Original subtitles

"Eastbound train arriving on Track 4. "

"Please wait behind the white line. "

Tokuma Shoten Nippon Television Network Studio Ghibli Present

Original Story by Saeko HIMURO

THE OCEAN WAVES

"Thank you for your patience, the plane is about to take off. "

Yutaka and I first met Rikako two years ago.

It was the summer of our junior year.

Yutaka called me at work.

Hurry up kid! More dishes! Keep 'em coming!

OK!

Taku, teIephone!

Coming.

HeIIo.

- Taku? - Hey, Yutaka.

Come to school as soon as you finish today.

I'll be here waiting for you.

OK.

Sorry, l have to leave early today.

Now wait a minute!

See you tomorrow!

You can't reIy on kids!

See you!

Yutaka!

You got here fast.

You told me to!

Take a look.

Who is it? I can't see.

Just transferred to my class.

Her name's Rikako Muto.

- From next semester? - Yeah.

A mid-year transfer? That's unusual.

She moved here from Tokyo, that's why.

I just showed her around the schooI.

That's right, you re on the student council.

You really like her, huh?

Anyone would, she's reaIIy good looking.

ReaIly?

l can't tell, and we can't just walk down and look.

lf you want, we can go down...

...and say we have a question.

Nah, let's not go that far.

The teachers know I'm working this summer...

...and not taking cIasses.

Still mad about the jr. high schooI trip?

l don't like the way they just cancelled it...

...and tried to buy us off with Hawaii in high school.

Do they think we're stupid?

Everyone's excited. l think it was a good move.

A relaxing trip will help us cram for coIIege entrance exams.

Hawaii's expensive. l need to make some money.

Just remember to keep up with your studies.

Don't faIl behind.

Sure. By the way...

...was there something you wanted to talk about?

Not really. I just feIt Iike seeing you.

l'll get my bike. Wait by the gate.

All through jr. high school and high school...

... Yutaka and l were never in the same class.

Even so, l always feIt he was a close friend.

lt all started in our last year of jr. high school...

... when the school trip to Kyoto was suddenly cancelled.

"We regret to announce that this year's jr. high school trip... "

"... has been cancelled. "

"ln future, jr. high and high school trips will be combined. "

"Last year, our college placement results... "

"...were lower than the prefecturaI high school. "

"Our school's proud traditions and your obIigations to your parents... "

"... make this completely unacceptable. "

"To restore our school's honor... "

"... the high school seniors must redoubIe their efforts. "

"You must set an example for our jr. high school seniors. "

Let's go see Miss Sayama. Come on, Taku!

The whole thing was so stupid...

... we decided to complain to our home room teacher.

We aIl think this is unfair.

Canceling the trip won't help our grades.

The school owes us a detailed explanation.

Ask for one when your grades are better!

I'm already a top student!

Don't pressure Miss Sayama just because she's a woman!

We thought that was the end of the matter.

But a week later, at the morning assembly --

Your parents have also approved the trip cancellation.

lf you're still not satisfied, we'II explain the decision.

Raise your hand if you're stilI not satisfied.

He's got guts.

It was Yutaka Matsuno.

OK.

We'll explain the decision for students who raised their hands.

Go to the art room after cIasses. Dismissed!

MEETING POSTPONED

WRlTE YOUR OPlNlONS ON THE PAPER PROVlDED

3RD YEAR, CLASS 3 TAKU MORISAKI

THE TRlP CANCELLATlON MAKES NO SENSE.

lT'S ONLY TO MAKE THE TEACHERS AND PARENTS FEEL BETTER.

l ran into Yamao and the others just now.

They're sorry for not coming.

Don't hoId it against them.

Those jerks...

3RD YEAR, CLASS 4 YUTAKA MATSUNO

I CAN'T AGREE WlTH THlS UNREASONABLE DECISION.

EVEN 20 YEARS AFTER I GRADUATE...

... l'LL STILL THlNK THE SCHOOL WAS WRONG.

Wow!

You're already thinking 20 years into the future.

After that, l always thought of Yutaka...

... a bit differently from my other friends.

This is my friend Taku Morisaki.

This is Rikako Muto. She's transferring to my class.

See you, then!

See you next semester.

What, you made your move aIready?!

Huh? No, she asked me where the bookstore was.

She needs to buy her textbooks.

OBIYAMACHl MALL

The cook where l work is this former gang member.

Sometimes his oId habits come out...

... Iike, the way he smokes.

What?

Do you think there's something behind her transfer?

Ah, so that's it!

That's the real reason Yutaka wanted to see me.

Maybe her dad got transferred or something like that.

See you!

lt really irritated me when l realized...

... that Yutaka was interested in Rikako.

Better forget it! GirIs onIy care about looks.

l never thought she'd see his real vaIue.

When the new term started. . .

... Rikako was a bit of a sensation with us simple country boys.

Hey Taku, get a look at the girls!

Ariga, right?

l know, they're big.

No! The other court!

She's reaIIy cool.

She didn't even break a sweat.

She's really something!

She plays like a pro!

Tokyo kids can reaIIy hit the baII!

- She stands out. - Nice legs too!

Bet that type's hard to handle.

Rikako realIy stands out, huh?

l don't know why you'd say that.

Hey, Yutaka!

Sorry.

Rikako's out of pIace in cIass.

l think it's because she stands out too much.

Out of place, huh?

Yeah... in lots of ways.

RIKAKO MUTO

She really stands out, huh?

She's already 12th in the schooI!

Sports and study -- she's a super woman!

- Let's see Taku, you're... - Number 92!

You were a better student in jr. high.

What an attitude!

She's so stuck up!

That's enough! Stop gossiping.

Time for class!

What s wrong? Got a crush on Rikako?

No, but she doesn't seem very happy.

Oh, come of fit. She's 12th in the schooI.

l hear you have a new student?

Yeah. Why?

l hear her grades are excellent.

Tokyo students reaIIy are top notch.

How did you hear?

They were taIking about it in town.

Rikako's family is reIated to the Mutos...

... of Muto Fruit Packing.

Her mother moved back for family reasons.

She brought the two children with her.

Maybe her parents got divorced.

ls her father still in Tokyo?

I wonder.

I'm fulI.

Atsushi, mind your manners!

Poor Rikako. With her grades...

... she'll just go back to Tokyo for colIege.

Kids sure get jerked around.

Now don't taIk Iike that!

A mother needs her chiIdren with her!

You don't need to get upset about it.

ReIocating is a tough decision!

She can't leave them behind just for schooI!

It's natural for her to want them with her!

Speaking from experience, huh?

Now you be nice to Rikako!

She must be having a hard time adjusting.

Sure, sure.

Taku!

Taku! Telephone!

OK!

Hello? Hey, Yutaka. What's going on?

Well...

What?

It's not really that important.

l visited Rikako today!

Where? At her house?

She was out sick. l heard she lives alone.

l was worried.

She lives alone? Her mother's house isn't that far from school.

And you went to see her? Alone?

Yeah. And... she was alone in bed!

She was in bed. So?

Nothing. That's it.

That's all.

So you like that kind of girl, do you Yutaka ?

The year ended, and March came...

... and with it, the long-awaited school trip.

Taku!

HAWAll

You're not going swimming?

Today's our Iast day!

l've had an upset stomach alI morning.

Too bad! See you, then!

So long.

And that's when all the trouble started.

Taku!

Could you lend me some money?

Money?

What happened? Did you run out?

WelI... not exactly.

l lost all the money I had with me!

That's awfuI!

Did you telI the teacher?

With traveler's checks, you can get your money back.

l'lI get in trouble.

Don't be silly! You've got to report it!

l'm sorry. Your Kochi dialect reminds me of samurai movies.

Want to sit down?

Let me telI you what happened.

l mostly brought cash. Travelers checks are a pain, right? So...

Cash? You mean doIIars?

Right, about $400 in cash.

I must have left it somewhere.

We were supposed to bring Iess than Yen 20,000 in cash!

The rest was supposed to be traveler's checks.

Nobody really does that!

You sound like one of the teachers!

Are you a goody-goody?

Too bad. l heard you were different.

Your Tokyo dialect sounds so harsh!

Why? I'm not angry!

And l'm not a samurai!

You're mean, Taku.

Nobody ever caIIed me harsh.

ls that how I sound?

Yeah. Everyone thinks so.

But they're a fraid you'll say they sound Iike samurai.

OK, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to make fun of you.

You hear diaIects in dramas, right?

I thought diaIects were alI gone.

But Kochi people really talk that way. I was shocked.

Still, l never told anyone I felt that way, tiIl today.

You'd better not!

At first l couldn't understand a word.

l kept asking people to say things twice.

Maybe that's why nobody likes me.

Who doesn't Iike you?

Everybody, boys especially. Nobody taIks to me.

Well, except Yutaka, the class representative. He's nice.

Yeah, Yutaka's a good guy.

Did he tell you about me?

Yes. l saw you working at the restaurant...

... during the winter vacation.

Yutaka was with me. He said you work reaIIy hard.

Then he told me a Iot about you.

Like your protest over the canceIIed schooI trip.

He told you about tha t?

You must have a lot of money from your job, right?

OK, how much?

What can you spare?

I brought about Yen 60,000 and $400.

l haven't spent much. How about $300?

Really? Then could you lend me the Yen 60,000?

Wait here.

Sixty thousand yen!

Much obIiged, Mr Morisaki!

Should l give it to you right here?

You're pretty cautious. OK, sit down right there.

Put it in this handkerchief and hand it to me.

Feels like we're doing something illegal!

l probably can't pay you back right away.

l'm expecting some money, though.

Pay me back anytime.

Please don't tell anyone about this.

Sure, but why?

Mama would yell at me.

"Mama... "

What's her story?

Hey!

l'm surprised she knew so much about me!

So you guys are friends. Oating, huh?

That wasn't a date.

I ran into her over vacation.

l asked her to a movie -- and she said yes!

l couldn't think of a thing to say.

We passed your restaurant, so I started talking about you.

lt reaIly helped.

Maybe, but I just got hit for a Ioan.

Rikako asked you for a loan?

Yeah. l walked by, and she said she lost her money.

Maybe she remembered l made money over the break.

So she lost all her money? Poor thing!

- Want to walk around town? - Sure.

Wait a sec, l'lI drop my stuff.

I said not to tell! You already toId Yutaka!

Huh? What did he say?

He offered to lend me money!

See? Isn't he a good guy?

l borrowed Yen 20,000... but pIease keep this a secret!!

l hope you can remember this time!

How did her parents raise her?!

The next day we returned to Kochi...

... and l bought some candid shots of Rikako from a friend.

l felt like getting even.

And l thought that was it for my bad feelings.

But next term, we ended up in the same class.

Yumi, Iunch!

Rikako finally made a friend --

-- a quiet girl in the same class. Her name was Yumi Kohama.

That was nice for her...

... but spring break came, and l still didn't have my money.

l thought she'd forgotten it.

Taku, telephone! lt's Yumi Kohama!

Is that you Yumi?

Where are you caIIing from?

You're the only person l could think of to call!

What's wrong?

We were going to Osaka for two nights...

... for a concert.

Now we're at the airport, and Rikako says she's going to Tokyo!

That was her pIan all along!

She doesn't know l'm calling you.

Unbelievable!

She says there's no difference where we go.

Rikako even bought two tickets to Tokyo.

l don't want to lie to my mother!

Look, calm down! You don't have to go!

Just leave and let Rikako go by herseIf.

l can't! Her mother let her go because I'm with her!

She really wants me to go. What should I do?

What should you do... ?

Wait a minute! Why are you asking ME?

She told me you lent her the money for the tickets.

You're her friend. Can't you convince her?

Please come to the airport. Our flight is at 11:30.

We've got 90 minutes.

l really need you to come!

That money again!

So she didn't really lose her money. lt was a lie!

It was just part of her plan for this trip!

What a jerk!

KOCHI AlR TERMlNAL

You came!

Where is she?

In the rest room.

Says she's not feeIing well.

l wish she'd get worse. Then we wouIdn't have to go!

Anyway, she's way out of Iine!

You're her friend. You should tell her off!

She really wants to see her father. l feel sorry for her.

What about her father?

What are you doing here? Did Yumi call you?

Rikako, let's not lie about this trip!

Let's telI your mother.

She'd never Iet me go!

l've been planning this for so Iong.

Wait a minute. OK, how about this.

Yumi, call home. Say you feeI sick and can't go.

But...

And Rikako's going by herseIf...

... because it would be a shame to waste both tickets.

Your parents will onIy worry about you.

They won't think about Rikako.

You're right! My mom doesn't know Rikako's mom.

She won't say anything.

OK, fine.

I'll caIl her!

Yumi's from a strict family.

She's not going to run off to Tokyo just Iike that.

So, you're not feeIing weIl?

My period just started. Sometimes it's really bad.

lt must be tough.

Boys don't know what it's Iike.

Do you reaIly have to go?

l'll get your money from Papa. Don't worry, I'II pay you.

lf you're worried about going alone, shaIl l go with you?

Really? Would you reaIIy do that?

Hey, listen.

Your father knows you're coming, right?

ls he meeting you?

No, I doubt it.

Could he find a place for me to stay?

Sure. I'II ask him.

When l see Papa, l'm going to tell him.

l want to move back to Tokyo and live with him.

"We are now in our final approach to Haneda Airport. "

As l folIowed Rikako around Tokyo, l thought --

"she's done it to me again. "

But I couldn't just let her go to Tokyo by herself.

The cherry trees around here are really nice.

My house is this way.

My grandparents used to live here. This was aII farm land.

They built apartments, and we got the nicest one.

lt was big, even for four of us. I bet Papa's IoneIy.

He'Il be gIad to see you.

It s good to be back.

Who is it?

lsn't this the Mutos?

Yes, that's right.

Umm... is Papa home?

ls that Rikako? l'll come down, wait in the lobby!

What a surprise! I didn't know you were coming.

Are you alone?

My boyfriend, from Kochi.

lt's spring break. We came to visit.

Oh really? Thanks for Iooking after Rikako.

ShaII we go for coffee?

l want to see my old room! How's it look?

OK, Iet's go up.

l'm sorry... could you wait here for a little whiIe?

Sure.

Morisaki, thanks for putting up with Rikako.

l hear you don't have a place to stay? I made a reservation.

And Rikako owes you money. Thank you very much.

I reaIly felt sorry for her-- from the bottom of my heart.

GUlDE TO WEST SHINJUKU

Hi, Mom?

Taku? lt's almost dinner time. Come home.

Look, I can't make it tonight.

OK, we'Il go ahead. Don't be too late.

l'm in Tokyo.

Tokyo?! How did you get there?

l took a plane straight to Tokyo.

What?!

l'm escorting someone.

Escorting?! Who?

I'II be home in two days.

What's going on?!

Hello? Hello?

I'II explain Iater! Goodbye!

Taku! Wait!

Rikako!

What happened?

l'm staying here tonight. Papa's paying, so I can if l want.

Hey...

The whole thing was starting to feel like a bad soap opera.

Want some beer, Rikako?

No? We drink it sometimes when no one's around.

Make me a rum and coke.

I tried them at a friend's house.

Papa's going on a trip with his Iady friend for the holidays.

WeIl, it IS spring vacation.

My room was completely changed!

The wallpaper's dark green!

l hate green!

You're right. Green's no good!

All the pots are fancy enamelware. It's so stupid.

Nobody uses enameIware anymore!

Listen. Taku.

When my parents were fighting, l thought Mama was wrong.

She wouldn't give in, so Papa didn't either.

It ended in a bad divorce.

My brother and l had to move and Ieave all our friends.

I was on Papa's side.

But he wasn't on my side.

On your side? Wait...

My life is so sad.

Things must be tough, but you should heIp your mother.

You shouldn't be living by yourself.

l didn't want to impose on Mama's family.

l wasn't mad at her.

WeII, that's different.

lt's none of your business.

"Good evening. "

"How are you spending the spring holidays?"

Ouch!

She's having a tough time? What about me?

Taku!

Get up!

lt's about time. I was waiting to use the bathroom.

I had to go downstairs!

Sorry...

Could you leave for a whiIe?

l'm meeting someone. I need to dress.

Your father?

A high school friend. I caIIed this morning.

We're meeting downstairs.

That s great.

l need to shower and change. Hurry up and Ieave.

I think this was when l decided to attend college in Tokyo.

Seeing Rikako bounce back somehow made me feel at ease here.

Good timing. My friend just called, we're meeting in the lobby.

- Oh, really? - See you, then!

What about the key? Are you going out?

No, l'll take a nap.

ReaIIy? Sorry!

Don't worry. Enjoy yourself.

HeIIo?

Taku, could you come down to the coffee shop?

What happened? Forget your wallet?

Just come down! You're rescuing me.

So, what is it this time?

Taku, over here!

This is Taku Morisaki.

He was worried about me, so he came along.

Taku, this is Okada, my former cIassmate.

Hi.

Rikako, a boyfriend already? What a shock!

Look who's talking. As soon as I Ieft...

... you got together with Ryoko.

I feeI kind of betrayed!

But you re prettier. Ryoko says so too.

She says she can't compete.

Listen. Taku.

Wouldn't YOU be shocked? l date Okada for a year...

... and two months a fter l leave, he's dating a friend of mine!

Happens aII the time.

Nothing surprises him either!

l called Ryoko. Are you free?

Why don't we all see a movie? Like a double date.

I'd like to, but...

... Papa's treating me to Iunch this a fternoon.

Too bad. lf we'd known you were coming, we couId've made pIans.

But your mother's not very fair.

She could've left you in Tokyo. You're going to college here anyway.

She had to drag her children off to the country.

What are you talking about? She's not a child!

What's wrong, Taku?

You're a bore, that's what! You and this guy both!

He must be jealous of me. Sorry about that.

I was disappointed.

ln Kochi Rikako seemed so strong, but she gets to Tokyo and aIl she does...

... is put on a big show and fawn over a stupid guy.

Rikako?

Okada says to tell you he's not mad.

That guy's reaIIy dumb.

When we were dating l thought he was kind and thoughtfuI.

l called you because I wanted to show off.

Afterwards I just felt stupid.

We're really bores-- him and me both.

Well, l can see you'd be shocked about his new girIfriend.

You don't get it, Taku.

l was shocked because he wasn't like l remembered.

AII he talked about was himseIf.

He didn't even ask about Kochi. But that's his reaI personaIity.

l just never noticed.

I'll stay at my aunt's tonight.

We shouldn't stay in the same room anyway.

Let's meet at the airport tomorrow.

Our Tokyo trip wasn't much fun, was it?

ln half an hour, Rikako seemed to have grown up.

Yumi, what's this?

Do you want one?

After the holidays, Rikako ignored me...

... just as if nothing had happened.

As usual, her only friend was Yumi Kohama.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not worried about you...

... but you're going to end up without any friends.

Try to be a Iittle more...

Leave me aIone!

How were your finals?

Awful. l'm going to cram school in Osaka this summer.

Training camp, huh?

lt'll be a nice change.

Listen...

Don't be upset, but...

... did you and Rikako take a trip during vacation?

Yeah, we did. How did you know?

How do you think? The rumor's all over schooI.

Haven't you heard?

No, I haven't.

That's just like you.

Nobody wants to joke about it to your face.

People are whispering.

Listen, l don't know what peopIe are saying.

Rikako just went to see her father.

Yeah, I heard.

From who? Oid Yumi tell you?

Yumi? Why her? l heard it straight from Rikako.

l ran into her on the way home and asked her.

What, that story again?

Yes, l stayed with Taku in a Tokyo hotel!

What's that got to do with you?

I'm...

l'm in love with you.

Look --

l hate Kochi, and boys who speak Kochi diaIect!

Don't say that to me! It makes me sick!

Sick, huh?

Yeah. It was kind of tough.

ls that what did your grades in?

l'll get back on track over summer.

Now she's gone too far!

Taku!

Red or white?

Red!

l've gotta talk to you. Let's go!

What?!

What's the probIem?

Don't talk to me in school! People wiIl notice.

You told Yutaka we stayed in a hotel in Tokyo?

So what?

lt was all your idea! But peopIe are pointing at ME!

Why, you...!

l'm suffering thanks to you. You're the worst, you realIy are.

You're such a loyal friend! Satisfied?

That trip to Tokyo...

... really was a total disaster for both of us.

And so autumn came.

Rikako was as isolated as ever.

But her grades just got better and better.

Then, during the last event of senior year -- the school fair...

Sanuki udon noodIes!

She didn't come today either!

Probably won't come to the dance performance.

She missed aII the rehearsals.

ProbabIy thinks it's stupid!

She cuts group events to raise her grades! Can you believe it?

Let's tell her off!

How about tomorrow?

Excuse me...

WeIcome!

"Announcement from the Organizing Committee. "

"Today's final program is Dance Paradise. "

"Classes finished with cleanup should assemble in the courtyard. "

"l repeat. Classes finished with cleanup should assemble... "

ls that all? I'm in a hurry!

What? What did you say?

In a hurry? Don't you care about class harmony?

Class harmony? You sound like some stupid poIitician!

You're wrapped up in yourself. What about the rest of the worId?

What kind of world is it where people can't think of themselves?

Does the world care about me? I'II take care of myseIf!

You pretend you're not interested in boys, but I see you fIirting!

Making eyes at Yanagida!

Yanagida?!

I don't even know who he is!

Bring him here! I'Il teII him l hate him!

Stop it!

You'lI just hurt your school record.

No point crying because of someone Iike this.

We won't forget this!

I think l expected too much from you.

Taku! How long have you been there?

l'm just throwing this out. I heard voices.

Good for you. You stood up to aII those girls.

Even made one of them cry.

It was reaIIy impressive.

You idiot! You're the worst!

Hey!

Rikako just ran by. I think she was crying.

Oh, she just got bullied by the girls in our class.

She cut aII the activities.

But she really stood up to them. They couIdn't touch her.

That Rikako, she's tough. It was reaIIy something.

You didn't stop them?

They'd have just told me to butt out. They're fed up.

She can be a reaI pain.

You idiot!

l figured Yutaka and l would be back to normaI by next day.

At least, that's what I thought.

But we graduated without speaking again.

Rikako enrolled at Kochi University, Yutaka went to Kyoto...

... and l went to college in Tokyo.

"We have just landed at Kochi Airport. "

KOCHI AlR TERMlNAL

Hey, Taku!

Yutaka!

Thanks for picking me up.

Sure. l got my license last month.

l'm impressed you found the time to take lessons.

Took me two months just to get used to Tokyo.

Another month for my job.

Before l knew it, summer came.

Tokyo and Kyoto are really different.

Kyoto's almost like Kochi. I settIed in right away.

But Kochi's nice. It's not crowded.

And everything you need is right at hand.

Tokyo's got everything, but it takes an hour to get anywhere.

Even Katsura Beach's onIy an hour from here.

Jingu Stadium's an hour, with train transfers.

An hour from Kyoto...

... you can get to Osaka or Nara.

Gosh, sounds like Kyoto's better.

Want to come in?

l'll pass for today. Your famiIy must be waiting.

See you at the reunion?

l always wanted to apologize. Sorry I punched you.

Ah, so that explains the free ride from the airport!

I'Il caII you.

Want to take a walk?

It's been a while.

I was angry that time...

... because l knew you were hoIding back on my account.

l hadn't noticed tiII then...

... that you reaIIy Iiked Rikako.

Yutaka and l spent an hour there -- then we went home.

PRIVATE PARTY

You're living in Osaka? l'm cIose -- Kobe!

Have a drink!

Thank you...

lt's ridiculous! I can't even resign from a cIub...

... unless the alumni approve.

So, l went to Disneyland with him.

We missed the last train.

What happened??

l thought l was joining a ski club, not a religious group!

They keep telephoning me. lt's driving me nuts!

Better watch the drinking, Yamao.

She's Iate...

Late? Who?

She's Iate...

Scoot over more!

What's happening?

Yamamoto just confessed.

He aIways liked Nishimura!

Good for him.

We've got a new couple!

Time for me to confess too!

l've always had a thing for Yumi Kohama!

Well done, Yamao. That's the spirit.

What did Yumi say?

She's not here yet!

From the start, she was always in that fIashy Rikako's shadow.

While you were mooning over Rikako, I had my eye on Yumi.

What's that supposed to mean?

Come on, now. Shall we go to men's room?

Hey, Yamao! Are you OK?

Maybe Rikako's not coming after aII.

Rikako said she regrets the things she said to you.

WeIl, he's passed out.

You're reaIIy Iooking good, Shimizu.

Thanks.

Of course, Rikako was always pretty, but she's even prettier now.

Shimizu toId me she saw Rikako.

Rikako's not here!

l ran into her yesterday, in the department store.

I toId her about the reunion...

... but she's probably fIown home.

Flown?

Rikako went back to Tokyo?

Yeah. l'd always thought she was in Kochi U.

She got into Kochi U to please her mother.

But she secretly tested for a Tokyo school too.

When you met her, were you, Iike...

"Wow, it's great to see you. " and stuff like that?

How'd you know?

Well, l knew you never Iiked her!

You're right, l never did. I really hated her.

But seeing her again made me feel nostalgic.

It's kind of Iike changing seats.

When you're little and have to sit next to someone you hate...

... you don't even want to go to schooI.

The problem is, your world is too smalI.

If you have something other than schooI, like piano Iessons...

... people you dislike aren't a probIem.

Let's see. That means...

... you realize your world was too smaII then?

And that's why you went after Rikako?

We both had the same probIem.

Rikako said her world was really smaII, too.

Yumi!

Hey, Yumi!

Yumi?

Huh?

Yu... Yumi... ?

Yumi!!

Come on, Yamao!

Take it easy!

Yumi!!

Hey! Come on!

Yoo-hoo!

What? You saw Rikako too?

Yes. l wish Rikako had come.

It feIt Iike she was there.

Me too.

That reminds me...

... she said there's someone in Tokyo she wants to see.

But she didn't say who.

It's someone who likes to sIeep in bathtubs!

l'd forgotten just how pretty it was.

The castle!

l always thought lighting up Kochi Castle...

... was a waste of electricity.

But with Rikako next to me, it would have been beautiful.

There were so many things l wanted to talk to her about.

l wanted us to see the castle together, like this.

Taku! Could you lend me some money?

You sound like one of the teachers!

Are you a goody-goody?

I heard you were different.

l said not to tell! You already told Yutaka!

My period just started. Sometimes it's really bad.

When l see Papa, l'm going to tell him.

l want to move to Tokyo and live with him.

l'm staying here tonight. Papa's paying, so l can if l want.

My room was completely changed! The wallpaper's dark green!

I was on Papa's side. But he wasn't on my side.

We're bores -- him and me both.

Our trip wasn't much fun, was it?

You're such a loyal friend! Satisfied?

You idiot! You're the worst!

There's someone in Tokyo I want to see.

lt's a guy who Iikes to sleep in bathtubs!

And that's when l knew --

I'd always been crazy about her.

Voices Nobuo TOBITA

Yoko SAKAMOTO Toshihiko SEKI

Screenplay written by Kaori NAKAMURA

Music by Shigeru NAGATA

Theme song performed by Yoko SAKAMO TO

English translation by Jim HUBBERT

English subtitles by AURA

Produced by the Future Producers of Studio Ghibli Group

Producer Nozomu TAKAHASHl

Directed by Tomomi MOCHlZUKI