Kodomo no Omocha (Child’s Toy) 4 Obana Miho Ribon Mascot Comics Introduction to the Characters Kurata Sana An energetic sixth-grader who stars in the popular TV show, “Child’s Toy.” Hayama Akito The “lone wolf” of class 6-3. Kurata Misako Sana’s mom; a novelist. Sasaki Tsuyoshi Hayama’s friend; scary when he gets angry. Kamura Naozumi A very popular young actor who knows Sana’s secret. Sagami Rei Sana’s manager. The story up to #3 Kurata Sana is a sixth-grader who stars in TV shows and commercials. She also resolved her wild class’s problems and made Hayama, the cause of those problems, open up to her. Then her mother Misako’s essay, “My Daughter and I,” was published. It said that Sana had been abandoned on a park bench soon after being born. Sana had known that the essay would be published since she was five years old, so she wasn’t bothered that Naozumi knew her secret, since it would be revealed anyway. But she was worried that her happy days with her mom would come to an end. Then she remembered what Hayama had told her: “If you ever feel like crying, come to my house.” The essay was published, and of course the media went wild over it and surrounded the Kurata house. Hayama came to get her from there, and then Sana started to cry… Sana : I wonder why I feel better when I’m with Hayama…and how long he’s made me feel this way… Hayama : You… Sana : Yeah? Hayama : Still don’t wear a bra? <> Sana : You pervert! <> Sana : You really are something! Hayama : Don’t you understand I was trying to be playful to ease the tension? Sana : Liar! You’re just a pervert! I’m going in to fix myself a cold drink. Sana : Can I turn on the TV? Well, I’ve already turned it on… Hayama : Fine with me.. --The recent interview with Kurata-san provided no explanation of the essay’s contents. We have a report that a boy on a bicycle brought a girl looking like Sana-chan out, but unfortunately that has not yet been confirmed. Sana : That’s good…it looks like the TV crews didn’t manage to get a picture of you, Hayama. Hayama : The media are at the school, too. Sana : Really? I guess I should stay home. Hayama : You can hide out here for a while. <> Sana : But… Hayama : My dad won’t mind. Sana : Well…it is kind of suffocating at home. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen Rei-kun and mom fight…it was awful. <> Sana : I feel sleepy, all of a sudden…I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night. Hayama : Don’t go to sleep right here. Sana : Bye… Misako : Yes? Is this Hayama’s father? <> Mr.Hayama : Yes…Sana-chan fell asleep over here…I know it must be pretty bad over there, so we’ll take care of her for two or three days if you’d like. Misako : I see…that may make her feel better…the press still won’t go away. I hate to impose, but…yes…please take good care of her. She’s at Hayama-kun’s house, as I thought. They’ll take care of her for two or three days. Rei : I see…I’m sorry about what I said earlier. Misako : It’s all right. Rei : But please don’t forget how much Sana-chan loves you. <> I don’t know how much my daughter understood of what I said, or how she actually felt about it, but she became a very bright girl who never cried in front of others. However, I sometimes saw her come out of her room, drying her eyes. I too wanted to cry when I thought of such a small child crying, and trying to keep her worries to herself. My daughter was chosen for the lead role in her first recital. Most of the other children were happy for her, but there were a few who said it was because her mother was so famous. She told that to me very happily…”That must mean you’re a really important person!” In their words, she saw not jealousy, but pride in her mother. <> Natsumi : Sana-chan must really love her mother. Hayama : It seems like she doesn’t mind if other people find out she was abandoned…she just cares about her mother’s feelings. Natsumi : I wonder how I should talk to Sana-chan now. Mr.Hayama : I think it’s best to treat her normally. Sana : Huh? --You’re awake? Sana : Oh! Sorry, I fell asleep… Mr.Hayama : It’s all right. I’ve called your home. <> Natsumi : Spend the night, Sana-chan. I’ll make sure Akito doesn’t do anything to you! Sana : Really? Thanks a lot! Is that your mom? She was pretty. Natsumi : She was, wasn’t she? Sana : There aren’t very many pictures of Hayama. Natsumi : Well, there are a few. See? Hayama : Natsumi, why you— Natsumi : Call me “big sister”! Sana : So, Hayama has a birthmark right here? Natsumi : Yeah, since he was born. Sana : Me too! I have three in a row! Natsumi : Where? Sana : That’s a secret. Hayama : Your butt? Sana : Hey! How’d you know that!? Hayama : I was right? Sana : Don’t tell anybody! Mom’s the only one who knows! Hayama : I wouldn’t tell anyone anyway. Mr.Hayama : What are you all talking about? Hayama : The three birthmarks on her butt. Sana : But you just said— <> Sana and Hayama : I can’t sleep. Sana : Can I come in there? Hayama : Yeah. Sana : You better not try anything… Hayama : You really don’t trust me, do you? Sana : Of course not! <> Sana : Did you notice anything, reading the contents? Hayama : What? Sana : It’s the chapter titles…look at the first letter of each one. They spell out, “Please reveal yourself, if you are the mother.” This book was published to find my real mother…although the probability that she won’t be found is really high… <> Sana : She might be dead; if she’s alive, she might not be in Japan any more; if she is in Japan, she might not read this book; and even if she reads this book, she might not come forward. Mom said there was only about a 5% chance that we’d find her…but she’s been trying real hard, just for that 5% chance. <> Hayama : Do you want to meet your real mother? Sana : Mom does. And I do too, a little. But what if Mom wanted to give me back to my real mother? What if she wanted to abandon me? What would I do then? Hayama : So that’s what you were worried about… If that’s not what you want, then you should tell her so! Sana : I could never tell Mom that, if she felt that way! <> Hayama : Then I will! Sana : Hayama…thank you… --Kamura-kun suddenly assembled a group of reporters and held a press conference…the office was in a great panic… Hayama : Kamura? --Please watch the interview with Kamura Naozumi-kun held last night at 9:00. Naozumi : Until now, I’ve been hiding part of who I am. I’d like to talk about that a little now. <> Naozumi : Soon after I was born, I was abandoned in front of the Kamura Institution. I don’t know anything at all about my ancestry. Hayama : Then…he… --Is that the same orphanage where Sana-chan stayed for a month? Naozumi : I won’t talk about Sana-chan! I will answer any questions about myself…but please, stop crowding around Sana-chan’s house. Please just leave Sana-chan alone. Sana : Naozumi-kun… Naozumi : I was raised at Kamura Institution, and it’s always been my dream to have success in the world and give something back to them. I don’t think I’ve been unfortunate. Even if my parents did abandon me, there are far more unfortunate people in the world than myself. --Naozumi! --At this time, his manager stopped the interview. The children who are fans of Kamura-kun have responded in different ways… --I wish he hadn’t said anything, even if it is the truth. --I thought he might be a prince from a foreign country! --Well, what’s wrong with it, anyway? --He was probably just protecting Sana-chan. <> --Now, one does occasionally hear on the news about an abandoned baby…but it’s stunning to hear two famous child stars report something like this, so soon after each other…especially since it’s something you wouldn’t ordinarily make public… but it really shows you the courage these kids have. Sana : Now everybody’s mixed up in this…even Naozumi-kun… <> Hayama : Don’t worry about him. He did it on his own. Well, I’ve gotta go get ready for school. You just relax. Sana : OK. --I can’t believe you did that, Naozumi! Are you listening to me? --The media are going to eat you alive! <> Naozumi : It was Hayama who took Sana-chan out of that media seige…she’s probably still at his house…I can’t help it, he’s so much closer to Sana-chan than I am… but I will protect Sana-chan in my own way! --If you’re going to be so arrogant about it, at least stop playing that trumpet! <> Rei : There seem to be less paparazzi here now, maybe thanks to Naozumi-kun. Misako : Yes, but now he’s in trouble. Rei : It might be all right to have Sana-chan come back now. --Sensei, there’s a phone call from a woman…she says she’s Sana-chan’s mother. <> Rei : Sensei! Misako : Oh no! It’s too soon…It’s probably just a prank call… Sagami-kun, go and pick up the woman in the phone booth in front of the north entrance of the train station. Watch out for the media. Rei : So…it’s not just a prank call? Misako : There was something in her voice that sounded like Sana. Bring her back so I can see for sure. Rei : Tons of reporters…but it looks like they don’t even recognize me when I dress normally. <> Rei : The phone book in front of the north entrance… She looks just like her! But she’s too young…still, she does look like her. Sana : (singing) Everybody’s at work, or at school… I’m home all alone… <> Rei : Excuse me…I’m Sagami, Kurata Sana’s manager. Where did you get our phone number? Keiko : I asked at the Kamura Institution. Rei : I don’t mean to be rude, but how old are you? Keiko : 25. Rei : She really is young! Misako : Hello. <> Misako : You really look like her…but do you have any kind of proof that you’re her mother? Keiko : I don’t know about proof, but…on the bottom of the baby I gave birth to… <> Keiko : There were three birthmarks in a row. Rei : Sensei? Does Sana-chan…? Misako : Please, come in. <> --This is the Hayama household. We’re not home. Please leave a message. Rei : This is Sagami. Thank you for taking care of Sana-chan. Sana : Rei-kun!? Hi, Rei-kun, it’s Sana. Rei : Sana-chan? I’m coming to pick you up right now. Sana : But… Rei : There are a lot fewer reporters now. And—we found your mother! <> Hayama : What’s wrong? Sana : They found my mother. <> Sana : It’s too soon…I don’t want to meet her yet…Can we go somewhere, Hayama? I can’t do it, I’m just not ready. Rei-kun’s coming to pick me up really soon! Hayama : You can’t run away from this. Be strong. Sana : Hayama? Will you come with me? Hayama : All right. <> Sana : So they found my real mother…but I don’t really care about her. I’m just worried about how mom feels. Misako : So you’re…Sakai Keiko-san…25 years old. Keiko : Right. Misako : Which means that you gave birth to Sana when you were fourteen. <> Misako :But you do understand that I can’t forgive you just because you were young, don’t you? Keiko : Yes. Misako : “Raise what you give birth to.” Dogs and cats and even squirrels know that. How can there be human beings who can’t do that? Stand up. --Sensei… Misako : I’m satisfied. I’ll leave the rest to Sana. <> Rei : Sensei, I’ve brought Sana-chan. Misako : Thank you. Why is Hayama-kun here? Rei : I thought that maybe he’d better not come, but Sana-chan said she wanted him to come because she could be herself around him. Sana : Hi, mom! Misako : You look well. <> Misako : Her name is Sakai Keiko. She knows about the “3 stars.” Go and talk to her. Sana : Aren’t you coming, mom? Misako : I’ve said enough. Sana : Hello, I’m Sana. Please, sit down! This is Hayama… 14!? <> Sana : You had me when you were 14? I’ll be 14 myself in 2 more years! I probably would’ve abandoned me in your place…please don’t feel bad about it. I feel like I’m lucky I was abandoned because I really love my life now! <> Sana : Keiko-san, what was my father like? Is he still alive? Keiko : He died four years ago…he was my uncle. Sana : You did it with your uncle!? Keiko : My mother raised me by herself…but she was always going off to stay at a boyfriend’s house and not coming home…so my uncle took care of me. I was just a child, but I really did love him. But I couldn’t tell him that I had a baby… Sana : Why didn’t you have an abortion? <> Keiko : I was just so scared I couldn’t even think any more. I just stayed at home, not talking to anyone. --So you gave birth all by yourself? Sana : In the toilet? Keiko : No, in the bath…I was so confused I barely knew what was going on. I had no idea what to do. Sana : It’s all right! All that’s in the past now. But there’s one thing I really wanted to ask you. When’s my real birthday? Hayama : You couldn’t think of something more important? Sana : But it IS important! It’s March 7th now. It was March 7th when my mother found me, and the doctor said that I was probably born just that day. That’s why my name’s “Sana.” [“Sa” is the first syllable of “March” in Japanese; “Na” is the first syllable of “7th.”] But if it were something different—if it were March 6th, then my name should be “Samu.” [Which is how “Sam” is spelled in Japanese] <> Sana : What’s so funny, Hayama? Sorry, it’s so strange to see him laugh like this… Is this funny, Hayama? I’m Samu! Hayama : Stop! Keiko : I shouldn’t laugh…it’s not my place… Rei : They’re not taking this seriously… Keiko : No…it’s March 7th. Sana : Really? That’s a relief. You have a ring on, Keiko-san. Are you married? Keiko : Yes… Sana : Do you have any kids? Keiko : Yes. I’m sorry. Sana : Why are you apologizing? I’m glad you’re happy. So how many do you have? Boys or girls? Keiko : Pretty soon I’ll have 3 daughters. Sana : Wow…I have little sisters? <> Sana : Did you hear that, Hayama? I have sisters… Hayama : Are you happy about that? Keiko : You would…think of them as sisters? Sana : Well, blood is thicker than water… <> Rei : She’s going home now, Sensei. Misako : I see. Rei : Sana-chan promised she’s see her again on Sunday…she has daughters, and she’d like to meet her “sisters”…but is it all right with you? Misako : I’ll leave that to Sana. Sana : Will you come with me again on Sunday? Hayama : OK… <> Hayama : But can Tsuyoshi come too? Sana : Why? Hayama : He was really worried about you. It was hard trying to stay quiet. Sana : OK, Tsuyoshi-kun can come too. Hmm…I wonder if I can see Naozumi-kun sometime… Rei : Well, Naozumi-kun seems to be in trouble right now. It’s probably better to wait a little while. Sana : I wonder if Naozumi-kun will be out of work in the future because of all this… Rei : Definitely not! He’s got real talent. Sana : If you say so… I’m sorry, Naozumi-kun. I’ll go thank you soon. --Stop that inside the car! Sana : Mom’s been so busy with work that I haven’t been able to see her…She’s not avoiding me, is she? <> Sana : Will you two be my bodyguards today? Hayama : You shouldn’t act so conspicuous. Tsuyoshi : I’m glad Sana-chan looks well. Sana : My little sister’s name is “Mariko.” We’re going to pretend to meet coincidentally and become friends! <> Tsuyoshi : So it’s a kind of acting job, isn’t it? Sana : There she is! Mariko : She dwopped it! Keiko : Then pick it up and give it to her. Mariko : You dwopped this! Keiko : It’s “dropped.” Sana : Oh, thanks! Mariko : Chana-chan? Like on TV? Sana : Yep, I’m “Sana-chan”! I’ll play with you as thanks for picking that up for me, OK? Sana : She’s so cute! Is she really my sister? But…I don’t really feel like her sister…maybe I just like her because I like little kids…and anyway, I can’t really think of Keiko-san as my mother. Keiko : She’s falling asleep… Sana : She must be tired. Well, I guess I’ll be going home soon. Keiko : I suppose so… <> Keiko : Sana-chan…I know that it’s not my place to say this, and I wonder if I shouldn’t have any hope of this at all, but do you think it’s possible that someday you’d want to live with me? Sana : No, I can’t. I can’t think of you as my mother…and to be perfectly honest, I don’t have any kind of interest in you. <> Sana : I won’t meet with you again. But there is one scary thing…I get really scared when I think that you might have had an abortion. I wouldn’t be here right now. <> Sana : And then I wouldn’t have been able to meet mom, or Rei-kun, or Hayama, or Tsuyoshi-kun…I wouldn’t have known this joyful world at all…and that’s just too sad. So I’m at least grateful that you gave birth to me. <> Sana : Thank you. Tsuyoshi : I wonder if those tears are just acting. Hayama : She would cry better if she was acting. <> Rei : I wonder what she’s thinking… She’s home! Sana : I’m home! Rei : Sana-chan! How did it go? Sana : The media were fine. Rei : Not that… Sana : Mom, I’m home! Misako : Welcome home. Sana : Mom, Keiko-san asked me if I could come and live with her. Rei : What did you do!? Sana : I refused, of course. <> Sana : Mom is the only mom I have. I won’t see Keiko-san again. Misako : I’m very sorry, Sana. Sana : For what? Misako : I now know that it was cruel of me to tell you everything when you were so young. It must have been hard on you. But I was worried that someday your real mother would appear to take you away. So I wanted to meet her and make it clear to her that Sana was… <> Misako : That Sana was my daughter. Sana : Mom was worried too? Mom? I can stay here forever, right? <> Misako : Of course. Sana : Mom… Hayama : So in the end we didn’t do anything. <> Rei : But you stayed with Sana-chan all that time, didn’t you? Thank you. Hayama : It doesn’t make any sense for you to thank me. Sana : That night, I slept in my mom’s bed. I love my mom. Rei : What is that, Sensei? Misako : A Maro-chan line dance. I couldn’t be serious at a time like this! Rei : Well, it is Maro-chan’s house… Stop that, Sensei! The walls are starting to crack! Sana : Mom, let’s build an extension with the royalties from “My Daughter and I”! Misako : That’s a good idea. <> Sana : Extension! Extension! Rei : Don’t be so silly, you too. You’ll be late. Sana : Out of our way! Misako : Oh my, did we hit something? Sana : Hit and run! Hit and run! Rei : It seems like those two just got a “power-up.” --Sana-chan, about your mother’s book… Sana : That’s old new. Everything’s been solved now. Sana : Morning, Hayama! Everything’s back to normal…I think I’m even enjoying it more than I did before. Sana : I’m Samu! Tsuyoshi : That’s strange…Akito-kun’s laughing! <> --Who’s that boy wearing the uniform that’s too big for him? --Hayama Akito, a sixth-grader. --He has good eyes, and his form looks good. --Yes…it’s his personality that’s the problem. <> --Congratulations! You’ve been accepted to 6th rank! Hayama : Oh. --Don’t you have anything else to say? Hayama : “Thank you.” --I see… <> Sana : Congratulations, Hayama! Hayama : I told you not to come! Tsuyoshi : But Sana-chan said she wanted to… Sana : Come on now, you don’t have to be embarrassed. Hayama : I’m not embarrassed…but I’m still just a green belt. Sana : Those little steps are what’s important! Hayama : Well, I still have training to do. Sana : Good luck! My problems with my mom have been solved, and everything’s back to normal. Hayama’s karate rank is going up, and… <> Sana : The season’s changing to fall. Rei : Sana-chan, Naozumi-kun has some free time tomorrow. Sana : Really? I finally got in touch with Naozumi-kun, and we decided to go to the Kamura Institution together since I wanted to see it sometime. Naozumi : It’s been a while. Sana : Yeah, long time no see! Sorry I’ve been so busy. Sana : Um, about that other time… It’d sound kind of weird to say “Thanks for doing that for me”… Well… Naozumi : Have you met your birth mother, Sana-chan? Sana : Yeah. I was really surprised that she came forward so quickly. <> Naozumi : She was probably keeping a pretty close watch on your work, and Kurata-sensei’s books… Sana : Yeah…Do you ever feel like searching for your birth parents? Naozumi : No. I have all the family I need at the Kamura Institution. Sana : Naozumi-kun lives in an apartment with his manager now, but he comes here all the time. Naozumi : I’m back! --Hi, Nao-chan! --Hi, Nao! --It’s Sana-chan! Naozumi : Sana-chan, this is the principal, Kamura-sensei. Sana : Thanks for taking care of me for that month a long time ago, although I don’t really remember it. Kamura : You’ve grown up wonderfully. <> Sana : It’s strange…you wouldn’t think that I’d remember any of this, but it feels kind of nostalgic anyway. Kamura : And Nao-chan has grown up wonderfully too, thanks to you. Sana : To me? What did I do? Kamura : Nao-chan was very fretful as a baby. Sana : He was? Naozumi : I want my mommy and daddy! Kamura : Look at that child on TV, Nao-chan. It’s Sana-chan. She used to be here with you. Naozumi : That’s not true. <> Kamura : Here’s a picture of you together. She was adopted by a novelist, but she doesn’t have a real mom or dad either. But look how cheerful she is! You’re a boy, Nao-chan. Don’t you think Sana-chan would laugh at you? Naozumi : Sana-chan… Sensei, I want to have a job like Sana-chan! Kamura : Do you think you can do it, Nao-chan? Kamura : Then, Nao-chan was discovered by a childrens’ talent agency, and I let him do it so that he could prove himself. Now he gives almost all of his salary to this school… Sana : Wow… <> Sana : So you used to be a crybaby? Naozumi : What did you tell her, Sensei? Sana : It’s almost like we’re brother and sister, isn’t it, Naozumi-kun? <> Sana : Or maybe foster siblings at least, since we’re not related but the same person raied us! Naozumi : Well, you were only here for a month…and besides, I don’t really want to think of us as sibling, because I… --Play your trumpet, Nao-chan! Naozumi : Why, you… --Play it! <> Sana : Thanks for taking me to the Kamura Institution. I’m glad I could come. Naozumi : It was nothing. Well, I’ll see you later… Sana : Bye-bye! Naozumi : We may be ‘siblings’ now, but someday… <> Sana : Well, it’s fall… --Yeah… Sana : Hey, Hayama! Isn’t your birthday coming up soon? Your name’s “Akito,” so doesn’t that mean you were born in autumn? Hayama : Yeah…it’s October 12th. Sana : That’s really soon! We’ve got to have a party! Hayama : No…on my birthday… <> Hayama : I visit my mother’s grave every year. Sana : That’s right…his birthday was the same day his mother died. So you’ve never had a birthday party? Hayama : No. Every year I go to the cemetery. Sana : Let’s have a party, Hayama! Hayama : But I just said— Sana : No! It’s popular right now to have “middle birthdays.” It’s a party right in the middle of two people’s birthdays. So when’s the middle…? Here! Hayama : It’s Christmas Eve. Sana : A Christmas Eve birthday party where we exchange presents! That settles it! <> Hayama : Wait…exchanging presents? You give one to me and I give one to you? Sana : That’s it! Hayama : Don’t make me laugh! Sana : Why not!? Now, don’t forget about it! Hayama : She’s serious? I’ve got to give a girl a present? Well, it’s not for a while… <> Rei : Sana-chan, you’ve got a great job offer. Sana : Turn it down. Rei : Wait, listen to it, at least. It’s a personal request from the up-and-coming director Ono Mikio. He even said that he imagined you acting in it as he created the role of the main character. Sana : Sorry, but I’m turning it down. Rei : Sana-chan, you’ve been turning down so many job offers… do you want to quit? Sana : No, I’m not really sure about that. Sana : It’s just that I’m almost a middle school student. I like working, but I want to focus on my school life right now. I wouldn’t really be able to go to school if I was making a movie, would I? And I’d like to be in clubs when I’m in middle school, and make new friends… Misako : Let her take a break. Her heart isn’t in it. Rei : Sensei… Misako : I made her promise to work hard so that she would become famous and “My Daughter and I” would be read by many people. And she did so perfectly. But now, she doesn’t need to keep working more than she wants to. <> Rei : But it doesn’t seem like Sana-chan was only working because of that promise. She must really like acting. Misako : Yes, and so it’s best to leave the decision of whether to continue or to quit up to her. It is her life. --You haven’t worked much lately, have you, Sana-chan? Sana : No. --Then, can we play together today? Sana : Sure! <> Hayama : “Present exchange! Be sure you’re ready!” Tsuyoshi-kun…ask her what she wants. Tsuyoshi : She said “love.” Hayama : Ask her seriously! Tsuyoshi : You and Sana-chan are having a middle birthday? Hayama : She planned the whole thing herself. Tsuyoshi : You shouldn’t worry so much, Akito-kun. I’m sure Sana-chan will be happy with whatever you give her. Hayama : I know that, but I don’t want to give her something stupid. Tsuyoshi : ‘Cause you want to show off? --Are you looking for something? <> --A Christmas present for your girlfriend, maybe? Tsuyoshi : Wait, Akito-kun! Akito-kun, what about a stuffed animal? They’re cute. I think I’ll buy one for Aya-chan. What about this? Hayama : What should I do now? Tsuyoshi : How about a bouquet of flowers? Hayama : I can’t buy her flowers… <> Tsuyoshi : Akito-kun’s so worried about this… Hayama : She’d probably get mad if I bought her a bra… Why am I getting so upset over this, anyway? Why should I have to give a stupid girl a present? Tsuyoshi : Uh-oh, he’s mad… Sana : Raise your glasses, everybody! Aya : What’s with you, Hayama-kun? You’re sulking. Hayama : Am not. Tsuyoshi : I think he thought they’d be alone. Sana : Cheers! --Cheers! --Merry Christmas! Sana : No! It’s me and Hayama’s middle birthday! --Really? --Happy birthday, Hayama-san! Misako : My, how lively! Sana : Here’s your present, Hayama! <> Sana : You like dinosaurs, don’t you, Hayama? Hayama : I don’t hate them. Sana : I thought so! There was a model dinosaur in your room, on the windowsill. Tsuyoshi : Of course, Sana-chan! He told me the one time his father ever took him anywhere, he took him to a dinosaur museum. Sana : So his dad bought him that dinosaur? Hayama : I don’t have one. Sana : What? Hayama : I don’t have a present for you. Sana : OK! Tsuyoshi-kun told me that you had no idea what to get me. Well, I’m glad that you were confused, so that’ll be my present. Thanks! <> Hayama : “Sana-chan will be happy no matter what you get her.” If she was going to be happy anyway, I should’ve gotten her something… Sana : Time for “Hidden Talents”! Skipping rope on a ball! --You do something, Hayama-san! Hayama : I don’t have a hidden talent. --What about a karate move or something? Sana : Shh…look, he’s doing it now! --Wow… <> Sana : Let’s go outside! Lots of snow has piled up! --Is that your dog, Sana-chan? Sana : No, he must be a stray. --Hey, I just tried to pet him! --Leave him alone! Strays are dangerous. --Where’s Sana-chan? --Gone to get something. <> Sana : Hey there! --It’s dangerous! --Leave him alone, Sana-chan! Sana : Did somebody abandon you? <> Hayama : That’s how she treats me, you know. Tsuyoshi : Huh? Hayama : Her caring about me really doesn’t have anything to do with liking or hating me. It’s just that she can’t leave a lonely stray alone. At least, I think so. Tsuyoshi : Akito-kun…Sana-chan’s, well, you know, a little dense. Hayama : Yeah. <> Tsuyoshi : If you like her, you should tell her clearly or she won’t know. Sana : Sorry about the mess, mom. Misako : Someone’s still here, Sana…maybe it could be Hayama-kun. <> Sana : Hayama? Watcha doing? What’s that? Hayama : I don’t really know, but you can have it. Sana : You’re giving it to me? So this is my present? Thanks! <> Sana : Did you have fun today, Hayama? Hayama : Sort of. Sana : That’s good! Hayama : “Akito-kun, if you like her, you should tell her clearly or she won’t know.” Sana : Hayama… <> Sana : We should do this again next year. You don’t have to bring a present, you know. Hayama : Kurata… Sana : Yeah? Hayama : Uh… Sana : Hayama? Hayama : I… <> Sana : What’s wrong? Sana : Do you need to go to the bathroom? You can use mine… Hayama : No! Sana : Then what is it? Akito-kun, Sana-chan is dense. You have to tell her clearly or she won’t know. If you like her, you have to say so, or she won’t know. Sana : Hayama, what’s wrong? <> Rei : What did he do to my Sana-chan!? Misako : What do you mean, yours? You have Asako-san. Rei : Still, Sana-chan’s just a little girl! Misako : Just clean up. Sana : That’s the second time…man, once it’s happened once, the other times are just the same. <> Sana : For some reason I couldn’t avoid Hayama’s eyes… Mom, Hayama kissed me again… Misako : I was watching. Sana : You were watching!? Misako : Of course. Sana : That’s so embarassing! <> Sana : I wish there was a hole I could crawl into! Misako : There is. Sana : Oh, right. Okay then. <3 minutes later> Sana : What could I have done in there? Misako : That was pretty long. So, he kissed you. Then what? Sana : Maybe Hayama’s in love with me after all. <> Misako : After how he’s showed her that he is, she’s still saying things like that? Sana : I mean, he might just like kissing girls. How am I supposed to know, if he doesn’t tell me? Misako : So she needs words more than a kiss… If Hayama did say that he liked you, what would you answer? Sana : Maybe “Oh, really?”…or something like that… We’re good friends and we’ve really been there for each other in tough times, but I haven’t really thought about him that way. <> Misako : I’m sorry, Hayama-kun. I’ve raised her to be quite dense in matters of love! I’m afraid that your love will have to face many difficulties in the future. Hayama : Oh no, I’ve caught another cold. <> Rei : I need some ice…huh? What’s that? Sana : Hayama had to miss graduation because he had a cold, so winter break started without us seeing each other again. <> Sana : The first time we kissed it tasted like lemon. That’s because I spilled lemonade on him—ha ha ha! The second time is just tasted like his lips… He really is someone special to me… <> <3rd term> Tsuyoshi : Hi, Sana-chan! <> Sana : Hi… Tsuyoshi : Akito-kun! Did you tell Sana-chan that you liked her on Christmas Eve? What did she say? Come on, did you tell her? Hayama : I didn’t tell her. Tsuyoshi : You didn’t? We need to talk about our graduation project of a relief picture. Does anyone have any ideas for what kind of picture we should have? --A picture of the principal’s head! Tsuyoshi : No! Any others? Sana : This feels strange and unnatural… <> Sana : He’s avoiding my gaze… Hayama! <> Sana : Do you like me? Hayama : She really is dense! Tsuyoshi : That’s why I said you had to tell her clearly! Well? Go ahead and tell her! Hayama : In front of everybody? Yeah, right! <> Hayama : I do not like you at all, idiot! Sana : Then why did you kiss me twice? Hayama : That was a joke. Sana : You’d better give me back those kisses! Hayama : How am I supposed to do that? Tsuyoshi : They’re both childish and mature at the same time… <> Sana : Mom, that guy really is just a kiss monster! It makes me sick! So I built this Hayama-preventer to protect me! --Sana-chan, you have a visitor! Naozumi : Sana-chan! Sana : Naozumi-kun! What’s wrong? Naozumi : Is it true that you turned down a role in Ono’s movie? Sana : Yeah… Naozumi : “Yeah”? Naozumi : Did you just say “Yeah”? Sana : Yeah. Rei : Naozumi-kun!? Sana : Calm down! Naozumi : I’m sorry I lost it. Rei : No…I was as surprised as you. Naozumi : Director Ono’s young, and he’s starting to get a lot of attention. He really wanted you to play the heroine, and I thought, as an actress, that you’d be happy about that. Sana : Well, I don’t know him. Naozumi : Are you stupid, turning down a role like this? <> Sana : Yes, I’m stupid. Naozumi : The thing is, I’m also supposed to be starring in this movie… Rei : Really? Naozumi : Let’s do this together! Sana : I’m sorry, but I think I should focus on school right now. Naozumi : Have you heard about what your role would be? Sana : No, not at all. <> Naozumi : It’s a ghost—a ghost who hasn’t realized that she died six years ago. So she looks like a fourteen-year-old girl, but in her mind she’s convined she’s twenty. She tempts other people and then locks them in a castle deep inside a mountain. It’s a hard role, but very interesting. Sana : That does sound fun… Naozumi : Could you think it over one more time? Sana : I’d like to do it…but it would be hard to go to school at the same time…if I’m going to work, I want to concentrate completely on that. <> Sana : And then I wouldn’t have any time left to go to school! I’d be in a different world than everybody else… What should I do? Maybe I’ll go talk to mom…no, I have to decide this for myself. Shimura-san! I’ll take the dogs on a walk this morning! --This early? <> Sana : I didn’t really sleep well… What are you doing? <> Hayama : Can’t you tell? Sana : I see it, but I don’t believe it…you’re training? Hayama : Yeah. Sana : Really!? I guess you need that for karate… Hayama… Hayama : What? Sana : How would you feel if I started working and we couldn’t really see each other any more? <> Sana : I’d like to work, but then I couldn’t see everybody at school, and I think I’d be lonely… I would be lonely if I couldn’t see you… Hayama : Are you dying? Sana : What? Hayama : There’s nothing except death that can really prevent people from seeing each other. Sana : Yeah, there are things like that… <> Hayama : But, if you really want to see each other, you can, as long as you’re not dead. Sana : That’s true, I guess…it’s not like we’d never see each other again…what am I so worried about? Hayama : You might even be able to see each other if you’re dead. <> Hayama : If you’re a ghost. Sana : A ghost, huh? OK, I’ll try it! Hayama : What? Sana : As a role! You’ve said sometimes that you wanted to die… Hayama : I did? Sana : Yes, you did! Take responsibility for your own words! <> Sana : Are there still times when you want to die? <> Rei : You’re doing the movie!? Sana : And then…the third term was over… <> Sana : And we’re finally starting middle school! <> Rei : What are you doing in there? Do you want to be late for the entrance ceremony? Sana : I’m coming already! Just wait a second! Oh, now I’ve done it! Rei : Sana-chan? <> Sana : I was in such a hurry that I cut my bangs too short! Stupid Rei! Now it looks weird! Rei : It’s fine, it doesn’t look weird at all. Sana : It just feels wrong. Misako : You’re making such a fuss about having your bangs cut too short on the morning of the entrance ceremony, but you didn’t realize at all that your skirt closure’s undone and you can see your underwear. You’re still quite childish. Rei : Are you writing about Sana-chan again, Sensei? Misako : Yes, I’d like to write part two of “My Daughter and I” someday. Rei : So this book won’t have any ulterior motive…it will just be filled with fun things… Misako : Perhaps… Sana : The private middle school I’m going to now is an escalator school all the way from elementary school up to college… [i.e. you don’t have to pass entrance exams to get into high school…] So the students pretty much stay the same, and there are a lot of familiar faces. But about 1/3 of the students are just starting here…so I’m sure I’ll meet new people too. <> --Morning, Sana-chan! Sana : Morning! It seems strange that everybody’s wearing uniforms… Tsuyoshi : Is something wrong with your forehead? Sana : I just cut my hair too short…it’s weird. Hayama! Aya : It’s not weird, it’s cute! Hayama : It’s ugly. Sana : You haven’t changed a bit! Hayama : I cut my hair too. <> Hayama : But only 5 millimetres. Sana : That’s not cutting it! --Speaking of cutting one’s hair, Hayama… Sana : Gomi-kun!? Hayama : What happened to you? --My dad made me do it. --Is that “Sana-chan”? --It’s Sana-chan! --I didn’t know she went to school here! --She’s cute in person! Aya : It looks like the kids just starting here are surprised to see Sana-chan. Sana : What class are you in, Hayama? Hayama : 1. Sana : I’m in 8, the farthest one! Tsuyoshi : I’m in 1. Aya : Me too! --I’m in 5. Sana : We’re all getting separated…but at least a bunch of us are going to class 1. Hayama : Not really… Sana : This does feel weird… Fuuka : Oh, I cut too much off! Sana : Looks like we’re in the same boat… Fuuka : Can I borrow some mousse? Sana : She speaks Osaka dialect… [I’m not even going to try to replicate her accent in my translation, but she does talk differently.] I cut my bangs too much this morning, too. Fuuka : Really? Actually, I cut all my hair too much. <> Fuuka : Hey, aren’t you Sana-chan? Sana : Yes, I’m Sana! Fuuka : I saw your name on the list of names, but…you’re really her! I guess it’s true that you bump into lots of famous people just walking around Tokyo! Sana : Not really… Fuuka : I’m in class 8 too! I’m Matsui Fuuka! Sana : Nice to meet you! Fuuka : You want to know something weird? Sana : What? Fuuka : People tell me I look like you! My friends in Osaka said I had the same kind of face as you. Sana : Yeah, maybe we do. Fuuka : And we might have similar personalities, too… Sana : You think so? Fuuka : Here’s class 8! --And now, I’ll introduce the principal of this school. --I’d like to welcome all our new students to Jinbou Middle School. <> --Isn’t that the principal of the elementary school? --Are all you students coming here from the elementary school surprised? I am the older brother of the principal of Jinbou elementary school. --Our school holds up the ideals of honesty, love, and courage…but please just grow up without worrying too much about that. Ho ho ho! Sana : Middle school is filled with new, fun experiences, like when the teachers change for each class, and English class, and clubs. <> --Kurata-san? Sana : Yeah? --Could you sign something for me? Fuuka : Come on, you’re her classmates! She’s at school too, and she probably doesn’t want to. Sana : She has a point there…I would like to be treated normally, but just two signatures would be fine. Fuuka : Really? Sana : Yeah. --Sorry. Fuuka : Well, I’m going home now. Sana : Bye-bye! She’s pretty outspoken… --What’s going on in the back? --A fight? Sana : A fight? <> Sana : I knew it. Tsuyoshi : Sana-chan!? Sana : What’s going on? Aya : I just saw them fighting from a distance… Sana : He must be a new kid, to fight with Hayama… He’s gotten really good at blocks…is that because of learning karate? Tsuyoshi : It looks like Akito-kun has been practicing karate for a while… <> Tsuyoshi : He’s attacking him too, but he keeps stopping before he hits the other guy. It looks like his opponent’s really getting mad. Sana : That’s enough! Don’t start acting like idiots so soon after the entrance ceremony! And what do you think you’re doing? Isn’t karate supposed to be about avoiding fights? Hayama : He didn’t have to know that. --Sa…Sana-chan? <> Sana : And you should stop picking fights with him! You’d be in big trouble if he went at it seriously! --A nosebleed? --Are you all right? <> Aya : He seemed to be a fan of yours, Sana-chan. Sana : That’s the first time I’ve ever caused a nosebleed… Hayama : I can’t believe a girl who doesn’t even wear a bra yet could cause a nosebleed. Sana : So, what was that fight about? Hayama : He started talking to me when I tried to go home… --You’re friends with Sana-chan, right? I want to her friend too! Introduce me to her! Hayama : No. <> Hayama : So then, he got mad… Tsuyoshi : At least the teachers didn’t find out about the fight. Sana : Are you going to sleep? Hayama : Wake me in an hour. Sana : What? Hayama : The early morning training makes me so tired…I’ve got to sleep during lunch. Sana : Then don’t train in the mornings! Tsuyoshi : We’ll be going home now! Sana : Are you really going to fall asleep? Well, at least I don’t have any plans for today… Hayama : Hey… <> Hayama : It would’ve been pretty bad if some complete stranger had started to like you… Sana : No, it wouldn’t, really… Hayama : Bad for me… I’m going to sleep. Sana : He really is asleep! Even though I’m in middle school now, I don’t feel any different inside. <> Sana : When I think back to the times when he nearly strangled me…when he looked at me like that… when he made a fool out of me…when he kissed me…when he touched my breasts…we’ve even gone to sleep together… I just don’t know whether he doesn’t like me or doesn’t hate me. Who are you to me, anyway? And now that we’re middle schoolers… <> Sana : How are things going to change between us? Rei : His nose really started to bleed? Sana : Yeah. Rei : I’ve heard of that happening before with really passionate fans, but this worries me… Sana : It’s all right! You worry too much! Rei : Anyway, be careful. Sana : I will! Rei : And from now on you’d better talk with your manager before changing your hair style. Sana : Fine. Rei : Now, for the movie, we’re having a cast meeting at the end of this month, and we start filming next month. All right? Sana : Fine! <> Fuuka : I used to live here, when I was in kindergarten, but the next year we moved to Osaka because my dad got transferred. But now I’m here again, at my mom’s alma mater, for middle school. Sana : Really… Those two have been staring at us and laughing… Fuuka : What are you guys doing? You make me mad! Is the way I talk really that funny? Fuuka : Why don’t you come over here and laugh at me? It’s really rude to laugh at people just because they talk differently! Sana : Tell ‘em, Fuuka! Fuuka : Even though you’re in middle school, you’re still babies! And, the way I look at it, it’s you who sound weird! Sana : That’s right! Fuuka : It would be really rude if I laughed at her every time I thought she sounded stupid! [Can’t quite understand everything going on here…] <> Fuuka : What’s so funny about all this now? I just don’t understand them. Sana : Sorry, Sensei! You can start homeroom now! <> Sana : Me and Fuuka get along well together. I think we’re going to be really good friends! I’ve never felt like I had so much in common with another girl before. I mean, I’ve had good girl friends, but…hmm…they always kind of looked up to me a bit too much, and Fuuka acts more normally, and she already calls me “Sana.” Rei : That’s nice. All the “best friends” you’ve ever had have been guys. I was starting to get worried if you were really a woman. <> Naozumi : Sana-chan! Sana : Hi, Naozumi-kun! Naozumi : Are you here taping “Kodocha”? Sana : Yeah. Naozumi : It looks like you wanted to be in the movie after all. I’m glad. Rei : He must be busy. Is he going to a public middle school? Sana : Yeah, it’s the closest one to his apartment. But he doesn’t really have time to go. Rei : You won’t either, pretty soon. Sana : I know. <> Rei : I wonder how much she really understands… --Action! --So, you’re going to be in a movie, Sana-chan? Sana : You already know? Well, at first I turned down the role, and I know that it’s really going to take a lot of work… Rei : I guess she does understand. Sana : Fuuka, we can use the cafeteria now! Fuuka : But I brought a boxed lunch… Sana : You can eat your lunch there! Fuuka : This school really is rich. Sana : This is a pre-piri-peri card! You use it to pay. Fuuka : Don’t you mean a pre-paid card? Sana : I think I’ll have the A lunch. Hi, Hayama! We haven’t seen each other lately since our classes are so far away. Hayama : Hi. Sana : Where’s Tsuyoshi-kun? Tsuyoshi : Coming later. Sana : Have you made any friends besides Tsuyoshi-kun? Hayama : I don’t really want any. Sana : I made a friend! I’ll introduce you! This is Matsui Fuuka-chan! Fuuka : Is he a friend of Sana-chan’s? Sana : Yeah, he’s Hayama. We’ve been good friends, or bad ones, since sixth grade. Fuuka : Well, it’s nice to meet you. Hayama : Thanks. Fuuka : Is he mad at me? Sana : No, that’s just how he is. Besides, he’s hungry. Hayama : Fried shrimp…hamburgers…no sushi? <> Sana : Look, Fuuka! This A lunch looks great! Fuuka : Wait a second…if that was “Hayama” just now… Do you call him Akki? Sana : No, sometimes I call him Aa-chan…but his name’s Akito. Fuuka : Hey, you! Are you “Hayama Akito”? Hayama : Yeah… Fuuka : It is you! Take that! I just knew that if I ever met Akki again, I’d slap him! Sana : Fuuka? What’s going on? <> Fuuka : He stole my first kiss from me a long time ago! Tsuyoshi : What’s happening? Fuuka : I remember you too, with the glasses! Tsuyoshi : Fuuka-chan? The Fuuka-chan who went to Osaka? Fuuka : Yeah! <> Hayama : Now I remember you, “Buuka.” Fuuka : Who’re you calling Buuka!? I’ve got a score to settle with you! You completely screwed up my life! Sana : What?