I've always loved cute and pretty things.
But as long as I can remember, I've never told anyone about it.
So that my abnormal self can live in a normal world.
Th-Th-This ain't no date, okay?
Oh? Would you have preferred if we were alone?
Rather, you know what a date is, huh?
That ain't it!
By the way, Tsubaki-san, where are we headed to?
Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't explain anything to you guys.
We're headed to the home of Ito-san, an elderly gentleman.
His wife passed away about a year ago.
The shock has made him depressed.
So I periodically visit him because I'm worried about him.
Do you usually go with your two next-in-commands?
Yup. But I thought it'd be nice to change it up with some new faces.
Ch-Change it up. That's a big responsibility.
What exactly do we have to do?
You don't have to get so nervous.
All you have to do is chat, help with chores, and just spend time with him.
Share some of your youthful spirit with him.
Welcome, Tsubaki-chan!
I have dorayaki from Nazuna-ya today. I thought about eating it together with you.
I'm so happy! I love their dorayaki!
Huh? He's so spirited.
He doesn't look depressed at all.
He's so energetic, I'd say he's glowing.
The garden looks trimmed.
This doesn't look like the house of a depressed person.
Oh, I haven't met these kids, right?
That's right. They're all first-years!
N-Nice to meet you.
Hello.
I see, I see. All the Furin kids are so fashionable.
Your hair color is beautiful, like a mimosa.
Mimosa?
It's the name of a flower.
Your earrings are made from coral.
They seem pretty vintage, but they suit you well.
You are...
Your eye.
A beautiful color of twilight.
Reminds me of the time I went to the beach with my wife.
Oh, I adore that story!
You were standing together at the beach until the sun set into the horizon.
How romantic!
It was so beautiful that we couldn't move even after the sun set.
We tripped so much on the way home. Both of us were covered in sand.
Oh, my apologies. Standing here chatting like this.
Now, please come on in.
Thanks for having us!
Oh, Sakura-san?
Why is your face so red?
Hell if I know.
Oh?
Ito-san, this is no good.
You need to put half-eaten food into the fridge.
Oh dear. I was a bit careless.
And your light bulb burned out.
Yes. I was thinking about changing it.
If you'd like, I'll change it for you!
Oh, is that all right?
Were you in the middle of working on this?
Right, I was! I went to the bathroom midway, and I forgot.
Can you take this over there for me? I'll get the tea ready.
Can you wait in the back room?
S-Sure.
He said the back room, so that'd be the one at the very back, right?
So many clothes.
He could last a whole year even if he wore a different outfit every day.
Oh, sorry, sorry.
Over here.
It's covered in so much dust.
Must mean that he doesn't wear them anymore.
Oh, that's right.
You should go on a date with me sometime!
It's getting warm, so we should dress up.
We can go to a café or a movie theater.
What about that grey hat?
Like when we went flower viewing two years ago.
The two of you back then were simply stunning!
It looked like a scene right out of a movie!
So they were very fashionable as a couple.
That's wonderful.
So that's why there were so many.
She was fashionable to begin with.
I wanted to follow along with her conversation and for her to look at me,
and I got hooked myself.
In the beginning, I gave her a dress.
And the floral pattern was so gaudy it would hurt your eyes.
I'd never consider it now,
but my wife matched accessories and shoes well and made it look stylish.
I love that story, too.
She wore it for quite a long time, right?
Yui-san really loved that dress!
I really hope she did.
What? Of course she did.
She always smiled and was a gentle person, but she wasn't very talkative.
But even so...
the time I spent with her was filled with joy.
At least for me.
It must have been a wonderful relationship.
Thanks for having us.
We'll come by again.
Yes.
Perhaps it's because I saw your eye.
It was fun being able to remember so much about my wife.
Thank you.
I didn't do much.
I heard he was depressed, so I was worried.
But he seemed to be in better spirits than I thought.
Well, he's gotten a lot more lively compared to a year ago.
But every so often, he just has a look that feels very painful.
Of course, that's only natural because he lost someone dear to him.
But still, I don't think that's the whole story.
Well, even if I ask, he says there's nothing to worry about.
But I want him to get his spirits up.
I'll do anything it takes for Ito-san to start having fun again.
Why do you go so far?
I owe a lot to him and his wife.
They loved me for who I am.
Look, look! Isn't this cute?
- Yeah! - So cute!
Thanks!
Tsubakino, what're you doing? Let's go.
Okay.
Oh, there they go again.
Cute this, cute that. What's so fun about that?
Right?
R-Right.
Oh, that's right.
You can have this.
Tsubakino, you said you liked cars like this, right?
Th-Thanks. This makes me happy.
Yeah.
See you tomorrow!
If you find one about motorcycles, give it to me okay?
S-So cute!
They're so pretty.
This one has great color,
but I prefer the designs on this one.
When I get home, I'll add this to my collection.
- Come on! - Wait!
Liar.
Did someone drop this?
So pretty.
My boy! That...
That earring.
It belongs to my wife. I've been looking for it.
Thank you for finding it.
He's a man, but the shirt he's wearing underneath is pink.
I don't know why, but that's so wonderful.
My boy, do you like dorayaki?
Yui-san, I found the earring.
A boy who was passing by picked it up.
Oh, really?
He's waiting out front right now.
I thought I'd send him home with some dorayaki.
So you found my earring?
Thank you.
Okay, please take some!
NAZUNA-YA
Oh, what's wrong?
You don't like dorayaki after all?
Oh, no, um...
W-Well, I thought her clothes were really pretty.
Yes! They are very pretty, aren't they?
It was at my request. I thought it would be perfect for this season.
You really do know your fashion.
Th-That's not really the case.
My wife is always stylish, so I'd be delighted if you came by again to see her.
After that, I started visiting their house almost every day.
Each time, I got to see the couple wearing wonderful clothes. It was so fun.
What do you think?
I-I'm a boy...
so I don't really know.
Yui-san, where were the stocks of tea leaves?
Yes, coming.
Tasuku-chan, would you like to try it?
N-No, this isn't...
It's fine.
There, done.
Both of you, tea is ready.
Tasuku-chan, you put on lipstick? You look good!
T-Tasuku-chan.
Why? Why am I so happy about this?
Normal boys wouldn't be happy about putting on lipstick.
But why do I think it's so pretty? Why am I so happy about it?
I don't want to lie to my friends or my family anymore.
I want to like things that everyone else likes.
I want to be normal!
You know, Tasuku-chan.
Do you know what high heels are?
The ones with pointy heels, and they're shoes for women?
Yes, you're right.
Did you know that used to be men's shoes?
That's right!
It was originally for stabilizing the body while drawing a bow on horseback in the battlefield.
Is that true?
Makeup was also originally used as a charm to protect your body.
The difference between men and women is an important thing.
But it's only one small part of you.
Because the first person to wear high heels and the first person to wear lipstick
didn't think about wearing it because it's for men,
or putting it on because it's for women.
I think it was because that person thought it was good, and that they wanted to do so.
Tasuku-chan, earlier
you said, "Why do I feel happy even though I'm a boy?"
But that's not how you should look at it.
You like it because of who you are.
"Normal" is only defined by what the majority think.
But "normal" is an ambiguous concept that's constantly changing,
like the meaning of wearing high heels and makeup.
So you should like what you choose to like.
I love you for loving whatever truly strikes your fancy, Tasuku-chan.
Me, too! I love you just the way you are, Tasuku-chan!
There. All done.
Oh wow, I can understand why it makes you so happy.
Yes.
I mean, it suits you so well.
I was scared.
That I'd be alone because I was different from others.
But that couple accepted me for who I was.
They said they loved me.
I realized I wasn't alone anymore.
I could say I loved what I loved.
So now, it's my turn.
A-Are you okay?
I was so touched.
We'll do whatever we can to find out what's bothering Ito-san
so he can be happy again!
Right, Suo-san?
Indeed.
Sakura-san!
When is it?
When's the next time you going?
My goodness! You're all such great kids!
Love! Love you! I totally love you guys!
All right, let's strike while the iron is hot! We'll go tomorrow!
Tomorrow?
After talking to all of you about my wife yesterday,
I had an urge to open our photo album for the first time in a while.
I really loved the dress she wore that day.
When she walked, the cloth would float, and it matched her aura perfectly.
He's so lovey-dovey.
But he does seem very spirited.
At first glance, we can't figure out what's bothering him.
But these are mostly pictures of Yui-san.
And so many aren't properly looking at the camera.
When I pointed the camera at her, she'd always look away.
They're kind of like candid photos, I guess.
Secret photography?
Then, you don't have any pictures of the two of you together?
At the least, something from your wedding.
Oh, yes. It's not a wedding photo, but...
Here it is.
Wait, is this the garden outside?
It is.
Oh, are you okay?
Was that picture really that surprising?
Nire-kun, I don't think Sakura-kun was surprised.
Oh, can it be, Sakura...
Did this photo trigger your romance sensor?
Shut up. I just had a bit of the castella cake go down the wrong pipe!
Listen to this.
When he feels something like an aura of romance, he turns all red!
I see, I see.
Hey, Sakura. What did this photo look like to you?
Wh-What did it look like? Nothing much.
H-Happy?
Joyful?
Oh, it's that.
The old lady looks like Ts-Tsubakino talking to Umemiya.
Huh? What? O-Oh no! I look this cute to you? Sheesh!
- Wow, you're beet red. - Not bad.
Oh, this is embarrassing.
So um, this Umemiya, you know, is the one I always talk about, the one I lov...
I-Ito-san? What's wrong?
Does it really look that way?
Why would you say that?
I was unsure ever since I became all alone.
Was Yui-san ever really happy?
I loved her, so I was very happy.
But it was an arranged marriage,
and Yui-san wasn't one to put her thoughts to words much.
So I wonder how it was for her.
I see. I think this is what's been troubling Ito-san.
That's...
It didn't bother me much when I was together with her.
But now that I'm alone, that uneasiness just kept growing.
But...
I see. That's how it looks.
That's a bit of a relief.
Um, can I ask you something?
What was the situation for taking that photo?
Huh?
It's been bothering me since we visited yesterday.
The entire garden is made from trees that don't bloom.
So that dogwood tree feels out of place.
Out of place?
And you took that picture in front of that tree.
Oh, I'm surprised you noticed.
The garden was mostly my hobby.
But one day, Yui-san suddenly said she was going to plant a dogwood tree.
Though she's normally against photos, she insisted on taking one together after planting the tree.
Ito-san, did something happen between you two before planting the tree?
It doesn't matter how trivial it was.
If I had to say something...
Yui-san, during the next time off...
Oh, is something the matter?
Oh, no, nothing.
I thought I should clip my nails in a bright spot. Please, continue.
You're beautiful when you're absorbed in fashion.
I want to be fashionable enough that you'd look my way.
I always said she looked wonderful, but would she look my way?
It sounded like I was pouting because she wouldn't pay attention to me.
I felt so embarrassed later.
But now that I think about it, maybe I felt unsure from back then.
Well, she didn't say anything back then.
And it could've been a whim that she planted that tree.
I'll never know now.
I should've asked her more questions about all...
No,
I think she was pretty upset.
Wh-What do you mean by that?
The meanings behind a dogwood flower are "eternity," "flourishing romance,"
and, "am I indifferent to you?"
As in, "Do you think I have no interest in you?"
Perhaps the dogwood tree was her way of saying you're wrong.
You really don't get it.
You really didn't understand Yui-san at all.
Someone who taught me that I can keep loving things that I love...
would never spend her time with someone she doesn't love.
Tsubaki-chan.
I agree.
If someone who talked about me so happily was next to me...
If it was me...
I'd be happy!
Right, Sakura-san?
Huh? Me?
I don't really get it.
But I don't think you'd make a face like that to someone you don't care about?
You're right.
Yui-san wasn't that type of person.
I thought I had watched her at her side more than anyone.
I'm so unfashionable.
Thank you, everyone.
I'm sorry, Yui-san.
But to think this is her way of telling me I was wrong...
You didn't even intend on me noticing it.
You really were so elegant in every way.
You really are...
so amazing.
HIDDEN FEELINGS
Sakura-san's blushing radar is highly efficient.
Blushing radar?
How you turn all red when you sense someone's romantic feelings!
I-It's nothing like that.
Oh, then can you look over there for a little bit?
Huh? There's nobody over that way.
It's fine, it's okay.
Oh, look at that lovey-dovey couple!
And then over here!
Two kindergarten students are holding hands as they walk!
See, now we have...
Quit usin' me to play games!