Michi opens her eyes, looks at the light coming in through the window on the ceiling above. There is a lizard crawling on the glass. Next to her in bed, Masaru stirs & she turns to look at him. She reaches for the clock, looks at it & gets up. As she gets dressed, Masaru mumbles "Going home?" Michi turns around "Sorry, did I wake you?" "What time is it?" Masaru asks, sitting up in bed. "Not quite 6" answers Michi & Masaru snuggles back under the covers "I'm going to sleep for a bit more" All of a sudden he gets out of bed & stands in front of Michi, taking her by surprise "What?" Masaru hands a little box to her & grunts "uhm!" As Michi takes it he says gruffly "Open it, open it!" Michi opens the box & it's a diamond ring. "Hirose Michi, please, marry me!" Michi stares at him stunned then looks at the ring again. Masaru, impatient "Answer?" Michi looks at him & quietly says "hm, yes" Masaru smiles relieved but says "I thought you'd be a little more emotional " going back & sitting on the bed. "Sorry, I'm not used to this " Michi apologizes & he says "so I was to sudden huh it's cold!" & goes back under the covers, Michi smiles

 

At a garage, a boy lifts open the aluminum doors, gets on a motorbike & rides out. The streets are fairly empty & he's going fast he turns left around a corner & sees a lady crossing the road. His brakes screech as he tries to stop & the lady turns around it's Michi. Barely missing her as he tries to avoid her, Michi falls to the ground. The bike goes skidding by, the boy tumbling & scrapping his left elbow badly clouds in the sky covers the sun for a minute & the winds blow

 

Michi gets up & hobbles over to the boy who's holding his left arm. She asks him anxiously "Are you all right? I'll call for an ambulance right away!" "He grabs her "I'm fine!" "But!" "Leave me alone!" He gets up, walks over to his bike & gets it upright. Michi walks back to pick up her things. She sees that the ring has fallen out from the box "No way!" & starts to look for it. The boy turns around & asks "What happened?" Michi says "Ring " & keeps searching. The boy takes off his helmet & glove, comes over to help her look for it. "It's all right." Michi tells him but he ignores her, searching for it. She sees blood on his jacket at the elbow "You have to get to the hospital quick! If you don't take care of it, it'll get worse! I can find it myself" The boy spots it by the curb & goes over & picks it up. With a smile he holds it up & shows it to Michi. Michi however just stares at him, seemingly mesmerized by his smile. A little uncomfortable, the boy returns it to her & Michi says "Thank you". The boy walks to his bike, gets on it & rides off, leaving Michi behind staring after him. As she looks away she sees a mobile phone that the boy had dropped on the ground & picks it up

 

Michi arrives home in a taxi & sneaks in quietly. As she closes the door, her mom comes up to her "Welcome home!". Michi turns around "Scared me! Where's dad?" "Still asleep." Michi goes "shhh!" & goes upstairs...she changes, grabs her papers & bag & then stops. She takes the ring out from her bag & puts it into a little drawer on her table...her mom is in the kitchen preparing breakfast  as she comes downstairs. Getting a glass of milk from the fridge she says "Mom, no time so I won't eat...also can I borrow 10,000 yen? forgot to go to the bank." Her mom goes get her purse "bother! you haven't returned what you owed last time!" when Michi's father walks in "You were out again?" & Michi looks at her mom "Why did you tell him!" "Your mother didn't tell me anything, I can sense it." Her mother says "Isn't it alright? going out with Kitai is ok, getting married soon too, right?" Michi starts to say something & then changes her mind "Nothing, I'm off!" grabs her bag & leaves, her mom running after her "Michi, money...!"

Michi greets students on the way to school. As she walks in through the school gates she sees a student totally absorbed in a book walking. Michi calls out "Kinoshita! Good morning!" The girl turns around & when she sees who it is, she turns away & walks off without a smile. Just then her mobile phone rings & she takes it out of her bag. She realizes it's not hers but the boy's. She answers it... "Sorry, but who are you?" asks a woman. Michi explains "I picked this phone up...if you don't mind, could you tell me how to get in touch with the person?" but the lady hangs up abruptly.

Walking into the faculty room, a lady teacher class her & she goes over. "Lately, dressing as been sloppy" Michi looks at her cloths "Is it? I'm already very careful..." "Not you, your students. If they don't dress any better, it's said everyone will know who their teacher is just by looking at them. I think it's got something to do with currying favor just to get along with the students" Michi takes offense & stands up "I didn't intend...I'll take note" when the lady glares at her. Sitting at her seat, another teacher Matsuoka, tries to cheer her up, offering her some gum. He tells her "It's not your fault, I'll help you tell her off" Michi says "Absolutely not!" "Don't worry, I'm on your side" he assures her. Just then the director Okajima, calls her over "How's your father? After I've moved, I'll invite him over...actually about the transfer student I spoke about last time...he'll be assigned to your class. Michi is surprised but he continues "The principal & I have discussed it & have decided you're still the most appropriate teacher" Michi protests "But he used to cut classes at the other school, which means to say, he's a problem student!" Okajima tells her "Yes, so please handle it. If any problem happens, it will be a lot of trouble" ending the conversation. "Shiroki!" he calls another teacher, & then says to Michi "When that student arrives, I'll take him to your class..."

Michi goes to her class & as she enters "Bell's rung, everyone back in their seats" she tells the very noisy class. "Today, there will be a transfer student coming" & the students surprised "Really? Girl or boy?" "Boy" she replies. A couple of the girls squeal "Cute?" "I don't know, haven't seen him" answers Michi & one of the girls says "feel embarrassed already!" "Now, quiet..." starts Michi when the director comes in "Hirose, he's here!" Michi goes "huh?" in surprised. The director walks to the window & points outside. Michi goes look & sees the boy sitting in a cherry blossom tree. Michi stares in silence. The director says "what are you doing? Hurry up & bring him in!" "Yes!" says Michi & runs out. Kinoshita at her desk, turns to look at the commotion by the window...

Michi walks out towards the boy & he turns. He recognizes her "What are you doing?" "I'm your teacher" "You're kidding!" "You're the one that's kidding, what are you doing here?" He pauses then says "Don't know why but don't feel like going in." "Why?" asks Michi. "Even if I enter this school, nothing good will happen." he answers & both of them turn to look up at the school. All the students are looking out from the windows. "There will be" says Michi, her tone soft. "Eh?" "Well, there are friendly & kind students in my class, I'm sure you'll make many new friends...let's go to class!" & turns to go. After a pause, the boy follows. Kinoshita looks out at them from the window above...

Going up the stairs Michi asks him "How's your wound?" "ok" "Oh yes, you left your phone, I'll give it back to you later" "I don't need it!" the boy answers. Michi stops, surprised & looks back at him "Eh?" "Aren't you going to quit school?" he asks instead of explaining. "Me? Why?" asks Michi. He says "well, engagement ring..." Michi then asks "Engagement...sorry, but could you not tell anyone about it? Nothing really but..." The boy says "In exchange for one condition...you keep quiet about my bike." Michi agrees "ok." The boy walks ahead "Upstairs?" & Michi follows...

Michi comes into the classroom, looks outside & says "come in". The boy walks in & stands in front of the class. Michi tells him "Introduce yourself" so he says "I'm Kurosawa Hikaru. Since I've come here, good things have happened & I look forward to it, pleased to meet everyone." The class claps & Michi says "Sit over there" & he goes over to a seat next to Kinoshita Jun. A couple of the students says 'hi' & Michi starts class "I'll take attendance..."

Michi is teaching the class mathematics but no one really seems to be paying attention to her. "Are you listening?" she asks the class & they moan "Listening." "Then do this handout, don't worry it's not a test. If you can do this it means you've understood today's lesson." The handouts are passed out & when Hikaru looks at it, there are little cartoon squiggles with hints & encouragement on it. He looks up at Michi. As the class attempts to do the handout, Michi sees a girl who's not doing anything. She walks by & picks up something from the girl's desk "This is cute! Where did you buy it?" "So?" the girl answers "Your manicure is a little too bright." "Your skirt is a bit short too." Michi tells another girl but she retorts "Why can't we do this little bit?" Michi answers uneasily "It's nothing..." but the girl stands up & tells her off "Your nagging won't solve anything." Michi apologizes & walks away. She sees Kinoshita reading, goes up to her & takes the book away "Right now we're doing mathematics" & flips Kinoshita's handout over. She's shocked to see that it's completed. Kinoshita stands up & says "What you're doing is a waste of time." She takes the handout from Michi & rips it, grabs the book back & leaves the classroom. 

At the Witches restaurant, Michi is relating what happened to her friend Kiriko in frustration. "She ripped it! Don't you think that was too much?" "That's tough, teacher Hirose." says Kiriko. "That middle aged teacher also told me off" Michi continues, drinking. Kiriko says "But if you haven't decided what to do, you can't switch professions." "I wanted to be a teacher, now I'm a teacher. But recently I've been thinking about getting married. Maybe I should just get married..." Kiriko asks "He proposed to you?" asks Kiriko & Michi nods. "That's great!" but Michi doesn't seem thrilled. "What's wrong?" "Nothing" "I know, met a new boyfriend..." "What are you saying?" "Then what?" "What about you?" Michi asks instead. "Is there anyone you like?" "Not possible!" "Really? You've never let me meet your boyfriends" Kiriko wants to talk about work but Michi calls the waiter "One more bottle please!" then tells Kiriko "excuse me, to the ladies..." & goes off...

Michi's mom is waiting up for Michi when she comes back "I'm home." Her mom says "welcome home, dinner?" "I ate out" replies Michi, sitting on the sofa. "You could've called" "Tea please?" Michi asks her mom who replies "You've got to cook a bit more, otherwise it'll be a bit of a problem when you get married" "Can't be helped, busy." "Mom, why did you marry dad?" "Why ask that all of a sudden?" "You married him for love didn't you? Why did you accept his proposal?" "I've forgotten" says her mom. "Tell me!" Michi asks when her dad come back. He asks her, you've been drinking?" "Just a little...I'll go change" & as she leaves her father asks, "why keep silent?" "Michi turns around "What about?" "He's proposed to you right?" Michi's mom goes "eh? really?" Michi doesn't say anything...

At the office Masaru is on the phone & when he hangs up has a discussion with the section chief. A call comes in for Masaru & Kiriko passes the call through. Masaru says "Why are you mad at me?" & Kiroko listens in on the conversation. It's Michi "You should've told me that you told my dad!" "He'll know sooner or later." "You don't have to come over today."  "But I still have to ask your parents! Is there a problem?" "It's not that..." "Then I still have work today. In any case I'll see you at your place at 7..."

At the school auditorium, Kinoshita is alone reading & having her lunch when Hikaru walks in & sits next to her "What are you reading? Interesting?" Kinoshita tells him "If you speak to me the others will ignore you too" "Why?" "Ask them"  Hikaru looks at her then says "Doesn't matter, even if they ignore me" & bites into a bun. "Does the teacher know?" he asks her. "She said she'd talk it over with me but can't do anything, that hypocrite" "Hypocrite?" repeats Hikaru in surprise. Kinoshita explains "She's in this school because her father is the president of the high school principals committee. If this isn't the case, then why would there be such a young person as an upper level teacher? She's forever bothering about other people's affairs but in the end, can't do anything." (As she explains, scene shows  Michi in the faculty room looking at Hikaru's file)

Hikaru walks out of school thinking about what Kinoshita said. At the school gates just as he bends down to tie his shoe laces, a boy comes & stand right by him "Hand the money over, even if you transfer to another school it's still the same..."

Michi walks down the staircase, looks out & spots Hikaru giving money to the boy. After the boy takes the money & leaves, Hikaru leans against the wall, sees Michi watching him & leaves.

After school, Michi goes to the Kurosawa hospital & asks to speak to the director. As she waits in the office, she admires a painting of a beach that's hanging behind the director's desk. Hikaru's mother, Kyoko, comes in "Sorry to keep you waiting" & stares at Michi "sorry, but you're very pretty...you must be surprised to see a director like me" When Michi says "no" she continues I took over when my husband passed away" "Is that so?" "What did you want to see me about?" Michi asks "If it's ok, could you tell me the reason for Hikaru transferring to this school? he didn't attend class in his old school..." Kyoko smiles "You don't have to worry about this." "What do you mean?" "You really want to know? If he doesn't attend school & commits crime, he can't graduate, so he was transferred." Michi asks "So Hikaru...?" "Of course he doesn't know. No matter what happens, he has to take over this hospital. No offense but all he has to do is graduate, it doesn't matter which school." "& it doesn't matter who his teacher is either?" says Michi. Kyoko merely smiles "You don't have to come here especially for Hikaru anymore" Michi gets up to leave & takes out Hikaru's phone & hands it to her "I return this" "How come it's with you?" Michi lies "It rang in class so I took it" "That so?" Michi excuses herself & leaves, Kyoko holds the phone looking at it...

That evening, Hikaru stand outside in the rain, looking at the hospital. Godai calls him "Yo Hikaru! How's the new school?" Hikaru walks off but Godai grabs his left arm & Hikaru doubles over in pain...

Godai looks at some X-rays "Nothing wrong with the bone...shouldn't get worse" Hikaru apologises & Godai takes his arm & applies some medication to the wound. "If anything happens to you, your mother will be very worried, will even spend a lot of money" Hikaru looks at him as he says "I'm just a poor man, I really envy you, because you don't have to do anything, & you get this hospital."

Hikaru comes home to see his home tutor Sugai, reading. She doesn't hear him so he drops his bag on the floor with a thud. She turns to see him & says "you're 10 minutes late"

In Hikaru's room, Sugai is explaining some math equation but Hikaru doesn't pay any attention. He merely stares at the picture he's stuck on the wall...(-= CJ =- It's Michelangelo's The Creation of Man - there's a picture in Episode 3's page)

Michi comes home & hears noise coming from inside. She hurries in to see Masaru having dinner with her parents. Her mom says "You're late!" "Sorry, busy at school" "You could've called" says her father. Masaru says "It doesn't matter...here..." as he pours more beer for him. He says "This type of daughter is ok with you?" "Love at first sight..." replies Masaru. "Bank's job is tough..." her father says but Masaru says "But the toughest is still being a teacher. You've been a principal for so many years, & you've got such great results today...mom, your cooking is delicious...can we add an egg?" Michi silent all this while, says "I'll get it." Masaru continues chatting "If one doesn't live alone, will simply depend a lot on others..." Michi doesn't look happy...

Hikaru is soaking in the tub when his mother comes in "Hikaru are you all right?" "What about?" "Heard you got hurt" "Didn't he also say there's no big deal?" "Did something happen again?" "No" answers Hikaru as he gets out of the tub. "Then how did you get hurt?" "Bath towel please..." he answers instead. She hands it over "Your teacher came today, surprised me, she's really beautiful." "What did she say?" "Nothing, came by to return phone, said she took it from you during class" Hikaru reaches for another towel but she takes it first & dries his hair for him. "But strange..." "What?" "I called yesterday, a lady answered but she said that she picked it up." "You must have dialed the wrong number" says Hikaru going out of the bathroom. "Hikaru!" she calls him, takes the phone out of her bag & gives it to him. He takes it & says "Goodnight"...

After dinner, Masaru leaves saying "Thanks for everything, goodnight!" & Michi says "I'll just see him off" Masaru says "I wonder..." "The two of them really like you very much" Michi assures him. "Really? Great, I was scared, didn't know what to say" "It's ok, don't worry." Masaru suddenly hugs her & says "We'll be happy, thought of giving up a few times but I'm glad I hung in there..." He then tells her solemnly "We'll be happy Michi." Michi finally nods with a smile & Masaru kisses her...

Next morning at the school gates, Michi sees a boy & recognizes him as the one Hikaru gives money to. She goes up to him "What are you doing here?" The boy walks away but Michi follows him "What's it got to do with Hikaru?" "Who are you?" The boy turns around & asks. "His teacher" "Then please tell him that after school, to come out & play" & goes off, Michi staring after him. Hikaru arrives just in time to see...

In class Michi sees a piece of paper on her desk. It reads "Dear Mi-chan, with love". She turns it over & reads it "Michi I love you. Take me with you" & an arrow pointing down to a condom stuck on the paper. "Who did this?" A couple of boys tease "You're cruel" & one of them whacks another "He's serious you know!" One of them stands up "Teacher, please marry me!" Michi goes "eh?" "Teacher & student relationship!" & Michi answers "Talking nonsense!" The girls get into the act & say to the boys "You never said that to us, only do stupid things" "Be quiet! Old ladies!" & they all start arguing. Michi tells tem "That's enough!" & goes break it up. Hikaru looks on at the commotion in silence...

Michi goes to the bathroom & three of the girls from her class come in, lock her the toilet & fills a bucket of water. "Who's that? What are you doing?" she tries to open the door. The girls says "Aren't you happy? If you don't leave school...!" "Who are you? Open the door!" Michi looks up & a bucket of water comes tumbling over her. The girls laugh "Because we can't stand you, idiot!"

Michi soaked & upset, walks along the school corridor, all the students staring & snickering at her. As she walks round the corner Hikaru come by. He looks at her in surprised but she doesn't say anything & walks down the stairs, Hikaru looking after her...

Michi goes to the side of the school building (same place where Hikaru gave money to the boy) She leans against the wall, slides down & crosses her arms over her knees. Hikaru come by & stands nearby in silence. Michi says "Hate it! Maybe I shouldn't be a teacher anymore, don't feel like teaching anymore..." "Run away. Nothing to it, a teacher can cut class too." says Hikaru, looking at her. He walks to the wall of the school & climbs over. "What are you doing?" Michi asks & he looks back at her, then jumps over. Michi stares for the longest while & then says "Wait!"

They go to the garage where Hikaru keeps his bike. Hikaru borrows a helmet, throws it to Michi who catches it in surprise...they ride off with Michi on the back of the bike. Hikaru says "Thank you" "What for?" "For not telling my mom about the bike" "How did you get it?" "I worked part-time, spend the money the way I want" "So this bike is..." "The first thing I bought with the money I earned..."

Stopping at a restaurant, Hikaru's eating but Michi is uneasy, looking around. Hikaru asks "Not eating?" "I wonder what they think our relationship is." Hikaru merely grunts with a shrug. Michi says "Can't believe it! I've never ever cut classes before in my life! "What am I going to do? How am I going to explain?" "Already ran off, worry about it tomorrow" Hikaru tells her. "Eh?" Hikaru explains "Even if you worry now, the result will still be the same. You were bullied, can't be helped...not eating?" Michi looks at him & asks "Do you think I'm really useless?" Hikaru looks straight at her "I do! Why are you a teacher?" "Why?" "Enjoy it?" "Don't know..." "Then quit!" "That..." "But, aren't you getting married?" "Yes but..." "Problem?" "No but..." "What's that suppose to mean?" Michi sighs. Hikaru continues "Do you really love him?" "That's...why are you always talking about this? The adult world isn't that simple!" Hikaru merely asks "Not eating?" & takes the plate of dumplings. "Eating! I'm starving!" Michi insists, taking the plate back from him. Hikaru smiles at her...

They ride off on the bike again, this time with Michi in the driver's seat. "Feels great!" she shouts. "Hey!" shouts Hikaru. "What?" "Do you have a license?" "Eh?" "License!" "No!" "No?! Stop! Stop! Oi!" Hikaru yells but Michi just laughs & rides on...

Arriving at the beach Michi has problems stopping the bike & they go sliding in the sand, falling off. Michi takes off her helmet laughing "That was fun!" Hikaru says "Kidding! Some kind of teacher!" Michi lies back on the sand & looks at the sun "Feels like we're connected to the blue sky!" & Hikaru looks at her. "What?" she asks. "When I was here before, that's what I thought too." Hikaru lying done as well. "Come here often?" Michi asks. "When I'm here, I feel free..." "Why did you cut classes in your old school, something to do with that boy?" "That guys is strange...in mid-school, I was bullied, & he helped me. But, he's originally a bad kid...used to beat up whoever he didn't like. When we entered high school, everyone rejected him. I was too, because of him. I blamed him for getting me involved. So I betrayed him. After that, he stopped coming to school, got into trouble & expelled. After that, even when I went to school, I was unhappy, didn't feel like doing anything, didn't even have have a friend..." "So you give him money to make up for it? That's just running away..." "Then what should I do?" asks Hikaru Michi is silent & then says "Sorry...I don't know." Hikaru's phone rings, he looks at it & then switches it off. "Your mom?" "I can't see what's so great about him" he says. Suddenly he stands up & throws the phone into the water. Michi asks "What are you doing?" "No body listens anyway! "Nobody!" replies Hikaru & goes over to his bike. Michi looks at him, then walks to the waters edge. Hikaru sees her & yells "What are you doing?" going after her. Michi walks in to the water looking for the phone. "Stop it!" he grabs her & they both fall into the water. Michi ignores him, gets up &keeps looking. "I said I don't need it!" Michi spots it, picks it up & hands it to him with a smile "Tell me your number." "Eh?"  Hikaru looks at her in surprise. "I'll call you! I'll call you...I promise!" 

The scene of the two of them at the beach fades into the painting hanging at the back of the director's desk. Hikaru is in the office looking at it in the dark, the only light on is the spotlight shining on the painting. It is a painting of a beach, with three tiny figures holding hands & signed "Kurosawa". Suddenly Hikaru hears his mother's voice & hides.  She comes in, turns on the light "Lately, things are going on smoothly...have to be careful about service..." Godai enters behind her. He turns off the light, goes over to her & kisses her. Hikaru watches in silence...

Next morning, Michi is in the faculty room explaining to the director "...suddenly felt ill..." "Couldn't you have at least called?" the director asks her in a loud angry voice. "I called but couldn't get through...I was feeling really awful too...really sorry..." Before anyone can say anything else, she takes her books & heads off to class. As she walks along the corridor, she cheerfully greets all the students "good morning". She sees Hikaru & as she passes by him, she gives him the ok sign, without saying anything & walks on with a smile.

That evening, Michi has dinner with Masaru. She's in a really cheerful mood & Masaru asks "What's up? Not quite the same as usual. Something good happened?" "Nothing in particular, isn't it a good thing?" Masaru agrees "Then I'm relieved, you're so cheerful. A bit sudden, but my parents are coming to Tokyo because of our wedding..." Michi's expression sobers the moment she hears this. Masaru doesn't notice & keeps on talking "Once I mentioned our engagement, they got all excited, didn't even tell me they bought the shinkansen (train) tickets. They plan to meet your parents on Saturday to talk about the wedding...wonder what's going to happen?" Michi listens in silence, not looking very happy...

That morning, Michi dresses, takes the ring out of the drawer, puts it into her bag & goes downstairs. She asks her mom "Look ok like this?" "That's ok, not like going for a marriage meeting. It's fine." Michi goes to her father who's reading the newspaper & says to him "Today...thank you" "Don't be late, it'll be rude" he tells her. "I know, then I'm off."

In class, the students are quietly doing their work as Michi walks around. She sees Hikaru watching her & she turns away, uncomfortable...

After school, Hikaru sees Michi leaving. Just then, that boy comes up to him...

Michi, waiting at the train station, takes the ring & puts it on her finger. The train pulls into the station...

At a deserted warehouse, the boy asks Hikaru "What do you mean?" "Sorry, but I won't give you money anymore" Hikaru tells him & going down on his knees says "Sorry" "What are you doing?!" "Sorry!" Hikaru repeats but the boy grabs him by the collar, pulls him up & yells are him "What are you doing?!"

Michi walks along to meet Masaru & their parents...

The boy punches Hikaru & he falls over. Hikaru stands up & lets the boy hit him over & over again...

Michi walks into the lobby & sees Masaru with their parents at the lounge but doesn't go over...

At the warehouse, Hikaru's lying on the floor & the boy is kicking him. Hikaru gets up wobbly on his feet & the boy grabs his shirt about to throw another punch when he stops, stares at Hikaru & then walks away. Hikaru falls over in pain. His phone suddenly rings & he answers it. "Hello, hello, can you hear me?" It's Michi. "I didn't run" Hikaru tells her. "Where are you now?" she asks. At the warehouse, clouds suddenly clear & sunlight pours through a hole in the roof & Hikaru answers "In the place of freedom" "What can you see from there?" Michi asks. "Light" replies Hikaru. "Light?" The sun's rays are shining on Hikaru & he says "uhm" "Can I go there to I wonder? Can I go there too?" asks Michi. Hikaru tells her "You can, if you really want to go..." Michi's tears start to fall. She hears Hikaru's voice again "You certainly can..." Michi looks back at her parents & Masaru with tears...turns & walks away, not looking back...