At the hospital, Hikaru says to a couple of nurses "Thank you for all your help." "Take care" they reply & walk away. "Thank you" says Hikaru again & he goes into his mother's room. Kyoko is all dressed, silently sitting on the bed. Hikaru takes her bag & says "Let's go" & holds out his hand. Kyoko in a daze, just puts her hand in his & lets Hikaru lead her out of the hospital....

At a school, Michi is being interviewed by a few teachers. She is asked "What was the reason for leaving your previous school?" Michi tells the truth, "Because I fell in love with one of one students...." the teachers are taken aback & all three look at Michi. She continues "But, I've broken up with him...."

At Kiriko's apartment later, Kiriko tells Michi "Cheer up! It's only a couple of interviews...." sitting with Michi at the table. Michi says "I'm sorry, having to bother you again...." "You & your baby....I will look after" Michi smiles & takes up a book from the table - "Licensed cook test" & says "You're working hard" Kiriko answers "Doing this, one day I'd like to have my own shop...." Michi tells her "The Kiriko now, will definitely be alright." They both smile & Michi says "I'll make some tea" getting up to go to the kitchen. Kiriko gets up worried & says "It's alright, you were told not to over do it!" Kiriko leads Michi back into the living room as Michi says "I'm alright, already in the 4th month....it's stable now...." Kiriko asks "Do you really intend to bring up the child by yourself?" Michi nods. "You're not going to see him again?" Michi asks "Have I made a mistake?" Kiriko assures her "If you've decided, I'll stand by you...." Michi smiles at Kiriko "Thank you." Kiriko goes into the kitchen & Michi takes a piece of paper from her book, it's the list of baby names that Hikaru wrote....

At another interview, Michi is asked "Why did you leave your previous school?" Michi again tells the truth "I fell in love with one of my students...." The man says "If you say that, you'll be rejected everywhere you go." Michi replies "Yes" He asks "Why did you want to become a teacher?" Michi quietly says "In the beginning, it was because of my father's influence, now, I want to tell the children a lot of different things...." The man looks at her & says "I understand" & puts her documents away. Michi stands up & says "Thank you" & as she turns to leave, the man says "We'll employ you" Michi turns around surprised. He stands up & going to her says "We've been wanting to employ someone as honest as you. I'll be frank with you too....this school....also has a lot of problem students. The trust between teachers & students is practically non-existent....will you help us?" Michi smiles & says "Yes"

At the Hirose house, with a divorce certificate on the table, Michi's father asks "Why....is there a need to separate?" His wife sitting across the table says "Do you remember what you said to me when we got married?" "Eh?" "You said that you hoped that I'd have children with you & live with you....at the time, my musical talent was just recognized, could have gone overseas to study music....but if I went, I would have had to abort the baby (Michi)....you said that no matter what happened, you would make me happy....the happiness you said, is only this?"

Michi write her name on the board in class, the students really noisy. She turns around & says to the class "From today I will be in charge of this class. I'm called Hirose Michi, I'm a math teacher....now I'll take attendance...." Michi flips open the class register & sees what the students have scribbled on the pages "I love you....love sex!....let's do it, sensei...." The class sniggers & Michi tells them " I have no intention of doing it with little kids like you....I don't have a boyfriend but I have someone I like...." The class start making noise but Michi continues "I'll call out names, so please answer" A girl raises her hand "Yes!" & Michi says "What?" "School's really boring, don't want to come to school, what should we do?" Amidst the noise Michi replies "Doesn't matter, don't like it then don't attend school." The kids are surprised "Eh?" "I don't think school is everything....do something you like" A boy says "What if there isn't anything we like?" The whole class goes "That's right!" & another girl says "There are a lot of things we hate! Like math lessons!" & the class goes off again "Yes!" Michi walks to the door, slides it open & says "Then, why don't we leave?" The whole class suddenly turns silent & look at her smiling....

(-= CJ =- I think Michi looks so pretty here when she smiles, it's like she's finally at peace with herself.)

Hikaru walks outside his old school & looks in. He goes into the auditorium & sits alone remembering Michi saying in front of everyone "I love Kurosawa Hikaru....I love him!" Suddenly he hears footsteps & turning around, he sees Kinoshita come sit near him. Hikaru says "You still like reading here like before...." Kinoshita says "Now I'm really attending class" "You decided to study law at Toudai?" Kinoshita nods & then asks "Why did the both of you break up?" Hikaru replies "I don't know....what am I to sensei? Feeling like this, I don't have any desire to do anything....I'm not like you, I don't feel like thinking about the future...." Kinoshita looks at Hikaru for a long while & then says "Why don't we go to the art museum? There's an Italian exhibition on...." but Hikaru cuts her off "I'm sorry, right now I don't feel like it...." Kinoshita watches Hikaru leave....

It's late & Hikaru's walking in the streets. He sees a guy park his motorbike with the key still in the ignition....Hikaru rides the bike really fast & at a junction brakes at the last minute. The bike skids & crashes, with Hikaru ending up lying on the road. He's alright, just breathless as he takes off his helmet....

Kyoko is watching the news at their new apartment when Hikaru comes back "I'm home" & goes into the kitchen. On the news.... "There was also a cover up of intentionally causing the death of patients....the hospital currently under investigation within Tokyo. This hospital is Kurosawa Sougou Hospital...." Hikaru & Kyoko turn to look at the news.... "The investigation at the hospital is with regards to the defraud of insurance funds by intentionally causing the death of patients. All the illegal acts point to the director of the hospital Godai Yu. The police has already commenced thorough investigations within the hospital with the intention of arresting the director today." Hikaru stares at Kyoko....

At the hospital, a crowd of reporters gathers at the entrance. Kyoko & Hikaru walk into then crowd & see Godai being led out by the police. Just before Godai gets into the car, he turns & sees Kyoko & Hikaru. Kyoko stares back. Godai gives a smirk & enters the police car & is driven away, Hikaru & Kyoko watching....

Hikaru goes to the art museum & looks at the Italian exhibition being held. He walks through a gallery & coming to the end he turns & goes up a flight of stairs. He hears Michi's voice saying "This is a picture of Adam & Eve, stealing the fobidden fruit....from that time, people were driven out from paradise....perhaps this painting trying to say that from the time of birth, everyone will have their weak points & cunning characteristics...." The kids snigger & asks "What's that? We don't have any…none" Michi turns around & says "That so? No one's ever been jealous or hated anything before? For example, like looking down on others with different values or different ideas....no one?" The kids answer "That's obvious! Those people deserve to be rejected....boring, let's go...." & the kids leave. As the kids go up the stairs by Hikaru, Michi looks up & sees him staring at her....

Sitting in front of a painting of the Creation of Man, Hikaru asks "So you're a teacher again?" Michi answers "The principal is a very understanding man....even after I told him everything, he still hired me…there are a lot of problem students & it's tough but now…I feel that every day's really fulfilling...." Hikaru says "It's a good thing that we broke up isn't it...." Michi's surprised "Eh?" Hikaru says "You're happier without me around, aren't you...." Michi defends herself "I don't mean that...." walking up to the picture. Hikaru says angrily "You simply decided everything yourself, asked me to give up everything, what are you doing?! You don't love me any more do you....do you! Answer me!" Michi looks at Hikaru & says "I love you" "Then why break up?!" Michi doesn't answer & Hikaru says "In the end, the baby is more important than I am....if I'm around I'll only be in your way, will only bother you...." Michi says "You're wrong!" Hikaru turns back to look at her "After I left, you don't love me anymore....I understand, I'm was also your student....who ever entered your circle first, you'd pick that person....that's it isn't it...." & walks away, Michi looking at him leave. Suddenly she feels a pain & puts her hands on her stomach. Blood drips down her thigh, she doubles over in pain & falls to the floor....

Michi wakes up in the hospital, her mother by her bedside "Michi, are you alright?" Michi says "Mom" "Kiri-chan told me" her mom tells Michi, Kiriko standing by the bed looking on. Kiriko says "Michi, please listen to me calmly…the doctor says that because this has happened once & you're in danger of miscarrying, your body won't be able to take this....if you don't have an abortion now, your life will be in danger....it's hard but this is the only way, Michi...." Michi's mom nods in agreement but Michi says "I'm fine…it's my body, I understand my own body best....I'm having this baby...." Kiriko says anxiously "If you do that, if something happens, what are you going to do? Michi, please, listen calmly....Michi...." Michi doesn't reply but just closes her eyes, clenching her fist, the ring on her finger....

Hikaru sits at home, staring at the ring on his finger, looking troubled. Kyoko comes & stands by the doorway, a little behind, watching him. Hikaru looks at his ring, & slowly begins to take it off. Kyoko sees him doing so & looks a little taken aback. Before Hikaru can take it off, the doorbell rings. Hikaru goes & opens the door to see Michi's mom outside. Kyoko from inside sees who it is....

Just outside the apartment, Michi's mom says to Hikaru "Please, please save that child (Michi), that child won't listen to anyone but you." Hikaru replies "The both of us have nothing to do with each other anymore…sensei doesn't need me anymore...." Hikaru sounds sad when he says this. Inside the apartment, Kyoko is listening. Michi's mom says "I've always stood by her, not because of her, but for me...." Hikaru looks at her as she says "Because I wanted to have Michi, I gave up my own dreams.... I've never said that to anyone before, it's like there's a thorn inside my heart all this time....but, because Michi loves you, she doesn't care what people around her say, holding on to her principles....when I see her like this, I feel like having given birth to her was a good thing....I feel like I didn't make the wrong choice....(this is what) that child has taught me...." Michi's mom bows to Hikaru & says again "Please, save that child" & starts crying. Hikaru doesn't say anything, inside the apartment Kyoko is still listening all this while....

In the hospital, Michi looking rather pale, is sitting up, writing a letter. Finished, she lies back down....

Hikaru comes back inside the apartment & sits in the foyer, shoulders slumped over. He hears Kyoko say "Lost…" Hikaru turns around & says "Eh?" Kyoko sitting by the table, without turning around says "I've lost…recently, I've been having dreams about your father…he said that thinking of ways to keep the ones you love by your side isn't love…he said letting that person you love leave you is also love…" Turning around with tears in her eyes Kyoko says to Hikaru "Don't worry, sensei still loves you even now....she's always loved you....more than I have....go, Hikaru....go...." Hikaru doesn't say anything, looks at his mom, & then goes out the door. Kyoko sits there, trying to fight back tears....

(-= CJ =- Kanashii! But I'm glad Kyoko's letting go of Hikaru at last....)

Hikaru's running to the hospital....

At the hospital in Michi's room, the doctor's examining Michi who's unconscious. Her mother, Kiriko & Hikaru are also there. The doctor says "Pupil reaction is a little slow.... her on a drip according to her blood pressure...." A nurse answers "Yes" Going outside, the doctor puts his hand on Hikaru's shoulder & Hikaru follows him out. He says to Hikaru "For the sake of the mother, you'll have to give up the baby this time. As a father, please make the decision soon...." Hikaru looks troubled....

Hikaru sits beside Michi's bedside. Michi slowly regains conscious & sees him "You came" Hikaru nods & Michi smiles. From under the pillow, she takes out the piece of paper with the baby names & says "I've thought about it....I...." Hikaru interrupts "Tomorrow....have to have surgery....sensei is also important....I've already decided." Michi stares at Hikaru in shock & with tears in her eyes, takes off the oxygen mask & tries to get out of bed. Hikaru says "What are you doing?" Michi falls off the bed & Hikaru comes over "Sensei!" Michi starts crying going hysterical "Leave me alone! I want to have the baby! Why can't I have the baby?" "Sensei!" A nurse comes running in "What happened? Calm down!" A couple more nurses & a doctor come in & help her back onto the bed "Hirose san, please calm down....Hirose san, are you alright?....alright, calm down...." Michi's crying & Hikaru looks on, helpless....

Outside, Hikaru waits & opens the piece of paper with the baby names. Michi has circled the name 'Mirai' (future). He looks up to see Michi's father "How's Michi?" "Sleeping" Hirose nods & says When Michi was born, we were really happy...." Taking a seat near Hikaru, he says "The fact that Man can feel that sort of happiness…it was the first time (for me)....no matter how long a person's life is, there will be a lot of things one won't know…she taught me that. That's why I named that child 'Michi' ...." His wife comes by & stands nearby without making her presence known. She listens to her husband say " Because an educator often has to be humble, I did just that (named her Michi)...." Shaking his head he continues "I've completely forgotten that....& have become an arrogant & difficult person...." He looks at Hikaru who looks at him & suddenly sees Michi's mom. Hirose turns around & sees her coming into the waiting room. He stands up & the both of them look at each other....

(-= CJ =- for those who don't know kanji, the characters for Michi mean 'Mi'=future & 'chi'=wisdom)

Hikaru walks down the corridor with the piece of paper in his hand. He goes into Michi's room & sees that Michi isn't there. Her hospital clothes & the needle from the drip lying on the bed....Hikaru runs out shouting "Sensei!" Running out of the hospital & down some stairs Hikaru shouts "Sensei!"

In the hospital, a couple of nurses are running down the corridors with flashlights looking for Michi "Hirose san!" They run by a corridor & don't see Michi leaving by the employee entrance. Clutching her stomach in pain she walks on. Suddenly she hears Hikaru shouting "Sensei!" & see him running by. Hikaru sees her & Michi stares, & then turns around trying to run away but she falls to the ground. Hikaru comes running up to her "Sensei!" Michi pleads "Please, don't kill this baby (make me get rid of the baby)!" Looking up at Hikaru she says again "Please, don't kill (it)" Hikaru looks at Michi, & then moves to hold her....

In the school library, at the same corner where they spent the night together all those months before, Michi sits with Hikaru, her head on his shoulders, his arm around hers. She says weakly "Everything's alright....I won't die...." Putting her hand on her stomach she says "I'll have this baby, & live for you to see....I....because of you, have become stronger (courageous)...." Hikaru says "I know" Michi carries on in a whisper "I'm not waiting for any miracle....I....don't believe there are miracles....what there is…is love, will, courage…all those things put together become miracles....that's why, I've never given up hope...." Hikaru, touched, puts his hand on hers "We'll do as you wish....I'll protect the baby....I'll stay by sensei's side....no matter what happens, I won't leave sensei...." Michi smiles weakly. Hikaru takes the ring off from Michi's right hand & puts it on her left. With tears in her eyes, she looks at it. & watches as Hikaru takes the ring from his right hand & wears it on his left ring finger as well. She holds his left hand with her left & with a smile says "Hey, I have a favor to ask...." "What?" "Stop calling me 'sensei' already...." Hikaru turns & hugs her saying "Michi…Michi…" Michi with tears in her eyes says "Hikaru" & holds him tight. Slowly, her hand slides down Hikaru's back & Hikaru suddenlly feels something is wrong....there's a pool of blood around Michi....Hikaru calls "Michi" but Michi doesn't reply. Moving away from Michi he realizes she's unconscious. He says "Michi" again but she slumps over him as he shouts "Michi! Michi!"

Both Michi's parents are waiting anxiously outside the surgery room, Kinoshita & Kiriko are sitting together while Hikaru stands alone on one side. The lights outside the surgery go off & everyone looks up as the door opens. They stand up & greet the doctor "Sensei" as he says to everyone "Very sorry about the baby...." Michi's mom asks "How's my daughter?" "Her life isn't in danger but because she lost a lot of blood, she's now in a dangerous condition....to be frank....sorry but I think it's better if you don't get your hopes up that she will regain consciousness...." Hikaru looks shocked & Michi's mom starts crying....everyone's in shock & upset…

Michi is on life support in a room. It is dark. Hikaru walks in & looks at the machines, & then looks at Michi. He says "In the end, it's still impossible....there's no place of freedom....just being alive (like this)....you can't go...." He looks at the machines again & then at Michi "Let's go together...." as reaches out to the AC power on/off switch "....to the place of freedom that belongs to the two of us...." Hikaru's hands on the switch....

Suddenly it is daylight & Kinoshita walks in. She hands him something & says "Sensei asked me to give this to you if anything happened" Hikaru looks at her & takes the letter addressed to him. Kinoshita looks at him & then walks out....

(-= CJ =- At first I thought it weird that night time became daylight instantaneously or some 'miracle' happened but then I realized that it was probably the director's way of showing the passage of time, that Hikaru probably hesitated in  actually 'pulling the plug' so to speak....)

Hikaru sits down on the chair beside Michi & reads the letter. Michi's voice can be heard "When you read this, I may not be in this world (any more). But please, don't follow after me…because, if you die, you can't go to the place of freedom." Hikaru says "Why?" Michi's voice continues "try to think of how the word Freedom is written....it's written as 'personal reasons' (literally, reasons where one is in)....asserting one's right to live in happiness & by one's own will....is called 'freedom', isn't it....therefore, no matter what happens, if you don't carry on living, it will be meaningless....no matter how bitter, no matter how trying, you must live on....in truth, there is no such place of freedom anywhere, the place of freedom is a place that's made with one's own hands...." Hikaru takes Michi's hand & holds it in his with the letter & looks at her....

(-= CJ =-  Michi's written a really beautiful letter.... Gomen, the translation of the letter doesn't do it justice at all....if you can, read it in Japanese....)

これをあなたが読む時は、私は       この世にいないかもしれません。   でも お願いだから、私の後を追うのこと      だけではしないで、だって、自由の国は 死んでしまったら、行けないんだから。   自由という字はどう書く思い出してみて、      自らがいる理由って書くのよ。 自分が生きる喜びや意志を主張するころを      自由って言うんじゃないんかな。   だから何があっても、生き続けなきゃ意味がないの、      どんなに辛くても、苦しくても 生きていかなきゃ だめなの。    本当は自由の国なんてどこにもないの、      自由の国は自分の手で作るものなの。

kore wo anata ga yomu toki ha, atashi ha     kono yo ni inai kamoshiremasen  demo onegai dakara, atashi no ato wo ou no koto     dake de ha shinaide. datte, jiyuu no kuni ha          shinde shimattara ikenain dakara jiyuu to iu ji ha dou kaku omoidashite mite     mizukara ga iru riyuu tte kaku no yo jibun ga ikiru yokorobi ya ishi wo shuchou suru koto wo     jiyuu tte iun ja nainkana. dakara nani ga attemo ikitsudukenakya imi ga nai no     donna ni tsurakutemo kurushikutemo         ikite ikanakya dame na no hontou ha jiyuu no kuni nante doko ni mo nai no     jiyuu no kuni ha jibun no te de tsukuru mono na no

One month later at the Hirose house, at the foyer, Kinoshita says to Michi's parents "Thank you for taking care of me." Michi's mom tells her "If there's anything, please let us know." Hirose also says "You're welcome here anytime" Kinoshita replies "Thank you. I'll also go to the hospital often...." Michi's moms says "Thank you" & Kinoshita saying "Bye" turns & leaves....

As Kinoshita comes out of the house, she sees Hikaru coming by. He says "I heard you're going home...." "Uhm." "Will it be alright?" Kinoshita nods & tells him "I've decided to become a public prosecutor....I want to change this country with my own hands....your affair with sensei, has changed these people here (to the extent that) they understand you...." Suddenly they hear piano music drifting out from the Hirose house. Kinoshita tells Hikaru "They've bought a piano...." & they both smile at each other. Inside, Michi's mom is playing the piano while her husband is listening, reading the paper....

Hikaru's working at the gas station, saying thank you to a departing customer when a white car pulls up. He runs up & says "Welcome" with a nod. "Fill it up?" he asks & inside, Masaru says "aa"....

Hikaru & Masaru speak privately by the river. Masaru asks Hikaru "Michi's the same?" "Yes" "You asked me before.... why I wanted to work in a bank....to be frank, I never thought about it before.... but recently I've been thinking…to help those people with dreams & those who are working hard....to support them, that's our job, isn't it....really want to help those people....the ones who started me thinking like this....are maybe Michi & you....I'm really glad that I got to meet Michi...." Hikaru smiles & looks out at the river....

Walking in the hospital compound, Hikaru, holding on to some documents, stops in the park & looks at a nurse pushing a little girl in a wheelchair. The little girl shows the nurse a book who turns around, it's Kyoko....she talks & smiles with the little girl. Hikaru smiles & then turns, walking off.....

Hikaru attends night classes.....

Hikaru, some notes in hand, walks down the hospital corridor, greeting a nurse "Good afternoon." He goes into Michi's room. Michi's no longer on life support, just lying there with her eyes closed. Hikaru, putting his notes on the side table & looking at Michi says "It's really hot today, it's like an oven outside...." Sitting in the chair by the bed he tells her "I've....decided....I'm going to be a doctor. Once I become a doctor, I will certainly find of a way for you to recover....I also want to help people lessen their suffering....let them find happiness....so,  just sleep in peace (without worrying)...." Hikaru puts his hand on Michi's, both of them wearing their rings, & lies down beside her ".....sleep by my side....." Hikaru closes his eyes.....

The scene fades into a dream....Michi's fingers move, her eyes slowly flutter open. She turns & sees Hikaru sleeping next to her. As she reaches over to touch him, he opens his eyes, looks at her, smiles & closes his eyes....the credits start rolling....the picture of the two of them lying together....they are no longer in chains....they are free at last....

....the end

Saigo no omoi....final thoughts ....when I first watched Majo no Jouken, I barely found anything 'witchy' about it.  Only after writing the translations & having totemo omoishiroi discussions with others did I notice all the chicchai details....Michi's cross, the chains, the rings,  fire & especially the references to Galileo....made me appreciate the drama a lot more the second time around....toudai moto kurashi....the darkest place is under the candlestick....sou iu darou :-) So does Michi wake up or doesn't she? Well, I don't think she does & I choose to interpret the final scene as Hikaru's dream....I guess 'cause his reaction at  Michi 'waking up' is a little unusual.... Just who are the witches? According to director Doi, majo to ha shui ga matsuriageta seijun na otome....the witches are the innocent girls that those  around them despise (literally, set up).... My interpretation of the title Majo no Jouken....'The Witch's Condition' is  Michi....a witch, ostracized by society but having the courage & strength to live  her life on her own terms & conditions....a high price to pay but one she's willing to as she says....ima shika nai no....I only have here & now... I like to think that Majo no Jouken is more Hikaru's story than Michi's....  ....the story of Hikaru's search for his jiyuu no kuni, place of freedom whilst  falling in love with Michi, going through trials & tribulations together before  finally saying farewell & poignantly moving on.... In the end, Hikaru realizes, as the lyrics of First Love say, tachitomaru jikan  ga ugokidasou to shiteru....the time that stood still with Michi is trying to  move again....itsuka dareka to mata koi ni ochitemo, even if I fall in love with  someone else again someday, I'll remember to love, you taught me how.... Michi teaching him the greatest lesson of her life...........  hontou ha jiyuu no kuni nante doko ni mo nai no, jiyuu no kuni ha jibun no te de tsukuru mono na no. in truth, there is no such place of freedom anywhere, the place of freedom is a place that's made with one's own hands.