Teppei goes home, worried about Mizuhara. Sitting at the table smoking, there's a knocking at the door. When Teppei goes & opens it, a flash goes off in his face "What are you...." It's Riko with a camera "There were 3 more shots left so I wanted to finish them....but that's just an excuse, actually I wanted to come by & see you...." Teppei smiles. Riko says "Let's take a shot of us together....cheese....one more of you alone...." "There's still...." Riko says "One more shot....yes...." Teppei holds up a peace sign but Riko says "Hey...." "Hm? What?" "What happened? You're looking a little down...." "Is that so?" "Didn't expect you to announce to everyone we were going steady....what happened?" "Nothing...." "Really? Honestly, really nothing?" "You're really persistent aren't you!" says Teppei getting up & tickling her. He then stands in front of the fridge & says "Hurry up!" Riko says "Smile, smile....cheese...." & takes a shot of a rather unhappy looking Teppei....

At the office everyone's looking at the photographs taken on the trip. Yoda says "Teppei! Teppei! Look at this shot...." "What's this? Look's terrible....who took this shot?" Riko comes by & smacks Teppei on the head "Don't say that!" Hosaki says "If you don't apologise your girlfriend's going to get upset!" Right then Kurosaki calls Teppei "Katagiri! Katagiri!" "Yes!" "Come here!" Teppei follows Kurosaki into another room. Kurosaki says to Teppei "It's been decided that we are going to participate in Karuzo Japan's new brand competition. Want to try your hand at it?" Teppei is surprised but answers "Yes! Please let me do it...." "Frankly, I'm a little worried...." "Why?" "You went a little overboard during the Winter Campaign competition the last time, everyone got upset....don't make the same mistake again...." "ok...." "Then, here are the details...." "ok...." Teppei takes it & standing up, looks through the glass & shows Riko the envelope.

At home, Teppei is working on his laptop with Riko sitting across the table going through his mail. She comes across one & says "You've got an invitation to a reunion....South Shizuoka High School graduates of Heisei year 3 (1990) graduates...." "I haven't got the time....working on the competition...." "Really serious! I'll do anything so if there's anything that I can do to help, just tell me...." Teppei tells her "Don't say that, it might snow tomorrow...." teasing her. The door bell goes off & Riko says "I'll get it....anything to help...." Riko goes to the door "Coming...." & opening it sees Mizuhara "Good evening...." Teppei gets up & going to the door says "Yo, what's wrong?" Riko says "Don't stand on ceremony....come in! Come in!!" Teppei says to her "You sound like this is your own house!" & then to Mizuhara "Come on it...." Mizuhara mumbles "Jamashimasu...." & Riko answers "come in....please sit down....here...." Teppei says "Sorry, it's a mess...." as Mizuhara takes a sit. Riko starts talking "Ah, got a shock the last time, you & Soichiro suddenly started arguing....is everything ok now?" Mizuhara nods "Uhm...." Teppei tells Riko "Don't ask rude questions...." "What rude questions...." ask Riko. Teppei just tells her "The milk & cereal's finished, can you go buy some?" Riko retorts "You're the only one that drinks milk....why chase me out once Sanae's here?" Teppei tells her "I didn't mean that...." Mizuhara interrupts "About last night....don't worry....Soichiro & I fought over some trivial matter....what to buy for the wedding ceremony...." Teppei asks "& you were crying over that?" Riko looks at Teppei "Crying?" Teppei looks at Riko "Last night, Sanae was crying....?" Mizuhara gets up & says "But, we're ok now....I thought you might be worried so I came over to explain....I'll get going...." Teppei gets up "Since you came all the way, have some coffee...." but Mizuhara says "No thanks, it's really alright....I was just passing by on the way home....bye...." leaving, Riko & Teppei look at each other, not saying anything........

Riko's washing up in the kitchen & Teppei brings in his mug "Thanks...." As he goes out, Riko says "Why didn't you tell me that Sanae was crying last night?" "I didn't think there was a need to...." "But...." "No, her expression told me that she didn't want me to see her crying....that's why I think she wouldn't have wanted you to know she was crying either...." "You really understand Sanae very well, don't you...." Teppei goes back & sits at the table, Riko saying "I'm not jealous or anything...." but neither of them look too happy....

At the office Teppei has a meeting with the creative group "I'm Katagiri, in charge of this competition....the competition this time is Karuzo Japan 1998...." "Excuse me, can you be a little more understanding this time?" "Huh?" "You ruined the last project didn't you....being too aggressive, said whatever you wanted....caused dissatisfaction among everyone...." Teppei says "It's as you said...." Ishihara warns him "Oi! Katagiri!" but Teppei ignores him "If it's good, I'll say it's good, if it's bad, I'll say it's bad...." "That's merely your own opinion...." "Perhaps....but if I can't even trust my own beliefs, then what should I believe in?" When no one replies, Teppei continues "The last time I was rejected by everyone in the creative department, this time I won't let that happen....I'd appreciate everyone's support. This time, we'll succeed...."

Back in the office, everyone says good bye to both Riko & Teppei. On the phone Teppei says "Next Tuesday....yes.... that's fine....thanks...." Riko brings Teppei come coffee "The man with taste....Katagiri Teppei...." & hums a tune (Apparently from some Japanese commercial) Teppei says "Watch it!" as Riko brings it over. "Thank you...." Riko sits down & flips through his papers "You have to do all this alone?" Teppei replies "I agreed to do it....I don't have a choice now...." "Really serious! Like Gorugo 13 Hissatsu Shikake-jin...." (title of a J movie?) Riko starts humming the theme song but Teppei tells her "That's wrong....goes like this....you're distracting, can you please be quiet?" Riko says "ok....Teppei, will you come over to my place some time?" "Huh?" "Come over after work....I'll give you a massage....or how about a different sort of massage?" Teppei looks around & then as if he's about to kiss her but then smacks her affectionately on her head "Idiot! Think I'd do that?" & gets back to work....

At Soichiro's apartment, Mizuhara & Soichiro talking. Soichiro says "Sorry about the other time....I was called to hand over some documents of an old case to the police...." Mizuhara stops him saying "Soichiro....the day after....I got a call....from a woman called Shiraishi....she said she was with you all the time...." Soichiro doesn't say anything & Mizuhara continues "....so it's true....I still can't believe it....that you are seeing another woman....I don't know what to do....what should I do?" Mizuhara's in tears, Soichiro can only look at her....

Teppei goes over to Riko's house for oden (vegetables, fish dumplings etc stewed in thin soy soup) Riko says "The best time to have oden is in the winter...." Teppei points to the coat Riko's wearing "Why are wearing that at home? It's huge!" "What's wrong with it? It's warm! You try it...." "No....it's so big you can fit 2 people in it...." "Good idea....let's do one of the bounenkai events...." "Don't be silly...." "It's not silly...." Riko goes behind Teppei & puts on the coat, Teppei in front. Teppei asks "Do you know how to do this?" "Of course I do....come on...." "Cover up or it won't look right...." "ok, ok....chopsticks please....ah, feel like eating hanpen (fishcake)" "Hanpen? Alright, hanpen...." Riko who can't see anything in that coat, sticks her chopsticks into the pot & Teppei says "A little further, a little further....that's the daikon (radish)....ah, that's it!" Riko picks it up & tries to feed Teppei. He yells "That's my eves! Lower!" & finally takes a bite. "It's hot! But good...." "It's delicious...." There's a knock on the door but the both of them are making so much noise they don't notice. Riko says "Sake...." Teppei says "No, don't want any...." The door opens & a man looks at the both of them fooling around. Riko says "Then let's sing...." Finally Teppei sees the man who asks "Who are you?" "Who am I?" repeats Teppei & then says to Riko "Who's this?" Riko comes out from behind Teppei & says "Dad!" Teppei's shocked "What did you say?" Riko whispers to Teppei "He's my father...." "You're serious? Really?" Teppei sits up properly & introduces himself "How do you do....I'm Katagiri Teppei...." Riko's father says "How do you do...." Teppei explains in a bit of a fluster "I work with Riko in the same department...." Riko leans over & whispers to Teppei "Sorry....can you go home?" Teppei says "I have to get going, thanks for the oden, it was really delicious...." "I'll see you again...." Teppei gets up & leaves "Goodbye...."

Sitting awkwardly in silence, Riko finally says "Have some of this....ah, the tea's cold, I'll make some more...." "No need....sit down...." "Yes...." "Everytime we call, you're never home....we worried that's why I'm here...." "Is that so....sorry...." "You kept on & on about coming to Tokyo, don't know what you're doing here....you're just an OL aren't you? Not what you really want to do...." Riko says "But it's not exactly boring work either...." "Do you have any plans to come home?" "You don't have enough help with the inn?" "Although Yoko is helping out, Sachiko is pregnant, Midori is studying for exams....but that;s not important....the reason is your mother, she's waiting for you to come home....last year during the renovation, she wouldn't let me touch your room....although it could've made a good guest room...." Riko smiles & then says "I'm sorry dad....but I can't come home...." "Because of that guy just now...." "Uhm...." "However, just because things are going well now, there are no guarantees...." "No, there aren't any guarantees but I really like him....is it wrong? I want to be with the person I love, that's why I want to stay in Tokyo....is that wrong?"

Teppei & Riko are out together when he asks "Was your father mad the other day?" "Of course he was! Said that the next time he saw you he'd kick you...." "You're serious!?" "In the crotch too....just kidding!" Teppei tries to trip her up & they laugh "What are you doing?!" Riko looks at a shop window & says "Preparing for Christmas already!" "You want to see?" "Riko drags Teppei & they look at the Christmas trees on display "Ah it's beautiful!" Riko looks at the ornamental apples & Teppei says "Let's go" walking back out looking across the street. He sees Soichiro waiting. Riko comes up as well "Isn't that Soichiro?" "Yes it is...." Just then Shiraishi arrives & gets into Soichiro's car. Teppei & Riko watch as they drive off....

At a pier, Soichiro says to Shiraishi "I can't see you any more....today's the last time...." Shiraishi says smiling "Your fiancee's found out about me, so you're afraid? But shouldn't you be more afraid of me? That I'd tell her I was molested by you during the investigation...." Soichiro answers "If that's what you want to do, I can't stop you....I don't care if I lose everything....I'm choosing her over you....that's my decision...." Shiraishi is shocked "Don't care if you lose everything....you've never said that to me before....I don't want to.... I don't want to break up with you! I love you more than anyone else! That's why it hurts so much! That's why I want to hurt you too! I want to hurt you more! Hurt you more!" Shiraishi digs into her purse & takes out her lipstick, crying she writes on his shirt 'Goodbye'. She looks up at him, says "Goodbye" & walks off....

In a café, Teppei's in a world of his own. Riko suddenly claps her hands in front of Teppei "Scared you? This is one of the sumo techniques, used to distract the opponent....when he's stunned, push him over....hmmm, maybe can try it out in bed too...." "You're really easy going...." Riko pouts "Rarely get the chance to go on a date with you, it'd be a pity not to enjoy it....I know you're worried about Soichiro but...." Teppei ponders for a second & then tells Riko "Sorry, you go home first....I'm going to look for my brother...." Teppei gets up & leaves....

Teppei goes over to his brother's house. Soichiro opens the door "Ah, it's you....come on in...." Teppei sees the shoes in the foyer & asks "Who's here?" The man laughs "Thank you" as Mizuhara pours him some tea. Soichiro tells Teppei "He's our nakodo (matchmaker) Fuda-san....we're discussing the wedding ceremony...." In the background Fuda tells Mizuhara "I'm envious of Soichiro...." Soichiro asks Teppei "What brings you here?" Teppei dithers "uhm, next Tuesday, there's a class reunion....I just came by to let Mizuhara know...." "Oh, so, come on in...." "No, it's fine....you've got company....I'll go back....just let her know?" "Uhm...." "Bye...." says Teppei going out

Riko meets up with Erika "His brother's seeing another woman? But if Sanae finds out it'll be, it'll be terrible...." "What do you mean?" "If she finds out about Soichiro, then she might go back to Teppei...." Riko says "No such thing, their relationship is over...." "Really? Things between men & women aren't as simple as you think...." "It's alright....he's only serious about me now...." "As long as you're not worried, it's good...." "Teppei's too nice, that's why he's so concerned about others....but when it comes to love, there's only me....I trust him...." "Getting self-satisfied huh....thank you for the meal...." "You're welcome...." Riko says with a smile, but looks worried....

Mizuhara cleans up. Soichiro says to her "I'm sorry about today....I won't be seeing her any more....I want to start over again with you...." He goes over & puts his hands on her shoulders but she shouts "Don't touch me!" Turning away she says "I'm sorry....but I can't take it any more....I....really want to forgive you....to forget about what happened....but I can't....you're not just friends with that woman are you....you have feelings for her, that's why this happened....then what am I to you? Only an ideal marriage partner?" Soichiro says to her "That's not true....that's wrong...." Mizuhara says "I want to start over again....but I can't do it....the more I think about starting over, trying again....the more I think the more it hurts...." "Sanae...." Mizuhara runs out crying....

Riko sits on Teppei's bed, looking through the photographs. She looks at the photo of Teppei standing in front of the fridge & looks unhappy. Teppei comes back & Riko greets him with a big grin "Welcome back!" "I'm home....why didn't you lock the door...." "Sorry....what's happening with Soichiro?" "Huh? Ah, the nakodo came over....the three of them were laughing & talking....if they were fighting they wouldn't be laughing...." Riko says "It that right....that's great! Soichiro is a public prosecutor....even got us worrying for him...." "You right...." says Teppei stretching. "Can't worry about others now, have to worry about myself...." "huh?" "ah, have to prepare for the meeting...." "You're going to do some work now?" "I'm probably going to stay up all night, go ahead & sleep first...." "Uhm, then work hard...." says Riko going to bed. She lies down & watches Teppei work. He turns around & says to her "If you keep looking at me like that I'm going to feel uneasy...." "What's wrong with looking at you? You're not going to get smaller if I do...." they both laugh. Riko then mutters "look over here....look over here...." Teppei turns & asks "What?" "Nothing...." she answers & then muttering with a smile "I'm only thinking that I'm really happy...."

At the office Kurosaki comes up to Teppei "How's it, Katagiri....coming along ok?" "Yes...." "Looks like some of them are complaining again, is it alright?" "Don't worry...." "If you fail again this time, your position in the company will be in the balance....you understand? Do your best...." "I will...." Kurosaki says to everyone "Then I'm leaving...." "Otsukaresama deshita...." everyone replies. Riko slides over & asks Teppei "Is everything really alright?" "You don't have to worry....I have my ways....I'll ride this out, you'll see...." "That so....then I've got nothing to worry about....I'll leave first...." Riko takes her things & is about to go out but turns back "Isn't your reunion tonight?" Teppei says "I don't have the time...." Riko says again "Then I'm leaving....bye...." Teppei mutters "Uhm...." Another round of otsukaresama deshitas goes off as Riko leaves....

Teppei is alone working in the office when his phone goes off. "Yes" "Te-chan?" "Mizuhara? What's happening?" "Are you going to the reunion tonight?" "Uhmmm....why?" "Nothing....sorry, you're working right now aren't you....bye...." says Mizuhara & hanging up before Teppei can say anything.

Teppei goes to the restaurant & looking around mutters to himself "Mizuhara isn't here....". Looking at his watch he grimaces & then turns to leave. Mizuhara sees him "Te-chan!" Teppei's surprised to see her "I was worried about you....so....you wanted to say something?" Right then Yoshimoto calls him "Teppei! You came!" Teppei & Mizuhara join them....

Riko stands outside the shop looking at the Christmas trees & then goes in...."Welcome!" says a lady. "How much is this?" asks Riko. "12,800 yen" "You kidding!"

At the renunion, everyone's drinking. One of the guys brings out some photographs "Actually I've got a kid...." "You're kidding!" "Here look....cute huh...." Yoshimoto says "The most playful one is actually a father!" Sasaki adds "Hard to tell what will happen in this world...." Teppei says "I'm not ready for this other world yet....kids...." "Really?" "Someone like me, still uncertain....haven't thought about this...." "But being married doesn't mean there aren't any uncertainties....even being uncertain & living with someone is still called marriage...." Everyone goes "sounds disgusting...." Yoshimoto asks "Besides him, is there any one else who got married? Ah, there's one more....engaged to be married...." "Who? Who?" "Mizuhara! Tell them...." says Sasaki. Mizuhara says "No...." Everyone eggs her on but she's feeling uncomfortable & Teppei sees it. Sasaki says "Mizuhara's now in love...." "Wow!" Yoshimoto says "Let's see the engagement ring!" & holds out her hand. Mizuhara isn't wearing the ring & they're surprised "How come you're not wearing the ring? What happened?" Teppei suddenly goes "Ouch! Owww!" Everyone goes "What's wrong?" Teppei says "My stomach hurts....sorry, I'm leaving...." Everyone says "Why?" but Teppei just ignore them "Mizuhara, send me back?" & they leave with everyone asking "Teppei, what are you doing?"

The shop lady says "Thank you!" & Riko, lugging the Christmas tree pants "You're welcome!"

Teppei goes to a park & sits on a bench "Ouch!" Mizuhara worried asks "Te-chan, are you alright? Where does it hurt?" Teppei asks "What happened between you & my brother?" He pulls his jacket around him "It's cold!" Mizuhara looks at him "Te-chan, how's your stomach? Your stomach?" "Did I scare you?" laughs Teppei. Leaning back he stretches "Exhausted!" Mizuhara sits down next to him & says "Thank you" "Huh?" "You're always helping me out....but, I won't rely (bother) you any more...." "Why? Because we used to go out together? I really liked you....although I've gone out with many girls before, you were my first love....but....your other half is my brother...." Standing up Teppei continues "But....I've given up....so if you're not happy, that bothers me....I have to call you 'onechan' (elder sister) in the future....so of course I want to be happy for you....so, if there's something that you want to say that'll make you feel better, then say it...." Mizuhara doesn't say anything, tears in her eyes. Teppei comes up to her & says "What's wrong? What's wrong? Mizuhara?" Mizuhara starts crying "Te-chan" & hugs him....

Riko pants "Just a bit more...." lugging the Christmas tree. Finally outside the Indian restaurant she says to the guy "Can you help me please?" but he says "Sorry, very busy now...." & the guy goes in. Riko huffs "No way! Aren't you skiving....even Indians...." Entering Teppei's apartment, the telephone recording message is on. As Riko turns on the light Yoshimoto's voice comes on "Oi Teppei! Where did you & Mizuhara go? Never came back....we're going to another place....ah, & don't forget to pay for your share....this is Yoshimoto...." Riko listens, upset.... Walking back Mizuhara says to Teppei "I've decided to start over again with him....feel much better after talking with you...." "That so? Then that's good...." Mizuhara laughs "I'm so useless....I have to be stronger...." Mizuhara stops "Here's fine...." "Really?" Thanks for everything....goodnight...." "Goodnight...." Mizuhara walks on alone, Teppei looking at her....

Back at Teppei's apartment, Riko's putting the decorations up on the tree, looking sad. With the lights out, she sits & stares at the tree, tears in her eyes.

Teppei finally comes back & opening the door says "Wow...." He's about to turn on the lights when Riko says "Don't turn the lights on....it's more beautiful looking at it in the dark...." Teppei smiles & says "Christmas tree....but it's a little earlier for it...." "No such thing....in places like Europe, it's normal for people to start decorating a month before....on top of that....want the happy times to last longer....this is our first Christmas together...." Teppei listens as Riko says, her voice tinged with sadness. He goes over to the bed & going behind her holds her "What?" "It's ok...." Riko leans back against Teppei, turns & sees a lipstick mark on Teppei's shirt. Teppei says "Sorry about tonight, coming back so late...." Riko says tears in her eyes "It's ok.... I was very happy decorating the tree....but moving it was terrible...." "I'll bet it was heavy huh!" Teppei says "All the work I did yesterday, couldn't find the floppy so had to do everything over....took forever....couldn't leave the office...." Riko gets up & says "I'd better be going...." "Why?" "If my family calls & I'm not there they get worried...." Teppei gets off the bed "But it's so late already, there aren't any trains...." "Not the trains, I'll take a taxi....if there aren't any, then I'll walk...." "What are you saying?" "I'll be fine....I've got strong legs....bye...." says Riko going out. "Are you serious? Oi!" but Riko shuts the door. Outside, she leans against the door & then slowly walks away. Teppei turns on the lights & sees the message on the answering machine, hits it. The recording comes on 'You have 1 message' & Yoshimoto's message comes on "Oi Teppei! Where did you & Mizuhara go? Never came back....we're going to another place....ah, & don't forget to pay for your share....this is Yoshimoto...." Teppei listens & grimaces. Putting on his shoes he runs out....

(-= CJ =- I thought this scene heartbreakingly beautiful....Riko ha hontou ni kawaisou da ne....)

Teppei runs out looking around "Where is she?" Running around looking for her Teppei finally finds Riko standing on a bridge singing to herself. Walking up to her he says "I didn't intend to lie to you....when I got Mizuhara's call....I got worried & went to the reunion....she was really troubled over my brother so we talked for a while...." Riko's singing all this while ignoring Teppei & he finally says "Listen!" Finally Riko answers "I don't want to! I don't want to listen to that! I only want to know whether you love me or not....that's all I want to know...." Teppei looks at her "love you....I love you....I love you...." "Say it again...." Teppei takes a step towards her "I love you...." "Say it again...." "I love you...." Riko says heartbreakingly "Say it again...." & Teppei grabs a hold of her, hugging her "I said I love you...." Riko says "You're not lying now are you....I was afraid....waiting for you in your apartment, I was so afraid....was so hard to be together, although we were holding each other like this, all of a sudden I felt like you were going to leave me....I'm really happy....when you're with me....I'll never be happier than this, that's why I feel afraid....if you're no longer around, I can't breathe....I can't go on living....don't go anywhere Teppei....don't go anywhere anymore...." Teppei nods not saying anything. Riko looks at the lipstick mark on his shirt & kisses it. Hugging him again she says "It hurts...." Teppei looks at her & she says "I've stained it...." Teppei looks at his shirt & then holds her, kissing her....