[electronic dinging]
[traffic noises]
MIXI TODAY'S OUTFIT
[Kiichi] Aren't those all Mitarai-san's things?
Please stop it.
It's illegal. You can't keep on like this.
What'll we do... if you get arrested, Mom?
All right then. I promise.
I'm done with all that, okay?
Listen.
A friend from school stole money from the arcade he works at.
They caught him in the act,
and he tried to apologize.
They said they still had to call it in.
And did they?
Then, at the arcade, a blaze broke out that night.
Because of all the damage, they shut down and didn't call.
Kiichi, are you...
What are you saying?
I'm simply glad my friend got saved like that.
MISAWANO MIDDLE SCHOOL SENIOR KIICHI WATARI
[somber music playing]
So, that's it then.
My son isn't the culprit here. I did it all alone.
It's not fair, is it? Not at all!
She had so much, that woman.
And then I, no matter how I dress myself up,
I'm an imposter?
And I had to... to burn up her home, see?
And I burned it all!
Mitarai-san, it's already late, so we'll continue this tomorrow.
Wait, no! Why aren't I under arrest, huh?
Look, you should just go home for now, all right?
- [breathes sharply] - [officer] Please.
[metallic door clangs]
Looking at it now,
her son was involved in that fire, I'm absolutely sure.
- Mitarai Kiichi has to come in. - Yes.
[sirens wailing]
[Anzu] Kiichi-san, shouldn't we go home now?
Just show me tomorrow.
Would you... run away with me right now?
[Anzu] What?
[wind whooshing]
I'm sorry. I was just joking.
We're not too far now.
[lighter clicks]
[lighter thuds on table]
[Kiichi] We're here.
[Anzu] This is what you wanted me to see?
[Kiichi] Kinda.
[gasps]
- It's great. - [sentimental music playing]
[Anzu] I didn't know you could see so many stars in Tokyo.
[chuckles softly]
[Anzu sighs deeply]
Betelgeuse.
[young Kiichi] Betelgeuse.
A red supergiant.
They're stars with low surface temperature.
Here.
Don't give up.
I do this and look... whenever I'm feeling worried.
The stars are always there when you search.
[sentimental music fades]
I'd be... glad if you could keep it.
It's just that... I haven't got that much to offer.
No home and no money.
I can't say... if I can even earn a living from now on, either.
That is nothing to stress about.
We'll just have to be supportive.
If there's anything you need, just let me help you out.
All right then. I'll... hang on for us both.
Anzu, I'm...
I'm sorry.
[melancholic music playing]
[door opens, closes]
[car honking]
[footsteps echoing]
LIAR - STUPID - DUMBASS - FOOL!
- [birds chirping] - [cat mewing]
[cell phone buzzing]
[sighs]
What do you want?
[on phone] This is Onuma calling from Narioka Police Station.
Kiichi-san turned himself in.
Sorry, what did you say?
[Onuma] So we don't need you for further questioning.
Wait! Wait a second.
This is a mistake, all right?
He just...
Kiichi has lost his mind, I think. He's been alone too long in his room.
Just wait! I'll come over right away. [inhales]
[Onuma] Don't bother.
Your son isn't allowed any visitors, ma'am.
No, wait a minute, wait! [inhales sharply]
[Shinji] What now?
Kiichi has... turned himself into the authorities.
What?
Kiichi what?
[tense music playing]
[music ends]
No, it's not true.
Did Kiichi-san really go there?
Is he saying he set the fire?
No, I'm not convinced.
Makiko could be forcing him.
[dish clinking]
Could be forcing him? Why?
[exciting music playing]
- Let's go, Yuzu. - [grunts] To where?
The Mitarai's.
[upbeat theme music playing]
BURN THE HOUSE DOWN
NO MEDIA OR PRESS
Go ahead.
[rattling]
Oh. [scoffs]
Now what would bring the two of you to our door, huh?
[Makiko sighs]
We're just here to ask you something.
We're here to uncover the truth.
Just the other day,
you said the perpetrator was you, right?
[lighter clinks]
Was that another lie?
[exhales]
Back then, all I wanted...
was to be able to defend Kiichi, nothing else.
And now, none of it matters, and it's thanks to you.
[sighs]
Then,
Kiichi-san really is the one who set the fire that day?
I saw you.
On the day of the fire, why were you inside the closet?
I was returning things.
The clothes I stole and all her jewelry.
I'd already pawned some of it, but it...
seemed right to bring the rest back. I'd kept things at home, still.
[Makiko] That day, after the fan meeting had ended,
I picked up the bag I'd brought and changed clothes
in the bathroom at the station.
[melancholic music playing]
[Makiko] I wanted to return everything that I still could.
And that's when... you saw me in the closet.
[panting]
- [young Yuzu] Mom? - [gasps]
Then, I just panicked and ran.
And I didn't realize I had it until later.
[groans]
[sighs heavily]
[panting]
[sniffles]
[Makiko] Surely, God had been watching me.
[exhales sharply]
And He would not pardon the sins I committed.
I thought I should turn myself in to the police.
[sirens wailing in distance]
But then...
[fireman] Come on, come on! Let's move, let's move!
- [sirens wailing] - [man] Hey, look, there's a fire!
[woman] What? Where is it?
[man] At the doctor's place, the Mitarai house!
- [woman] No way, really? - [man] Yes, it's true!
[panting]
[Satsuki sobbing]
[Osamu] It's dangerous here. We should go.
- [woman 1] How did the fire start? - They said in the kitchen.
She left the stove unattended.
[woman 2] That's why she's crying!
- [sirens wailing] - [whooshing, crackling]
[Makiko] Thank you, God!
[exclaiming]
[Makiko] All of my sins had been pardoned after all.
I'd made it all the way to our house before I realized
the one who had made all traces of those sins vanish was...
someone besides God.
Kiichi had likely set that fire.
[male reporter] I'm here at the fire in Musashigaoka City.
The fire started near the kitchen of this house.
The cause of the fire was thought to be careless handling of an unattended stove,
but now, there is new information
from a few neighbors, saying that they saw someone suspicious.
The police and the fire depart...
[young Kiichi] A blaze broke out that night.
They shut down and didn't call.
- Is that really how you feel? - [water running]
What?
Do you honestly think
Mitarai-san forgot to turn the stove off?
[Makiko] It seemed he'd... set that fire just as I suspected.
So it seemed then.
And in the end...
I was the one who had ruined my son's life.
I did it.
[sniffles]
[Anzu] You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself.
Kiichi-san needed his mother to step in.
You should have called the police if you actually cared.
[angrily] I wish that you'd never come here!
I wish I'd never let you come work here!
You're the greatest error... [inhales sharply]
...that I have ever made.
You meddling little bitch.
[screams] Ow!
- [whoosh] - [Makiko screaming]
- [Yuzu] Oh! Oh! - [Makiko] Damn it!
Maybe water will... [gasps]
- [Anzu] Go get some now! - [Makiko grunting, panting heavily]
[screaming]
- [whooshing, crackling] - [Makiko screaming]
[Anzu] Stand back!
- [Anzu panting] - [Makiko screaming]
- Oh! - [yells] Call the fire department!
[Makiko] My phone! Where is it?
[Anzu grunting]
[Makiko and Anzu grunting]
[Shinji grunts]
[yells] Shinji!
[Shinji screaming]
[shouting]
[thudding]
[all panting]
[Anzu] It's out.
[gasps] Shinji! Shinji, are you okay?
- [trembling] - [Yuzu] Oh! He... He's been burned!
[panting]
[Anzu gasps] We have to cool him down quickly!
- [Yuzu gasps] - I'm sorry.
[breathing sharply]
I'm so sorry.
[Yuzu panting]
You're all wrong.
It wasn't Kiichi. He didn't do it.
But I did. [sniffles]
What?
The fire at the...
Mitarai house that day was started by...
by me. I did it.
- What? - [Shinji breathing shakily]
What are you saying?
[panting heavily]
On the day of the fire...
I... I saw your... [breathes shakily]
...mother's sweater at my house.
I decided to return it.
Hello?
[birds chirping]
[sniffs]
[melancholic music playing]
Oh, that looks good.
[exhales] And there's lots of meat.
[clicking]
[bubbling]
Ah, that's great!
Ah. [sniffing]
[fire whooshing]
- [Shinji gasps] - [fire whooshes]
[panting]
What now?
[Shinji] My first impulse was just to run away. "I can't handle this."
I thought, "There's nothing I can do."
[camera whirring]
Since then,
I would tell myself again and again... [breathing shakily]
...that it'd be fine. [sniffles]
Someone would notice when I left, I didn't shut the door!
Then I heard...
[sobbing]
...it hadn't been okay at all.
[male reporter] I'm here at the fire in Musashigaoka City.
The fire started near the kitchen of this house.
[gulps]
The cause of the fire was thought to be careless handling of an unattended stove,
But now there is new information from a few neighbors saying that they saw...
[sobbing]
My actions had caused the Mitarai home fire!
- [Kiichi] Is that really how you feel? - [Shinji breathes heavily]
[Makiko] What?
[Kiichi] Do you honestly think Mitarai-san forgot to turn the stove off?
[water running]
[Kiichi] Is that really how you feel?
[sobbing] I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
[whimpers] I'm sorry.
[sobbing] I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
[sniffles] I'm sorry.
[Yuzu] Shinji...
Then why...
why not clear my mother before this?
I wanted to, but I just...
I couldn't explain what I did.
I felt relieved actually
wh... when they said your mom did it.
[sniffling, panting]
From the day I came here,
I swore that I'd work myself to exhaustion, so that...
someday I'd make things right again.
[breathing deeply]
For all of us, see?
For your mom.
[inhales]
For Anzu and Yuzu.
Because if I could become a doctor that everyone admired,
it's like atonement for the things I did.
[sniffling] Substituting the...
the real issue.
[breath trembling]
But at the...
hospital, I saw your mother...
[sniffles, sobs]
I finally realized the facts won't just disappear like that,
and I got scared.
[Shinji sobbing]
And so...
I stayed quiet.
[sobbing]
[sniffles]
Shinji...
you have to think hard.
[breathing shakily]
Makiko-san wanted to admit to doing it for a reason.
[inhales sharply] Kiichi-san went to the police to make up a confession.
Because they...
tried to keep on protecting each other!
[melancholic music playing]
[sobbing, sniffling]
[sobbing] I'm so sorry.
I swear, I... I am so sorry.
[sighs deeply]
[Shinji continues sobbing]
There's only one thing I'd like for you to do now, okay?
[breath trembling]
You have to say that you're sorry...
...to our mother!
[sighs softly]
[Anzu crying, sniffling]
[water splattering]
[PA system chimes]
[woman] Dr. Saito to room four.
Hey, there.
[Satsuki] Is that Shinji?
[slowly] My, haven't you gotten tall?
[breathes sharply] You're here to visit, huh?
[exhales]
Let me take a good look at you. Let me see your face, Shinji.
Ah! Oh, yes! Do you still like canelés?
Ichihara-san brought some recently. [chuckles softly]
I'm so sorry.
[breath trembling]
The one who set the fire that day was me.
I'm so sorry.
[Shinji breathing sharply]
All these years, I said nothing,
and made you take the blame.
[inhales deeply]
I'm really, really sorry.
I had a feeling... [exhales]
[inhales]...that you'd been there that day,
at the house to try to see me again.
Now, I don't... really like just hanging on
to grudges or doubting others.
And so I tried hard to move on,
by forgetting about the fire that day.
[breathing shakily]
I learned
Makiko-san had done things,
and that caused things I'd forgotten
to come and drown me in dark thoughts.
[Satsuki inhales sharply]
How wretched I was.
As it turned out... [inhales deeply]
...I realized I'm not a saint or a monster at the end of it all.
You were finally honest today.
I thank you.
This is a grudge I'll hold all my life.
We can't turn time back now.
[breathing shakily]
[melancholic music playing]
[Satsuki] Shinji,
when I say a grudge,
what I really mean is that I will
continue letting you... forever and always,
stay here in my heart and thoughts, understand?
[breathing shakily]
[Satsuki] So even if others
may try to criticize you for what you did,
or make jokes and laugh at your expense...
I want you to know
that I will always carry on thinking of you fondly with no regard to...
whatever they say.
[Shinji breathes sharply]
[sniffling]
[birds calling]
It's great to hear...
that I made sure that I turned off the gas stove that day.
You know now.
The fire that day, it wasn't your fault at all.
And I knew...
the whole time it wasn't you.
Thank you, Anzu,
for always believing in me.
- [both chuckle softly] - [melancholic music fades]
[traffic noises]
[Onuma] You should know that trying to cover
for a criminal is also a crime itself.
Yes, I... I'm sorry.
What were you doing the night of the fire?
I used to work at a little place for repairs.
I heard about the fire later when I... left work that night.
Is that really how you feel?
What?
Do you honestly think
Mitarai-san forgot to turn the stove off?
[adult Kiichi] I thought my mother was the arsonist.
But I noticed my brother's socks were blackened,
So I thought,
"Maybe he's involved somehow too."
Either way, I just...
couldn't ever bear the thought that they had set fire
to the Mitarai house.
[takes a deep breath]
So I pretended
that I didn't know anything more.
Then my... world got turned around by this girl,
and I saw I had to stop running.
It's not over yet!
[yells] I won't let it!
[inhales sharply]
When I heard you guys had gotten involved, I thought,
my mom shouldn't shoulder the burden of punishment alone,
so that's why I came in.
I'm very sorry.
[elevator dings]
I'm sorry, Kiichi.
[exhales] I, uh...
guess I couldn't... turn out that good in the end, huh?
Why did you say that?
Please don't give up.
Just try and...
you will someday.
[dramatic music playing]
[Makiko] Kiichi!
[sighs] You're out, I'm so relieved!
But to think Shinji had started that awful fire!
Ah, I always told that boy he had to put in extra effort,
that he had to try harder, and... [inhales]
...now, this is the end result.
He would break his back to prove he tries hard.
He keeps on pushing and never quits, and I admire him for it.
You should've praised the kid and not kept on criticizing.
Kiichi!
[Makiko] Well, I guess we have to start over from zero.
Let's start again both of us.
I can keep working.
[giggles]
And then, we'll have a fresh start together.
- Please, our new life is just about... - [Anzu] Makiko-san!
- [Makiko gasps] - [Anzu sighs]
Just what do you want now?
[panting]
They're like a plague on me.
[sighs]
You and I have a matter we have to discuss, Makiko-san.
[Makiko exhales sharply]
I'd like to take Kiichi-san now.
Are you that... What are you saying exactly?
I fell in love with Kiichi-san.
I think we should
live together from now on!
You're acting crazy!
How can you stand there ignoring all the trouble you caused us? [scoffs]
And I felt the same about you.
You caused a lot of hurt.
I thought you burned our house down
and let my mom carry all that guilt for years.
That you were jealous and cunning,
with no empathy or compassion.
Then my eyes opened.
Now I can see you're like the rest of us, a weak person.
And I intend to fight back my own shortcoming,
so I can... be a stronger woman.
So just give me your son, and we're done.
[scoffs, laughs]
Don't say things like that!
It's just that my life's over now.
[Anzu] And who told you your life is over?
The internet?
A news article or what, their readers?
People like that
just like to look at rumors and then think that they know everything.
People like that start lies that go around online, and it's not right!
You can't think there's anything you can do?
When I hear lies concerning Kiichi-san,
I'll say, "That's not true," and correct them all!
And if people write lies about him online, then,
I'll get the site stopped!
Every fire they start,
I swear to stop them all!
Yes, but I can't ask you to be a part of this.
[shouts] Kiichi-san, stay strong!
[sentimental music playing]
Quit worrying!
You just need to get over here already!
[Anzu] This time, I'll cheer you on.
Don't give up. And trust that I will,
forever,
stay with you at your side.
What do you say?
Please don't.
[Kiichi] Thanks for everything.
Please don't. You can't handle all this.
Reality can be so cruel.
It always lets you down. It's too much for both of you.
If that happens,
I'll shield her, I promise.
[Kiichi] I love you!
If you're okay with me... then I'll stay
right beside you forever.
Yes.
Anzu-san.
Are you quite finished with what you were saying?
Yes.
That was it!
[sighs deeply]
That was well played.
[exciting music playing]
THREE MONTHS LATER
[Anzu] It wasn't long after that, Makiko-san started once again.
[Makiko] Welcome to my new channel, everyone.
The divorce has been settled, and I still have my brand.
You can learn all the details right here on my channel, so like and subscribe.
With all my supportive fans here,
I will stay Mitarai Makiko for a long time.
Well, then...
[smirks]
You still thinking of Shinji these days?
Now and then.
- Hmm. - [man] Katsuragi-san!
I made it!
[sighs]
I got us seats in the study hall. Shall we?
Huh?
Hang on a sec!
[shushing]
- Sorry about that. - [Nanami] It's fine!
[Anzu] Shinji ended up not being held criminally responsible
since he was under fourteen years old
when he set the fire according to Penal Code.
Could I... ask you if I could still work here?
[inhales] I know it sounds crazy to ask you this, but I'm still...
I'm trying to decide what kind of life I wanna live and...
[inhales]...I couldn't see a future without working right here.
[Shinji breathing shakily]
So please, ask anything of me, and I'll gladly do it.
- Just let me stay! - I have other things to worry about.
Who knows what's facing the hospital after all this?
It's ironic, right?
My allies, all decided to desert me. I can't comprehend why you...
- Sir, I continue to be here. - Huh?
Mr. Director, we're quite low on staff since many of the employees quit.
Shinji-san's patients will surely all see his promise.
So now, you will return to school and complete your medical degree,
and you can begin as a doctor.
[breath trembling]
Go on, hurry.
[sniffles]
Now, come on, you have a lot of work to do.
Oh, yes.
[cell phone buzzing]
YUZU NEW MESSAGE
[Yuzu] You'd better become a great doctor.
[exhales]
[sighs]
[cell phone chimes]
[Shinji] Thank you.
SHINJI
[upbeat music playing]
[Anzu] Yuzu got a job at a staffing agency.
She's putting her communication skills to good use.
My mother's health improved a lot, and we got our peaceful daily life back.
- I'm back! - Oh, hi, Yuzu.
[Yuzu giggles]
Hello, Mom.
So how's work going? You seem busy.
Mm-hmm.
[giggles] It's lots of fun.
GERMAN 101 INTERMEDIATE GERMAN
- [Yuzu] Wow. Were you studying again? - [Satsuki] Oh, yes.
So someday, I can travel
all around the world like I always dreamed.
That's great, isn't it? You used to just stay inside.
Hmm. From now on, I'll be making every effort
to go do things I missed out on then.
[both chuckling]
- [gasps] Hold on, what is that for? - [Yuzu giggles] I'll root for you!
- Thank you, Yuzu. - Mmm. [giggles]
[Anzu] And as for me, I started working with Claire.
CREA CO., LTD.
[Claire] This is for a customer in Spain, okay?
[Anzu] Looks good.
[Claire] Oh, and this goes to a regular customer in Sweden.
Uh, the ribbon should go lower, don't you think?
- [Claire] Huh? You think so? - Look!
[Claire] Wha...?
- Really? - Be responsible now, just try!
All of our company's success rests on you, all right?
Who are you addressing? Try showing the president respect!
Yes, yes, of course I can, Miss.
For you!
Oh! Let's get in here!
- [Anzu chuckles] - Mmm!
I guess you've still got that big appetite of yours?
- It's delicious! - [Anzu] Is it delicious?
- Mm-hmm. - [laughs]
[kids playing]
[Anzu] I chose to plunge myself into the great darkness
because I only wanted to find out the truth.
I wandered, feeling that there might be as many answers as stars in the sky.
I stumbled, I got back up, and I stumbled again.
Even then, you have to trust your own compass
to guide you to whatever star you're seeking.
Without being swayed by anyone else
or being misled by information,
you need to keep believing in the path you choose.
If you stay on the path,
you should be able to find out what is important.
[cell phone buzzes]
KIICHI
[Kiichi] So what sounds good for dinner?
[children chattering]
[Anzu] What do you wanna eat?
[Kiichi] Fried chicken.
[Kiichi] I'll cook.
[sentimental music playing]
[Kiichi on phone] Hello?
Hi. Hey, how are you gonna cook it?
Didn't you say that you'd have to work late tonight?
[Kiichi] It's already taken care of.
My coworkers said they got it, so I should go home.
Oh.
[chuckles]
Oh, hey.
[chuckles]
Oh, hey.
[Japanese closing theme song playing]