It's 1.06am. Teppei runs to Shibuya station but misses the last train "What luck...." he says in disgust. Sitting on the rails outside a theatre that's closed, he calls a friend on his mobile "Hello? Midori-chan? It's Teppei....you sleeping? Sorry, sorry....uh, can I come over? No, don't mean that....we haven't met up in a while...." He looks at his phone "....hung up?" Right then a car pulls up & a girl's voice is heard "Why are you stopping here!?" "Don't bother me, get out! The station's right there!" says the guy. She gets out of the car & they call each other names (Gakki! Babaa!).. She throws her shoe at the car as it pulls away & then hops over to pick it up, Teppei watching. As she walks past Teppei he asks her "Are you alright?" She turns around, noticing him for the first time. He says "Even fighting he shouldn't drop you off in front of the station, most guys would send the girls home." She answers "It's none of your business" & starts walking off. "There're no trains." She glances at her watch & then back at Teppei, both of them sighing. He takes a cigarette out & offers one to her "Smoke?" She walks over & takes one. Teppei lights it for her & as she takes a puff, coughs. Teppei asks "Have we met somewhere before?" She looks at him "Do you always get acquainted with girls like this?" "No, I don't mean that...." After a pause he asks "Uh....how about going for Karaoke together?" "No, I'm going to look for a place to stay for the night." & walks off. Teppei goes after her "If you don't mind about the time, let's go to for Karaoke....looks like it's about to rain, let's go to a hotel." She stops & turns around "Hotel?" & Teppei nods....

At a hotel, the girl's singing as Teppei watches. She bounces over to a cabinet "Can I drink this?" "Go ahead!" Teppei tells her & then mutters to himself "Thinks she's really a star...." "What did you say?" as she skips over to the bed next to him, singing & drinking. Teppei takes the remote, presses a button & stops the music "Sorry, sorry! I meant to turn it up....sorry" "Why did you turn it off? I was just getting into it...." "You've been singing for quite a while, I think it's better if you take a break" "But I still want to sing...." as she goes over & picks up the songbook. Teppei says "uh, I have to work early tomorrow…so I'd like to sleep earlier…" "That so? In that case go ahead & sleep first...." "This isn't the kind of place where one sleeps alone...." says Teppei getting close to her. He moves to kiss her & she shouts "Ah!" "What?" "What are you thinking of? Something bad? "I only want to kiss you...." "Arrgh! That's disgusting....thinking about that!" & pushes him away. Teppei says "Two people coming to a hotel, of course they'll they about...." she answers "I've never thought about that...." gets off the bed & slides to the floor. "Wait a minute...." says Teppei sliding over to the floor next to her "Generally girls who get invited to hotels will say 'I'm not that easy....' or 'wonder what underwear I'm wearing....'....don't you think about that?" She looks at Teppei & asks "You want to do it that much? Except for that, is there nothing else you have in that head of yours?" Teppei mutters "....nothing else...." turning away & then turning back with a grin "nothing" & they both laugh....she suggests "Why don't you take a shower first?" "Ah, alright....five minutes...." & goes into the shower....The girl sits on the bed, yawns & looks at the ring on her finger....

(-= CJ =- For some reason I find the way Kimura sits & talks in this scene when he's on the floor, a bit effeminate....)

Teppei comes out of the bathroom wearing only a towel with another on his head. He's humming as he looks at the girl in bed & dries his hair, this grin on his face. He switches off the light & says to her "You'r not taking a bath?" There's no reply & Teppei says "I guess not" as he crawls onto the bed. "Maybe already in bed…." He takes up the tissue box cover "nothing??" With a grin he lifts the sheets off the girl "....what? still dressed?" he leans over & hears her snoring away. He picks up the microphone & puts it over the girl, listening to her snore as he says disgustedly "Really, what are you thinking?" Giving up he lies down to sleep muttering "how boring...." as the girl throw her arm over him....

The phone's ringing away & Teppei finally wakes up, scrambling to answer it. "Hello?" "This is the front desk, it's check out time...." "Sorry?" "It's 10, it's check out time." Teppei looks at his watch "I understand, I'll leave right away" & hangs up. "I'm late...." he mutters & looking around, sees a note on the table. 'Sleepy-head, I don't want to be late, so I'm leaving first. Tough being an OL....hotel charge, card's fine!' He scrunches up the note, walks over to the window, grimacing at the bright sunlight that pours in as he draws the curtain.....

(-= CJ =- OL stands for Office Lady, ie, girls who do the general admin work in the office, including making & serving coffee to the guys in the department....where I come from, the guys get their own coffee!)

Teppei runs to work.....arriving at ABC studios.....entering a studio where a shoot is taking place "Yes that's right, look over here, that's good...." Teppei walks in "Good morning" One guy says "Teppei, where have you been? We're finishing up already!" Another guy hands him a snapshot "How is it? Red & white Christmas.....good theme....." Teppei replies "Good theme but if the background is green it'll be better...." "But a red & white Christmas...." "Use more berries for red, cake for white...." insists Teppei & asking someone else "Can we change the background to green?" "I think...." but Teppei cuts him off "Don't say anything now, it'll be perfect....uh, can you add a little...." Teppei's cell phone rings & he says "sorry" going off to answer it while the guys mutter "Wait!" "Try the blue...." Teppei answers "Hello, this is Katagiri....buchou? (section chief) no, right now I'm at the studio…huh? return to the office?…right now?"

"Transfer?" says Teppei, standing in front of his boss. "Transferred to the business (operations) department." Teppei says "Uh, right now I'm very confident where I am....on top of that, without me this office will lack creativity....I don't believe this, why?" His boss answers "If you're that confident, then take your confidence to the business department." Teppei takes a step & then asks his boss "Why?" "I want you to learn for yourself that life in this world isn't that easy...." "Then what about the creative department's Christmas shoot?...." "I'll get someone to take over, if you still don't understand that, then you're still a kid!" Teppei sits at his desk & starts packing up, moodily muttering "Where's the business department?"

Armed with bags of his things, Teppei stands outside the office building & looks up....going in he looks at the department listing board muttering "business department....business...." Lugging bags he walks towards the elevators….arriving at the business department, standing at the doorway, he grimaces & then says "I'm Katagiri from the creativity department...." "Katagiri" says a man signing some documents. "Yes" replies Teppei going to the man's desk & standing in front of it. The man looks at him & says "Suit must be blue, shirt white, necktie a must, shoes black, no long hair, & also, no ear-ring. Forget about the way you used to work, expressing oneself, individuality....put it aside, understand?" Teppei numbly nods. Looking off to one side, the man calls "Uesugi?" "Yes" replies a girl's voice. "This is Katagiri from the creativity department. There'll be a lot of things he doesn't know so for the time being please show him around." From the door a lady calls "Kachou (department chief), could I have a moment please?" & the man goes out, leaving Teppei just standing there. From inside, the girl says "Excuse me, could you give me a hand?" Teppei says "ok" not looking too thrilled at what's happening to him. The girl goes out as Teppei walks in & they both suddenly stop. The both of them look at each other & Teppei walks up to her & half sarcastically says "Where have we met before...." She gives a big grin & says "Pleased to meet you!" (for the first time) pretending they never met before. Teppei stares at her…

At a meeting, Teppei's sits sullenly listening to his boss Kurosaki say "First I want to say, the business department as only achieved 80% of its target, everyone has to try harder to reach the target." Everyone around the table says "yes" "That's it for the business report. Next, how's the Shibuya advertising deal coming along?" "Deciding on budget....3,000...." "Make it 3,500!" "ok" "Hioki" "Yes?" "What about the Nippon News advertisement?" "Same as usual...." Uesugi who's getting tea for everyone tells Teppei "You don't get any…" as the meeting carries on around them "This paper's advertising is very difficult...." "Isn't this your responsibility? Why can't you do it?" "What about you?" "Of course I try...." Suddenly Kurosaki tells everyone "Ah, nearly forgot....this is Katagiri who transferred from the creative department today. As he's from the creative department, don't let him dismiss (look down on) us. Everyone, look after him." "I have a lot of experience, don't worry." Teppei stands up & formally introduces himself "I'm Katagiri, pleased to meet you" Kurosaki says "As for your work....for the time being, it'll be decided tomorrow, just introduce yourself to everone first. Alright, next, Hosaka, what do you have to report?" "First, the Giants won...." Uesugi asks Teppei "What's wrong? You look tired" Teppei replies irritably "What would you know? A girl like you…there are lots of things you wouldn't understand." Uesugi says with a laugh "Just because you couldn't do it with a nice girl, that's why you couldn't sleep…" Teppei bangs his hand on the table "That's not it!" Everyone around the table stops talking & stares at Teppei "What's wrong?" Teppei stares back & then suddenly claps both hands in the air saying "a mosquito…" Uesugi staring at Teppei reaches out & smakes Teppei on the forehead "Got it! Please continue...." she says to the others. The others laugh & continue "Where were we?"

Coming out of the station, Teppei goes up a overhead crossing & looks at a tall building muttering "Public prosecutor's office" He spots 2 guys walking & one of them looks up & sees him....inside an office, the guy while making coffee asks "What's up? This is rare....how's work?" Teppei sitting down & taking a book from the table "So so....aniki, (older brother) what case are you working on now?" Soichi replies "Don't know if you've heard of it…Edokawa murder case." Teppei goes "ah..you're doing this?" "Uhm" "Demanding for the death penalty?" "That's obvious." Teppei starts reading the documents but Soichiro walks over to him, putting his hands on the documents & Teppei puts up his hands "ok, ok" Soichiro says "Coffee, come drink.." Teppei tells his brother "You're as determined as ever.... "Eh?" "Like before, once you've made a decision, there's no swaying you....like when you decided to be a prosecutor you were still a student weren't you....I had a classmate who said he wanted to be a police, but still gave up in the end..but you did as you said...." "I'm just hard headed that's all....a bit of a problem when you were job hunting but now, you're working really hard at a job you like aren't you...." "not really...." mutters Teppei into his mug. "Uhm?" asks Soichiro. Teppei says "But now I'm really working furiously....due to the boss recognizing my abilities, feels like getting someplace.... with a laugh....but not looking too happy....

Walking home past a restaurant a guy says "Welcome back"....Teppei goes into the building & walks upstairs & goes into his apartment....sitting flipping through his high school yearbook & then puts it on the bed. As he's about to get something from the fridge, the phone rings & he answers it "Yes" "Teppei?" "Yoshimoto?" "Just got a call from Sasaki, said that the old classmates are meeting up tomorrow with stewardess' lounge....you coming too Teppei?" "Air stewardesses....don't know...." replies Teppei getting a bottle of water from the fridge. "What don't know....coming of course! Everyone's going to be there too!" Teppei sitting down on his bed "Yoshimoto, when you're in a pinch (critical situation) do you think of anyone's words....or maybe a woman's face come to mind??" "Eh? Yeah....recently, when I have to try really hard, I keep thinking about the theme song from Eva (the anime Evangelion)....why?" "So you're like this too....for me....my starting point seems to be the time from high school.... like when I got hurt during the race, or under pressure from the others....but because I had hope, managed to grab victory....so, the words, things that encourage me to carry on are from that time....just thinking about it now...." Are you in trouble now?" "in trouble....maybe....can one carry on working at a job one doesn't like?" "What's wrong? You're strange today...." "Never mind...." "Speaking of high school....I bumped into Mizuhara the other day...." "Hah?! Mizuhara....our team manager Mizuhara Sanae?" "She's come to Tokyo...." Teppei opens his high school year book & takes out a photograph of two students, a boy & a girl, looking at it....

Teppei goes to an exhibition of artefacts from a Chinese museum....as he's dithering about getting a ticket, he sees a woman coming out with a man. She stops when she sees Teppei. He waves & smiles at her while she looks surprised. She says "Te-chan!" as she walks up to him smiling "how come?" "I heard from Yoshimoto that you were here....had a bit of time so thought I'd come by to see if you were here....how are you?" Mizuhara nods "& you?" "I'm fine...." Mizuhara points to go & the both of them walk off to one side while Teppei asks "When did you come to Tokyo?" "I was sent here last year...." "Last year? Why didn't you give me a call?" Mizuhara doesn't answer & Teppei says "Why?" stopping & looking at her left hand "Got married?" Mizuhara smiles "Of course not!" "Not yet huh!" "Not yet!" Teppei starts teasing "Seeing you looking so well, I'm glad....I used to worry about you....got dumped by someone like me, then wondering what would happen after...." "What are you saying" You were fooling around so I dumped you!" "I did not! That was just rumours around school! You misunderstood me....now saying all these excuses to explain....won't make up for it...." Mizuhara laughs. Teppei asks "If you can, how about dinner tonight?" Mizuhara hesitates & someone calls her speaking in Mandarin "Mizuhara, Mr Xun has arrived. Please come over as soon as you can...." Mizuhara answers in Mandarin as well "I understand, I'll be right there" Teppei says "Wow! uh....you're busy?" She answers "Uhm...." "I'll give you my card, you can get me anytime, I'll write my cell phone number as well...." "You took the trouble to come....sorry" "It's alright....work....here...." "Bye" says Mizuhara taking it & goes off, Teppei looking on....

(-= CJ =- Someone asked if Mizuhara speaks proper Chinese....the words she says are correct but pronunciation typical of one who's not grown up speaking it. If she's memorized the words it's not too bad, if she speaks the language then it's awful....)

At a restaurant Uesugi says to the guy across the table "Why did you call me out during work? Really busy...." "Been working for 2 years now, can't be like we were before in school, meeting so often....a lot of things have changed....just that we're pretending that we haven't noticed...." "So?" "So....goodbye...." says the guy....

At an arcade, Uesugi blindly stands in front of a game machine & recalls being given a ring....tears roll down her face....

Back in the office, Uesugi tosses a Hello Kitty soft toy up in the air & catches it. Staring at it, she tosses it up in the air again but just then Teppei come by & catches it, Uesugi surprised that the toy doesn't come back down. She turns to see Teppei saying "Where shall we go play tonight?" Uesugi tries to grab it back from him "Give it back! Give it back!" but Teppei doesn't let her have it. Kurosaki shouts "Katagiri!" What are you doing?! Are you done with your work?" "Sorry." "What's that? You come to the office to play?! Come over here!" Uesugi calls "Kachou, I'm sorry...." Teppei give the toy back to Uesugi "It's hers" Uesugi says "I'd like to visit my grandmother (who's ill), is it alright if I leave early?" "That's fine, go" Uesugi grins & says "Thank you! Everyone I'm off!" & leaves Teppei watching "Liar!"  Kurosaki says "Katagiri! You're now a part of the business department. You have to follow the rules of the business department as well." Uesugi on her way out in the corridor behind the boss makes signs at Teppei who's listening to the boss saying "First of all, you can't be playing outside! Have to be on time!" Teppei seeing Uesugi shouts "You're too much!" His boss misunderstands & shouts back at Teppei "Who do you think you're talking too?! Watch your attitute! (literally, reflect on your conduct) Katagiri! You're no longer a kid!" Teppei gets a tongue lashing....

After work, Teppei runs to the nightclub. Going in someone says to him "Oooo! Why are you dressed like this? Looks like a salaryman!" "Salaryman? Didn't I tell you? You've forgotten!" says Teppei going in to look for his friends. As he goes in he stops & frowns, listening to a girl say "My name is Uesugi Riko....from today you can call me Riko-chan" Everyone around the table shouts "Riko-chan!" & she says "Thank you, thank you! Now everyone please enjoy this flight!" Teppei comes up to Riko & grabs her "What do you think you're doing?" Riko yells "Ah?! looks at Teppei in surprise. He continues annoyed "What 'ah'!? What are you doing here? You're not a stewardess!" A guy comes in between the two of them "Teppei & Riko, you both know each other?" "You're called Teppei?" says Riko "Strange name!" Teppei replies "Don't bother me!" pushing her away. Teppei says to his friend "You said there would be stewardess here!" "There are!" One of the girls says "I'm a stewardess!" "Me too....ANA stewardess! Do you want to see us in our uniforms too like Riko?" says Erika. Riko says "That's right! They said they wanted to see the uniforms that's why I wore it, right?" "Right!" Teppei asks "You enjoy looking at her?" "Rea-lly happy!" "Me too!" says Yoshimoto. Riko says "You see! Everyone says they're enjoying themselves!" Teppei says to her "Don't be too pleased with yourself!" "I'm not!" "Didn't you say you were visiting your grandmother?" "My grandmother is a very kind lady, so she said it's alright not to spend time with her & to go out & enjoy my life...." "Liar....you're lying....what are you saying?" "Don't call me that!" "You're lying...."

Yoshimoto gets a couple of drinks from the bar "Riko-chan, Riko-chan" "Yes! Thank you! Cheers!"

Sitting apart from the rest, Erika says to Teppei "I met Riko when I was a student working (part time) at the horse racing track. She loved horse racing, lost quite a but of money too." Laughing Teppei says "Although everyone worked there, you're now a stewardess & she's merely an ordinary OL" "No, there' not much difference....stewardess' have to serve tea & meals up in the planes...." "How can you say that? That's the road you picked!" "Uhm, but there are times when I regret it, feel like giving up...." Whispering into Teppei's ear "Let's go, the 2 of us...." "Huh?" "For a walk...." Walking past the others "Where are you guys going?" Erika answers "We're leaving first...." "Bye, see you at the office tomorrow...."

Outside Erika says "Shall we go to a quiet bar? Or....???" suggestively. Teppei starts to follow her but then stops, looks back at the bar & contemplates. "How about going to the Akai (?) bar? Ah, (taxi's) here...." Teppei however hesitates "Ah....today....actually....it's like this....I...." "What?" "Those days...." "Those days?!" Erika says in surprise. "Not possible huh...." mutters Teppei. Erika says "You like someone...." "Someone I used to see during highschool....just met up recently....so....I thought I could forget the past but...." "You're still in love with her...." "Pretty useless huh!" "No, men are like that too...." says Erika & then continues to herself "Looks like I picked the wrong guy tonight...." "What did you say?" "Nothing....go home?"

Riko goes home....takes a drink from the fridge....not looking her chirpy self....

At the office the next day "If there's any news from Nakamura, please tell him that I'll see him at 3pm....I'm going out...." says one of the guys as he leaves. Riko & Teppei says "Itterashai, take care" Riko says to Teppei "Are't you going out? You look like you have nothing to do. Feel like doing this? Ah, right, last night, Yoshimoto & I had a romantic evening...." "Don't bother me during work" "Don't you want to know what we did last night?" "Yoshimoto is not someone who will do anything to a woman that he's just met." Teppei turns the tables on her "That Erika-chan? Really something....sexy & matured....are you really friends? Can't believe it! Are you listening? We had a really fun time last night....this morning I've got dark circles (under my eyes)....see?" Riko takes a closer look & grabs his cell phone from his pocket. "Give it back! Get back to work!" says Teppei. Riko makes a call "Hello, Erika? It's me....what happened after you guys left last nigh? Eh?!....No way!....Really?! That so....I understand....bye...." Putting the cell phone back into Teppei's pocket she says "Absolutely nothing happened, still acting so cool...." "You wanted proof whether I did it or not that's why you called? Don't tell me you feel something for me?" "Really can't tell....you had a girlfriend during high school....absolutely can't imagine it! Does she call you Misao-kun? Misao-kun? (Misao is a given name which means fidelity, being faithful to....)" "Leave me alone!"says Teppei as his cell phone rings "Hello, Kitagiri here" "Hello, Te-chan?" "Eh?" "It's Mizuhara....Mizuhara Sanae" "Mizuhara?" Riko slides over to listen "Really glad you called" giving Riko a push. "After work? No problem....what time? 7? No, 8.... at...." Riko says "In front of Hachiko, in front of Hachiko...." Teppei gets up & moves away from her "Wait, 8 in front of the station? Huh? I think it's just a bad line....sound's not so clear....I'll come after work....bye...." Riko says "That's great, Misao-kun" "Leave me alone!" Kurosaki calls "Katagiri! Work, come over here...." Riko says "Work! Work!" Teppei grabs his jacket & as hits her with it on purpose as he passes "Sorry, are you alright? Sorry...." Riko fumes....

(-= CJ =- Hachiko is the name of a bronze statue of a dog in front of Tokyo Station)

At a company event Teppei is in the backroom putting things into bags (goodie bags I guess). A girl calls another "Yoshiko! Need your help!" Yoshiko says to Teppei "It'll start in 30 minutes, thanks!" & runs out. Teppei mutters "I have to do all this in 30 minutes?"........the boss takes some bags & says "I'll put them here....Katagiri! Hurry up!"........outside a conference room a girl says "Thank you" & goes into the room. A man comes out & announces "Thanks to everyone....the president would like to say a few words to everyone, please go inside...." Teppei starts walking in but his boss shouts "Katagiri! This way...." & they walk out He asks Teppei "Why haven't you cut your hair?" "Eh?" "You're thinking 'Why do I have to do this type of work?' right? This cannot be, this is not my place....' you were thinking of this while you were working....you think you can do a good job doing this? Maybe you think if you quit then everything will be fine. But you won't get away from this society that easily....why not think about what you can do & put it into your work....not because of the company, but for your ownself...." Teppei replies "understand" "So? How about going for a drink?" "Sorry, today...." "Oh? Then ok, here...." handing him the bags. Teppei says "Gokurou  samadeshita" & then looks at his watch, 7.30....

Mizuhara finishes work....Riko's still at the office in front of the computer when Teppei walks in with the goodie bags. "Welcome back" says Riko. "What are you doing?" asks Teppei. "Having my love furtune foretold...." "Don't play around with the company's computer...." "Don't you have a date? You're going to be late...." "I know, you're sure bothersome...." says Teppei leaving. Once out the door he dashes off....leaving a rather unhappy looking Riko by herself....

Teppei has a problem trying to get a cab....Mizuhara waits....Teppei in a cab says to the driver "Sorry but could you take the next left & then another right, it'll be faster...." Finally arriving at the exhibition place but just as he runs to the entrance, the lights go off & a guy comes out locking up the place. Teppei says "Excuse me...." "Yes?" "nothing, sorry...." Teppei leaves....

Riko, still in the office hears a cell phone ring & looks into one of the goodie bags....

Teppei goes home & right in front of his apartment across the street, he sees Mizuhara waiting. He runs over "You came to see me? But here, how did you know…?" Mizuhara says "No, it's not like that....Te-chan...." "Teppei!" a guy calls & Teppei turns to see his brother Soichiro coming over. "You & Sanae were high school friends?" Teppei's surprised "huh?" Soichiro hands him a package "This, package from mom, she said to give it to you...." "Uh...." says Teppei looking at Mizuhara who looks rather uneasy....

Going into the building & just outside Teppei's apartment Teppei says "Next time you want to come, let me know first!" "Sorry, sorry" Soichiro replies with a laugh. Teppei opens the door & immediately slams it shut "Sorry, please wait! Wait...." Teppei goes in & the both Soichiro & Mizuhara smile. Teppei inside hurriedly cleans up the mess in his room & then opens the door "please (come in)". Soichiro says "Jamashimasu" (pardon the intrusion) stepping in. Teppei says "oh, I don't have slippers here....uh, this ok?" handing Mizuhara a pair. "Thank you" Soichiro says "put the package in the fridge" "What did she send?" "Aji no hiraki" (horse mackarel, cut open & dried) "Hiraki?" repeats Teppei & then asks "English tea ok?" "Fine" says Soichiro. "Fine with me too...." says Mizuhara going towards the kitchen to help. Teppei says "It's ok, you just take a seat, this place is cramp...." Mizuhara walks towards the bronze statue by the door & Teppei says "Ah! You smell curry?" "A little...." "A little? That's because there's an Indian restaurant downstairs." "Is that right?" says Mizuhara, taking a seat. Soichiro tells Teppei "You should clean up your place a bit! Then it won't be so embarrassing when people drop by." "Isn't it fine like this? Then it's like someone really living here....how is it that you & Mizuhara....how shall I say....you know?" Soichiro looks at Mizuhara & then replies "Mizuhara's a translator helping the investigation cases...." Mizuhara continues "When they need to take statements from foreigners during investigations....I'm then in charge of the translation work...." Soichiro says "Pay is low, it's a tough job, it's like a volunteer....but without you, don't know what would happen...." "Aren't you the same Soichiro? Although your work is not directly related, you still take the trouble to check on the foreigners' work conditions...."

Teppei comes by carrying 3 mugs "Messy room huh....tea...." "Thank you" Mizuhara asks "Do you have sugur?" "Sugar?" asks Teppei & then runs into the kitchen to get some. Soichiro says to Mizuhara "I bumped into an old classmate the other day...." "So?" "Same as ever...." Teppei says "Sugar" putting it in front of them. Mizuhara takes out her tea bag & when she's looking around wondering where to put it, Teppei takes it from her "Give it to me" Soichiro says "This too" Teppeei takes it "I like it like this...." Continuing he says "Looking at the both of you, although it's just common conversation, you don't look like normal couples, more like husband & wife...." Soichiro chokes "It's hot!" spilling some of the tea on his vest. Mizuhara take some tissue from her bag, cleaning Soichiro's shirt for him. "Thank you" says Soichito, while Teppei looks on....

Teppei sees Mizuhara & his brother downstairs. "Bye" says Soichiro & tells Mizuhara "Wait here for me, I'll get the car...." Left together, Mizuhara says to Teppei "I called your cell phone, but no one answered" "Sorry, sorry...." "Before actually meeting like this, I actually wanted to tell you meet you & about it first but...." Teppei merely nods & doesn't say anything. Mizuhara says "I never expected to be with Soichiro like this....met during work....didn't tell you....somehow...." Teppei asks "Did you tell him we used to go out together?" The look on Mizuhara's face says it all & Teppei says "But then again, hard to say that we were going out together....& there's no need to either huh....if it's aniki, I think it's good. It's good....not like me, straying...."

Back in the apartment Teppei cleans up the mugs on the table. Taking the mug that Mizuhara drank from he suddenly says "What happened to my cell phone? Where is it? Let me try calling" sitting on the bed & punching the number into his telephone. It rings & someone answers "Yes, yes!" Teppei says "How can you use other people's cell phone?" "You're the one who forgot it, left it on the desk & left....I'm taking care of it for you...." "Thank you very much....switch it off & return it to me at the office tomorrow, bye" "No" "Why no?" "no" The door bell buzzes & Teppei shouts "Please wait!". Talking into the phone as he walks to the door "Just remember to bring it to the office tomorrow, that'll be fine!" He opens the door to see Riko with a big smile outside. "Here!" returning the phone to him. "Where's the 'thank you'?" "Thank you" "You're welcome." "Goodbye" & tries to shut the door but Riko stops him "I specially came over to return it & you can't even offer me tea or something?" Teppei reluctantly says "How about coming in for tea or something?" "Thank you" says Riko coming in "Slippers? Slippers?" "Aren't any" "Didn't buy any? Slipp...."

Riko goes in front of that bronze statue, touches it & says "Really huge boobs! How come they're so shinny? Really envious!" Teppei walks into the kitchen not replying. "How was the date?" "Fine" "Got dumped huh! Got dumped that's why you're in a bad mood." "What's so funny?" Riko sees something on the bed "What's this? Graduation album?" Shizuoka prefecture...." Teppei grabs it from her & Riko asks "Why are you so embarrassed? Like a girl! What? Don't tell me you were this fat before?" "Hah?" says Teppei gritting his teeth. The photograph falls to the floor & Riko picks it up "This is you? Haven't changed one bit! This girl....this is your girl friend? Mizuhara Sanae?" Teppei tries to grab the photo back from her & they end up ripping it. Riko says "Sorry" but Teppei merely says "That's enough, go home" However Riko picks up the high school book from the floor & flips thru it "Got some really embarrassing things written in here....to the victor of the big meet Te-chan, Te-chan's shot, Te-chan's pesperation........" Teppei goes over & angrily grabs the book from Riko "This is none of your business. Stop messing around. People have important memories & feelings from the past that they don't want others to know about! A past that you don't want to forget! Things that one keeps inside, wanting to forget & can't! Why can't you understand?! Are you an idiot!?" He ends up yelling at her. Riko merely says "I understand. I understand....I also know what it's like to be dumped...." She grabs her bag & leaves upset. Teppei mutters to himself "Too much, that idiot...."

Teppei goes out looking for Riko & sees her at the overhead bridge. She smiles & showing the ring on her finger "This" "Engagement ring?" "Let's go throw away our unhappiness" As they go together around Tokyo their conversation can be heard........Riko starts "Why is the sky in Tokyo pink?" "Smog" "It's pretty....I think tonight's pretty too...." "Aren't you from Tokyo?" "Nagano....at night, the sky is pitch black, the sky is filled with a million stars...." "& now you're in smoggy Tokyo being an OL...." "Yes...." "Why don't you go home?" "Why?" "Somehow I feel like there's something in Tokyo....I don't want to give up on myself yet...." "Me too I guess....I don't want to give up on myself yet either...."

The both of them end up by a bay. Riko takes her ring off "I wanted to throw this away here....because it was here that I first got it....bye bye" & throws it into the water. Teppei says "Ah, wait....it it really ok?" Riko answers "it's ok" putting something into her pocket. Teppei sees & says "What are you doing?" "Nothing" "What are you doing?" grabbing her hand & sees the ring. "You didn't throw it?!" She says "I intend to pawn it tomorrow & but a PRADA bag!" Teppei takes it from her & says "Don't lie!" & tosses it into the water. Riko yells "Stop! What are you doing! Quit messing around!" Teppei taps her on her back "I've thrown away your unhappiness for you, you should thank me!" Riko yells "That was mind! None of your business! PRADA! I can't believe this!" Teppei says "Can't be helped!" "Can't be helped? Got to be kidding........" mutters Riko. Teppei starts laughing & Riko asks "What are you laughing about? What's so funny?" Teppei laughs "Coz........" "Coz what?" "I was pretending! Pretending!" & opens his hand. It's empty & Riko starts laughing "It's in your pocket, has to be...." putting her hand into his pockets. Teppei takes her hand out & says "I dropped it...." "Dropped it?! What!?" "Right here, I pretended........" "Look for it! Look for it!" "You look for it too!" "You ask me to look for it?!" says Riko going on her hands & knees "It's expensive....expensive....you really threw it!" "I didn't....pretended!" "Then why is it missing?"

The next morning with Teppei still in the water, Riko says "Hey, forget it already" "How can I?" "I said it's ok." With a big sigh she continues "Thanks to you, I can really forget him now....thank you" Teppei says "I'm sorry." & then continues "Do you still love him?" Riko replies "Yes, still love him. But he's in love with someone else, can't be helped....have to give it up. If I don't, then I won't be able to go forward. When one really loves someone, things like this are bound to happen....it's harder than looking for a diamond in the sand...." Teppei tells her "You'll find it again, the 'diamond'.... someone who you can really love...." "Diamond...." "Daimond...." repeats Riko. Teppei says "As long as we try hard...." Riko stands up "Will work hard today too!" as Teppei cleans up. Riko asks "What time is it?" Teppei takes his watch out from his pocket "Can we still make it on time?" Riko picks up her bag & starts running, Teppei grabs his shoes & runs after her "Wait up!"

At the office Kurosaki is reprimanding one of the guys "What's this?" "That's...." "Who decided on 20 million yen?! Like this the company will make a loss! Understand?!" Teppei comes running in "Sorry I'm late." The boss is in a bad mood "Katagiri! Why are you late!?" "Went to the beach...." "Beach?" "....to look for something...." "What are you thinking about!" looking at his shoes "What are you shoes so dirty?! How can you meet customers like that?! Do you have any intentions of working in the business department?!" Teppei answers quietly "Yes" "In that case than change your attitude! & your hair! When are you going to cut it?!" Teppei says "I'm not cutting my hair, this is my style...." "What?!" "It's just that I've always had this hairstyle, suddenly ask me to cut it, I just can't...." "Katagiri!!" yells Kurosaki pushing Teppei & the others come by to stop him "Youngsters have their own way of thinking...." "Calm down!" With the hoo-haa in the background, Teppei shouts "Alright! I'll slowly change myself to suit the business department" as Riko goes him, grabs his pony tail & cuts his hair with a pair of scissors. His hair falls out of its pony tail & the everyone's stunned into silence. Riko says with a smile "I cut it....I've cut off all your unhappiness for you." Teppei merely stares at her, gets up & looks at her but she merely smiles back at him. He takes he's jacket & going in front of the others he says calmly "Excuse me, I'm going out for a bit." & leaves. Riko says "Let's get back to work...." & the others say "work, work...." "Welcome!" says the barber. "Same as before?" Teppei answers "You decide...." The guy takes a razor & Teppei freaks out "Ah! That's a bit...."

Back at the office Teppei's on the phone "Hello, this is Katagiri from the business department...." The guys come back "We're back!" & look at Teppei who's still on the phone "If it's convenient, I'd like to see you in the afternoon...." All the guys keep looking at Teppei "then 10, alright?" Kurosaki says to Riko "Not bad huh!" Riko nods "Not bad!" Teppei on the phone "then, alright, I'll see you then, I understand...." hanging up....

(-= CJ =- Kimura looks much better with shorter hair, kakko ii-jan!)

Leaving for the day, Riko waiting for him calls him "Hi hi!" Teppei walks on & Riko says "Wait, wait! This bread is really delicious so I bought some for you for breakfast as well." Handing her peace offering to Teppei, he takes it & Riko says "Bye" trying not to offend him. She takes two steps he says "Just as well, I wanted to say something to you." "What?" "Thank you." "huh?" "Thanks to you, I can forget the past." "So....that's good...." "I'm going this way...." "I'm going this way...." says Riko pointing the other way. Teppei starts walking & Riko says "Hey! I also have something I forgot to say to you...." "What?" "Uncool! Doesn't suit you, this hair style!" teases Riko. He takes two steps towards her & she runs off, Teppei looking on....looking at the her peace offering in his hand he smiles. Remembering he puts his hand thru his hair & ruffles it, turns & leaves........