I'm home.
Yota!
- I'm so sorry about earlier. - Huh?
You must feel annoyed for a family member to come and talk to you
when you're with a friend.
MUMBLE MUMBLE
Oh, goodness. And you are at that age...
- No. It's fine. - Why did I call out to you?
Thanks for the food.
Come on, now.
No fair! Haruto's getting all the fun.
Could you wait until I'm done eating?
- Now! - So loud!
You two...
RUMBLE RUMBLE
WHOOSH
- Stop bothering your brother! - Daddy!
- Do the airplane again! - Do it!
- Daddy's done for now. - Come on!
Wanna tag out?
You don't have to do anything, Yota.
You kids.
Thanks.
Daddy!
NOISY NOISY
The sounds of the day swirl around and around in my head.
I have to stop the noise,
or it consumes me.
Nothing.
Think of nothing.
I have one little sister, and one little brother.
And I tell you what, man, are they stubborn!
We were trying to decide what to have for dinner the other day,
and my sister said, "I want pasta!" but my brother said, "I want curry!"
Neither would budge. And then...
My younger brother and sister are still little.
It's too noisy at home.
- Have you been out here all this time? - Yeah.
But I want to spend some time zoning out.
The more I think about it,
the more the words he's said start falling into place.
But even if I am right about this,
is this really something I should be getting involved in?
If someone says they're fine,
who am I to worry?
Who am I to intrude further?
EPISODE 7 LONELINESS AND SOLITUDE
YUISHIRO
Listen, Koyuki.
Your father and I are getting a divorce.
LOVEBIRDS
I knew they weren't like those perfect couples you see on TV.
I don't think that.
- I knew they argued when I wasn't looking. - I work myself to the bone, you know?
I knew. I knew all this.
And yet...
I still felt safe in the knowledge
that Mom and I were close, and that Dad loved me.
I felt confident that those things would keep them together.
I thought it would all work out.
But was I in fact someone...
YUISHIRO - HIKAWA
...that Dad could live without?
Her water bottle is so lame. Like, it literally makes me laugh.
Stop it, Manatsu.
I didn't fit in.
I never felt like I belonged, no matter where I went.
Koyun, what do you find so repulsive about Igarashi?
I feel sorry for the guy.
I felt empty, not being able to share my feelings with anyone.
I thought what if...
What if nobody really cares whether I'm around or not?
The thoughts crept in,
and slowly tore at my heart.
CLUB WITHDRAWAL FORM
Back then,
being with others was when I felt most alone.
GRADE 1 CLASS 2
WHEW... WHEW...
Yota is not me.
His circumstances are completely different to mine.
YOTA - WHAT TIME DO YOU FINISH CLUB ACTIVITIES TODAY?
What's right to me and what's right to him may be different.
But still, I feel like I understand.
Go!
I know how lonely it feels to be around others
and still feel like you don't belong.
Koyun?
Probably around dismiss--
Hey, your phone!
Geez.
KOYUKI
Koyun?
Sorry about that. Thank you.
I saw it.
PROBABLY AN UPRISING
What does that mean?
PROBABLY AROUND DISMISSAL
SORRY, TYPO! LOL
PFFT
BLAZING CHINESE GYOSHO
And then I dropped my phone before I could fix it, and it sent.
I was like, "What kind of typo was that?"
BIG HANDS
I'm not very good at typing on my phone.
Grandpa.
I have superseded "Dad" now.
Sorry for dragging you out like this.
I don't mind.
So...
My...
My parents are divorced.
Huh?
Which means I'm on my own a lot when I get home.
So if you're free, and it doesn't have to be all the time,
but I'd really like it if you'd help me kill time after school.
I'd like that.
That's very kind of you, Koyun.
Huh? No, it's not.
I'm so narrow-minded, and I'm quick to anger.
That's not true.
I see you as a kind person.
Sorry, but...
can we have a chat for a little?
Sure.
Ever since Mom passed away, Dad has always been super busy.
He never makes it to any school events either.
PARENT VISITATION DAY
I tried not to think about it during parent visitation days.
FIDGETY LOOKY LOOKY
And then...
Hello, Yota. It's nice to meet you.
You're very tall.
This is Akari.
Dad introduced me to my current mom.
Sorry, he's very shy around others.
Yota. No need to force it, okay?
UM... UM...
Mom is very nice to me.
But...
Akari! I think I can get my paternity leave.
- Really? - Yeah.
- I'm so happy! Thank you. - Finally.
Sometimes I wonder.
I told you so.
Do I even exist?
I feel like I'm the only one who is different in my family.
I know I'm probably just being overdramatic,
but once I start, I can't stop thinking about it...
I'm always running away from it.
Yota. You can't blame yourself for your thoughts or the way you feel.
I get it so much that it hurts.
You may be wrestling with "why do I think like this?"
But the more you blame yourself,
you start to despise yourself, right?
You can run away from your environment, but you can't run away from yourself.
You're amazing, Koyun.
You see right through me.
Hey, Koyun? You're crying?
Don't mind me.
This is just like a glitch in my system when I can't process my emotions.
- What? - I get it all the time.
Huh?
He is different in gender, in build, and in personality.
He is so different to me, and I envied him for that.
I thought Yota's kindness came from his strength of heart and composure.
But if it's because he bottles things in, or if he's given up already...
That would be heartbreaking for him.
Yota. You don't have to be a "good" person.
So please don't torture yourself.
SIGH
Thank you, Koyun. Sorry for talking about such weird things.
No, it's not weird at all.
I've never talked about this with anyone before.
Definitely never talked about it with Minato, or anyone like that.
You really love Amamiya, don't you?
Not really?
If you say so.
And if I can be of any help, I'm all ears if you need me.
When you bottle things in, your heart... It, like...
It eventually just gets covered in soot.
Soot?
Yes. Soot.
When it builds up, it clouds your outlook on life.
- Before you know it, you're stuck. - Soot, soot!
Soot, soot...
I see.
That does make sense.
What do I do?
Koyun. I gotta tell you.
I...
I'm in love.
What?
I'm in love.
What?
With Miki...
What? What?
You mean "love" love? Not like? "Love"?
PANIC - EEK
Both.
No way.
I had no idea!
But you're always so calm?
No, I'm really not.
PANICKING INSIDE
I'm always a total mess whenever I'm around Miki.
What? No, you're no--
You are.
MIDDLE SCHOOL DO YOU LIKE MIKI?
Minato's known for a while now.
- NO, WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT? - YEAH, RIGHT...
But he bugs me, so I just deny it.
I guess you would feel embarrassed.
Wow, now what? This makes me so happy!
What's the real me?
I don't know what I'm feeling anymore.
Don't go creating an ideal version of me and then get disappointed!
GRRR!
Miki. Somebody likes you for you. Just the way you are.
And he's such a wonderful person.
FIDGET FIDGET
Are you going to ask her out?
Koyun? Where did all this energy come from?
Sorry. I'm just happy.
(SUPER HAPPY DANCE)
But...
How does Miki feel?
I haven't thought that far ahead.
Or rather, I don't even plan on telling her.
I just like her. I like Miki.
And I value her as a friend as well.
I know she probably doesn't see me in the same way.
But...
I feel like as time goes on, it feels like I'm just deceiving her.
I'm starting to feel like I need to apologize for liking her.
WHOA!
Didn't I tell you not to torture yourself?
Soot, soot...
Don't tell anybody what we talked about today.
Of course I won't.
I'm absolutely rooting for you, but I won't do anything to give you away.
Thanks.
Feels like a thumb.
It is my pinky.
I'm glad we became friends, Koyun.
Me too.
Yota, welcome home.
I'm home.
STARE
Did you take a detour home?
EEP
Did I get home too late?
Yeah, I was with a friend.
I knew it.
You look happy, so I thought something good must have happened.
Huh?
- Yota! - Kids!
PIT PAT
You gotta dry your hair first.
Good grief.
- Yota always just goes off to his room. - Yeah!
So we came to see you.
- Yota, Yota... - Go dry your hair. I'll wait.
- You will? - Yes.
WHOOSH
Goodness...
Yota. There's ice cream in the freezer. It's the good kind.
But dinner first, okay?
HMPH!
The kindness of others is slowly seeping into my heart.
How did I ever think I didn't belong?
Soot...
I see it now. I never realized it before.
It's quiet tonight.
It's been a while.
BREAD
Did you sleep well last night?
Yep. Like a log.
I see.
Huh?
You got the drinks?
Yeah.
Hi, Amamiya. It's been a while.
It has.
What's this?
It's my trio!
- What a haul. - What a haul.
You're having bread from the school store for lunch too?
Get a load of this. I left my lunch by the door at home today.
Oh, dear.
What? They still had sweet red bean buns?
Yeah. Do you want it?
No, no. I'll pay you. How much?
WATCHING
MIFFED
HMM...
It's fine. You can have it.
No, let me pay.
Then let's say, ten yen?
No way was it ten yen. Then let's at least trade.
TUG
Amamiya.
What did you do over the winter break?
She initiated conversation.
I guess I mostly did club activities.
I hung out with some classmates a bit,
and took my dog for walks.
Dog.
FUZZY - DOG
What else?
I always seem to put my foot in my mouth whenever I talk to her.
I never know what to do.
Hey. You got a name?
Huh? Me?
No. For the dog.
Your first name is Minato, right?
- It's Ponta. - Huh?
The dog! My name's not Ponta.
What am I even saying?
FLUSTER FLUSTER PONTA AMAMIYA - PONTA
Amamiya's first name... is "Ponta."
Hey, could you not lose it over that?
Sorry.
SWEET RED BEAN BUN
You really like your sweet red beans. Don't you, Miki?
Can't go wrong with sweet red beans!
Right, Koyu--
- Is Ponta doing well? - Yeah.
- I'm always taking photos. - Am I...
- Yeah? - Am I being a third wheel?
SHOCK
Koyun!
WHOMP - TAKE THAT - AH
What was that for?
SIGH
I just got a surge of energy.
That's your reason? You're dangerous.
- Hey. - I'm sorry.
- You don't gotta force it. - It's fine.
SMILE GUARD
Sorry. I couldn't help it.
Now, look here! Don't make that face.
SMILE GUARD ALPHA
I'm sorry. I'm sorry!
What's this?
Koyun and Yota...
- They're getting on so well. - They're getting on so well.
TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION SAVORY BREAD FAIR
I'll be going now.
You're eating in again?
- Yeah. - Eat in where?
NORIKO FROM THE NURSE'S OFFICE
The nurse's office is not a café!
I'll see you later.
See you later.
Two people I like very much seem to be hitting it off.
That's all this is, so...
So why does it get me so excited?
So, hey. I know this is still a long ways off.
But shall we have another four-way study session for the end-of-year exams?
- Sure. - Hooray!
I'm gonna set those two up!
SO EXCITED
- Hey, isn't that Miki? - Okay! Time to study hard.
And isn't that Hino and Amamiya with her?
Is that how Miki usually behaves?
Subtitle translation by: Rychelle Brittain