01x18 - Chizuru's Love

[bunniefuu]

ORIGINAL WORK - SHIINA KARUHO

Time passed,
and now it's the middle of November.

Our dramatic second term will end
in a little less than a month.

"CHIZURU'S LOVE"

Morning, Sawako!

Chizu-chan!

Were you scared? Were you scared?

Yes, I was startled.

No one has ever given me
such a friendly greeting before.

I'll do it every day, if you'd like.

Really?

Of course.

Chizu-chan, you seem so happy.

Do I?

You know, it's pretty cold today.

Makes me realize
the New Year's is almost here!

Almost here?

Yep, almost!

Well, it's still November...

Morning, Kazehaya.

Morning.

It's so cold today, isn't it?

He's wearing a cardigan!

Why does that make you happy?

I haven't seen that since last spring.

Did you notice my messy bed hair?

You're right.

You hadn't noticed it?

I should've acted like this
is how I styled my hair today.

Kazehaya!

Come over here. There's something amazing.

Something amazing?

See ya.

Bed hair... How cute.

That's it?

It's a new sweet red bean flavor.

This looks like it's
from the Heian Period.

When Kazehaya-kun's
surrounded by everyone,

he seems very happy...
so I like watching him.

Speaking of which, I used to think...

"He's so amazing. He always
attracts everyone around him."

"I want to be like him."

You're like a tomato!

As time passed,

it seems like even my feelings have been
advancing step by step.

Crap. This is turning
into a serious pain in the butt.

Your boyfriend?

Yep.

The college student?

Right.

During the day and during the night,
he keeps asking...

"What're you doing? Who are you with?"

"Let's meet up right now."

"Why didn't you text right away?"

"Why can't you come out?"

"Are you with another guy?"

I get up in the morning, go to school,
and attend classes with my friends!

And at night, I sleep!

You're right!

Yano-chin, why are you dating
such a clinger in the first place?

Because he hit on me?

Why do the possessive psychos only act
like true gentlemen in the beginning?

I used to think it was a pain
in the butt to deal with girls,

but now I think guys are worse.

Is that how it is?

I actually think there's
a whole lot more to it.

He must love her so much
that he can't be reasonable.

Seems like everyone has
their own relationship issues.

Ryu.

-I'll swing by your place tonight.
-Sure.

Lemme keep playing that game.

No problem.

Or... do you want to play
a fighting game with me?

Definitely not.

Chizu-chan and Sanada-kun give off
the same kind of vibe.

I do... like Chizuru.

Amazing! It's really rare to see
such a wonderful couple.

I wonder how Chizu-chan
feels about Sanada-kun.

I get the feeling she likes him...

Hey there, Uncle.

Yo, Chizu-chan!

Getting cold, isn't it? I'm gonna work
here during winter vacation again.

Yeah? That would help a lot.
You're our mascot girl.

Thanks. I won't deny that.

All right, I'm going upstairs.

Go ahead.

You know what, Chizu-chan?
I wish you really were my daughter.

I would be if I could!

Time for bed?

You're late.

What? I told you I'd come!

sh**t! No! Gah, I d*ed!

This little lion!

Chimera.

That reminds me of your sleep talking.

I don't talk when I'm sleeping.

That lion... chimera...

By the way...

Ryu, did you want anything?

Within yen, I mean.

A new catcher's mitt.

Within yen!

Anything but "massage" tickets.

Just get me anything.

I never said I'd get you anything!

-I'm going home!
-Okay.

By the way, for New Year's...

Actually, never mind!

Really. Forget it.

Night!

What the heck?

That must have been
her main reason for coming.

Hello.

Hey, Dad's taking a bath right now.

Next week?

I have to tell her, don't I?

Sawako, Yano-chin!

Go shopping with me today!

Shopping!

Sorry. I gotta pass.

What? Why?

I'm going to see my boyfriend.
I need to see him right away.

Later.

Well...

I'm free.

Are you serious? All right!

What will you buy?

Ryu's birthday is just around the corner!

That's fabulous!

You know, I'm pretty loyal.

Let me go!

Calm down, Jo!

She's been sending me flirty signals
for a long time!

You're the one sending signals!

She probably doesn't even know your name!

Babe, do you believe in destiny?

Can't you hear the footsteps? They're
the percussive preludes to our own.

I love you, too!

Who are you?

Stand up!

Stand up!

Stand up, Jo!

KITAHORO SUNSET SHOPPING DISTRICT

What did you give him last year?

I didn't have any money,
so I gave him massage tickets.

Massage tickets?

He used them on the spot.

I had to massage his shoulders
for three hours.

She must care about his health so much.

This year... my budget is yen.

FOOL FOR BASEBALL

This one's perfect!

I can't afford a mitt,
but I can get him a bag for it.

Hold this for me.

I have enough!

I'm surprised.

All right!

I'm gonna splurge a bit this year!

Love?

Jeez, that was one heck of a purchase!

Good for you, Chizu-chan.

A miniskirt?

I thought it'd be okay to change
my style every once in a while.

Ramen! Ramen! Ramen!

I want to know...

Can I really ask?

Or is it too forward?

But...

I feel like it's acceptable
to ask right now.

Chizu-chan!

Chizu-chan, do you like someone?

I said it!

What's this, all of a sudden? Yeah, I do.

It's a long-standing,
one-sided crush, though!

Long-standing crush?

I mean I've liked him for a long time!

Is it... Is it...?

We're childhood friends.

I was right!

Although,
he only sees me as a little sister.

That's not true!

Why?

I don't... think he does...

You don't have to make me
feel better about it.

I'm just a little kid.
I know he doesn't see me as a woman yet!

So... I'm going to be a real catch!

Once I mature... who knows?

I'm glad I asked.

I've never seen her this happy.

It's kind of sad that I rarely
get to see him, though.

He lives in Sapporo, so there
isn't much I can do about it.

Because he didn't come back this summer,

I haven't seen him for nearly a year.

But he'll certainly come back
for New Year's!

He'd better be ready to see
me as a high school girl!

I'm getting confused,
so can I just be more blunt?

What?

You like Sanada-kun, right?

Sawako, do you mean Ryu, by chance?

Yeah.

No way, man!

You know, Ryu's more like...
someone important, like a brother.

I wouldn't mind being his real big sister.

Big... sister?

The person I like is Ryu's older brother!

Man, I'm embarrassed.

Well...

Does Sanada-kun... know?

Ryu?

How wouldn't he?

I see. He knows.

Why?

No. Nothing.

It's... really nothing.

Second!

Shout it out, Sanada!

Yes, sir!

You guys, too!

Yes, sir!

Once more!

You haven't left.

I was with the others, cheering Jo up.

That guy's pretty reckless.

JO

We're planning to have
a "Let's Comfort Jo" party.

Do you have some time next weekend?

Next weekend?

Nope, don't think so.

You have plans?

Well, I mean...

My brother's coming home.

How about this?

Looks cold.

That would take a strong will.

Of course! I'm fired up enough
to stay warm!

-And I have nice legs, right?
-I feel like Chizu-chan is shining.

She's such a maiden in love.

I know how wonderful it feels
to see someone you really like.

Ryu. Morning.

Good... morning...

Morning.

Morning.

Morning.

Hey, Kazehaya. What do you think
of this kind of stuff?

What? Winter fashion?

Yeah! This miniskirt!

I see. How much is it?

, y...

Are you serious?

And I'm broke right now!

I really wanted this for New Year's!

For New Year's?
Maybe you'll get some holiday money.

That would be too late!

What if Toru is only here
on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day?

So his name is Toru-san?

I didn't say anything!
I didn't say a darn thing... right?

Sure, you didn't say anything... okay?

Why are you shouting
first thing in the morning?

Yano-chin.

We broke up.

Did he dump you?

I dumped him.

It was quite a scene.

Yeah, obviously.

I told him how I honestly felt
and tried to break it off.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm nothing without you, Ayane.

Let's live together, Ayane!

He's not listening
to what I'm saying at all.

I actually wasn't into him.
He just annoys me.

I thought you guys were lovey-dovey.

What made you come to that conclusion?

I can't think of any words to soothe her.

It's not like I was looking forward

to this ending from the get-go.

Yano-chin.

You act like I was the one
who got dumped and made a huge scene!

You got dumped too?
Another broken-hearted comrade!

Don't lump us together!

All love entails at least one person
with a broken heart, but it still hurts!

-Like I said, I dumped him!
-Why are you in denial?

You don't have to play cool!

Yano-chin!

Ryu.

You didn't tell Yoshida about it.

It isn't easy to bring up.

If you were me, would you tell her?

Me?

I think I would.

She's the one to make
the final decision, anyway.

That's what I expected to hear from you.

I guess you're right.

It'd be the worst-case scenario
if she ran to him, excited,

without knowing the truth.

Even so, it's hard to tell her.

New Year's? A miniskirt?

That's awesome!

You think so? I'll get a super girly one!

Well, stick to what compliments you.

What? The girly one won't suit me?

Wow! What a feminine discussion.

I wonder what kind of guy
makes you feel this way.

What? Well...

Hey. Do you think we can meet him, too?

Jeez, that'd be embarrassing.

Chizu-chan looks so happy.

sh**t! I'm not supposed to be happy...

Not while Yano-chin has a broken heart!

Nah, it's totally fine.

I'm sorry, Yano-chin. Be happy again!

Why not throw a "Cheer up, Yano-chin!"
party at my house?

Whatever.

It'll be overnight, this Friday.

Sawako, you're coming, too!

Staying overnight? Me?

We're all gonna play fighting games!

Games?

Chizuru, it's me.

I'm coming in.

Don't come in till I say you can!

What if I was changing clothes?

Right back at you.

It's been a while
since you last came over.

Here.

Not hungry?

You know...

FOR RYU

That was close!

What?

Nothing!

Chizuru, actually...

Get out!

Just get outta here and go home!

But I need to talk to you...

Go home!

What should I do?

Up till now, I was so overwhelmed
with my social life...

that I was never able to think about love.

But I'm sure...

it's as challenging as friendship.

I know this because...

Probably because I fell for Kazehaya-kun.

PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE

Unrestrained smiles... that never fade...

Next episode: "Dream."