Teppei walks down the corridor at the office & stopping outside, he looks thru the glass to see Riko at her desk & thinks about what happened at the amusement park.... "How do you expect me to believe you? Believe me! We were only looking at the yearbook....You're lying!....I'm not lying!....You said that you wouldn't make me worry any more....said you wouldn't make me feel lonely any more...." Teppei goes in "I'm back...." & everyone goes "Otsukare...."

As Teppei goes to his desk, Riko passes some documents to him "Here, the data for Lietax....there were some misprints so I corrected them for you...." Teppei says "Thank you...." as he sits down tiredly. He says "That...." but is interrupted by Kurosaki & Ootemon returning. Another round of 'Welcome back's go off & Riko says "I'll make some tea...." Ootemon gives her a bag "Here, some snacks...." "Thank you...." replies Riko, taking it from him. Teppei comes up to her "Hey...." "What?" "Do you have some time tonight? I want to talk to you...." Riko answers "Sorry, I've got a lot of things to do, busy...." & takes the tea to Kurosaki, Teppei looking at her. Putting the tea on the table Riko says "I was waiting for you to return...." "Huh?" "I have something to hand to you...." says Riko, putting an envelope on his table....Resignation letter. Kurosaki looks at her "Uesugi, you're resigning?" Teppei looks stunned as Riko answers "Yes....please approve it...." Ootemon asks "Quitting to get married right?" Riko answers "That's not likely....my parent's inn is really busy so I'm returning to Nagano to help out...." Yoda says "You're going back to your hometown?" "Yes...." "You're kidding....Teppei, didn't you know about this?" Teppei answers "No...." Kurosaki says "In any case it's not convenient to talk here, let's go...." Riko answers "ok...." following him out....Teppei's eyes on her....

Teppei goes to Riko's apartment. He presses the doorbell & a voice says "coming!" The door opens & it's Midori "If you're looking for my sister, she's inside....one-chan! You have a visitor!" Riko comes out "Yes?" She stops when she sees who it is. Teppei says "I want to talk to you...." Riko says to her sister "Midori....could you go out for a bit? Don't you have to submit your application to the university?" Midori answers "But it's closed now...." Riko thinks & then says "Then go to a nearby café...." Riko goes inside & comes back out with a jacket "Sorry, take this with you...." After Midori leaves Riko says "What?" Teppei asks "What's the meaning of resigning? Because of me?" Riko answers "No, just concerns my family....my sister will be coming to Tokyo next year....they'll be short of help at the inn....many reasons...." After a long pause, Teppei asks "Even if I asked you not to go, will you still go back?" Riko asks quietly "Why are you saying this? You don't have to say this....you're really selfish...." "You're the one who's selfish....such an important matter & you didn't even talk it over with me...." Riko tells him "This has got nothing to do with you!" but Teppei retorts "Of course it has! I want to talk it over with you & start over....you don't even care to listen...." Riko says "Of course! Loving someone or hating someone happens in an instant....but the feeling of trust can't be recovered that easily...." Teppei doesn't say anything. Riko says "Go home....go home!" & slams the door. For the longest while Teppei stares at the door & then finally leaves. Riko inside, leans against the door upset....

At a meeting, a client says to Teppei "What are you so absorbed in?" Teppei comes out of his reverie "Eh?" "I said there's a job for you!" Teppei says "Sorry...." "Our bucho said why not let Eigyo Agency enter the competition for advertising our new product! Isn't that something?" Teppei smiles "Thank you for letting us do this...." "Look forward to it...." "Yes!"

Kurosaki says to Teppei "Lietax's new product? If we win it it'll be big business....you have to give it your best....""Teppei nods "Yes....but...." Kurosaki encourages him "Don't worry....the guys from the creative department has said they'll work with you...." "Really?" "Although you had some troubles before, it'll work alright this time....this time we have to win...." Teppei nods "ok...." Kurosaki asks "Also, you....what happened to you & Uesugi? Although she wrote in her letter that she was resigning for family reasons, but that doesn't seem like the truth....don't know if it's good or bad, but a guy shouldn't let love affect his work....you understand don't you...." Teppei nods "I do...." Kurosaki laments "If she's not here it'll get very lonely...." looking at Riko serving tea to the guys who say "Riko, if you're not here to make the tea, it's undrinkable!"

Mizuhara comes back to see Soichiro waiting outside her apartment. He says "I want to ask you something...." "What?" "Are you going to China because you really want to? If it's not....if you going because you running away from something....if it's not something you want to do, I won't approve...." Mizuhara doesn't reply & Soichiro says "I guess I don't have the right to say this...." Mizuhara shakes her head "It's me who doesn't have the right for you to say this to me....because it's my fault....it was my mistake, I betrayed you...." Soichiro asks "Has something happened between you & Teppei?" The both of them look at each other until Mizuhara finally says "Sorry...." & starts walking off but Soichiro says "You're not going to explain?"

At work Riko packs up to leave "I'm going off first...." & everyone says "Otsukaresama...." Teppei doesn't say anything, just looks at her as she leaves....

Teppei enters a restaurant. A guy says "Welcome, let me have your coat...." Erika sees him arrive & goes up to him "Teppei! We were waiting for you....this way...." At the table, Riko opens a bottle of champagne, everyone cheering & having a good time. She looks up & sees Teppei who seems equally shocked to see her. Erika says "Riko suddenly said she wanted to meet up with everyone....then I realized the most important person wasn't here...." Riko asks Erika "You called him?" Erika nods "Uhm...." Sasaki says "Sit over here...." getting up from his seat, next to Riko "I'll sit over there...." As Teppei sits down, Yoshimoto calls over to the waiter "Excuse me, could be have another glass?" "An also one more setting please!" Erika looks at Riko & Teppei, realizing something's wrong. Riko says "I have an announcement to make....I've broken up with this guy...." Teppei doesn't say anything & the others look stunned. Riko continues "I just want to make things clear....I can't go on with a big idiot who's a liar & a sukebe....I've resigned & will be going back home so I won't see him any more....it will be a refreshing feeling....that's it...." There's an awkward silence around the table & Sasaki says "Riko's saying these kind of things again....really....Teppei, what have you got to say?" Teppei answers "I may be sukebe & a big idiot, but I am not a liar....if you want to say bad things about me go ahead....if you say it a million times & it makes you feel better go ahead, more than a million times is ok too....but even then, my feelings for you won't change....I don't want to break up with you...." Finally Riko says "What are you saying....in the end just talking about your own feelings....just like an idiot....I'm going home...." Everyone says "Riko!" but Riko just takes some money out of her purse "Here's the money....sorry...." & leaves. Teppei looks at her & then looks back at Erika....

Riko walks home. Arriving outside her apartment she stops & sees Mizuhara walking down the steps. Mizuhara sees her & hurries towards Riko "Good evening...." Riko asks "What's wrong?" Mizuhara looks at her "I came to apologize for that day...." Riko says "There's no need to apologise....you didn't have any ill intentions towards me....you only love Teppei, don't you...." Mizuhara says "Yes, I won't lie to you....but he's rejected me....he said that the only person he loves you....he said it frankly...." Riko looks at her, not saying anything & suddenly runs up into her apartment, leaving Mizuhara staring at her....

It's a weekend & Teppei's in the office working. In the mess on the table he suddenly takes his cell phone & looks at the photo stickers on them. He puts it down but it rings & after an indecisive moment, picks it up again & answers it "Yes...."

At the airport Riko asks Erika "Why call me here?" Erika answers "Forgive Teppei....he said how much he loved you in front of everyone...." Riko doesn't answer & Erika asks "Aren't you being a little selfish?" Riko says "Selfish? Because I love him, really love him....I want him to love me as much as I love him...." Erika tells her "If you really love him that much, then see him one more time....clear up your feelings....if you just go home like this, really feel sorry for Teppei...."

Teppei walks with Mizuhara "It's been decided....I'm leaving this Saturday...." Teppei says "Is that so? Have you told my brother?" "Eh?" "When he heard that you were going to China, he got a shock....although he understands, it's still hard to accept that you're really going there.... Mizuhara answers "But, things the way they are now....can't be helped...." Teppei answers "Is that so? Somehow, everyone imagines love to be so beautiful....like 2 people have to spend Christmas a certain way....go out on dates someplace....a world of 2 people....2 equal sides of the whole thing....isn't that great? The same feelings, the same aspirations....the ideal love relationship....but....in reality, there's only fighting & hurting each other....but even then, don't want to just let it end so easily....is this kind of love shameful?" Walking on in silence for a while, Teppei says a little embarrassingly "Talking big huh...."

Arriving outside Teppei's office building, Mizuhara says "Take care...." Teppei nods "Uhm, you too....ah, when you get over there, write to me...." Mizuhara smiles "Postcard....it'll be ok if Riko reads it too....goodbye...." Teppei looks at her as she walks away....

In her apartment Riko looks at the cactus Teppei gave her....

Alone in the office Teppei's working "It's cold...." He gets up & goes in between his & Riko's desk. Changing his mind he moves the 2 desks behind & does a couple of push ups to get warm. The security guard pops in "Otsukare, let me know when you leave...."

In the office the next day, Teppei has the sniffles. Hosaka asks "What wrong Teppei? Got a cold?" Teppei answers "It was cold yesterday...." Yoda adds "Came back to the office over the weekend to work? This office turns off the heater over the weekends, didn't you know?" Teppei answers "I just found out yesterday...." Kurosaki comes into the office "Katagiri! Entertaining Lietax tonight, ok? Yoda you too...." Teppei goes & gets some tea, Riko comes over "Are you free tonight?" "Why?" "I need to talk to you....then I wait for you at your apartment? It doesn't matter how late...." Teppei nods & Riko serves tea to Hioki....

As Riko gets ready Midori says "One-chan, let's go home...." Riko answers "Sorry Midori, I can't go today...." "Eh? You're kidding....date?" "No...." answers Riko going to the fridge Midori following her "Why are you keeping silent? Ah you're meeting with that guy the other night right?" Riko mutters "Irritating....it's got nothing to do with you!"Midori says "That's bad....if you get back together with him, you won't go home....I can't leave mom alone & come to Tokyo...." Riko says to her "No such thing, listen....I have my own live to lead, you have yours....where's the 'I understand' ?" Midori nods solemly "I understand...."

At the karaoke lounge Teppei's moodily looking through the songbook. Kurosaki calls over "The next song is "Akarui...." Teppei looks at the book & remembers what Riko said to him earlier "you....then I wait for you at your apartment? It doesn't matter how late...." Kurosaki sees Teppei looking at his watch....

In Teppei's apartment, Riko sits in front of the fridge where she wrote "Teppei, sukebe" Getting up she spots something on the floor & picks it up....it's an ear-ring....Riko's imagination goees back to the scene where she walks in on Teppei kissing Mizuhara, when she saw Mizuhara coming out of Teppei's apartment & Teppei telling her "Believe me! I'm not lying!".... The ear-ring slips from Riko's hand & rolls onto the floor....

Teppei runs home & outside his door, he takes out his keys in surprise "Lights are off...." Going in, Riko's not there....

Riko comes home & cries....taking the cactus from the table she flings it against the wall. It smashes into bits....

Teppei sits at the table smoking when the buzzer goes off. Thinking it's Riko he says "Rings the bell...." but when he opens the door it's Soichirp. Teppei asks "What's wrong?" "You know that Sanae's leaving for China this Saturday don't you...." Teppei nods without answering. Soichiro coolly says "I'm working that day, could you send her off to Narita airport?" Teppei goes "Huh? Why do I have to go? If you're really that worried about it, work doesn't matter, send her off yourself!" Soichiro says "The only one who can make her stay is you, isn't it....Sanae's already your woman isn't that right....you have to be responsible right to the end too...." Teppei asks "What's that? What do you mean 'your woman' ? You think that I slept with Mizuhara?" Soichiro looks at him "Am I wrong?" Teppei grabs him "Of course you're wrong! Do you know what sort of feelings she's going with? She doesn't want to go! She's going because she's been hurt....you feel sorry but don't have the guts to see her off yourself? What's that....'your woman'....trying to be so cool....why should I help you out?"

After Soichiro leaves Teppei waits for Riko. Looking at his watch it's past 10 & decides to call Riko but gets the recording instead. Going to Riko's apartment he presses the doorbell. Riko answers the door & Teppei asks "How come you're at home? Why didn't you answer the phone?" "I sent my sister to the station...." "You could've at least let me know...." Riko nods & then says "Ah, there's a farewell party on Friday right? I'll be leaving by coach the next day....I didn't want us to part fighting, so I thought it'd be better to tell you first...." Teppei says "You're going home no matter what?" Riko answers "I've told you already, I've got my reasons...." Teppei nods "I understand that but....only, I don't want you to leave....I want you to stay by my side...." Riko looks at him & then says softly "I don't love you any more....I'm sorry....don't say anything anymore...." She moves to close the door & Teppei, after a pause, moves away. Riko closes the door & sits in the foyer. Teppei on the other side stands there in silence & sees the broken bits of the cactus he gave her in a container by the door. He bangs on the door "Riko....the day after the farewell party....the day you leave....that day....will you give it to me?" Riko inside is in tears & Teppei fighting back tears himself says "Please...." Riko doesn't answer....

Riko's packing up in her apartment....later in the office everyone watches in silence as Riko packs up her things....

At the farewell party Kurosaki presents Riko with a bouquet of flowers "Thank you....otsukaresama....& this is something from everyone....thank you for the past 2 years...." Riko accespts "Thank you...." Hosaka says to a moody looking Teppei "Teppei, don't you have anything to say?" Hioki says "You're really hopeless....although many things have happened between the both of you, is it alright to just let her go back home like this?" Kurosaki goes "Ahem...." & Tsuji says "Let's have Riko say a few words...." Riko stands up "ok....then I'll say a few words....I guess everyone thinks that I'm quitting & going back to my hometown because things haven't worked out with Katagiri....but that's wrong....my family's running an inn....my older sister's going to have a baby & my younger sister's coming to Tokyo....as the inn will be shorthanded I've decided to go back to help....but it's not that I'm giving up & going home....I love Nagano....I'm going home because I love my home & the inn....I've no regrets....Kurosaki kacho.... Ootemon san....Yoda san....Tsuji san....Hosaka san....Hioki san....Tsuruoka san....Katagiri san...." The guys say "Just 'Teppei' will be fine....yes yes....Teppei Teppei...." Riko nods "Teppei....thank you everyone....although it was just a short time, I'm very happy that I was working in this department....I didn't really like the work but being together with everyone....I was very happy....being able to spend such wonderful times in Tokyo, with this company....I feel very honored....thank you very much...." Kurosaki applauds "Even if you go back home, we won't forget you....call us whenever you come back to Tokyo....let's have a toast!"

That night Riko sits on her bed in the dark & tears start falling....Teppei goes outside to the veranda & looks at the Christmas tree with the decorations & lights on. Coming back inside sitting on his bed, he sees the ear-ring on the floor & picks it up....

The next day Teppei's waiting when Riko finally comes running up "Teppei! Sorry I'm late! Look look, I listed all the places I wanted to see today...." showing Teppei her book. Teppei looks "Tokyo tower? You serious?" "Uhm! Have you been?" "No but...." "Then let's go coz this is the last time I'll see Tokyo with you....so I want to go someplace with meaning...." Teppei nods & then says "But then going to see the palace & the City Hall's like a school excursion or something...." "So?" Teppei suggests "Then let's take the tour bus?" Riko nods with a smile....

On a bus Riko says "This is the first time I've been on a tour bus since coming to Tokyo 2 years ago...." "Me too...." "Really? Ah the national convention building....take the video for me?" says Riko, handing Teppei the video camcorder "Can you take it?"

Arriving at Tokyo Tower Riko says excitedly "It's beautiful! Wow! All those buildings....looking down from here, there's certainly a lot of people in Tokyo huh....ah, my sister said we're changing players....she's only 22....my sister's really looking forward to coming to Tokyo....looks like an idiot but then again....I was the same when I first arrive here 2 years ago....full of dreams....wanting to have a great love relationship....everyone also comes here with full of hopes & dreams huh....but in that world of dreams, those that really find true love....is which part of that dream?" Teppei answers "You're in that part now...." Riko says "Am I....I don't know...."

Teppei shows her a poster "This is my best work while I was at the creative department....it'll be changed next year but I wanted to show it you once...." Riko tells him "It's good....it's a nice poster....but this isn't like you, dwelling on the past...." Teppei looks at her & then asks "How much time left?" Riko answers "2 hours...." Teppei asks "What now? Anywhere else you want to go?" Riko answers "The beach....I want to go that beach we went together...." Teppei remembers with a smile "Then let's go...."

Going to the beach Riko says "The diamond ring....think we lost it somewhere around here...." Teppei laughs "Yeah...." Riko continues "You tried so hard to look for it....& said that I'd find it again....that I'd find another diamond....a big & sparkling diamond....that will dazzle others when they see it....I wanted to protect it carefully....that way I thought I wouldn't lose it....hung on to it tightly....but I was an idiot & didn't realize that I lost it again....maybe I lost it because I hung on to it too tightly...." Teppei doesn't say anything & suddenly walks forward surprising Riko "What's wrong?" Teppei says "Look for it again...." Riko runs after him "Forget it! Stop it!" Teppei says "Find what you lost & everything will be ok...." Riko yells "Stop it!" Teppei says "What!" & the both of them tumble onto the sand. Riko says "Enough already...." Teppei doesn't reply & after a long while looks at her "Uhm...." "What?" "That day when Mizuhara came over...." Riko gets up "It's enough...." Teppei goes after her "Wait! I want you to hear me out....that night was the first time I heard that Mizuhara was going to China....she was forcing herself to be alone....I wanted to comfort her a little....I'm not defending myself....not answering your call....that moment I know I betrayed you....but in the end nothing happened with her....because I love you....you're in my heart....I love you....so let's start over once more?" Riko says "Thank you Teppei....but it's too late....it took a lot to make up my mind....so don't say anything anymore...."

(-= CJ =- I really liked the script in this scene, in nihongo of course....especially the way they're actually referring to their own relationship when they talk about the diamond....)

At Narita airport Mizuhara's walking along when Soichiro sees her "Sanae!" Mizuhara asks "You came to see me off?" No, I didn't come to see you off....I came to stop you from leaving....I hurt you....did all those things that caused you pain....but if you still love me....just a little bit....I want us to start over...." Mizuhara is silent for a while & then says "I'm sorry....I....I can't forgive myself...." As she turns to leave Soichiro grabs her arm "I heard from Teppei, nothing happened....stay....stay by my side...." Mizuhara looks up at him & says a tearful "I'm sorry...." & walks away....

Riko says to Teppei "Here's fine....if you send me to the bus stop I might start crying...." Teppei mutters "Oh...." & gives her back her bag. Riko takes it "Thank you....don't look so sad Teppei....after I leave you still have a whole lot of work waiting for you...." Teppei nods "Yeah, have to work over the weekend...." "That's right, it'll be cold on Saturays & Sundays...." "Can't be helped....work is work...." "You have to take care...." "Don't say things that you don't normally say...." "But maybe going back to work will be good....working hard you'll soon forget about me....it'll be ok, you recover fast don't you? You're not the kind to dwell on the past....that much I know!" Suddenly somber Riko says "It's a strange feeling....knowing that I'll never see you again...." "Me too...." Riko steps forward & kisses him. With a smile she says "Remember this! I hate you! I really hate you! Promise me? If we ever meet again by chance walking in the streets years from now, don't come within a 2 meter radius of me...." Teppei says "Riko...." but Riko cuts him off "Promise me...." Looking at her he nods "I understand....I promise...." Riko says with a teary smile "Thank you! Bye bye Teppei...." & turns around, runs off, Teppei watching....

Back in his apartment Teppei looks at the fridge where Riko's written "Teppei sukebe" & recalls the time when she wrote it "It's permanent ink, it's not going to come off....doesn't matter if it doesn't come off, I want to shout it out loudly, walk around town with a placard too...."

Teppei goes to the office the next day. Sitting at his desk he bangs himself on something under the table "What's this?" Looking underneath he sees a blanket & an electric heater. He then sees a note underneath a lunch box from Riko "Careful you don't catch a cold....hang in there....although I won't let you come within a 2 meter radius from me, I'll still cheer you on from a distance...." Teppei take the lunch box "Why be so nice to me?" He thinks & then suddenly runs out....

He runs outside & grabs a cab "Tokyo station...." Anxiously in the cab he says "Sorry, may I smoke?" "Go ahead...." Finally arriving at the station he runs to the bus terminal looking for Riko. Finally seeing her just as she's about to board the bus he shouts "Riko!" Seeing him she starts up the bus but Teppei runs & grabs her out "Wait! Don't go! Doesn't matter now....just stay by my side...."even if you hate me now you'll love me again...." Riko says "I said I hated you....it's a lie....I hate myself....I kept doubting you, could trust you in the end....I hate myself like that...." Teppei says "Then just believe in me again...." Riko tells him "You can call me a coward....but I don't want to get hurt any more....I'm sorry Teppei....I've lost to myself....I don't have the right for you to ask me to stay...." The bus honks & Riko gets up the bus. Teppei says "Riko...." as the door closes. She looks back at Teppei tears in her eyes. As the bus pulls out Teppei runs out after the bus & sees it leave. On the bus Riko holds her bus ticket, tears rolling down her face....