Talent and intellect...
It is only when both come together
that they mutually influence one another and begin to advance.
You can't move forward with just one of the two?
Excuse me.
Um, there's a visitor.
I wasn't expecting anyone, but...
Could you please ask them to wait a moment?
Um... She's actually here for Yamagishi-san.
Long time no see!
Sayuri?
Here. Some water.
Eren-chan and Sayuri are good friends, aren't they?
Thanks as always, Kato-san.
Please! That's my line.
Thanks for always letting her play with Sayuri.
Do you wanna use the red one?
Don't want it.
I know folks in the neighborhood don't think well of me,
saying things like I work late because my husband's a struggling artist.
I've never had a job before,
so I think it must be kind of nice to get out and work like you do.
Ah!
What happened?!
You're in the way if you're over here!
Eren-chan's hand nudged me, and...
Oh, I see.
Eren-chan is left-handed, after all.
Change sides for her, Sayuri.
Okay.
I'm sorry.
It was Eren's fault.
Now apologize.
I'll do it later!
They're just kids. It's fine.
Why can't you act more normal like Sayuri-chan?!
Sayuri, be good friends with Eren-chan, okay?
But Eren-chan's so selfish...
Her family's having a tough time with a lot of things.
You're a good girl, aren't you, Sayuri?
I'm home.
Eren-chan was absent again today.
Sayuri...
Sayuri, listen carefully.
Eren-chan's dad, he...
Eren-chan...
Um, I...
I really want to go to school with you, so...
So...
Your mom made you come, didn't she?
What? N-No, she didn't!
Using me and my mom to make yourselves look good to everyone...
Both you and your mom piss me off!
Hypocrites!
Sayuri, we're going to be living in the US for a while.
It'll help with your English studies, too.
All right...
Thanks.
It's been three years, huh?
Yeah.
What, are you jealous because you don't have any lovers or friends?!
U-Um...
How's it goin', Sayuri? Lately, I mean.
Well, my graduation project is decided and I'm taking it easy.
Oh, yeah?
I'm glad to see you after all these years, Eren.
Huh? Uh... I mean, yeah, me too.
And so, I was hoping you'd let me interview you today.
Ta-da!
FIND THE SUPER ART STUDENT! PROJECT PROPOSAL
My project is "Find the Super Art Student!"
This is the proposal.
Can I explain it a little?
It's a magazine called Start dedicated to showcasing art students.
In this intro to the plan—
I don't want to.
What?
I don't want to be taken advantage of.
Come on. Don't put it like that.
You know this magazine is for people like you, Eren.
Aren't you terrible at showcasing yourself?
Why do I need you to do something like that for me?
Hmm... Because I can?
It's right up my alley.
If it sells, it's another notch on my belt.
It's a win-win.
To unearth artists without voices who'd otherwise fade into obscurity, I—
That's all just lip service, isn't it?
You're a rather unfair woman.
You support the people you like and completely ignore those you hate.
That's the kind of woman you are.
Correct!
It's been seven years, huh?
It's all just Japanese people.
I mean, of course it is, but...
We're never getting rid of each other, are we?
Okay, next up. Introduce yourself.
KEISUKE YAMANE (15)
I'm Keisuke Yamane.
I played baseball all through junior high, so I plan to in high school as well.
I'll be aiming for Koshien!
Japan has cliques too, huh?
So were you a regular in junior high?
Right? Since first grade, no?
The jocks.
Good luck with your club activities.
The queen bee.
You wanna drink this?
The messenger.
FRIENDS OF THE RAILS
The preps and nerds.
It's ridiculous.
You really think this tiny classroom is a scaled-down version of society?
You think you'll carry your status here out into the real world?
Talk about clueless.
I'm different.
I'm Sayuri Kato.
I moved to the US when I was eight.
Whoa, cool!
So you're a repatriate!
Say something for us!
Maybe next time.
The real measure of our worth in society...
is the scarcity of our talents.
Did you have a boyfriend in America?!
Come on, tell us!
All the attention I'm getting just for living abroad is only temporary.
What are the schools in the US like?
I need to find where to position myself in society before graduation
I'm curious! I'm curious!
Probably huge, right?
Right?
in order to earn the most respect.
Doesn't it take a long time to get there?
Oh, that's true!
It sure takes a long time, doesn't it?
My strengths are language, debate, logic...
I'd be ideal for business talks and negotiations.
PRODUCER
Producer, huh?
Not bad. But in which industry?
Mass media, music, film...
Feels like there would be heaps of competition.
I wonder which industry places a premium on strong production skills.
No browsing the books, please.
Could you work the register?
Also, you're eating your hair.
Art, huh?
Eren, what are you going to do?
You're a one-trick pony.
What are you going to do when you fail in that?
What is it, Yamane-kun?
Kato-san, please go out with me!
What? Uh, well...
U-Um...
I'm definitely going pro, so...
Pro?
U-Um, I'll be a pro baseball player.
I'm flattered, but... I'm sorry.
No, I'm kinda sorry too...
A pro baseball player, he says.
You really think that kind of dream will come true?
Hey, Yamane! You're late!
Sorry, sir!
EPISODE 7: DON'T GIVE THAT PERSON HAPPINESS
Koichi?
You're not going to bed, Koichi?
That's right. I've got an important event tomorrow, after all!
This is the culmination of my college life!
I'll make it a legendary night!
R-Right...
We'll have a professional model tomorrow and everything,
so it's guaranteed to be a success!
I'm kinda starting to freak myself out,
knowing I can do pretty much anything.
This guy is hopeless...
We're staring down job hunting. He'll be in trouble like this.
But he won't listen to a word I say...
MEGURO AD AGENCY (COMPANY DATA)
Welcome home.
How was it? The fashion show.
Your jacket is going to get wrinkled.
He's so easy to read.
This is my chance.
I have to say it now.
I want Koichi to lead a realistic life.
You'll get into an ad agency, earn a reasonable income,
achieve a fair sense of self-realization,
and live satisfied that you've been acknowledged.
With me, I can definitely get you there.
That's why I have to say it...
Don't lose sight of the goal.
Because there's nothing beyond that.
Koichi...
You worked so hard.
You know, these experiences where you gave it your all in school...
They're bound to push us forward when we step out into the real world.
Whether things went well or not, I still think this'll be an asset.
I think you're always right, Sayuri.
You set me straight with sound, ordinary values.
But I...
This isn't it, Koichi.
There's something beyond this, y'know.
I... don't want that.
I don't want a normal life!
MY KOICHI NOTEBOOK
An alumni visit?
That's right! From a young art director with an ad agency.
I hear he's really good.
But I still need to prepare...
Why not start with just talking to him once?
Okay?
It's true that I'm not fair.
I choose people based on whether I like them,
and weigh the pros and cons in my favor.
But still...
If it means the person I love can lead a decent life, I'll do whatever it takes.
I refuse to believe that's wrong.
Even now...
Asakura-kun, was it?
You see, "creation" is both self-expression and analysis.
Ideals, principles, ulterior motives... All of it shows up in your work.
You said your event didn't go well, right?
Good for you. You got to see for yourself what's lame.
Also, you're confusing an art director with an artist, aren't you?
An art director is responsible for supervising art,
not artists themselves.
With that in mind, you've gotta be on even ground with them.
Even ground?
Actually, things haven't been going well for me either.
My photographer takes me lightly, I get into fights with my illustrator...
But occasionally, there are moments we feel like a team.
Times when exceptionally talented people truly acknowledge you.
Only then are we allowed to draw closer to the art.
Koichi?
Um, what is this?
Why are you suddenly smoking?
Seriously, what's going on?
Sayuri...
You know, it really feels like being an art director is my true calling.
Okay...
Um, you may have forgotten, but...
This is my apartment. So no smoking.
Also, the cap's not a great look on you.
I-I'm sorry. I'll take it out on the balcony.
He might've been influenced a little too much, but...
Well, I'm just glad he's finally set a goal.
Just a little more, and things will work out for Koichi and me.
So, please...
INCOMING CALL AKARI KISHI
Don't let anyone get in my way.
And so, regarding my "Super Art Student" project,
want to see the other candidates that editorial has proposed?
AKARI KISHI, BORN MARCH 1984, TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS, MODEL
My, what a beauty.
Akari Kishi, an art student and model.
Why not just go with her?
The other is Koichi Asakura,
KOICHI ASAKURA, BORN JULY 1981, MAU VISUAL COMMS DESIGN, STUDENT ORG. "MIX"
a student organization rep.
My ex-boyfriend.
Guess what? This model was having an affair with Koichi!
Hilarious!
So, by process of elimination, you win.
Why are you all dressed up like that?
A-Am I?
K-Kamiya-san invited me out to dinner.
Really? That's great.
He really likes you, huh?
Seems like it.
Well then, I'm off.
SORRY! THERE'S A SEMINAR DRINKING PARTY TONIGHT. WON'T BE HOME FOR DINNER.
That's what I'm sayin'.
Koichi Asakura is in this seminar, right?
Yeah, but he was absent today.
Um, did the class hold a drinking party last night?
Huh? We didn't do anything like that.
CHECKING FOR NEW EMAILS
NEW: 0 EMAILS
To think we were in—
The same seminar too!
I'm looking forward to this.
I'm so happy!
So, for good luck on the job hunt, I decided to make katsu curry.
But beef was so expensive, I went with chicken instead.
That's totally fine.
I'm glad.
How's your job hunt going, Akari?
Wait, did I just...
How's your job hunt going, Sayuri?
Find a good company?
Hmm, not yet.
I see.
Who's Akari?
Huh?
Did I just... Sorry, sorry!
I've been in class all day.
I was with this girl named Akari in my department earlier.
There's no one named Akari, is there?
I know who your classmates are, Koichi.
Er, her nickname is—
You suddenly started going out.
That was right after the fashion show, wasn't it?
You were ecstatic about the professional model, weren't you?
If I'm not mistaken, wasn't her name Akari?
Why is she coming up?
Why did you try to cover it up?
I'm sorry.
You're sorry?
Sorry, you say?
MY KOICHI NOTEBOOK VOL.3
Were you sleeping with another woman while I was thinking about your future?
I even cooked for you.
I let you stay at my place.
Not to mention, I supported you in your job hunt.
I did this, that, and everything for you.
I did.
I did it all, yet you...
It's fine. I'll forgive you.
Sayuri...
In exchange, never see that wom—
Sorry.
I'm... in love with Akari.
Um...
I'm really sorry.
Get out.
YAMANE'S 17TH HOMERUN TOP OF THE 9TH INNING
The highly anticipated rookie is having a standout season!
Why did I hold it in?
For who?
I should've sobbed my eyes out right in front of him and hurt him good.
I should've made him realize just how terrible he was to me.
Please, no one... Don't give that person happiness.
I beg you...
Don't find happiness with a woman who isn't me.
You know...
I know exactly what I'm capable of,
but there's nothing I actually want to do.
I've read the room and read the room...
I've spent so long reading the room that now I feel invisible.
I really wanted to slap him!
I really wanted to make you apologize!
I really didn't want to be a good girl!
Why?
Why am I always the one who has to put up with everything?!
Eren, I hated you.
I've been holding that in all this time.
I hate Koichi.
And I hate Akari too.
I hate, I hate, I hate...
I really hate myself!
I should just die!
Don't say you want to die in front of me!
But I want to!
I hate you too, Sayuri!
Since way back!
Pretending you've got it together in front of everyone, but it's all a lie!
You're always telling others to do this or that.
Yet when it comes to yourself, you've got no clue what you want to do!
It's darkest directly under a lighthouse. And you're the lighthouse!
You lighthouse woman!
I have things I want to do. Unlike you, Sayuri.
I want to make a living with art.
But... I haven't the faintest idea what I'm supposed to do!
What?
If you can really see the way for other people, then tell me!
Then why the heck are you still in Japan?
What?
If you keep working in Japan any longer, you'll just hit a dead end.
The most it'll ever amount to is getting featured on a variety show.
Then six months later, everyone will have forgotten all about you.
Japanese people don't have hyper-focused eyes to discern the real deal,
especially for art.
So the only option left is to reverse import.
First, get recognized abroad, then hit Japan.
You couldn't even figure that out?
You really are special, aren't you?
Sorry for bothering you.
You just said you don't want it, right?
Then give it to me.
What are you talking about?
Your life. Give it to me.
We're sorry. The number you have dialed is either not in use
or unavailable at the subscriber's request.
The man who got caught cheating
ultimately ended up getting blocked by the woman he cheated with.
CREATIVE RECRUITMENT 4TH INTERVIEW VENUE
A large slogan becomes the backdrop,
"A night for a man who wants to get drunk."
And the logo: "Extremely Bitter Beer."
That is all.
The heck is that?
Depressing, yo. Sales will tank.
Oh, no, the tone is meant to be comedic.
Come on, Kamiya. Haven't you experienced this sort of thing before?
I totally get it.
What a lackluster brat.
Lastly, any questions for us?
Um, what kind of person would you want to work with?
Let's see...
2004: KOICHI ASAKURA, MAU GRAD, HIRED AT MEGURO AD AGENCY CREATIVE DEPT.
I'd want someone I could fight with.
Congratulations.
I think this decision is very much like you.
Um... Truly, thank you so much for everything.
If it weren't for you, Sensei, I...
No, you forged your own path.
Talent and intellect...
It is only when both come together
that they mutually influence one another and begin to advance.
Oh, a taxi...
Ow.
You're on the wrong side.
Huh? If you would just move sides, this would be resolved in two seconds.
Has taking the initiative yourself never occurred to you?
No one can ever force fate onto you or take it from you.
Oh... It's here.
I hope that you can stay true to yourself. I'll be wishing for that.
You think I can get soba in New York?
I bet you can.
I mean Japanese soba.
EREN YAMAGISHI, TUA GRAD, & SAYURI KATO, MAU GRAD: MOVING TO NY
Will it be any good?
I don't know.
TRANSLATION: YUKARI MURASE-LOUDEN
TIMING: MARIANA MARTINEZ EDITING: RILEY DALTON
QUALITY CONTROL: SMR TRANSLATION CHECK: REI MIYASAKA