And so, she survived.
Caked in mud and baked by the sun,
Inogi made it back alive.
Hey, are you okay?
Guys, listen um! Sorry to interrupt the fun.
Another senior has landed a job!
She'd like to have a word. Here's Horigai!
Get up! Say something.
Well, you know...
I'm just lucky.
There aren't many applicants for jobs in my hometown.
Horigai, what's the job?
I'll be...a child welfare caseworker.
A what?
A child welfare caseworker!
Horigai's gonna save kids?!
Lucky civil servant!
Tax thief!
Now you have a job, your next goal is your hymen.
Any hone you won't graduate a virgin? Any prospects?
Could you stow using that word?
It's demeaning and downright insulting.
Can't we call it something more casual and 000?
You mean “non your cherry”?
That's not DOD at all.
Like what, then?
How about "potyomkin”? I'm a little "potyomkin.”
It sounds cute.And rebellious,too. “My Revolution”kinda stuff.
Fuck that potyomkin.
Go ahead and make fun of yourself. It reveals your true nature.
You worry me.
You'll never make it.
I'll never make what?
Look, that kinda job means
goin' in and messin' with someone's life, right?
You think you're hot shit.
You got the balls to mess with others, right?
Yeah, right. I'm just some lazy-ass potyomkin.
I feel sorry for the kids I'm gonna save.
You're ignorant about others. Totally ignorant.
Zero imagination!
You'll never make it as a child—welfare—whatever.
Ain't I right?
What do you think? Hey!
— Right,guys? — Yossy,You re late!
Sorry, we're late.
Oh, Yossy's table needs a salad.
We haven't finished! Don't run away, Horigai!
I'm Joining you guys.
He's calling you.
Ignore him. I was this close to throwing salad in his face.
I had to go to the police to vouch for this guy.
I'm Homine...in the Lit Department. Yossy and I are in the same club.
Even though they released him, he's feeling down. So I brought him along.
Why the police?
He's a kidnapper. He abducted a child.
That's not what happened.
An eight-year—old boy lives below me. His name is Shogo.
And his parents don't feed him.
They just ignore him.
Neglect?
Exactly. They neglect him.
His Barents just left him there. So I let him stay with me.
Without permission? You did that?
He was gonna starve to death.
Maybe. But that's going too far.
Naturally, his mom got unset that her son was missing.
And of course, Homine was arrested for kidnapping.
Is it funny? You prick!
Ow, stop it. That's assault. Your second offense.
The notice believed me, so I'm okay.
But nothing's changed for Shogo. So I'm really worried.
Ending up as a kidnapper...
You can hurt yourself being too kind to others.
Once, I gave my seat to an old woman. She scolded me for my posture.
But I prefer unfortunate souls like you.
Losers intrigue me more than winners.
Horigai, you're an intriguing person. I'd never get bored with you.
I have a great idea, Homine. Marry me, will ya?
Shall we tie the knot?
Civil servants lead stable lives.
What?! That's an impure motive...
But I can tell you're fickle when it comes to husbands.
Wow, you read me like a book.
Over two years, I've had more than ten imaginary weddings.
Why'd you decide to go into child welfare?
Did something happen?
Well, since you ask me... There was something.
But if I told you, you'd laugh at me.
What was it? Try me.
I'm going that way.
Okay.
It's a long story. I'll tell you next time.
Alright, I can't wait. Take care. Good night.
Good night.
Oh, hold on.
Actually, I have a favor.
It's a survey for my thesis. I'm asking everyone.
Your thesis?
A bunch of ridiculous questions, so don't take it seriously.
Okay, I'll bring it next time. And you can tell me your story.
Deal.
Bye.
In the autumn of my senior year, I miraculously got an early job offer.
I had time to waste since my new job wouldn't start till spring.
Like a termite, I chewed through my every day.
Lookin' good.
You got an interview?
You got class?
None. I'm here to receive the goods. I have work after this.
Ah, your thesis survey? I need more time.
No rush at all. I appreciate it.
All right. I'm off.
Yossy, good luck!
Your fly is oven.
No, it's not!
What a simple guy.
The responses, right?
Oh, my god. You collected that many!
I made full use of my small network. So here are 36 replies!
Whoa, that's super helpful. Thanks!
I had to beg many peonle to complete your survey.
You know I'm a shy person. I can't give you these for free.
No, not money. I want you to attend my Western Philosophy class tomorrow.
And take notes. That's the condition.
Until then, these babes are my hostages.
Come on, that's easy-peasy.
I'm done with most of my requirements. I've got time to kill.
But my Western Philosophy class starts at 9:00 AM.
9:00 AM...?
Yasuda, how are you getting on?
I got the hang of it. Thanks!
Ask Horigai whatever.
Okay.
Are these ready?
I'll take them.
Thank you.
Hurry up.
Horigai?
Remember the girl I told you about?
Oh, the one who looks like E.T.?
It's not an exact resemblance. She's like E.T., but super pretty.
— Keen working. — Sorry.
What about your E.T.?
It's crazy. I found out she loves stand—up as much as me.
What's more, she loves young comedians. Just like me, right?
How would I know?
So it feels like destiny this time. It really does.
Yasuda, are you doing okay?
I am! We have the same sense of humor.
That means we'd be the perfect match and...
Not that, not that.
You've been here for a week and all you do is talk.
Chill. I have my own way of concentrating.
Hey, look! The wrapper's ripped.
For real?
I'll handle it. Go back to the line.
Oh, my god. So many came...
It's too many. Can we stow the line?
Just Wave' em.
— I can't. Oh, no. - Don't touch. Hands up...
Hi, hello. Excuse me.
May I copy your lecture notes, please?
I overslept. Class was over when I got here.
I'm not a Philosophy student, but she has my goods.
She's holding my babes hostage till she gets the notes.
Right, I'm bad at explanations. I always make a mess of my words.
So anyway, may I cony your notes, please?
Sorry, I have class.
Wait! But the hostages... I'm begging you.
Do we know each other?
Horigai, senior in Sociology. I know I sound pushy.
But if I don't bring her the notes, she'd do anything.
The hostages might be ripped up or even burned.
That's how ruthless my friend is, see?
I've no clue what you're talking about. Sorry, I gotta go.
You promised you'd never cheat!
Stop it.
You called the other girls scum!
I said I'm sorry.
Calm down.
Get off me! Don't touch me!
Fine, then. I'll end it all.
It's your fault.
Your girlfriend is gonna die!
I'll kill myself.
Get off me! Don't touch me!
Get off me! I'm gonna die!
Leave me alone! Let me die!
You can see her getting off.
Thank you so much. I owe you a lifetime!
I need it back the day after tomorrow.
No problem. I'll photocopy it, so I can return today.
That's today's handout.
Okay.
How about during lunch?
Actually, I gotta go to work now. But anytime in the evening is fine.
Let's text each other. I'll go anytime, anywhere you want.
Let's see. Lemme read your OR code.
How about meeting at eight in front of the station?
Sounds perfect.
Thanks.
Here.
Okay.
And, what was your name again?
I'm Inogi. I'm a junior in Philosophy.
Thanks.
Hi there.
Hey.
Picking Shifts?
Yen.
Is it true you're quitting at the end of the year?
Yeah, I'm going back home for work.
Oh, I see.
I'm getting worried. D'ya think I can handle the Job by myself?
Don't worry. I've done QC alone for all these years.
At first, I messed up just like you do.
I've got time to kill.
How about a drink? It's mayday. I'll treat you.
For real? I'm definitely in!
Let's do it.
It's my lucky day!
What the hell?
No, they're nothing. My buddy out them there to tease me.
That's an obvious lie. So you like Western women.
No, I don't.
You're a big guy, so it makes sense.
Not at all.
Actually, I'm going home.
Why? Let's have a drink.
I gotta go.
Did you get mad at my Joke?
I just remembered I got plans. That's all, sorry.
What a drag.
Thank you for coming all this way.
No problem.
Thank you.
No problem.
You work here?
I'm on the cleaning staff.
I polish the floors here.
Did I make you wait?
None. I pretended I was a veteran con tailing a suspect.
You know what I mean?
Wait, are you drunk?
Yen.
Bye, then.
Actually, it's my payday.
If you don't mind, let me treat you.
You still need to eat?
Where shall we go? You hungry?
I'll treat you to anything. Of course, nothing expensive.
There's a place near my house.
A café bar I wanna try.
That way.
Sure. Let's go.
That way.
How long were you waiting?
Thirty minutes.
Thirty minutes?
You've been a con for 30 minutes?
Yeah, but a veteran.
More like a suspect.
So, it's the middle of your junior year.
You'll start job-hunting soon, right?
Now you landed a job, you can coast. All you gotta finish is the thesis?
Sneaking of which...
I'd like to ask you, too.
It's a survey for my thesis.
“Childhood Environments and Visions of Success.”
Everyone has their own vision of success, right?
Some want to be rich, some want to live on a tropical island.
And then others Just want a normal, happy family.
Here.
Those differences may come from family structures,
childhood friendships, or things you learned as a kid.
To examine that, I need responses from lots of people.
That sounds tough.
It's pretty ho—hum as a thesis.
I wish I could find 300 respondents.
But with my limited network, I'll set 200 if I'm lucky.
Don't think too much. Write what comes to your head.
“Family structure.”
My parents divorced when I was 14 and my grandma raised me.
Write “Parents divorced, raised by grandmother.”
My Barents got divorced, too. I lived with my mom and grandma.
Really? Where are you from?
The sticks of Wakayama. What about you?
I was in Okayama until 14. Then I moved to Shodoshima.
An island girl! That sounds cool.
My grandma runs an inn right on the Inland Sea.
It was just the two of us.
It sounds like a Ghibli movie!
Interesting...
Hey, can I finish that?
Bottoms up.
Yay.
Too sweet.
A girly drink...
Look at your face!
You look hideous.
A total weirdo.
Sorry, did I fall asleep?
Well, you kept refusing to sleep.
You were screaming, “Homine! Homine!”
So I brought you here for your own good.
I don't remember one bit of that.
Is Homine your boyfriend?
In my dreams...
I see.
Actually, I think he just showed up in my dream.
What a house.
Do you live here alone?
Yup.
My relatives used to run a shop here, but they moved out.
And now they rent it to me for cheap.
Lucky you.
It's the fourth time I've told you.
My bad.
Look at your face. Did Puyo Puyo kill your Barents, or what?
Do you wanna play me?
You suck at it. Try again?
Maybe not.
Let's try another game.
Do you want water?
I have tea and coffee, too.
Water's fine for me.
One summer day 13 years ago, four-year-old Akira Nakayami
suddenly vanished from this riverbank.
On their way home from crawfishing, the dad took his eyes off his son.
It happened in those ten, short seconds.
Was he kidnapped? Or spirited away?
Without a single substantial lead,
a long thirteen years have passed.
Here you go.
Thanks.
Have you heard about this missing kid?
Maybe I saw it on the news.
Akira Nakagami...
There were rumors he was kidnapped by a crime family,
forced to help them, and pimped out to pedophiles.
Oh, no. That's horrible.
The real world is full of scary shit. Wanna try Mario Kart?
I'm not cut out to be a gamer.
Losing never bothers me.
Or maybe...
I'm always just waiting to lose. That's my pitiful mentality.
When I was a third grader,
I had an all-out fight with this short boy. a troublemaker in my class.
How come?
I don't remember, but it was something stupid.
But I'm 100% sure I wasn't to blame.
I fought really well for a girl The brat was almost crying.
But then...
This big, brawny kid, whose name was Imada or Yamada,
stewed out from the crowd.
And he just kicked me in the stomach.
He kicked you? Not the boy?
Right.
That turned the tables. The brat teamed up with that Imada—or—Yamada kid.
Together, they beat me to a pulp.
I ended up with a nosebleed.
That's awful. Life's so unfair.
I call it my “Ima—Yamada Incident.”
Ever since, losing never bothered me.
That mentality is stuck in my soul.
That brat and Ima—Yamada...
I wonder where they are now.
I changed schools after that, so I've no clue.
Gotta punish those idiots. We can hit'em with a scooter.
They're adults. A scooter might not do it.
They should suffer as kids.
I'm sad I wasn't there for you.
Outside, your hair's so red.
Soon, I won't be able to do stuff like this.
I'm aware it doesn't suit me.
It matches you, all crazy.
How should I take that?
Well, I gotta go to the library.
Oh, wait up. Wait!
Could you ask your friends to answer my survey?
Okay.
I don't have lotsa friends, so probably not so many. But I'll try.
I appreciate it. Without them, I can't start writing.
The perfect excuse to be lazy, right?
I'll let you know.
There's no rush. Take your time.
Gotcha.
“My beautiful daughter—in—law caring gently for me. That'll be my success.”
Photocopies? Didn't you actually attend?
Well, a lot happened, and a really kind person saved me.
Okay, whatever. Here you go.
Thanks a bunch!
Huh? That's Yossy.
Oh! Hey, Yossy!
What's the rush?
You remember Homine from Lit? He came to our party once.
Yun. I didn't get his contact info. Can you share his account with me?
The thing is...
Homine's...dead.
He's dead? Like literally dead?
How?
In a motorcycle accident yesterday.
He's from Shimane.
They'll have a funeral, and I think I should go.
Shimane...okay.
Yeah, Shimane.
Bye.
Homine was supposed to listen to why I chose that job.
But without someone to hear it my story was left hanging in the air.
It's crazy; We have so much in common. We couldn't stop texting last night.
We're the perfect match, right? I guess I'm gonna win this game.
So I'm thinking to take my E.T. to some stand—up.
That means we're having a date. So maybe the zoo or a movie is better?
Or, is a theme Dark a safer bet?
Whether it's an interview or an internship,
first impressions matter most.
Because you can only make a first impression once.
Clean attire, clear and polite greetings,
even your manner of walking...
They are all tools to give a bright and sincere impression.
When your hair's down, you look unkempt.
I recommend putting your hair up for your job hunt.
What you may think is fashionable
can actually give a negative impression. so I suggest...
Say. - -
You're Yossy, right?
I'm Homine's brother.
I always saw the pics Of you my brother posted.
So you already feel like my friend.
I'm Yoshizaki. Homine and I were on the basketball team together.
Let's have a seat.
You were with him the day before, right?
He posted a pic.
A moron making a racket at my place.
We stayed up drinking at his place.
What did you talk about?
Well, Just stupid stuff like usual. I don't really remember.
Isn't there anything you remember talking about that last night?
Well, just normal stuff. Like which 000 idol is cute...
And we played Winning Eleven. He sucks at it.
Yeah, nothing serious.
What did we talk about?
My brother...
Wasn't he different than usual?
Why ask that?
Go get a teacher. I'm staying with her.
Yossy! Yossy!
Yossy!
Yoshizaki, why are you ignoring me?
Sorry, I didn't see you. I'm in a rush.
You skin school. You don't answer my calls.
I had stuff to do. Sorry I was busy.
How was Shimane? I can't stop thinking about Homine.
It was just a normal funeral.
I should've gone, too.
You weren't close to him. You'd have been out of place.
I'm in a hurry. Bye.
Oh, how is my survey going?
Who gives a flying shit? Stop forcing yourself on people.
Hello?
Hi, it's Horigai.
Is it a good time to talk?
Yeah. What's up?
I'm on my way home from school.
It's so cold, like I'm on some mountaintop.
It sure is.
And?
I just wanted to ask you something.
That knitted hat you always wear looks so warm.
I'm wondering where you found it. The one with earflaps.
Oh, this hat? Lemme think...
A knick—knack shop in Shimokitazawa sells it for 1,980 yen.
It's warm, but if you wear it too long, it gets itchy.
Inogi, where are you?
Enoshima Island.
Enoshima?
What're you doing?
In this freezing cold, I'm just sitting, doing nothing.
Oh, with your boyfriend?
No, I don't have one. I'm by myself.
Oh, okay.
The ocean here is different from the Inland Sea.
The sound of the waves, the sea air... Everything is totally different.
I could've kept you company.
Oh, yeah.
Maybe I should 've asked you.
You should've.
I wish I had a girlfriend like you next to me now.
What? Me? As your girlfriend?
Right.
I wouldn't recommend myself as a girlfriend.
Have you had a boyfriend?
Six months ago, I broke up with a senior from my department.
We were together for a year.
He was so sweet.
But a lot happened.
I didn't handle things well,
so it careened towards its end.
It's hard. Anything involving other people is hard.
That's true.
Maybe I should head home.
You should. or you'll catch a cold.
Can I visit your place sometime?
Anytime.
But I'm kinda a hoarder. I step on bra hooks and bleed.
Sounds like fun.
Where do you live?
You know Fuchu Forest Park?
Go all the way down from the station, and...
Horigai, a word, please? Are you in touch with Yasuda?
Did he say anything?
So he didn't show up again?
Right. He doesn't answer my calls. It's the third time he's skipped his shift.
He's probably ditching us. Now we're in trouble.
You'll quit in two weeks, right? Even if I hire someone,
it's next to impossible to train them in two weeks.
I'll figure it out. Anyway. keen up the good work.
Hello? It's me, Horigai.
Yasuda, are you alive?
Hello?
Hey, wait. Wait!
I'm gonna tell you something between us, okay?
I'm a virgin. I've never penetrated.
Come on! You're only 20.
Don't feel embarrassed. You ll have millions of chances.
I've had girlfriends, and we tried stuff like netting.
Then you're almost there. One more thrust. Just push it in.
Last week, I took my E.T. to see stand—up.
We laughed pretty hard, we had dinner, the mood was great,
and I went to her place.
But I couldn't. I couldn't penetrate her.
Why not?
It's too bis. My cock.
I got a huge cock. Way too big.
Wanna see?
— None. — Just a look?
— No, thanks. Sit down. — Come on...
Girls always cry or show pain.
When they react like that, I can't go on.
Ever since that night, my E.T. stopped reading my messages.
I'm done.
How about big-boned girls? Or foreign women?
But I like small and cute girls.
It's not that I'm ashamed of being a virgin or that I'm desperate for sex.
I mean, I do want sex.
But my point is...
Even if two people are serious,
even if they're in love, sometimes it just doesn't work.
So I lose hone and I suffer.
Sometimes mind and body aren't in sync.
I'm sorry about your E.T. Grin and bear it and move on.
How?
You look pretty good. Just meet one girl after another.
You'll find your match. That's what God is telling you.
It's your turn, Yasuda.
I'm treating tonight, so sing your heart out.
Come on, Yasuda, I'm waiting.
Or I'll torture you with an oldie medley.
Yasuda?
Why do I gotta grin and bear it?
Why must I grin and bear it?
Why'd I gotta grin and bear my giant cock?
You don”: get it at all.
You remember the nude photos of those Western women?
You laughed at them.
Oh, yeah.
This photo. You laughed at it.
Foreign women don”: turn me on at all.
They don't make it twitch.
But to train myself to get excited by foreign women, I carry it every day.
Still, it doesn't work. My cock won't twitch an ounce.
Radio silence. That's my cock's reaction.
Horigai, please just see it.
Give it a glance for my cock's sake.
Stop it, Yasuda.
Isn't it sick? Isn't it huge?
Isn't it gross?
Yeah, I saw it.
I saw it, so out your pants back on. I really saw it.
I'm sorry.
I didn't get it at all, the pain you suffer.
I'm really sorry.
So, nut your pants on, okay?
— Horigai? — Yeah, okay.
I want to drink hot tea that you pour for me.
Alright, I'll make some. Just no more trouble, okay?
What're you doing here?
I was nearby, so I brought the surveys.
Playing Xevious? That's an oldie.
You like it? You like Xevious?
I do, too. Xevious is great.
Here you are.
“Childhood Environments and Visions...”
It's hard. I can't read it.
I'm leaving you two.
Why don't you come inside?
You must've been freezing.
Aren't you busy?
Not a chance.
Here you are.
Thanks.
Sorry to make you sit on the cold floor.
He fell asleep.
This room will smell sour by the morning.
He had a tough day.
He was crying and showing his cock to me.
My god! What happened'?
But...
I couldn't look at his cock. I kept looking away.
I told him I saw it, but that was a lie.
I should've at least peeped at it...
For his sake, at least. Now I'm Dissed at myself for not looking.
How can I truly see someone's pain if I can't even look at it?
There's no way I'll make it in child welfare.
Child welfare...
That means saving abused children?
That's so impressive.
I wish I knew what I wanted to do.
There's work you wanna do. And there's work you can do.
I'm learning the hard way that there can be a big gap between them.
Wait a minute. You haven't even started.
Is it like the Dost-honeymoon blues?
Well, a lot's happened recently.
So I really get that now.
What made you wanna do child welfare?
Akira Nakagami...
The boy who went missing 13 years ago.
Remember the TV show we saw at your place?
Yeah.
I was a Junior in high school when I first heard about him on TV.
Kidnapping's pretty common.
But somehow,
I became obsessed with his case. It was like something came over me.
Always wondering where he was and what he was doing,
I couldn't sleep or eat.
And even though I wanted to take action,
there was nothing I could do.
I felt powerless.
I decided that one day I'd search for him.
I decided I'd find him.
And that's the story of how I chose to work in child welfare.
I'm aware how silly it sounds.
And I know it's so roundabout.
And delusional, too. I'm well aware of all that.
So I'd never told anyone before.
Hey.
Akira is...
He must be alive, right?
He's alive somewhere as a 17-year-old boy.
What if you could talk to him
via telepathy right now...
What would you say to him?
“One day. . . ”
“I'll find you for sure.”
“So don't give up. Just wait for me.”
“Those assholes who abducted you...”
“They mess with your soul and with your being.”
“They violate you...”
“But they get older and weaker day by day.”
“So don't ever give up.”
“You're eternally younger than those idiots.”
That was terrible. I know it.
I always make a mess of my words. And that reveals my true nature.
What you said is enough.
That's how I feel.
I'm back.
She was cute.
Right. But I won't be introducing you.
Are you a lesbian?
What?
It's not what you think.
These photos help me relax.
The calculated smiles of pretty girls.
Their world brings me peace of mind.
I don't know why, though.
It's my secret.
Maybe I'll tell you my secret, too.
The other day, I attended an etiquette lecture.
The lecturer told me to tie my hair up, or I'd look unkempt in an interview.
That might be good advice.
Should I really share this in my interview?
But, hey...
Who knows if they'll even hire me? I won't risk it.
That makes sense.
Well, good night. Or rather, good morning?
I spent my last Winter holiday as a student
stuck in the mood from that night.
Back home for the New Year,
I'd planned to finish my thesis.
But I lazed the days away and accomplished nothing.
I'm grateful to you all
for your kindness to someone like me.
Thank you so much for these three and a half years.
Thank you. Good luck in Wakayama.
Thank You ./ Congratulations!
Is Yasuda doing okay?
Oh yeah, he's doing great. He's the ace of the QC line.
This plant will continue smoothly without me.
I ended up dashing off my thesis in just one week.
I feel bad for everyone who filled out my survey.
My thesis ended up rambling and sloppy.
Horigai.
Did you turn in your thesis?
Yun.
I was looking for you.
Sorry, they're late. But here are the surveys.
Yeah, too late.
Thanks, though.
These are why you were looking for me?
Yeah.
Actually...
When I went to Homine's funeral in Shimane,
his brother told me something.
Homine...
He didn't die in an accident.
He...
He did it himself.
Why?
Nobody knows the reason.
The night before, we stayed up late drinking.
When I say he seemed his normal self,
I feel like I'm some idiot.
Can a person be their normal self the day before they hang themselves?
That can't be possible.
He must have been different somehow.
But...
I didn't notice a thing.
The last thing we talked about was you.
You proposed to him, right? He was laughing so hard.
And he said he wanted to drink with you again.
He doesn't usually say stuff like that.
Every time I see you, you remind me of Homine.
You remind me how totally oblivious I was to his desperate signals.
That's why I've been cold and avoided you.
I've felt guilty about it.
The last time we met, he asked me to give you this.
His vision of success:
“Running a snorts bar that doesn't need many customers”
Do your best!
I don't know what that is. Doraemon? Korosuke?
Maybe just his creation?
People die...
just as casually as we brush our teeth in the morning.
Maybe they don't need a reason.
It hasn't started yet?
I shouldn't have run.
Why bring luggage to the party?
I moved out already.
Ow, this blister hurts.
How was the Job training?
They call it training, but that's a joke.
For a week, they made the future employees work like slaves.
Wow, a sweatshop.
Everything was miserable.
I couldn't make any friends. I'm sure I'll quit in two years.
Oh, well.
Inogi .' I've got oysters. Come celebrate?
Is now too soon?
In any case, I miss college life.
I'd give my college life a passing grade.
The Hall is now open. Students may enter.
Shall we?
No problem! Come now!
You're leaving?
Yeah, something came up.
I'll finish clearing out Homine's apartment tomorrow.
Oh, okay.
His family can't come from Shimane.
So I packed everything and sent it. The place is empty.
I'll text you the address. Come by tomorrow.
Me? Visit his apartment?
Are you busy?
There's not much left. Just a few mementos.
I'll think about it.
I'll be there till noon.
Let me know.
Okay.
Bye.
— They look good. — Amazing!
Yummy.
Carrots for color.
Whoa, this cuts well.
Dancin' on my tongue.
Oh, no. I spilled!
You're a wild girl. Didn't your boyfriend tell you?
He's a senior now, right?
Oh, my ex...
Now he goes out with a very girlish girl.
She's like a little bird.
I feel bad for everything that happened between us.
Wanna make rice porridge?
I forgot to make rice...
Maybe I got some instant.
By the way, what happened with that guy? The tall one who stent like a log?
You mean Yasuda? He left without any trouble.
I thought you were together. You looked like a cool, foreign couple.
We were col leagues, that's all.
Oh, okay.
But to tell the truth...
I was toying with the idea of doing it that night.
Just a thought...
Actually, a deem thought.
I wanted to lose my potyomkin.
Huh? Your potyom—what?
My virginity. It's my 000 name for it.
I didn't know you were.
The reason I'm still a virgin...
It all boils down to my soul, I guess.
Huh? Your soul?
I'm ignorant about others.
Just totally ignorant.
I clearly lack something normal people have normally.
I lack something basic.
But if you ask me what it is, I can't explain.
But I'm sure I'm lacking in it.
I can't catch what normal people catch normally.
I can't do what normal people do normally.
As proof of that,
I'm still a virgin.
I couldn't find rice, sorry.
It's not that I'm ashamed of being a virgin
or that I'm lonely.
But because of that,
I lose hone and I suffer.
“You're a defect that no one wants.”
The fact forces me to admit it.
“Defects like you”
“can never understand how others feel.”
“You don't have the right to intervene in their lives.”
That's what it sounds like to me.
The scar by your ear...
I didn't catch it, either.
Of course not.
I try my best to hide it.
Even so, I still should notice.
Not knowing my goal,
I pushed my way through her body and clung to her.
The scar by my ear...
has wrecked many lives.
It's ruined many things.
My Barents got divorced
because of this scar.
Sorry, are you okay? Are you hurt?
No, I'm okay.
You sure? I'm sorry.
Your knee's bleeding. Let's go to the hospital.
No, I'm fine.
No, you aren't. And, it's my fault...
My parents couldn't handle
what had happened to their daughter.
They divorced when I was 14.
So after all that,
my grandma on Shodoshima took me in...
and raised me.
Not being there to save you
makes me so sad.
The next morning,
a girl found me.
My whole body hurt.
I was numb. I coudn't move.
I had crawled to the riverbank.
But no one was around.
So I thought...
I guess I'm gonna die here alone.
Is she alive?
Go get a teacher.
Go get a teacher! I'm staying with her!
From time to time, I remember that girl,
the feeling that she was my final hone.
Horigai.
You look just like her.
You have her face as a grown—up.
I don't wanna cry. So I won't see you off at the station.
Actually, I decided to drop by one place.
I'll be in Tokyo till evening.
Oh, okay.
Well, thank you for everything.
See ya.
Thanks.
I'll contact you if I need to.
I'll be waiting.
Bye. Take care.
Yo.
You didn't get lost?
None.
Excuse me, then.
Come on in.
I emptied the whole room all by myself. Amazing, no?
I've found my hidden talent. Maybe I should work for a movers.
Here. His mementos.
You were right. There's not much left.
It's the thought behind it. Take something for his sake.
I'll take whatever's left.
Then, I'll choose this.
Okay.
This morning...
we found his will.
What? Today?
Where?
A friend took his old laptop as a memento.
It was in there as a Word file.
When he started up the commuter, he found it and sent it to me.
Wanna read?
Yeah.
“I'm sorry to trouble everyone. That's what I'm supposed to write.”
“But actually, I was never that important to anyone”
“as far as I know.”
“Don't ask me why. I don't even know myself.”
'Sure, I have some concerns and regrets.”
'But the urge prevailed.”
“To my friends and ex-girlfriends, ”
'thank you for everything, I'm really grateful to you all.”
“Please say hi to Shogo, who lives one floor down.”
Shogo must be the boy with him when he got arrested.
Time to go. I gotta return the key to the agent.
It's freezing. Let's go eat some ramen.
What time is your train?
I think you should have this, Yossy.
Huh?
What?
Inogi must've done this.
Do your best!
Let's say hi to Shogo.
What?
Let's say hi to Shogo before we go.
That's Homine's last request.
What's with you?
No, wait!
You idiot! Just stop it.
I'll Just see him and say hi.
I said stop it.
Come on...
Let's get going. He'll never notice you.
Hey, don't be a fool!
You wanna die? Just let it go. You have no connection to that boy.
I gotta tell him about Homine.
Seriously, stop it.
Hey. Are you nuts?
Come back. Oh. no...
I said get back here. Now.
Come back.
You shouldn't.
Hey!
Stop it.
Wu...
You're trespassing.
Inogi?!
Inogi :Can we meet for a bit?
Are you Shogo?
Yeah.
Remember the man living above you?
He cared about you
until his very last moment.
Three Months Later
As I said in my message yesterday,
I'm taking the ferry to Shodoshima now.
If possible, I wanna see you even if it's just for a short time.
I'm sorry for suddenly showing up.
Well...
Bye.
The ferry bound for Shodoshima will depart shortly.
Passengers with tickets, please come to the boarding area.
After all that, I couldn't get hold of Inogi.
That night, without seeing her,
I left Tokyo to go back to Wakayama.
A children's home took Shogo.
Yossy visits him a few times a month.
“Little by little, Shogo has come to trust me.”
That's what Yossy happily told me over the phone.
Inogi took a leave of absence from school
and went back to Shodoshima.
We texted occasionally,
and I asked her why.
“There're many reasons, but I guess I'm tired ”
That was all she wrote.
Since the day I saved Shogo,
I haven't heard her voice.
I wonder what she looked like when she was coloring this.
Whenever I start thinking about her,
it feels like time passes quickly.
This is something I've never experienced.
Hello? Horigai sneaking. It's been a while.
Yeah. It has been.
So, you're already on the ferry?
Right. Maybe I shouldn't have come?
Well...
You know, I really want to see you.
But if you don't want to, I'll drop it.
I'll do some sightseeing and take the ferry back.
Look, on my way here,
I thought of you
and of everybody I met back then.
I miss everyone.
But among them all,
I care about you the most.
And I'm gonna keen caring.
Even if you get fed up with me,
I'll never stop.
I'll care about you as long as I live.
Sorry.
I always make a mess of my words. And that reveals my true nature.
I'm looking forward to seeing you.
Now I work at the local children's support center.
Natural for a rookie, I work fair and square every day.
Last night, we got a call about a crying kid.
They have a girl in second grade who's missed school for a month.
We can't leave until we ascertain her safety.
Okay.
Let's go.
I still don't know
if I'm the right person for the job.
Hello, we're from City Hall.
The laundry is out, so they must be home.
— Wait for me here. — Okay.
Hello?
Eternally Younger Than Those Idiots
Yui Sakuma
Nao
Producer Yoshitaka Fukaya
Cinematography by Eijiro Hirai
Written, Edited, and Directed by Ryohei Yoshino
English Subtitles by Ayumi Kayeyama & Jonathan M. Hall