Kodomo no Omocha (Child’s Toy) 6 Obana Miho Ribon Mascot Comics / Shuueisha Introduction to the Main Characters (clockwise from center) Kurata Sana—an energetic 7th-grader who stars in the popular TV program, “Kodomo no Omocha.” Hayama Akito—a seventh grader with a passion for karate who opened his heart to Sana. Kurata Misako—Sana’s mom, a novelist. Sasaki Tsuyoshi—Hayama’s friend; scary when he gets mad. Matsui Fuuka—Sana’s friend, who has come back from Osaka. Kamura Naozumi—A very popular pretty young boy [bishounen] actor. Sagami Rei—Sana’s manager. The story up to volume 5 Kurata plays roles on TV shows and in commercials. Her mother Misako, a novelist, published an essay in which she wrote the secrets of Sana’s birth. Sana was worried that this would break the life that she knew apart, but Hayama was there to support her. When the essay was published, Sana’s birth mother appeared, but this only made the parental bond between Sana and Misako stronger than ever. Sana started middle school and made a new friend named Fuuka. But then she had to stop going to school for a long time to shoot a movie on location. On the morning she left, Hayama came to see her off. He told her that he had something he wanted to talk to her about, but he wasn’t able to say anything. While on location, Sana thought about Hayama a lot. Then, false rumors that Naozumi was Sana’s boyfriend were published in a magazine. Naozumi’s fans got mad after seeing this article and attacked Sana-chan… <> Sana : Oh no! No, Naozumi-kun! <> <> Sana : Naozumi-kun, calm down! --Don’t get so mad! --I’m sorry! Naozumi : You think you can just apologize? What were you doing just now!? Sana : I’m OK, Naozumi-kun! <> Naozumi : Wait! Sana : Naozumi-kun! --What happened? Rei : Sana-chan? Sana : Give me a hand, Maeda-san! Naozumi : I won’t let you get away with this! --Calm down, Nao. What happened? Naozumi : Are you all right, Sana-chan? Sana : Yeah, I guess. Rei : How did this happen? <9> Naozumi : My fans… Sana : Attacked me…but I’m fine now…Yeow! Ow ow ow ow! My leg! Rei : Sana-chan! --You need medical treatment, fast! --This is awful…the bone might be broken…you should definitely have it looked at by a doctor. <> Rei : I’m sorry, Sana-chan…I should’ve been there to protect you… Sana : It’s fine, really. I’ll go to the doctor… --Sana-chan’s hurt… --What about the movie filming? --We can’t change Mako’s actress now… --She has many bruises, and her left leg is fractured. Rei : It’s folded!? --No, there’s a crack in it. Sana : A crack? <> Rei : I’m sorry, but I think you’ll have to quit. Sana : No, I can do it! After all, ‘Mako’ doesn’t run, she just walks shakily. I can do that just fine! Rei : I don’t want you to overexert yourself! Sana : But I want to do it! Once my mind’s made up to do something, there’s no way you can make me stop! Rei : Sana-chan! <> Rei : I wanted you to work hard too, but with your leg like this, you can’t! Sana : It’s just a little fracture! Rei-kun, I don’t want to let anyone else play this role. Please let me do it, Rei-kun! I promise I won’t do more than I can handle. <> Sana : Let’s keep this fracture a secret, OK? Tell everybody it’s just a bad bruise. Rei : All right, Sana-chan. --Sana-chan, you’re back! --What happened? --Are you OK? Sana : I’m fine. I got a bad bruise, but I can still work. --That’s a relief. Asako : No it isn’t! Is must hurt! Sana : I’m fine! Sorry for worrying you. Asako : Speaking of worrying, Kamura-kun’s really worried…and depressed… --Don’t be so gloomy, Nao. Naozumi : I can’t do it anymore. I’m quitting. --What are you saying? <> --You have so many good fans! Naozumi : No, I’m quitting! --Naozumi… Naozumi : I went into this business because I admired Sana-chan, and yet my fans did this to her! I hate it! I’m quitting! Sana : Quitting? I won’t let you. Naozumi : Sana-chan… Sana : Maeda-san, leave Naozumi and me alone for a second. I’m working hard despite this, and you should too! I’m fine, so stop worrying about it! Naozumi : You can’t just say that and expect me not to worry. They’re all filthy! Those kids, and those magazine reporters too! Sana : It can’t be helped. That’s their job as reporters. And those kids only liked you too much. I pity you if this upsets you so much. Naozumi : You’re amazing…I could never do that…Why aren’t you mad about what they did? Sana : Of course I’m mad! I wish I could break every bone in their little bodies! But I couldn’t do that, so I have to think of a more dignified reponse. Naozumi : Like what? Sana : Those girls hurt me because they wanted me to drop out of the movie. They would hate nothing more than if I was in the movie with you anyway, doing the best I could. And I’d be killing two birds with one stone, since I’ll focus harder on the movie and it’ll turn out better. Sana : Mom told me to enjoy myself even under adversity. I didn’t really understand her, but I’m sure this is what she meant. I can’t help that it happened, so I’ll just have to make the best of it. Will you do the same, Naozumi-kun? Naozumi : I understand it in my head, but it’s easier said than done. Sana : You have to keep at it! You were the one who asked me to do this movie in the first place. Now that I’m using all my strength to endure the pain, I won’t let you run away! Naozumi : Sana-chan! <> Naozumi : Are you all right? Hey, is that really just a bruise? Sana : Of course! I’m fine! It’s nothing compared with the pain of giving birth! Naozumi : Have you ever given birth? Sana : Naozumi-kun…we’ve come this far. Let’s do a professional job. <> Naozumi : Sana-chan… --Make sure that you don’t film Sana-chan’s bandage. --Right. --How’s the lighting? --Fine. Sana : What are you saying? Your brother…yeow! <> --Are you OK, Sana-chan? Sana : Sorry! --Let’s try this again! Naozumi : Sana-chan is so strong… <> Rei : Are you OK, Sana-chan? Do you want to rest? Sana : I’m fine. It hurts, but I’m all right, because my heart is still full of energy. I’m working hard, Hayama…you work hard too… --Naozumi…those girls are here to apologize… Naozumi : Say that they can’t just apologize to me. They also have to apologize to Sana-chan. <> Sana : What? You’re here to apologize? You don’t have to. Your apology won’t change the fact that you hate me. Well, I hate you too! Instead, look at the movie and see for yourselves just how hard I worked. Naozumi : Sagami-san, I heard Sana-chan wasn’t feeling well… Rei : She has a fever, probably because of her leg. <> Naozumi : Get better, get better, get better, get better. Sana : Hayama… <> --We went to the set of the movie “The Water Castle,” now filming on location. Sana : No sound’s coming out! Naozumi : You have to go “buu.” --The movie’s stars are very close, and always… Sana : “Buu” like this? Naozumi : No, like this. Sana : Like this? Naozumi : No, this. Sana : Ah, it worked! Natsumi : What a cute couple! I know you and Sana-chan are friends, but there’s something else between them. Have you seen this? It looks like they’re dating after all. Fuuka : They said it on TV and in this book! You think Sana and Kamura Naozumi are really going out? Tsuyoshi : I haven’t heard so from Sana-chan… --It’s true that Sana-chan is dating Kamura Naozumi. Tsuyoshi : Really? --You’re… <> --With the eyebrows… Aya : And the nose hair… Fuuka : And the farts… Tsuyoshi : No, the nosebleeds! --My name’s Ishida! Before Sana-chan went away, I told her I liked her, but she said she was already going out with Naozumi-kun. Tsuyoshi : Really? Ishida : Really! Look at my eyes! Hey! You’re all looking at my eyebrows! Fuuka : Sana really said that to you? --Really! <> Fuuka : I thought she wasn’t interested in love. I told Hayama I’d help him get Sana, but now…poor Hayama… Hayama : What’s that about me? Tsuyoshi : Akito-kun… Fuuka : Don’t show him! Hayama : I’ve seen it. My sister likes that kind of stuff. <> Tsuyoshi : Akito-kun… Hayama : I don’t care about that. Tsuyoshi : Wait…isn’t it important to you? Fuuka : Yeah! Hayama : I don’t know. I don’t know anymore. Once I said to Tsuyoshi that she just couldn’t abandon a lonely stray dog…and it could be just that I’ve gotten attached to someone who was looking out for me…and we haven’t seen each other lately, so…I don’t know. <> Hayama : If she’s going out with Kamura, that’s fine with me. Fuuka : Really? Hayama : Yeah, now let’s stop talking about it. Fuuka : Still, Hayama looks awfully lonely. Tsuyoshi : I suppose it’s true, “Out of sight, out of mind.” Aya : And she can’t even call anyone…I guess I’m gradually getting used to her not being here. <> Fuuka : Hayama Akki! Wait a sec! Hayama : This pattern… Fuuka : Um… Hayama : Do you want me to pretend to be your dad this time? Fuuka : No, stupid. I was talking on the phone to a friend from Osaka. Things seem to be going well between Takaishi-kun and Shizu-chan. So I started feeling down, and then I thought a bit and had an idea. <> Fuuka : You really helped me out that time, and I thought…that it might be pretty cool if you were really my boyfriend. I don’t mean that I could replace Sana, but…will you be my real boyfriend? <> --Let’s take a break! Naozumi : Are you OK, Sana-chan? Sana : I’m fine! Naozumi : But you suddenly got hot! Rei : It must hurt…and it will take longer to get better because she’s putting weight on it…keep at it. Filming’s ¾ done, so there’s just a little bit left. Asako : Sagami-san, come and take Sana-chan. I borrowed the director’s cell phone. Sana : A phone!? Asako : Yeah, you wanted to call somebody, right? <> Sana : But I thought we couldn’t use phones up here. Asako : I think I’ve found a place where you can get through. I’m sure you can over here. Sana : Really!? Thanks, Asako-san! Asako : I wonder who she’ll call first. Rei : Probably Sensei. Sana : All right, I got through! Hello? Is this the Hayama residence? It’s Kurata. Hayama : Kurata? Sana : Yeah, it’s me! How’re you doing? I’m taking a break in filming, and I got a phone. Yeah, I’m fine. Um, you said you had something to tell me. What is it? Hayama : Never mind. Wait, I’ve got another call. Sana : Hi! Who was that? Fuuka!? How is she? <> Sana : Oh? Really? I’m just kind of surprised…oh, you’re leaving? OK then…say hi to everybody… Rei : Sana-chan? Are you done? Sana-chan!? <> Hayama : I’m going out with Fuuka now. Rei : What’s wrong, Sana-chan? Asako : Sana-chan? <> --Let’s do the rehearsal! --Wow…Sana-chan… --Her face looks so lifeless, like a ghost. --That’s fine, but… <> Naozumi : Sana-chan? Your line? You shouldn’t forget your lines. --Cut! What happened? Sana : Sorry. --Let’s try again from the top. Rei : Sana-chan… Asako : Sana-chan, what’s wrong? Sana : Nothing… Rei : It can’t be nothing. Did Hayama say something to you? Sana : I said it was nothing. Let’s go back, Rei-kun. Rei : What did that Hayama say to her? <> Sana : Six years ago, in this lake…um… --Cut! That’s enough for today, Sana-chan. Sana : But… --You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. We can re-do the schedule. Sana : I’m sorry, I can do it! --I’m telling you to rest. This is my movie, and I don’t want such a spiritless performance. I’d expect something like that from any child actor, but I don’t think of you and Kamura-kun as child actors. Do you understand? Sana : Yes. <> --We’re changing the schedule! Let’s do scene 71! Naozumi : It’s nice that he let you rest. You really have been working too hard. Why is someone as strong as Sana-chan acting like this? What’s wrong with her? Asako : They’ll have to wait out the rain anyway. You should rest, Sana-chan. <> Naozumi : Sagami-san, where’s Sana-chan? Rei : With Kurumi-san. Naozumi : What happened to her? Rei : I don’t know, but she’s been like this since she called Hayama-kun. Naozumi : She called Hayama? Sana-chan, what did Hayama say to you? Was he saying mean things? Sana : No, not at all… Sana : Hayama and Fuuka—Fuuka’s a friend of mine— well, they’re going out now, and that kind of surprised me. Naozumi : And that shocked Sana-chan so much… Rei : That’s odd, isn’t it? I thought Hayama-kun… Sana : No way, Tsuyoshi-kun said so too, but he was wrong. Fuuka’s nice, and girlish, and… Rei : I can’t accept that. Asako : Sagami-san… <> Rei : I’ll use the director’s phone and try calling him again at the secret spot. Sana : Stop it! Rei : I don’t know his telephone number…what is it, Sana-chan? Sana : Stop it! Asako : Leave, you two! It’s better to talk about these things between women, isn’t it? Sana : Asako-san… Asako : I’m sorry for prying into your business… Sana : No, not at all. Asako : I’ve heard a lot about you from Rei, so I’ve also heard about this boy, Hayama-kun. You like him, don’t you? Sana : Me? Like Hayama? Asako : Yeah. After all, he’s the first person you called. Sana : Oh, that was just because of something he said to me when he came to see me off that I’d been worried about! I don’t really like him! Asako : Really? Sana : Sure! I mean, why would I like him? I’ve got no reason to! Asako : A reason? Sana : My type is guys who are nice, and mature, and tall, like Rei-kun. Hayama’s practically the same height as me, and he looks at me funny, and says mean things, and he’s a pervert. He does have some good points, but he’s cold and severe. But…he’s also nice sometimes… Asako : Sana-chan, don’t you think you don’t need a reason for liking someone? I mean, I can’t really put my finger on what it is I like about you-know-who…but I do love him. I just can’t help it. Naozumi : So Kurumi-san has a boyfriend…I wonder what he’s like… Rei : Yeah… <> Sana : I don’t need to have a reason? Asako : Yeah…sometimes you just realize how much you like someone. Sana : Oh…well…then…I really, really like him. <> Sana : I’m so stupid, to get my heart broken before I even realized that I liked him… “If you ever feel like crying, come to me.” Those words have been supporting me all along…but what am I supposed to do when you’re the one who makes me cry? <> Rei : It really seemed like Hayama-kun was in love with Sana-chan… Asako : But it has been two and a half months since we left… Rei : And so maybe it’s not so unusual for him to like someone else… Asako : Two or three months is long when you’re only in middle school. Rei : Still…I can’t believe that that strong girl is so fragile in matters of love that she can’t continue working… Today we’re filming scenes that don’t have you in them, so you can just rest, Sana-chan. Sana-chan…do you want to quit? Sana : No, I can do it…just wait a little more… I have to get over him fast! I just have to erase him from my head! Naozumi : I’m not playing well tonight. Sana : Naozumi-kun? Naozumi : Oh, Sana-chan? Sana : I heard your trumpet. Naozumi : What are you doing here all by yourself? Where’s Sagami-san? Sana : He’s been talking to the director about my scenes… Naozumi : Why don’t you go back? You need to rest. Sana : I don’t want to be in my room alone. Naozumi-kun, were you listening at the door yesterday? Naozumi : Yeah…sorry… Sana : It’s all right. <> Sana : It’s strange how I was telling you to work hard, and now I’m the one who’s being unprofessional. Naozumi : No…I know you’re doing the best you can. Sana : Sure I am, but I’ve caused so much trouble to everybody. What can I do? I know I have to get back on my feet soon, but I’m so weak. Everything’s messed up inside my head. Naozumi-kun? Why are you crying? <> Sana : I’m the one who’s crying…but why are you? Naozumi : Because you’re crying. Sana : I’m so sad! <> Sana : Nao… Naozumi : I love you. I’ve always loved you. <> Naozumi : Don’t cry, Sana-chan. I’m here. Sana : Naozumi-kun… <> --We can still film scenes without Sana-chan tomorrow, but not for much longer, Sagami-san. Rei : I’m sure that she’ll be better in one more day… I’ve got to do something. If Sana-chan doesn’t want to have to quit this movie, she’ll have to get back on her feet soon. I’ll just have to call…her! Director Ono! Please lend me your cellular phone, which somehow works here! --All right, but you’ll have to pay me for it later. --Hey, a helicopter. --It’s close. --Think it’s getting closer? --Yeah, it really is getting closer! --It’s not gonna land, is it? Misako : Thank you for caring for my daughter. I’ve heard she was in trouble, and I’ve come to see her. --It’s Kurata Misako! --Weird hairdo… --Kurata-sensei and her editor! --She really flew here! Rei : Come this way please, sensei. Misako : Sagami-kun, thanks for calling me. Rei : I didn’t think you’d come in a helicopter… Sana-chan, you have an exciting guest! Sana : I don’t wanna see anybody, Rei-kun! <> Misako : Hello. Sana : Mom! Misako : Yes, yes. Sana : Mom! Mom! Misako : Sagami-kun told me what happened. How is your leg feeling? Sana : It hurts a little, but I’m fine. Misako : I see. Sana : I can’t do it anymore, mom! I can’t focus on my work! They had to re-do the storyboards because I got hurt, and I keep causing so much trouble to everybody! And Hayama… Misako : I heard about that too. Sana : I’ve gotta forget about him soon, but he’s just sticking in my head! And then Naozumi-kun said that he loved me, and I just don’t know what to do! <> Misako : You’re so immature! Sana : Mom? What are you doin to your broken-hearted daughter? Misako : You can’t try to run away from your worries. If there’s something that worries you, then you should worry about it! Sana : But I’ve gotta forget my worries and go back to work! Misako : Listen to me! When there’s something that worries me, I write it down on paper. Sana : You write it down? I should’ve expected that… Misako : And just worry about it as hard as you can, because you have the strength to change things that are hard into positive things. Sana : No I don’t… Misako : Yes, you do, because you’re my child. You’re just a little weak right now. Misako : Someday you’ll laugh and wonder why you ever worried about it. Sana : But it hurts now! Misako : Come on now, write it down. <> [To reproduce this diagram with text would be hard.] Fuuka and Hayama like each other. Fuuka and Naozumi are total strangers. Fuuka and Sana are friends. Naozumi and Hayama know each other. Naozumi likes Sana. Sana likes Hayama, but Hayama thinks of Sana as a friend. Sana : Hmm…maybe I can just leave things like they are. Sana : Huh? Naozumi : I’m not doing well this morning, either. Sana : Hi, Naozumi-kun! It’s a picturesque morning! Naozumi : You seem cheerful. Sana : I worried about it like mom said, and then I felt better. I started thinking that things are fine as they are. I can just… <> Sana : feel the way I do…I don’t need anything in return. Naozumi : But isn’t that hard? Sana : Yeah, but I’ll try anyway. Naozumi : Oh… Sana : Naozumi-kun…thanks for saying that you loved me. <> Sana : I’m sorry, but I just can’t go out with someone who I don’t love. Naozumi : Yeah, I understand. I should learn from you that I don’t need anything in return. Sana : Let’s go back. I’m going back to work today! Naozumi : You think you can? Sana : Yeah! Naozumi : Sana-chan, are you all right!? <> Naozumi : Want me to carry you? Sana : I’m all right. I can walk by myself. Mom went back home…thank you, mom! Misako : Be sure to do your best! Sana : I will! We only have a little more filming to do on location. I’ll make sure to work hard in return for all the trouble I’ve caused everyone. <> Sana : My leg still hurts a bit, but it’s feeling a lot better because of the three days I took off. Then, finally, came the last scene, a dangerous scene where Mako comes out of a burning mansion. --Do it just like we planned, with no mistakes! --All right? When you hear that sound, it’s time to come out. I’ll push the button when the fire starts to spread. Sana : OK! --Be prepared, because even though we’re trying to make sure that fire and smoke don’t come in the entrance, the temperature is going to go up. Sana : All right! “Cool your mind of muskrat thoughts, and you will find clear fire!” Rei : Well, she’s back to her old self… <> --Be careful, Sana-chan! Sana : Because we can’t use this mansion again once it’s burned down, I can’t make any mistakes! --We’re starting scene 92! Let’s be careful, everybody! We’re doing this in one take! Set the fire! <> Sana : Wow, it’s hot! A lot hotter than I expected…is this part really not going to catch on fire? There’s the signal! Mako’s coming out! <> Rei : She’s not coming out… --Give the signal again! Sana : Why won’t it get better? I can’t stand up! Naozumi : Sana-chan? Sana-chan! <> Sana : It hurts…it’s hot… Rei : This is strange. Stop shooting and extinguish the fire, director! --No! --I said we were doing this in one take. Rei : What are you saying? --This is just right! I wanted to film flames like this! Now get out of my way! Rei : Why, you! --It’s still all right! The entrance is strenghtened with flame-retardant materials! Rei : Even so, they have limits! --We’re going to continue! Sana : What should I do? I can’t stand up! Smoke’s coming in… I can’t breathe! I’ll die! I’m not just acting, I could really die! Sana : If I die here, then I’ll never see those two going out… Rei : This is the limit! Send out the firefighters! --No! We have three more minutes! Rei : Sana-chan’s leg has a fracture. She might have had some kind of accident. Please stop! --We’re continuing! Rei : Are you even thinking about the lives of others? --If something happens to her, then I’ll die too—but the movie will remain. Rei : Stop thinking about the movie! --Sagami-san! --Someone stop him! Naozumi : Wait, Sagami-san! No one will regret it more than Sana-chan if we have to stop filming. She’d regret it enough to die! Rei : Naozumi-kun! Naozumi : Just wait a little longer! Come out quickly, Sana-chan! You’ve been trying so hard so far! <> Sana : I feel faint…goodbye…I’m going to a better place… Yeow! <> Sana : Ow! Damn…now I’ve done it. What am I thinking? Is it because of the pain that I’m being so weak again? I’ve gotta get out of here! <> --This is bad, director. Let’s stop it. --I’m going to stop it, all right? Naozumi : Sana-chan! Sana! Come out of there quickly! Sana : Naozumi-kun? <> Sana : Mako’s coming! Naozumi : I heard her! --What? Naozumi : She’s coming out! --The camera! --OK! Sana : Ow…I… <> Sana : I’m really not as strong as everybody thinks I am… But… <> Sana : That doesn’t mean I won’t do the best I can! <> --She’s out! <> Naozumi : Mako-san! Why did you—where’s my brother? Sana : Those two are inside…they burned up. Naozumi : They—you’re the one who set the fire? <> Sana : I took them because I loved them. Naozumi : What about me? Sana : I didn’t take you…because I love you. I want you to live. --Cut! --OK! --Put out the fire! --Over here, you two! --Sana-chan! Sana : Naozumi-kun…did I say all my lines? Naozumi : Yes, you did! Now let’s hurry! Rei : Sana-chan! --Put out the fire! <> --Get a doctor! --One’s coming! --Move further away! --Nao! --Kamura-kun’s burned! --Director, there are complaints coming from people at the foot of the mountains! --You can’t shoot a movie if you’re afraid of complaints! Rei : Sana-chan, did something happen to your foot? Sana : I wasn’t paying attention. I sat down and when I tried to stand up suddenly it really hurt. --Are you all right, Sana-chan? Sana : Yes… --Where’s the director? <> --Director, this is great! Just like you wanted it to look! Look at that! Sana : Director! How was it, director? <> --Good work, Sana-chan! --Good work! --That was great! --A doctor’s coming to look at you soon. --Good work! Sana : I was really scared… <> Sana : You were watching? Rei : That was a close call, Sana-chan. Sana : …don’t play with fire… Anyway, the filming on location was over. --Well, we’ll have to film some more things after we get back to Tokyo, but the location filming is finished! Thanks for all your hard work! --So, Sana-chan, your bone broke again? Sana : Yeah, I tried to stand up too fast, and it cracked. Naozumi-kun, you got burned, didn’t you? Are you OK? Naozumi : I’m fine, but don’t touch it. --I’d like to thank both of you for your work. Sana : Director! --Thank you…I’m sure this will be a great movie. Sana : I look forward to seeing it! --And I’m sorry I pushed you so hard. Sana : That’s all right, I have insurance. Naozumi : That’s not the problem, Sana-chan. <> Rei : That director’s unbelievable! I’m just glad she’s safe. --Well, he puts his whole life into his movies. I’m sure you’ll understand when you see it. --Sana-chan, I think those girls really do want to apologize to you. Sana : All right, I guess I’ll let them apologize. Hi! Here to apologize again? <> --Um… Sana : Yeah? --We still don’t like you, but you did a great job, so we’re sorry for doing that to you. Sana : Hmm. You all like Naozumi-kun, right? Well, I have someone that I like too, although I’m still embarrassed about it because I only recently realized it. <> Sana : But that guy is going out with one of my friends. So I want you to understand that I do, to some extent, know how you feel. --I’m sorry. Sana : Well, it’s all right now. Bye! And go see the movie when it comes out! --Of course we’ll see it! --To see Naozumi-kun! Sana : Bye! Naozumi : I wonder if those kids might someday be fans of Sana-chan. <> Naozumi : Sana-chan, thanks for your hard work. Sana : You too. Naozumi : I hope I’ll see you again after we’re back in Tokyo. Sana : Yeah! We’re finally going back to Tokyo…everyone was on summer break when we got back. I went in the hospital right away so my leg could heal. <> Sana : After my leg got better, we did the rest of the filming that took place on the set. Wow, what a great set! Naozumi : Sana-chan, have you called anyone since you got back? Sana : No, nobody. No one knows I’m back yet. Naozumi : Oh… Sana : The movie was finally finished in the middle of September. <> Sana : It had been four months since I’d gone away in the middle of May. I’m nervous…but I can talk to them normally, right? I’ll be OK. I’ve had time to get ready. --Hey, it’s Sana-chan! Sana : Hi! Long time no see! --Are you done shooting on location? Sana : I’m done! --Hey, Sana-chan’s here! <> Sana : Fuuka! Fuuka : Sana! You’re back! <> Fuuka : Gosh, it’s been a long time! When did you get back? Sana : In the middle of summer vacation. Fuuka : Really? I didn’t know. Sana : Well, I had lots of stuff to do… Good…I can act normal. --Sana-chan’s here! Tsuyoshi : It’s really you, Sana-chan! Sana : Hi, Tsuyoshi-kun, Aya-chan! Aya : It’s been a while, Sana-chan. Sana : Yeah, really! Tsuyoshi : How’ve you been? Sana : It’s Hayama…act normal, act normal… Tsuyoshi : Akito-kun! <> Hayama : Hey…you’re alive… Sana : Huh? Tsuyoshi : Look how surprised Sana-chan looks! Fuuka : Sure, he grew five centimetres in four months! Sana : Five centimetres? In four months? Tsuyoshi : I bet his body makes noises in the night! Hayama : It makes my muscles hurt… Fuuka : You sound like an old man! Sana : His voice sounds different too… <> Sana : What a growth spurt… Hayama : Didn’t you bring me a souvenir? Sana : Of course I don’t have a souvenir! We were in the middle of nowhere! Hayama : Fuuka…can I borrow your English-Japanese dictionary? Fuuka : Again? Isn’t it time to start bringing your own? Sana : Well, I’m going to the bathroom! I’ve gotta go before class starts! <> Sana : Hmm…school life is more nerve-wracking than work! <> Sana : I didn’t think just going to school would make me this nervous. There’s a whole different atmosphere than before…it makes me uneasy…but I’ll be all right, because I am the woman who amazed even circus lions with her amazing escape from fire! A strong woman who can stand up in flames! Now, I’ll go to class! <> --Hello, Kurata-san. It’s been a while. Sana : I’ve got to work hard to catch up in class. Fuuka : Here are the notes I took for you, Sana-chan. <> Sana : Wow, the whole curriculum? Fuuka : I made notes of the important points so that they’d stick in your head better. If you can’t understand it, then you may as well just give up right now! Sana : I never asked her to do this… I’m not crying because of sadness, I’m just happy… Fuuka : But I will need some money for them. --Fuuka-chan, over here! --Wow, these notes are really neat! --And Fuuka-chan’s really smart, Sana-chan! She was ninth in the school on midterm exams, and she’ll be the class representative next term! Sana : Really? <> --And she’s really great at gymnastics, too. The principal gave her a certificate at an assembly because she did well at the district competition. Sana : Wow…I’m surprised at how well Fuuka’s doing in everything… --Plus, she has a pretty cool boyfriend. I envy Fuuka-chan! Sana : Hmm… Sana : Oh, it’s Tsuyoshi-kun…wanna sit over there? <> Fuuka : Here is fine. It’s pretty crowded there. Sana : Hey, Fuuka…you’re going out with Hayama, right? Fuuka : Did someone tell you? Sana : Yeah. It kind of surprised me. Why him? Fuuka : What’s wrong with him? Anyway, you have to go to gymnastics club at least once! Can you come today? Sana : I’ll try. <> Sana : Fuuka isn’t really saying anything about Hayama… I wonder why? Fuuka : Sana, you’re in charge of flowers next semester! Sana : What? <> Fuuka : It’s the easiest job there is. Sana : If I think about it, even though Fuuka and I get along really well, we only knew each other for a month, so I guess it’s natural that there are lots of things I don’t know about her. Sana : I wonder when she’s going to talk to me about Hayama. Ah! Sensei! --Sorry, I was in a hurry, and— Sana : Thank goodness it’s not broken! --You over there, go help her clean it up. Hayama : Yeah. Sana : I’m stunned… Hayama : What were you doing? Sana : I was put in charge of flowers. Hayama : Your class’s teacher is nice. Sana : Yeah, he is. Hayama : My homeroom teacher is awful. Sana : He’s the science teacher, right? He seems sneaky. <> Sana : I feel like I’m watching something very strange… “Hayama doing what he’s told, saying ‘yes’ to a teacher and wiping the floor.” I wonder if he’s changed on the inside? Five centimetres in four months…do you want to grow up to be a giant? Hayama : I’ll be one if I can. Sana : I’m glad we can talk normally… Hayama : You’re wringing it out wrong… Sana : Huh? Hayama : This is how you do it. Sana : Like this? Hayama : Yeah. I’m a pro at this. Sana : How have things been going with karate lately? Hayama : Lately? They’ve been letting me do more kinds of things than before… <> Hayama : So it’s starting to be a bit more fun. Sana : Oh… Hayama : When did you start wearing a bra? Sana : You haven’t changed a bit, you pervert! Hayama : Defense! Sana : Not good enough! <> Sana : You can’t just throw a rag in someone’s face! Does my bra show? It has red checks on it…maybe I should get a new one that’s paler…it’s so much trouble being a woman. Hayama : Sana, give this back to Fuuka. Sana : OK. Hey, wait! <> Sana : What did you say just now? Hayama : “this back to Fuuka.” Sana : Before that! Hayama : “Sana, give.” Sana : What’s that? Hayama : What’s what? Sana : Why did you call me ‘Sana’? Hayama : That’s your name, isn’t it? Or is it Samu? Sana : Why don’t you call me ‘Kurata’ anymore? Hayama : Probably because Fuuka calls you Sana…and I just picked it up. Sana : Oh, yeah…people tend to pick up the words of people they spend a lot of time with…maybe you’ll start speaking Kansai dialect pretty soon! <> Hayama : We aren’t together THAT much. Sana : Anyway, you shouldn’t call me Sana! Don’t make me tell you again! I’m mad at him, really mad at him! I don’t even know why I’m mad, but I am mad! I look so stupid, getting so upset…”Enjoy yourself even under adversity!” Yes, I have to stop being so nervous! Sana : Look, I can be happy even if they are going out! Here you go, Fuuka. Hayama told me to give it back to you. Fuuka : Thanks. Sana : Hey, Fuuka-san… Fuuka : Yeah? Sana : Have you and Hayama kissed? Fuuka : What? Sana : Come on, tell me! Fuuka : …Not yet. Sana : What? Fuuka : Even though he kissed me in kindergarten when I didn’t want him to. Sana : Do you want him to now? <> Sana : If you do, maybe you should just try getting closer to him. He’s the kind of guy that’ll kiss you if your face gets close enough or touch your breasts if he can! Fuuka : How would you know that? Sana : Uh-oh, a counter-attack! That’s just how simple-minded men are. Fuuka : I think it’s a hundred years too early for you to start talking about men. Sana : What’s that supposed to mean? Fuuka : All the men in the world would want to date a girl who could actually talk about men. But I don’t think there’s a single woman in this world who understands them! But, if I did get my face close to his…I’ll try it! Sana : What!? <> Sana : That’s what I get for being too nosy…You should learn that that leads to self-destruction… Fuuka : Let’s go to club, Sana! Sana : OK, I can do anything! Fuuka : Club President, I brought Kurata Sana with me! Sana : Hi! --I’m Shimizu, the club president. --So the phantom club member is finally here! Sana : Sorry about that! Sana : Wow! Ah—ah? Wha-? Fuuka : Don’t sound so weird! Sana : But that’s really great! Fuuka : Do you think you can do that much? Did you learn some stuff in your dance troupe? Sana : I’m good at jumping around, but it looks really hard to do a handstand in a straight line. <> Fuuka : What are you guys doing here? Tsuyoshi : I heard that Sana-chan was coming for the first time, so I wanted to go see. Aya : Sana-chan, Fuuka-chan did really well in the district competition. She got third place overall for individuals. But we can’t go to the city-wide competition as a team if the rest of the team doesn’t get stronger! Fuuka : I’ll try really hard next year too. Sana : But you did really well, Fuuka. Fuuka : Well, my mom was in the Olympic… --OLYMPIC!? Fuuka : …Spirit, and tried her hardest, when she did gymnastics. And she took me to the gym a lot of times in Osaka when I was little, to practice. --And now we’ll be even better with Kurata-san, who learned a lot in her group, coming in. I feel like we’ll do great with you two! --Let’s set our sights on the city-wide competition for next year! Hayama : I’m hungry. Aya : Wanna go somewhere? Sana : In our school uniforms? Fuuka : It’ll be fine, our school’s popular. Tsuyoshi : Have you heard about those two going out, Sana-chan? Sana : Yeah. Tsuyoshi : What did you think? Sana : I was kind of surprised, but it’s fine with me. Aya-chan, there’s something wrong with your ribbon. Aya : I’ve gotta go fix it! Tsuyoshi : When Akito-kun said that he was going out with Fuuka-chan, he seemed very lonely. <> Tsuyoshi : Fuuka-chan? Really? Hayama : She asked me if I would really be her boyfriend… Fuuka : Will you be my real boyfriend? I didn’t like you when you were a little kid, but I’ve gotten to like you pretty well now…it’s fine if you don’t want to, I just wanted to say that. Hayama : It’s fine with me. Fuuka : It is? Hayama : Yeah. Fuuka : Well, see you later. Hayama : Yeah. <> Tsuyoshi : “It’s fine with me”? Hayama : That’s how I felt. Tsuyoshi : What about Sana-chan? Hayama : She’s dull…and she’s got Kamura…I don’t care. I don’t hate Fuuka. Tsuyoshi : Then, I felt surprised and lonely. For some reason, watching Akito-kun and Sana-chan since sixth grade, I felt like there was some kind of bond between them. <> Fuuka : Akito, that shirt—why don’t you button the other two buttons? Hayama : Be quiet. Fuuka : Doesn’t it look sloppy, Aya-chan? Aya : Well… Fuuka : It looks bad! <> Fuuka : What are you doing? That looks even worse. Do you plan to stay like that all day? If you’re going to bare your chest like that, why don’t you go join SMAP? [A Japanese pop group.] See? You should’ve just done that from the beginning. Sana : Are they always like this? Tsuyoshi : Pretty much… But, those two do make a good couple…and Sana-chan does have Kamura-kun…maybe this is what’s best. <> Sana : I kind of feel like there’s a wall between us… Fuuka : Huh? Sana : There’s two couples…and me all by myself. Fuuka : Well, that can’t be helped. Your guy goes to a different school, after all. Aya : Right! Besides, if anyone’s building a wall, it’s you… We really missed you, and you haven’t told us anything. Sana : Wait a second…what are you talking about? Tsuyoshi : The ‘declaration of love’ with Kamura-kun, of course. <> Sana : You guys all believed that?…It isn’t true… Aya : It isn’t true? Tsuyoshi : What all those magazines printed wasn’t true? Sana : Yeah, they do it all the time! And with Rei-kun and Naozumi-kun’s manager up in the mountains, they couldn’t do anything about it being published. If they’d been down here, that would’ve never been printed. You guys all thought that I was going out with Naozumi-kun? <> Aya : But…Ishida-kun said that he’d heard it from you. Sana : Ishida-kun? That was just an excuse because I didn’t want to go out with him! Even though I never said anything about it myself…you all believed Ishida-kun and the press? <> Tsuyoshi : Sana-chan…but it’s not our fault if we believed that! You and Kamura-kun get along really well! Sana : Of course we do, we’re friends! Aya : And we couldn’t get in touch with you… Sana : That’s not my fault, I was in the mountains! I feel like everything that happened then between me and Naozumi-kun, and all our feelings, have been tainted somehow… Sana : I’m going to cry… Tsuyoshi : Sana-chan… Sana : Sorry, everybody. I’m going home. Tsuyoshi : Sana-chan! Fuuka : Sana! <> Tsuyoshi : Sana-chan! Fuuka : Sana, wait! Aki! <> Hayama : You’re crying… Sana : What are you doing here? Hayama : Hey! Sana : Let me go! <> Hayama : Is that really something to cry about? Sana : Leave me alone! Hayama : No! Sana : Let me go! Hayama : Sana! Sana : I told you not to call me that! Everything’s totally ruined! <> Sana : I hit him…well, so what? It was his own fault! Nobody understands what I’m feeling…well, of course they don’t, I haven’t said anything. Tsuyoshi : So we all chased after Sana-chan, but she runs too fast… Aya : And it was only Hayama who could run after her. Fuuka : Thanks… Tsuyoshi : He’s back! Fuuka : What happened to Sana? Hayama : She yelled at me and slapped me and went home. What’s with her? I understand her even less than I did before. Fuuka : I’m stupid. <> Fuuka : Even though I’ve been hurt by rumors myself, and I thought I knew that you can’t believe them… Aya : But the scale of the rumors was different for Sana-chan… Fuuka : So Sana wasn’t dating Kamura Naozumi after all…what are you going to do? Hayama : Nothing but what I’m doing now. I’m going out with you now, so that has nothing to do with me. <> Fuuka : I would like to believe that, but I can’t really believe what you say. Hayama : Why not? Fuuka : Last month I lent you a CD and told you to give it back tomorrow, and you still haven’t returned it! And even if we say we’re going out, all we ever do is walk home from school together, and that only on the days you don’t have karate! We’ve gone out on dates twice, with Aya-chan and Tsuyoshi… Hayama : Wait there. Fuuka : Huh? Where are you--? <> Fuuka : I can’t understand that guy. Even though we’ve been going out for two months, I feel like I’m dating an animal whose behavior I can’t understand…I knew that Akito really liked Sana-chan…but I started to think he was a nice guy, and I started to like him… <> Fuuka : He looked really depressed and lonely when that article came out, and I felt sorry for him…so it may have been partly out of pity that I asked him to be my boyfriend… My CD!? No way, you just ran all the way home? …But now that I think about it, I’ve really gotten to like him. <> Hayama : I’ll walk you home. Fuuka : It’s that way. …Even though Sana’s back now, and that article was wrong, I guess I just have to trust Akito. Misako : Sana came home crying? Rei : Yeah, she looked like she’d been crying… Misako : That is adolescence! Let her cry, for the time will come when she can no longer depend on us! Rei : I don’t understand why you’re so moved… Sana : Everything’s messed up inside my head. Everybody believed the media, just like those girls who hurt me. And the person who I was at the burger shop on the way home from school feels strange to me. How did “among my friends” and “at school” become places where it was painful to be? Rei : Sana-chan… <> Rei : You’ve got a meeting for work, and they’d like you to come if you can. Sana : What is it? Rei : An hour-long special episode of “Kodocha.” If you can’t go, I’ll go by myself… Sana : No, I’ll go! I haven’t done “Kodocha” in a long time because of the movie! --Hi! Rei : Hi! Sana : Maeda-san! <> Sana : Does this mean Naozumi-kun’s here too? Where? Where? --In his dressing room. Sana : Naozumi-kun! Listen to this, Naozumi-kun, you won’t believe it! Naozumi : Sana-chan, I’m in the middle of getting changed. Sana : Listen, listen! Oh…are those scars from your burns? It seems so hazy to me now…but you protected me from the fire sparks… <> Sana : Naozumi-kun has always been so kind to me…maybe it would’ve been better if I had been going out with him like the rumors said… Naozumi : Sana-chan? Sana : Yeah? Naozumi : What if someone saw us? Sana : I don’t care what they write anymore. Let’s go off and leave this common world in search of a far-away Shangri La! Naozumi : Sana-chan! Get a grip! Did something happen at school? Sana : Yeah… Naozumi : What? <> Sana : I think it would be too insensitive to talk about it with you… Naozumi : Come on and tell me! You’ve never been afraid of being insensitive before! Sana : Well, everybody believed that article…even my closest friends… Naozumi : This seems a bit suspicious…I wonder which came first, this misunderstanding or Hayama starting to date that girl? Sana : What do you mean? Naozumi : She’s as dim as ever in these kinds of things… <> Naozumi : Sorry, I’ve got to go. Sana : I’m sorry for suddenly… Anyway, where are you going? Naozumi : I’m going to be the guest on a talk show, talking about “The Water Castle.” It’ll be on tomorrow, so will you watch it if you can? Sana : Yeah! Good luck! --So, we’ll be having a one-hour special episode of “Kodocha,” and we want to have a segment for Sana-chan’s return… Sana : I’m back! --You don’t have to say it now… We’ll start taping tomorrow… Sana : Tomorrow? That soon? Fuuka : I guess Sana’s out working again…I wonder if she’s going to quit school entirely? I’ll take notes for her anyway; that should make her happy. Sana : A lot of young kids joined while I was gone! --That’s because most of the kids graduated, but you got held back! Sana : Today was really fun! Rei : Yeah, it really looked fun. Sana : Working is fun! Rei : I’m glad you like it. Sana : I’m starting to think that maybe I should just focus on my work…but I’d better not say that to Rei-kun yet. He’d be so happy that he’d get me enough work to kill me! Misako : Welcome back. Sana : I’m home! Misako : Kamura-kun’s interview on TV just started. <> Sana : Right, that’s the talk show he taped yesterday! --We’ve been hearing a lot of things about you and your costar, Kurata Sana-chan. Sana : They’re talking about me? Misako : Of course! --And a ‘declaration of love’ has been published in a certain magazine… Naozumi : That’s false. It’s getting to be quite troublesome that everyone believes it…the truth is that I do like her. But she turned me down. --Are you sure you want to talk about this, Kamura-kun? Naozumi : It’s fine. Sana : No, no, Naozumi-kun! Don’t say anything! What about your dignity!? Naozumi : It’s because there was already someone whom Sana-chan liked. Sana : Naozumi, why you--! Rei : There’s no point in yelling at the TV, Sana-chan, it was taped yesterday. --I’d like to know who this person is. An actor? Naozumi : No, an ordinary person. I can’t say who it is, but I can give you a hint. The morning she left to go shooting on location, he was jogging, and he went to see her off. <> --Well, I don’t know who it is at all! Naozumi : You shouldn’t know who it is! Anyway, that’s what Sana-chan told me, and it’s the truth. --I see…even though you do a lot of work together… Sana : Cut! Cut now! Snip-snip! Misako : It’s no use. Rei : It’s already been broadcast nationally. <> Sana : Oh no! Even if no one else knows, he knows! Hayama knows that I like him! Rei-kun…where is Naozumi-kun now? Rei : At his house, I’d imagine. Sana : Get the car! Naozumi : Hi! This is your first time here, isn’t it? <> Naozumi : Now girls come visit my apartment at night! --How you’ve grown! Sana : Don’t joke any more. Naozumi : Let me go! Sana : Naozumi-kun, do you like it when people tell other people what you’re feeling like that? Naozumi : No… Sana : Then why’d you do that? Naozumi : Did you think… <> Naozumi : That I wasn’t just a bit bitter about being rejected by you? I think you can forgive me if I tease you that much… Sana : That’s not the problem! He’s already got a girlfriend! That’s why I absolutely couldn’t let him know how I feel! Because his girlfriend is my friend, and you weren’t thinking about her feelings at all! Naozumi : Well, I don’t know her. <> Naozumi : Besides, Sana-chan, I think you need to find out more about your own situation. You don’t really know yet whether or not Hayama-kun likes you. If nothing else, I’m sure that he did before you went away. Sana : That’s not true! Naozumi : You don’t know that! Sana : So how would you know it, Naozumi-kun? Naozumi : Everybody knows but you! Sana : It’s not true! I won’t believe it until he tells me so himself! Naozumi : Then why don’t you ask him? Sana : Naozumi-kun! <> Sana : Naozumi-kun, I am never talking to you again! Naozumi : She’s never talking to me again… --How sad… Naozumi : I only did it because I was on her side. I wish she understood that. Sana : Stupid Naozumi-kun! <> Sana : Rei-kun…I think I need to take a break from school… Rei : Yes…but you really have to go to school on days when you don’t have to work. Those are your mother’s orders. Sana : Maybe things will work out…it’s possible that no one was watching TV last night…and besides, Hayama didn’t tell anybody else that he went to see me off…so maybe nobody knows it but him. So things should be just fine as long as I’m not alone with Hayama…then it could be weird. Yeah, if I don’t see Hayama, then it’ll be fine! And I’m in the furthest class from his, so I can avoid him if I want to! <> Fuuka : Good morning, Sana! Sana : Hi! Good, it looks like Fuuka didn’t see it. --OK, everybody pair up! --Sana-chan! --I saw Kamura-kun talking about you last night! --Is it true that there’s another guy you like? Fuuka : There’s a guy you like? And it’s not Kamura-kun? That’s the first I’ve heard about it… <> Sana : I can’t say! And besides, you shouldn’t trust rumors! Fuuka : Yeah, I agree. Sana : Then let’s stop talking about this and exercise! Ow! My finger! Fuuka : Should I go with you to the nurse’s office? Sana : No, I’m fine! Keep going! Finally I can get away… --This should be all right. Sana : Thank you very much! --Are you not feeling well? Sana : I’ve kind of got cramps…can I rest for a while? --All right… Sana : Heh heh, maybe I can stay here until school ends. --I’ll get you some medicine. Sana : Thanks! --Be quiet, because someone’s sleeping beside you. Sana : Looks like I woke him up… <> Sana : Um…what’s wrong? Hayama : I didn’t get any sleep last night…and I was so sleepy today that I feel out of my chair right in the middle of class… Sana : That sounds bad…Nurse, I’m fine now! --But I just got the medicine out! Sana : Thanks, I’m fine! <> Hayama : Kamura said something strange on TV last night…and I thought, ‘what’s he saying?’… <> Hayama : But I have been worried because I don’t know whether it’s true or not…so please tell me the truth, because I won’t believe it unless you tell me yourself.