Thanks for waiting.
So, my fave's doing a bunch of shows on their national tour.
Uh-huh.
I can't go to every show, but I want to at least try to go to the ones nearby.
Hey. Are you listening?
Huh?
You've been answering me with simple responses.
Sorry. Something's on my mind.
I'm here for you if something's up.
Recently, someone told me, "That's not fair." And...
Were they right?
I think so, yeah.
I couldn't say anything back.
I've been thinking about it since then, and I still can't find the answer.
Before I know it, I start thinking about it.
I see.
It seems like you've experienced it, too.
The deeper you go into adulthood...
No matter how much you fall in love,
the feeling of sadness when you part
or the pain when you hurt someone...
It gets harder to find an answer for them.
Why do you look so troubled?
Here.
Wow! Looks yummy!
A Margherita pizza with extra tomatoes.
Is that something off-menu?
Yup. A special service.
You remind me more of Hoshikawa-sensei.
Ugh.
Well, enjoy your meal.
Oh. By the way, Mizuho.
Hm?
Are you free this weekend?
Sorry for the wait, Mizuho.
Hop in.
We're taking your car? Are we going somewhere?
Yup. For a gourmet tour around Enoshima!
You said you were working on new menu items.
I thought you'd feed me a bunch of stuff at your restaurant.
It's important to try different foods when developing new menu items.
You're right.
Wait. But what about the restaurant?
Yeah. Big Bro's got it covered today.
Togo!
Yo. It's been a while.
Have fun. You can leave things to your magnificent big bro.
Thanks, Togo!
We should catch up sometime, too.
For sure.
Let's get going, Mizuho!
I haven't seen him in a while, but I'm glad he seems to be doing fine.
Yeah. He's having fun as always.
Does he occasionally help out with the restaurant like that?
Yup.
Mostly on holidays and during busy seasons.
His students and their families visit as customers, too.
Is that so?
I'm not surprised Togo-sensei's so popular.
You're right.
I'm thinking of dropping out of college and taking over the restaurant.
What?
So go back to being a teacher.
That's what this is about?
Don't worry about me.
I'm not attached to being a teacher.
I like what I'm doing with my current work.
Not that there's anything I can't do in this world.
Stop hiding your true feelings like that.
You always try to carry the workload all by yourself.
Just tell us.
There are types of "love" that aren't spoken, you know.
I suppose from your point of view
it looks like I'm the only one shouldering everything.
But this is something I decided on my own.
Because family is important to me.
So this isn't something you should worry about.
I also decided this on my own.
I'm even licensed to be a chef now.
I'm not doing this for you.
This is something I want to do.
That's why I want you to do what you want to do, bro.
Go back to being a teacher.
You got me.
I always thought I had to protect you. But now...
Before I knew it, you also became an adult.
I admit defeat.
Thanks.
Oh yeah.
I'm leaving the welcome-back-to-work gifts to you.
Maybe something like homemade Italian flan?
Why's it on me?
Can't you do this for your kind big bro?
Cut it out.
If we want food we can walk around with, this is the place!
Is there anything you want, Syugo?
Nah. Let's go to places you want to go.
Then we should get takoyaki first!
Watch out! Mizuho!
Be careful. You need to look ahead.
Sorry, sorry. I'll be more careful.
Syugo?
I just thought that maybe we should keep holding hands like this.
I-I'm not a little kid.
This is embarrassing.
Takoyaki, right?
C'mon. Let's go.
Wait up! Syugo!
You've got nori on you, Mizuho.
What? No way!
Kidding!
Hey!
These are viral on social media.
They are?
But it tastes average, right?
Nuh-uh! They're delicious!
Why don't you try making something that looks interesting, too?
I'll think about it.
So good!
We ate a lot.
Let's take a break.
Okay!
The breeze feels nice.
Yeah.
Oh! Look!
There were hang gliders back then, too.
I love this view the most.
Do you remember?
Is that so?
Back then... I remember wanting to be number one.
Well, guess you top-ranking guys wouldn't understand.
The real thrill of romance...
Is the bystander!
Understand?
And what truly makes romance is...
one-sided love!
Syugo?
Nah, nothing.
Let's hit up the next place.
What's next?
The aquarium.
Yay! I haven't been there in a while!
We saw the dolphin show last time with everyone.
Well, today it's just you and me.
Hm? Yeah!
Excuse me. Can you take a photo of us?
Would you like to join our picture while you're at it?
Sorry, but I'm with someone important.
Let's go, Mizuho.
I used to go up and down these steps effortlessly back in the day.
You need to work out more. Here.
Today... Syugo's acting a bit...
Actually, you're right.
You've changed from when we were younger, Mizuho.
You've gotten prettier.
Careful!
You okay?
Sorry, I think I've done it now.
Did you twist it?
My bad. I forgot that you're wearing heels.
You must have been exhausted from all that walking.
That's not... It's not your fault.
Stay still.
Whoa! Syugo!
If you move, you'll fall.
Put me down!
I can walk just fine!
Even though you twisted your ankle and are wearing heels?
Wow! Look!
It's like a drama!
Dang! He's so cool!
The car's not far.
We can go to the aquarium some other day.
Let's go home for today.
I'll... be in your care...
Thank you, Syugo.
Want me to take you to the hospital?
Nope.
I think it'll calm down once I apply a compress to it.
Then let's tend to it at home.
I can cook you something good while I'm at it.
Something's off about him after all...
Okay.
Let me help.
I told you to stay put.
The pain's not so bad since you treated me.
Then you're on soup duty.
Roger!
Wanna taste test?
It's good.
Right?
I'm the one who made it, so of course it is.
Your meals are really something special.
Sure, the pizza we had in Enoshima today was great,
but your pizzas are still the best.
If you like them that much, want me to feed them to you every day?
You'd do that?
I'd be the happiest girl.
Yeah.
I can make you happy.
I could have made dessert if we had more time.
I'm just happy I got to eat your delicious food.
Next time, I'll make you a special full course meal.
Yay!
You're the greatest, Syugo-sama!
That's me.
The most generous and humorous chef of all time: Syugo-sama!
I didn't say all of that.
Do you think that the current me is more like the main lead
instead of a bystander?
What's this about being a bystander?
This is yummy.
Everything you touch turns delicious, Syugo.
What's that supposed to mean, Mizuho? Huh?
Oh. This?
The manga writer I'm in charge of right now is...
She just uploaded the draft.
Take a look.
You can definitely do it!
You're gonna win today!
This setting. It's the Mitsuman Swimming School.
That takes me back.
Right?
You can definitely do it!
You're gonna win today!
I joined the writer there for an interview the other day.
Oh.
Kizuki?
Turns out that the interviewee was Kizuki.
She took a few photos for reference.
How was he?
He was super lively.
Almost blinding.
I felt like I'd been transported back to our high school days just looking at him.
Even in the future, Kizuki's always gonna be on Mizuho's mind...
How nostalgic.
Back then, every day was shimmering...
I'm sure those days were my adolescence...
I want to tell her.
Something I've been meaning to say.
Mizuho—
I was able to think about how I don't want to lose, either.
You're right. I also don't want to lose.
I want to be the one closest to Mizuho.
I want to be her number one.
Mizuho.
There's something I've been meaning to say to you for a while now.
Syugo?
Even if Kizuki's all she sees...
Even if this is something that would bother her...
Mizuho. Will you...
Oh. I think it's my dad.
Your dad?
Is he in Tokyo right now?
Yup.
Kizuki?
Why's Kizuki here?
I-I don't know.
Sorry for showing up suddenly, Mizuho.
What's wrong?
You see...
Why's Syugo here?
That's my line.
Hold on, you two.
So? Did you need something?
Well...
I thought I'd stop by before practice.
I wanted to tell you something, Mizuho.
Kizuki!
I'm gonna be in a competition.
Really?
Congratulations, Kizuki!
Thanks.
I wanted to tell you directly, Mizuho.
I also wanted to see your face.
I see... You'll be able to compete.
I'm rooting for you, too.
Do your best, Kizuki.
What are you doing with Syugo, Mizuho?
Huh? Um...
We went on a date around Enoshima, made dinner together,
and now it's our post-meal coffee break.
Right? Mizuho?
Uh-huh.
Maybe I'll even spend the night with her while I'm at it.
What?!
Come on!
He's just spouting his usual jokes!
This might be my work calling.
Sorry, I'm going to go check.
Nishino
Um...
I'm going home.
Oh, okay.
Oh. I almost forgot.
I love you, Mizuho!
He always does as he pleases.
For real. What do we do with him?
He always acts impulsively
and does whatever he pleases.
By the way, Syugo.
You were about to say something before.
What did you want to say?
Mizuho. I...
I want to tell her.
I don't ever want to let Mizuho go.
I...
I want you to keep smiling.
I want you to be happy.
What?
What's up with you, Syugo?
Nothing.
Isn't it common sense to be nice to my childhood friend
who tagged along with me for work research?
You were a big help today. Thanks.
I also had a lot of fun.
Let's do it again sometime.
What's wrong? Did you forget something?
Oh, no. It's nothing.
Be careful with your leg.
Later.
Yup. See you.
Kizuki...
He's always straightforward about his feelings
and hogs Mizuho all to himself.
Sorry, Mizuho.
I can't let this one thing go.
But I'll end these feelings.
Next up is this song:
"My Regretful Heart."
Shiraishi-chan.
If I put up my courage but get rejected, would you comfort me?
No.
But...
I'll play this song for you.
He'll definitely regret it when he's older.
Nope.
I don't regret anything at all.
Hello? This is Nishino.
This is the To-Ou Medical University Hospital.
Your family member, Tsuyoshi Nishino-san has been hospitalized.
What?
He's currently being examined and treated here at the hospital.
But we're calling you to ask that a family member can come to the hospital
so we can explain the patient's condition and discuss future treatment options.
Emergency Entrance
Nishino-san!
Sir! Can you hear me?
# 23 The Proposal