed in the center of the room.

 

Saeki lights up a cigarette, glancing at the sleeping Yui in the seat next to him. As he gets out of the car, his cell phone rings & answering it thinking it's Manato, replies "How does it feel?" However, Mariko answers "Saeki-kun? Are you still awake?" Momentarily stunned, Saeki quickly regains his nonchalant composure "Sort of. Ah, if you're calling about that photograph, don't worry about it. I just wanted to warn you that your fiancé was being suspicious of you, that's all. It was taken pretty well so I thought you could keep it as a souvenir." "I gave it back to him." "Then you know that we met." "I made him tell me everything." "As fastidious as ever I see." "I can't believe that he had the gall to meet with one of my students." "But I feel sorry for him if you're mad at him. He's just a little uneasy because he loves you a lot." "I don't think so." "Why?" "You felt it too, that's why you put the photograph in my mailbox." "You're wrong. It was really a nice picture." "Whatever." "Don't be mad." "I guess you're just getting the marriage blues?" "Saeki-kun, I'd like to correct what I said to you before." "What?" "You're the grown up. I've been the child all along. But I've been trying to act the adult, just like an idiot." "That's your charm." "That I'm like an idiot?" Saeki grins "Just like an idiot." "If you talk like that I'll get mad. You act like you understand everything about me." "Well I do understand everything about you." "Then what am I thinking now?" "I'll make a guess but do I get any reward?" "If you're right we'll talk about it." Okay. Then, first, you're thinking of calling off the wedding." The look on Mariko's face says that he's guessed correctly & she sighs "Eh..." "Don't say anything, listen right to the end." "Uhm." "You never loved him in the first place. No, perhaps it would be more correct to say that you tried to love him. Tried to love him in minute detail. In other words, it's just the reaction of trying to forget the one you are truly in love with. There are a lot of women who get married on the rebound. I sympathize with you. The one you truly love died in an accident. This is what you're thinking about right now. You're thinking that you can't make yourself love someone. It has to be found. & you have decided that you'll live the rest of your life alone. You won't ever love anyone ever again." Mariko finally speaks "Thank you." "So what's my reward?" "There is none. I'm afraid your guess was off." "You're mean. Even if I was right you wouldn't tell me." "I'm am telling you the truth, you guessed wrong. You were right for the first half though." "Up until which part?" "Until that bit about it being a reaction of trying to forget the one I am in love with." Saeki gets back inside the car "Until there? What do you mean?" "That the one I love is dead." "That he's still alive in your heart? I've heard that many times already." "Actually he's very much alive. It's you." Stunned, Saeki doesn't reply & presses a button, hanging up on Mariko.

With a tired sigh, Saeki mutters "You've got to be kidding...." Beside him, Yui stirs & Saeki looks at Yui's hand clutching his arm "....hey...baby..."

 

Haruka lies in bed, staring at the ceiling. Manato, sits at the edge of the bed, not looking at her "I don't know why, it shouldn't be like this....." Haruka tries to console him "Don't worry about it, really." Manato gets up & nervously walks to the coffee table "But this is weird. The last time I....." Manato suddenly stops & Haruka smiles "Maybe you're just relieved that the exams are over." "I'm sorry," adds Manato, sitting down at the table. "Why are you apologizing?" "Ah but...." "Don't apologize. If you do, I..." Manato quickly gets to his feet, trying to reassure her "It's not you! It's all my fault. Ah, the last time I guess there was no feelings between us, I guess that's why it went okay. That must be it. Now when it's all serious I'm all tense...I guess, with everything...." Haruka softly says "Forget it." "Eh?" "Come here. Let's get some sleep." Manato nods & slowly walks to the bed, sliding under the covers beside Haruka. Haruka mutters "Hold my hand." Hesitatingly, Manato moves his & takes her hand, saying "I'm sure it'll work out next time." Haruka nods "Uhm." Manato adds rather sheepishly "If I may say so myself." Haruka smiles "Goodnight." "Goodnight," replies Manato, turning to look at Haruka & then grimacing to himself.

 

The phone rings & Manato, still asleep, reaches out to answer it "Hello....uhm? It's time?" Manato opens his eyes & remembering where he is, quickly replies "Ah, sorry! We'll leave right away! Sorry!" Turning around & not seeing Haruka beside him, calls out "Sawamura?" Hopping out of bed, Manato calls out again "Sawamura? Are you in the bathroom? It's time to go! Sawamura?" Suddenly, Manato spots a note on the table. Picking it up, he sees Haruka's handwriting "I've gone home first." 

 

In her apartment dressed to go out, Mariko's on the phone "....I'm sorry, I'll apologize to them properly....I'm sorry I've given you so much trouble...." The door opens & Saeki walks in to hear Mariko continue ".....sorry to bother you so early in the morning...." Whispering to Saeki "I'm on the phone with...." However, Saeki ignores her & kisses her passionately, unbuttoning her coat. Pushing him away, Mariko quickly continues "...ah, it's nothing...I'll call you back again shortly....yes, bye." Hanging up, Mariko glares at Saeki who returns a nonchalant shrug "You hung up?" Mariko buttons up her coat "What are you doing?" Saeki, sitting on her bed, replies "I love it when you're trying not to make any noise when you want to so passionately!" Walking by to grab her coat, Mariko gives him a whack "Pervert!" "Who is?" "Eh? What I said is normal." "I wonder. Ah, who was the one that's enjoying hurting other people? I'm just looking after you, don't give me too much trouble." Mariko nods "Uhm." Surprised, Saeki says "Oh, someone's really being obedient today." "You hung up on me yesterday so I didn't expect you to come by." "This time it's my turn to feel a little flustered." "Was there an old lady with you?" Saeki gets off the bed & stands closely behind Mariko "Old lady? No. There was a transient angel with me." "An angel?" "She healed my wounded heart." "That girl?" "Which girl? There's so many I don't know who you're talking about." "She came to see me." "She's a really good girl, really bright & cheery. She gets along well with me too." "I see." "Only...." "Only?" "But just like you said, I am someone that's alive." Putting his hand on her chin & turning Mariko's face towards his, Saeki adds "I won't fall in love with an angel." Saeki & Mariko kiss passionately, embracing each other tightly.

 

Manato stares out the window of his room to see Haruka's curtain drawn shut. Drawing his own shut, he sees a pink colored note Yui left for him on his desk "Let's go on a drive tomorrow. Invite Haruka too! Yui" Manato scrunches it up. A knock on the door & Yui calls out "Are you in?" Manato mutters "I'm not," sitting down at his desk glumly. The door opens anyway & Yui enters "When did you get back?" Manato replies irritably "I'm still not back yet." "Ah, you're still mad that we left you behind. I'm sorry I butted into your affairs." Manato remains silent & Yui adds "& by the way, there's one more thing I have to apologize to you for." "One more thing?" "But that's your fault. You told senpai but you didn't tell me about it." Manato takes a book, flipping through it & looking away on purpose "What is it?" "That Haruka isn't the one you really like." Manato freezes. Yui continues "There is actually someone else that you like. Who is it? Is it someone from your class?" Manato gets up without a word & sits on his bed. Yui adds "I understand if you don't want to talk about it. It's different from Haruka right? It's one sided on your part? But Manato, indecision & kindness are two different things. That's being unkind to Haruka." With a flounce, Yui sits on the bed next to Manato "It was the same way with senpai & me, I was the one that went after him. But I hung in there & things worked out. So if you do too?" 

 

 

if I had told you right then that you were the one I loved

would our story have been different?

 

 

Quietly, Manato answers "She's no longer around." "Eh?" "She transferred to another school in during junior high." Yui adds, disappointed "I see." "Yeah, she was a great girl." Manato turns around & stares at Yui.

 

 

that's why I will never forget you...

 

 

Looking into Yui's eyes, Manato says "To me she is just like....."

 

 

if I had said that I was in love with you...

 

 

Manato turns away with an aching heart "....an angel...."