03x05 - Fortune Favors the Bold

[bunniefuu]

♪

[thuds]

[ISHIZAKI] You better quit spreading

all these shitty rumors around, Hashimoto!

Don't act like you're innocent,

we know you're doing this because Sakayanagi told you to!

Please, stop it, Ibuki. Calm down!

[IBUKI] I wasn't talking to you!

[ISHIZAKI] You're delusional if you think

we're just gonna let this stand!

You sure you wanna do this?

Hey, knock it off!

[YUKIMURA] This isn't the place!

[ISHIZAKI] Butt out! It's none of your business!

[YUKIMURA] It is! Ayanokoji got rumors

spread about him, too.

You're not the only one!

[HASHIMOTO] You say that, but a crush on Karuizawa

is basically nothing.

-Hey! -[gasps] That kind of rumor

could ruin someone's life!

I don't like that it's come to this, Hashimoto.

But I can't help but suspect you, too.

I'm sorry.

Yeah. I'll bet.

Seeing as how I was the only witness

to your secret little rendezvous.

-Rendezvous? -Rendezvous?

-It wasn't anything serious. -[grunts]

You think you can just ignore us, you bastard!

[HIYORI] Ishizaki! You mustn't fight!

[ISHIZAKI] Why the hell not?

Even if you do get him to confess,

Sakayanagi will never admit she's behind it all.

So, what are we supposed to do?

Sorry for bothering you,

you think you could forgive us for today?

Don't worry, there's nothing to forgive,

we're only talking here.

Although, I'd appreciate it if you stopped assuming

it was us without evidence.

There's enough gossip going around already.

Yes, I agree.

Good day.

[grunts]

[indistinct chatter]

[indistinct chatter]

[SAKAYANAGI] It seems that Ichinose

has finally decided to come back to school.

As expected, just in time for finals.

So, what's our next move?

[chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

All right!

You guys did great.

Whoa! You got a ?

That's awesome, Kiyo-pon!

Thanks for that,

but you did just as well.

-Yeah! -[chuckles]

-[IKE] Hey! -Huh.

You gotta see this! Class A is up to something!

[all gasp]

♪

You're in the wrong class.

What do you want?

[chuckles] Honestly.

I've always had such respect for the camaraderie

between the students of Class B.

[AMIKURA] What are you getting at?

That admiration is why I've come to save you today.

Huh?

Just tell us what you want already.

I know you've all entrusted

your private points to Ichinose.

With the backing of your funds,

Class B has overcome a number of hardships.

But things aren't quite as they seem.

So what? It's not against the rules.

But of course, there's nothing wrong with it,

in and of itself.

♪

Still, I wonder if your opinion would change

if this allegation against Ichinose turns out to be true?

Do you still feel comfortable

handing your points over to a criminal?

That's nonsense!

Another one of your rumors.

You really think we'd fall for that?

[SAKAYANAGI] My rumors?

I'm sure I have no idea what you mean.

Besides, what I have is solid proof.

Irrefutable evidence that what the rumors are saying

about Ichinose is, indeed, true.

There's no way, right?

What could it be?

Calm down, everybody!

To entrust the entirety of your class' points

to someone like her.

It seems rather self-destructive, right?

If anything, I'm saying is incorrect, Ichinose,

you're more than welcome to speak up.

[ICHINOSE] Could you let me through?

I have something to say.

Ichinose?

[ICHINOSE] It'll be fine.

♪

She's right. Sorry.

[gasps]

Now, now, let's hear her out.

It's not every day a liar shows contrition.

[sighs]

Everyone.

I don't deserve it,

but would you be willing to hear what I have to say?

What Sakayanagi said is true.

I've committed a terrible crime.

One that can't be forgiven.

♪

[crow cawing]

[ICHINOSE] Growing up,

I lived with my mother and little sister,

who's two years younger than me.

It wasn't a life of luxury.

But it was good.

♪

[ICHINOSE] Our mother did the best she could.

She worked hard to provide for us,

and made sure my sister and I were happy.

♪

[ICHINOSE] I tried my best, too.

Even though we didn't have the money for me

to go to high school,

I did everything I could to try to earn a scholarship.

But then,

in my third year of middle school...

[Ichinose panting]

-[door creaking] -Huh.

-My mother collapsed... -[crying]

...and was hospitalized.

♪

She wanted to buy my sister a present for her birthday.

And ended up taking on too many shifts.

You see, my sister loved a particular idol.

Who wore a distinctive hair clip her fans could buy.

Maybe it was because she was aware of our situation,

but my sister never talked about wanting presents.

That year, she asked for one of those hair clips.

It was the first time she had asked for a gift.

♪

[ICHINOSE] Even while in the hospital,

my mom apologized over and over again.

She blamed herself for not being able

to give my sister a birthday present.

♪

So, I made up my mind.

No matter what it took.

I swore that I'd buy that hair clip for my little sister.

♪

I knew it wouldn't be easy,

but it was impossible as a middle-schooler

to get a job,

even a part-time one.

Still, I never gave up.

I did everything I could to earn money.

But then...

[gasps]

[GIRL B] Wow, look! It's so cute!

[GIRL A] That's the hairclip she wore

for that magazine sh**t,

-isn't it? -[GIRL B] Yeah!

-[GIRL A] I love it! -[GIRL B] Uh-huh.

[GIRL B] Hey, we should come back again tomorrow!

[GIRL A] Mm-hmm.

The discount might be

-even bigger then! -[gasps]

♪

[shuddered breathing]

[ICHINOSE] There it was!

My sister's birthday present was right in front of me.

[shuddered breathing]

[gulps]

♪

[panting]

[indistinct chatter]

[ICHINOSE] Nobody saw me take it.

♪

When my sister asked me where I got the money,

I lied and told her a friend lent it to me.

That was the happiest I'd seen her in a long time.

Her face lit up and she thanked me

over and over again.

I wasn't proud of what I had done,

but my sister's joy let me forget

about my growing guilt for a bit.

When my mother had fully recovered,

my sister and I went to pick her up.

When we got there,

my sister proudly showed off the hairclip I had stolen.

I just couldn't bring myself to tell her

to keep the gift a secret.

She was so excited about it.

♪

[slaps]

My mom knew right away.

The lie for how I got the money

didn't fool her at all.

I couldn't hide the truth from her.

She immediately took me back to the store,

and made me apologize to them.

It was only then that I started to finally come to terms

with what I had done.

As soon as we got home.

She started crying, like a dam had burst inside of her.

That moment hurt me the most.

I'd never seen my mother cry like that before.

♪

[ICHINOSE] In the end, the store manager

took pity on me and decided to not press any charges.

Afterwards, I completely withdrew.

For six months, my room became a self-imposed prison.

I didn't deserve to live a normal life.

[knocking on door]

[door slides open]

[gasps]

Huh?

But then,

my mother wrote me a note.

[crying]

"Dear Honami,

you mustn't give up on your future.

The past can't be changed,

but I want you to find your own happiness."

[crying]

♪

[ICHINOSE] So, when I came here,

I decided to leave the past behind

and try for a fresh start.

And hopefully, one day I'll earn back my mother

and sister's trust in me.

♪

Everybody,

I'm sorry that I never told you.

I've been an awful leader.

[sniffles] Forgive me.

That's not true at all, Ichinose!

[gasps]

We understand what you were going through.

You told us about your secret

because you trust us, right?

There's no way we'd turn our backs on you.

Huh?

You all...

-[thumps] -[gasps]

[SAKAYANAGI] I think I've had enough of this farce.

Sakayanagi?

No matter the circumstances, shoplifting is shoplifting.

There's no justifying that kind of thing.

[sighs] It's on me.

You're right.

Time may pass, but the sins you've committed

never fully go away.

Ichinose?

It's true.

I am guilty of shoplifting.

I won't run away from my past.

Because...

I want to be able to move forward.

I didn't expect you'd be this shameless.

Hmm...

[ICHINOSE] At the start, all my hard work

came from a place of pretend virtue.

But now, I love this class.

I wanna graduate with you all!

And I know I don't have a right to ask this.

But despite everything,

Class B, would you still allow me

to stay with you to the end?

Of course!

We're with you all the way, right?

Was there any question?

-Yeah! -Of course!

[gasps]

[shuddered breathing]

Incredible.

Sakayanagi, what do we do?

[Sakayanagi laughs]

Hey, come on!

My goodness.

Isn't this a happy little resolution?

Your class may choose to ignore it,

but the fact remains you committed a crime.

This story is going to spread through the school.

I'll accept whatever comes.

How admirable.

I can't wait to see how you handle--

[NAGUMO] All right, that's enough.

[SAKAYANAGI] The student council president?

And our classes' teachers?

I have an announcement.

Spreading malicious rumors, is hereby forbidden.

Don't tell me Ichinose turned to the student council.

What happened to all that talk of dealing with it herself?

I'm afraid it's more than her.

This problem has spread far beyond your two classes.

We've received numerous complaints,

about the hurtful comments being perpetuated

among the first-year students.

Any further malicious gossip,

will be considered a breach of school rules.

From this moment forward,

if a student is found to have broken this rule,

they will be punished appropriately.

[sighs]

I suppose that's it.

If the school's decided to get involved,

then my business here is done.

I'll be taking my leave.

♪

[SAKAYANAGI] I have to hand it to you,

that was well played.

Although, I'm curious about something.

Ayanokoji, tell me,

did Ichinose perhaps confess her past to you before today?

That's right.

♪

[AYANOKOJI] Yesterday, I paid Ichinose a visit.

[ICHINOSE] So, hey.

There's something that I've been wanting to ask you about.

Sure.

[ICHINOSE] How come you never say anything

when you come by?

I guess I don't get it.

[AYANOKOJI] I think you already know the reason why.

It's because I'm waiting to hear it from you directly.

Your confession.

[shuddered breathing]

A confession?

What do you mean?

[AYANOKOJI] I'm talking about the crime you committed

in middle school.

I know all about it.

[Ichinose gasps]

[AYANOKOJI] Ichinose...

running away won't erase the things you've done.

-[ICHINOSE] Stop it! -[bottle shatters]

[ICHINOSE] I know.

I know you're right.

I made a mistake and did a bad thing.

I'm sorry, okay?

I really thought I didn't have any other choice!

[sniffles]

All I wanted was to make my little sister smile!

[gasps]

I was stupid and impulsive.

I regret it every day!

Running away was the only thing I could do,

I couldn't take it!

[crying]

And now, [sniffles]

it's happening all over again.

I've completely withdrawn.

[sobbing]

What should I have done differently?

What should I do now?

Please, tell me!

How am I supposed to fix this, Ayanokoji?

I can't do it.

Just the thought of facing everyone terrifies me.

[AYANOKOJI] There's only one answer.

You'll have to confront the problem head on.

It's on you.

[crying]

[AYANOKOJI] Ichinose's heart lay in pieces.

I know.

[wailing]

[AYANOKOJI] Because...

I'm the one who shattered it.

But then, her broken heart healed back even stronger

than it was before.

Strong enough to withstand your little ploy.

That's what happened.

Aren't you a good Samaritan?

You used Kamuro to try to pull me into this, right?

[SAKAYANAGI] What makes you think it was me?

[AYANOKOJI] When she tried to prove herself to me,

the can of beer she brought was the one she stole

early in the school year.

After checking the best by date on the beer she gave me,

I noticed it was set to expire nearly a full year

before the ones currently on sale in the store.

The only reason she would have that particular can

is if you gave it back to her, Sakayanagi.

[chuckles]

My plan was to wait and watch,

and let things play out.

But your scheme with Kamuro ruined that

and brought me into this.

So, why?

Oh, it's nothing complicated,

I simply wanted to get your attention.

[AYANOKOJI] You were willing to destroy Ichinose

just to get me interested in whatever you had to say?

[SAKAYANAGI] Correct.

Why don't we have a competition?

I don't see what I'd gain by agreeing.

If you require some motivation,

I'm willing to put my expulsion on the line.

Obviously, I don't expect you do the same,

so if I win, I won't ask you to withdraw from school.

However, I will need

to tell everyone your secret,

that you're Class C's mastermind.

How do you propose we determine the winner?

Let's use the upcoming special exam.

I can't wait.

It seems my school life

is finally about to get exciting.

[cellphone vibrating]

I never thanked you for the chocolates.

[laughs]

You know full well that I didn't call you here

to talk about some silly gifts, Ayanokoji.

[wind whooshing]

[AYANOKOJI] The information Kushida gave me

before Valentine's Day,

was right on the money.

[AYANOKOJI] Vice President Kiriyama.

I'd like you to post this information

on the message boards.

It's for the sake of helping Ichinose.

[KIRIYAMA] You know if this gets out,

trust among the student body will plummet.

Think about it,

the person who would be hurt the most by that

is President Nagumo.

With this we'd be k*lling two birds with one stone.

Maybe, but you're not the one who has to deal

with the fallout.

Unfortunately, you don't have a choice here.

Hm?

If you refuse, then I'll report this to the former president.

I wonder what'll happen when I tell him

you've joined Nagumo's side.

Very well.

I'll post it.

But you owe me for this, Ayanokoji.

Thanks for the help.

Anything for a classmate in need!

So, you know what to do, right?

Yeah.

I've sent over your informant's fee.

Check it if you'd like.

Hm.

That looks great to me!

From now on, I'll be sending you

half of any private points that I earn.

Is that acceptable?

Yep!

As long as you keep up your end,

I'm happy to let bygones be bygones!

You're a smart one, Ayanokoji!

If only Horikita had half your brains.

I hope you and I can continue to get along!

[AYANOKOJI] Rising to Sakayanagi's challenge

and saving Ichinose was pure coincidence,

though I'm not opposed to this outcome.

From the very beginning,

I only wanted to learn one thing from this incident.

And now that I've confirmed the quality

and quantity of the information

Kikyo Kushida possesses,

I know exactly what I'm dealing with,

and can take steps to ensure her expulsion.

[Ichinose chuckles]

I thought that was you, Ayanokoji!

-Good morning. -[Ichinose chuckles]

Hey, you were pretty cool yesterday.

[panting]

I didn't really do anything.

Not everyone can put their old demons to rest

like you did.

Yeah, I guess.

I can't take back my past actions, but...

I think I can find a way to live with myself.

-[AYANOKOJI] That's great. -Huh?

But if you ever feel like you need some help,

you can come talk to me any time you want.

Huh?

[AYANOKOJI] I can't guarantee I'll be able

to solve your problem, but I can always listen.

Hmm. You'd do that for me?

Why?

[AYANOKOJI] Do I need a reason to help you?

[ICHINOSE] I see. Thank you.

[ICHINOSE] Oh, um, by the way.

What is it?

[ICHINOSE] If you don't mind...

Oh, jeez.

It's kinda funny.

I imagined this going a lot smoother.

I'm being so weird right now.

It's just that I've never given anyone

something like this before.

But I wanted to show my appreciation.

It's okay, you don't have to force yourself.

W-What do you mean? I'm not forcing anything!

♪

Hm.

I know it's a bit late at this point,

but here, it's some chocolates.

I mean, if you want.

I do.

Thank you.

Hah.

[chuckles]

♪