01x25 - New Year

[bunniefuu]

ORIGINAL WORK - SHIINA KARUHO

At twelve, I entered middle school.

During the third year of middle school,

I took the entrance exams for Kitahoro
High because it was closest to home.

In the spring, when I was fifteen...

We met.

If only I could be more like Kazehaya-kun...

I thought I would be able
to change some part of myself.

Thank you.

You've always been the one
to set everything in motion.

This year was far different
from the ones before it.

It'd take a long time
just to talk about it...

"NEW YEAR"

I'm sorry. It was boring, after all.

I'm going to try hard next year
in order to change myself...

You're already changing, for the better.

You're much easier to talk to now.

It's okay.

It's okay.

If... If you say things like that...

the makeup Ayane-chan
helped me put on will...

Kuronuma!

Can you wait three seconds?

-Three seconds?
-Like this!

You know, you left a good impression
on me to begin with.

You were smiling
right before the entrance ceremony...

when you gave me directions.

When we became classmates,

I didn't see that smile for a while.

I'd always wondered what
kind of person you were...

I didn't think he remembered
when we first met.

I figured you were a nice person,

but you turned out to be much more...

Much more?

Is it okay to assume that he thinks
I'm much nicer than he thought?

You really shocked me
with your appearance today.

I... I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to frighten you!

That's not what I meant...

by that.

What is it, then?

Forget it!

Let's get ready to visit the shrine.

New Year's Day is around the corner!

You're already changing, for the better.

Have I really been changing?
Maybe he's right.

Didn't you want to look cute
after you met Kurumi?

Think about it again. Why did you
think that way in the first place?

Ayane-chan... There's
only one possible answer to give you.

It's almost too complicated...

She turned out to be
much cuter than I imagined.

I used to wish that I could become
like Kazehaya-kun,

but now, I want to appear as cute
as possible in his eyes.

Arm-in-arm...

What's going on?
How long do we have to do this?

I dunno, man.
Maybe until Jo gets sick of Yano-chin?

I'm going home.

Later, Jo.

Later!

Amazake...

Hey, Ryu!

Jo. Your down jacket...

It's nice, right?
I just bought it recently!

It's probably full of holes
because of the sparks from the bonfire.

-Later.
-Hey! What about the shrine?

We came all the way out here...

Chizu, follow him.

You brought him here
without a proper explanation.

Now you gotta go to him.

Sorry, Yano-chin!

I'll buy your next bowl of ramen!

No, thanks. I'll get fat.

This was expensive...

But here we are, just the two of us...

Ryu!

Why are you going off on your own?

Sorry. It was getting so ridiculous that
I couldn't stand it anymore.

Don't be so blunt.

Why can't you just act
a little more friendly?

Yeah.

Just humor me and try saying "Chii."

Chii!

Not a chance.

Why?

It'll make you smile.

Either way...

No matter how Kuronuma acts
or who they run into tonight...

Shota will take care of it.

I... I guess so.

Leave them alone.
You're enjoying it too much.

Well... I kinda wanna see what happens...

Besides, don't you think
it's unnecessary for you to worry?

They seem to be doing fine.

See?

Anyway, I'm gonna get
some amazake before I go home...

What're you saying?
You're coming to the shrine with me.

Amazake...

-Five, four, three, two, one!
-Five, four, three, two, one!

-Happy New Year!
-Happy New Year!

-Happy New Year!
-Happy New Year!

Let's have another fun year.

Yes, let's.

I'm looking forward
to another year with you.

"Another year"?

A message?

Yes.

Two of them!

TO: YOSHIDA CHIZURU / FROM: SAWAKO
HAPPY NEW YEAR

From Chizu-chan and Ayane-chan!

Won't you respond?

Can I?

Of course!

Happy... New...

They b*at me by sending her
a message first.

Well.

Thanks to them,
I'm having a great time. I owe them.

Hey, Sawako replied!

"Happy New Year."

"I hope we will remain
great friends this year."

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Last year was full of "firsts" for me.

Kuronuma, it's our turn.

HOW TO PAY RESPECT:
TWO BOWS, TWO CLAPS, ONE BOW.

I was able to think about so many things...

and I was able to experience
so many things...

because I met everyone.

It became a year I will never forget.

Thank you.

It's slippery here.

You're right.

Here.

My brother said he'll visit
on New Year's Day...

with his fiancée.

You still don't remember her name, do you?

She got me.

It's Haruka-chan! Get a grip, man!

She'll be your sister-in-law!

I'll come say hi.

Ryu.

If anything ever happens to you,
I'll be there to comfort you.

If such a time comes, I'll count on you.

Let's draw our fortune.

Sure!

FORTUNE SLIPS

I got "great luck"!

Amazing!

"All shall be well
that you wish to be well."

"Control impatience, retain temperance,
and remain calm throughout the year."

"Talk to people for advice, and..."

Can I really do all that?

LOVE

I wonder what I got.

Maybe "small luck"?

"Great luck" would be too...

BAD LUCK

I asked for too much!

I guess I've gotten greedy recently!

Kuronuma, what did you get?

Well...

LOVE: YOU'VE MET THE BEST DON'T HESITATE

You got "bad luck".

I've met the best...

It's right about that.

They say that actually brings
you the best luck...

because it's so rare.

Really?

I'm supposed to tie this to a tree, right?

Kuronuma...

I want you to have this.

Your "great luck" fortune?

But that's...

I feel like
I'll suck out all your good luck.

Go right ahead.

I have great luck, regardless.

Besides... I mean,

I just want you to have it.

It's really crappy for a birthday gift,
but...

Thank you.

Did I have any hesitations?

Thinking back,

I don't know why I was unsure
if it was love or not.

I don't know how I was able

to only view him with admiration.

Awesome. I rang in
the new year with Ayane!

I found you! Jeez! I thought I told you
to stay by the bonfire!

-Mom! I'm in the middle of something!
-We're so sorry about our stupid son.

No worries.

-We're going home!
-Wait!

Look at your jacket!

No New Year's allowance for you!

Gimme a break, Mom!

I've been spared...

God, please erase from history the fact

that I spent time with Jo on New Year's.

Please... I'm begging you.

Looks like they're getting along fine.

I guess I could live
without pulling a fortune.

Anyway...

They really look like a typical couple
when they're together.

Come on!

Go away!

No means no!

Come on! Why not?

-Just a drink or two!
-There are so many idiots.

JAPAN

If only Toru were here...
He could charm his way into their hearts...

That fool said he was going to
his girlfriend's place for New Year's Eve.

Screw marriage!

Don't look at him!

Hey, are you all by yourself?

Nice to meet you!

Wow, you're super hot.
I'm sure you get that a lot.

Someone's scoring?

Give us your number!

How do you feel about guys with glasses?

I won't allow any happiness!

Bye!

Be my lover in my next life!

Thanks for...

You little brat! How dare you get hit on!

Wait! You were the idiot that I just saw?

Why are you following me around?
I'm not interested in kids!

So annoying! Don't ever fall for me!

Like I would!

I'm going home!

Same here!

You're embarrassing me! Get away!

CORN SOUP

Once we climb this slope,

we'll be on the path
we usually take to school.

And it's...

This is the place where we first met.

Yes.

I wonder what this year will bring...

This is great...

Yep, it's great...

Do you see that abandoned house?

Yeah...

They say things appear there...

What things?

Not telling.

Hey! Tell me what appears in there!

Wait! Don't leave me here!

Hey, Kurumi, what's your wish?

What'd you write?

It's a secret!

Aww! Tell me!

Come on, just a peek?

Okay. Just a peek.

POTATO CHIPS

This?

Baked chips?

-Sounds good!
-Okay, let's get a bag.

-Happy New Year!
-Happy New Year!

What's up?

Spending New Year's together!

-Yeah!
-Yeah!

Us, too!

Hey, why don't we all hang out?

I sense ulterior motives from you.

Sawako hasn't come home yet?

There you go again, dear.

Come and have some of this.
It's sweet. Say "ah."

It is sweet.

Have another.

Let's go.

Yeah...

See you later.

Yes. Thank you.

I had... a lot of fun.

Same here!

Bye.

Yes, take care!

Can I really "control my impatience"
this year?

I'm not too confident...

"Love fortune. Devote your love,
and happiness will come."

He's a classmate.
And a boy sitting next me in class.

But... I don't think he's just a "friend."

He is... beyond a "friend."
Too "distant" to be one.

He makes me greedy... and makes me
want to be more than "friends."

He's someone I like.