Mariko! Good morning!
Good morning. Morning, Shuji.
Morning.
When I got home yesterday…
She's turned out pretty cute after she got her hair cut.
But why is there an aura of depression just around Nobuta?
There's something she's lacking.
DEAR NOBUKO KOTANI
"I love…"
"I love you"?
What is it that Nobuta's lacking?
-That's right. -Oh, don't say that!
Oh, that's what it is!
That's it!
What Nobuta lacks is that flirty way of talking around guys!
It sure doesn't sound like you're joking!
Wow!
That trick of twisting coyly so she looks cute to guys!
I'll never forgive you.
That's it!
The skills for attracting guys.
That's what it is.
What Nobuta lacks is communication with guys!
In other words, the experience of love.
Love…
-Love? -Love?
HIRAYAMA TOFU SHOP
What? You still haven't left for school?
Putting on my shoes is a pain in the neck.
How can a young kid like you say things like that?
Nothing seems to matter anymore.
Have you fallen in love?
I bet I know.
Before you were just fine by yourself.
But now you can't stand being alone.
You buy a bunch of magazines and CDs to kill time when you're alone at night,
but you're still really lonely.
Yes.
That is love.
You're amazing, Mr. Hirayama.
I'm an active pupil of love.
You mean you're still in love?
In my case, I'm in love with my work.
Oh, your work.
You sure you want to sit here moping?
Your rival could be thinking, "I'll tell her today how I feel!"
He's put his pants on.
He's just put on his right shoe!
Ouch!
See you!
Bye.
Yes, he's in love.
What?
No way!
-Well-- -I thought of what we should do next.
Where did he go?
Yip.
Come over here.
What's your problem?
Are you a shy fox or something?
You know what I realized?
What you obviously lack is a flirtatious attitude.
A flirtatious attitude?
Yes. You're not frisky.
So why don't you have a romance?
A romance?
Romance is great!
I heard it's great for your complexion.
Her complexion is plenty fine already! Are you blind, Shuji?
Oh, would you shut up?
Shut up.
Well…
Yes?
What?
A love letter? For you?
No way! Really?
It's from Shittaka!
What? No way!
How come? Ouch!
She loves me.
She loves me not.
She loves me.
-You think he's a good choice? -Yes.
She loves me not.
You think he's a good choice?
What are you doing?
What's your problem?
You almost blew it.
What?
I…
don't think I can do it.
-It'll be just fine! Leave it to us. -No, it won't work.
Being in high school is the time for love! Right?
That's it!
A cheerful and pure romance between a man and a woman!
Let's do this!
I'm a little… just a little…
attracted to her.
Me too.
To be honest, I think Kotani is kind of pretty too.
-You're kidding! You think so too? -Yes.
-You do? -And she'll just keep gaining popularity.
So you need to get her now.
That's right! That's exactly what I was thinking too!
You need to strike now because she'll be popular in no time.
Say, why don't we go on a double date?
A double date?
A double date.
-A double date? -Yes.
I thought we could bring bento lunches too.
Really.
But are you sure you will?
Don't be silly. Of course I'm sure.
Every time you promise to do something with me, you cancel at the last minute.
There! I got it!
-Look. -Oh, you did it!
Wow! You're good at this kind of thing.
That's why I want you to depend on me.
-Okay. -Good.
A date?
It's not one of those big deals though.
I'll be there too. It'll be fine. Okay?
But I've never gone on a date.
Then it's about time.
I mean, do you plan on spending your whole life alone
without ever dating anyone?
Hey! Wait!
Ouch!
Get closer.
Come on, get closer.
Hurry.
What?
No! Don't run!
Don't run!
No…
She ran away.
-Shuji! -What?
-I knew it! She hates me! -What's wrong?
-She ran off! -Really?
You've got it all wrong! That's her way of saying she likes you.
-But… -"Her way of saying she likes you"?
Never mind.
-She rejected you? -What's going on?
Who? Who loves who?
-You mean you, Shittaka? -Who? Who do you like?
Kotani!
Kotani just rejected you, right?
I saw it.
No way! You like Kotani, Shittaka?
-Quit shouting! -And she rejected you?
She didn't reject him. They're just getting started.
You mean, she'll reject me later?
No! Not that!
Have some confidence, man.
Shittaka, you've got shitty taste.
What's so great about Kotani?
When someone falls in love, that's…
something beautiful, right?
-Yes. -Yes.
-That's right. -It's beautiful.
Dates, you see, they're a really casual thing. Okay?
I mean, Shittaka says he really likes you.
-"I don't like him." -You'll ignore his feelings for you?
"Of course, I'll ignore them!"
-You'll go. Right? Let's go. -"I'm not going. I'm not going!"
"I'm not going. I'm not!"
Yes! Let's do our best, Nobuta!
-No! -What?
That's lewd!
-What is? -No!
You won't go, right?
There's no way she'll go.
When you hear this laugh, it means there will be misfortune.
This date won't go well.
What the heck is that?
-Isn't it coming from the sky? -Yes.
Not this laugh again!
I guess something bad will happen again.
Wait! When you hear this laugh, bad things happen?
-That's the rumor. -Really?
Last year, Class 2C's trouble with the police was
right after we heard this laugh, right?
Oh, yeah. That was a huge problem.
I pray that it doesn't involve my class!
Don't you think it sounds like Head Teacher Sada's laugh?
That's what I've always thought.
Right?
Hey!
-Wait! -That's uncool!
-Mr. Saotome! Wait! -Hey!
Oh, I didn't know that.
You sure are smart, Shittaka.
If you talk like that, you'll flatter him. That's what's important. Okay?
And no more running away.
If he tries to touch you,
then gently refuse him.
Gently.
I'll show you how to do that. Here goes.
-If he goes like-- -Stop!
I'll handle it from there.
Sure, go ahead.
Get over there.
Excuse me.
If Shittaka tries to make a move on you…
"Make a move"?
-How lewd! -What?
Why not say "put his arm around you"?
Who cares what you call it?
Fine. If Shittaka tries to put his arm around you…
Put your arm around her.
Go on. Do it. Right.
What?
-I can't move! -What?
-My arm won't move! -What's your problem?
Enough! I'm taking over!
So if Shittaka comes at you like this--
Wait! I have an idea!
Shuji, you and I, we'll do it.
How come?
That way, if she can see it for herself, it's easier for her to understand.
Oh, I guess you're right.
So who is who?
You be Nobuta. I'll be Shittaka.
I'm Nobuta. Okay.
I'll play you. Watch closely.
Okay.
I…
-I love you! -Don't.
Don't do that.
-But… -Don't.
I love you so much, my heart is about to burst.
What does that mean?
I love you this much!
I like you too.
Oops!
Wait!
-It's not what you think! -Don't worry.
My lips are sealed.
Don't worry!
LEMON AND HONEY
Since we're trying to get Kotani and Shittaka together,
if you're there, Mariko,
Kotani's flaws…
They'll be more obvious.
Give me that.
Then why don't I play a totally horrible girlfriend?
I'll make her look good. Leave it to me.
-Make her look good? -Yes.
You will?
No way. You'll never be able to do that.
There.
Wow!
Leave it to me.
Can you tell me the key to making a date a success?
The key?
At the end of it, if you say, "I had fun today," that's the key.
Oh, I get it.
It kind of means, "I want to do it again."
Right. But Kotani needs to say it from the heart.
Good point! That's right.
It has to come from the heart! From the heart!
That's really crucial.
It has to come from the heart.
There.
Okay, they're ready.
This is for Shittaka. This is Nobuta's.
And Mariko will bring mine.
Where's mine?
-You're not part of this. -Here.
-Your tea. -Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!
There.
Then what am I supposed to do?
Nothing. Just stay here.
Watch TV or something.
You guys go on a date while I have to sit at home?
If you're there, that puts everything out of balance.
Don't you dare come.
Here.
-There's something on your face. -I put it there.
-We're going! Thanks. -See you later.
-Goodbye. -See you later.
Yip.
-What are you doing here? -I don't know.
Was the baby left behind?
I won't stand for this!
Okay.
Try saying, "I had fun today."
"I had fun today."
That's not quite right. Try being more energetic.
Like…
"I had fun today!"
Okay?
"I had fun today."
Good enough.
How about we practice holding hands?
Okay? Here.
What? Ouch!
Hi, Kotani!
She's nervous.
Morning.
Let's have a good time today.
I had…
fun today.
That's the kind of day you want to have, right?
Let's have a day like that.
Let's have a fun day.
Okay, let's go. Let's go.
Come on. Let's go.
Hurry up.
Yip.
Hurry up, you guys.
Kotani, isn't this cute?
Oh, look at this!
-And this. -This?
Yes.
-What do you want to do next? -Is there anything you want, Shuji?
Which of these do you think is best?
How about this one?
We don't need that many.
-Get a matching set. -A matching set.
-I want to ride the Ferris wheel. -The Ferris wheel?
That sounds fun!
Sir,
how would you like a magnificent insect encyclopedia?
How about it?
A hundred million yen?
-Okay, let's have lunch. -Let's have lunch.
Bento time.
Wow! How cute!
This is really cute!
This is so darn cute!
Yuck! Disgusting!
Here goes!
-No way! -Looks good, doesn't it?
What? Oh, yeah. Really good.
Today, she made it to look like charcoal.
You always eat stuff like this?
That's right. It's extra special.
-Extra special? -It's usually just this.
-Shuji. -Yes?
What about tea?
I've got tea. Hold on a second.
Here.
Not that. It has to be the stuff from the store.
What?
Go buy some.
Oh, sure.
And it better be hot.
Oh, yeah. You're right.
You always want it hot. Sorry. I forgot. Sorry.
-I'll go buy some. -Okay.
Shuji. Is Uehara always like that?
Oh, yeah.
Oh, I see.
I'll go buy that tea, but you go ahead and eat.
Okay.
-This is great! -I'll go buy some.
This is really good.
What should I have next?
-Can I have this? -Wait!
There's only one of those!
Delicious!
What the heck are you doing?
What?
What a coincidence!
-I told you not to come! -You know, we may be the best couple ever!
Don't you dare interfere.
-Okay? -Okay?
Don't you dare interfere!
-Look how close they are together! -Get back here!
The chance they'll be a couple is now 99.99 percent!
All right!
This won't succeed.
-What? -This won't succeed.
Don't you dare interfere, man!
Don't interfere!
I'm back!
We've got other plans.
We're going shopping in Ginza.
Bye.
-Bye. -See you.
Shittaka. You can do it!
Let's go.
-Shuji, -Yes?
you're acting like Kotani's father.
What? Her father?
-That's right. -That's a shock.
-You're like her father. -I am not.
Say, are you thirsty?
I'll get you something. Hold on.
Nobuta power charge!
What a goofball.
You're in the middle of a date.
-Thanks. -Sure.
-You know, sorry about today. -It's okay.
I wonder if it'll go well for those two.
It'll be just fine. You did a great job playing the awful girlfriend.
I had fun today.
Okay…
I guess my heart wasn't in it.
They're really cute.
Yes.
They're cute.
Here goes.
Say cheese.
Akira's in shock!
The ending of the movie Carrie,
Stephen King apparently didn't like it.
But that's the movie that made him popular.
De Palma's movie is really scary.
The end will scare you for sure.
It suddenly shocks you!
Are…
Are you okay?
What will we do?
"What will we do?"
-Oh, no. -Mister, are you okay?
Anyway, call an ambulance.
An ambulance?
I'll call it.
Thank you.
Hello?
-Mister, are you okay? -I'm at the aquarium.
A man.
-We're calling an ambulance now. -His age? He's an old man.
Get my bag.
Gross!
Bang!
No! No, that's not what I mean!
That's the hand you touched him with!
No…
That's not what I mean.
No…
I meant…
I'll get a staff member.
You're not gross at all.
Look at this.
What a gentle hand this is.
Isn't that right, mister?
You did so much for me.
I'm sorry.
You mean about the date?
For my sake,
you all did so much. Even Uehara.
It's not your fault, you know, Nobuta.
But if I had done a better job…
I wanted to live up to
your expectations.
I wanted it to go well…
and then
I could tell all of you "thank you."
There you are.
Apparently, the old man had a little too much to drink.
He's talking normally now. He's fine.
Bye.
Thank goodness.
HOSPITAL
The sky sure is beautiful.
Yes.
It's the kind of sky that makes you want to play catch.
I never have though.
These two
are always throwing the ball to me.
But all I can do is just catch it.
That's why I want to toss it back to them someday.
If I could throw it
so it fell right into their gloves,
that sure would feel nice.
I'm home!
Is she alive?
She collapsed after returning from her trip.
So leave her be and let her sleep.
-I bought the okra. -Welcome back.
Aren't we having shabu-shabu? Why okra?
Not sure why, but she shouted "okra" in her sleep. Right?
Right.
Broccoli?
Koji.
Broccoli.
-Yes. -What?
Broccoli too?
So what about the shabu-shabu?
It's postponed until your mother wakes up.
What?
-I was looking forward to that meat. -Meat!
Meat!
You're not gross at all.
My hand!
I…
That was really bold!
Oh, dear! I'm so ashamed!
Nobuta!
Nobuta! Ouch!
Nobuta! I don't think I can look at her face now!
I'm so ashamed! Oh, dear! What'll I do?
Oh, no! I can't see!
I can't see a thing!
A young man, burning with desire alone.
Oh, dear!
Nobuta!
"Nobuko Kotani's shocking relationship with men."
-"Disgusting woman, Nobuko Kotani." -What is this?
"Her next prey is Ueki from class 2B."
-What a slut! -No way!
NOBUKO KOTANI'S SHOCKING RELATIONSHIP WITH MEN.
What? What's up? This place sure is colorful.
What?
It's my class again.
I hate this kind of thing.
Hey.
You know,
even after these flyers were posted, Shittaka says he still wants to date you.
If you actually do date,
everybody will forget these rumors.
So
why don't you make up with him?
But Shittaka called Nobuta gross.
He regrets what he said.
He's sorry about it.
So you see, he wants you to forgive him.
You're still upset?
I just think dating someone who I don't like
is wrong.
What are you talking about? Everyone does it.
You need experience in order to learn how to get along with people.
I mean, you want to become popular, right?
Aren't you doing all these things to become popular?
Aren't you?
No.
"No"?
But isn't that why we're doing all this work?
Isn't it?
You mean,
you don't want to become popular?
What?
What? Are you kidding?
Now I feel like a total idiot.
This doesn't make any sense.
These flyers are everywhere, you know?
Before long, nobody will talk to you!
Understand?
You believe those flyers?
This isn't about whether I believe them or not!
Of course, I don't believe them!
But these things were plastered all over!
It's only a matter of time before everyone believes them!
Understand?
"With all these flyers around, Nobuta will be worthless soon,
so let's sell her cheap now!"
That's what it sounds like you're saying.
Nobuta is Nobuta.
Even with these flyers out there,
Nobuta is the same Nobuta we both know.
She's the same person she's always been.
-These flyers are frightening. -Yes.
-They were in the girls' restroom. -The boys' too.
The gym too.
-They're all over school. -Yes.
Kotani is pretty bad, but I heard Mariko Uehara is really nasty too.
I heard she's a terrible cook.
Really? I guess she's all talk.
Did you hear about Uehara?
No! What about her?
I heard she doesn't make her bento lunches herself.
-Seriously? What a fraud! -Yes!
Excuse me for a second.
What's wrong, Shuji?
Well…
Because of yesterday's date,
bad rumors about you are spreading now too.
Well…
That's all right.
But they're not true.
You know the truth, Shuji. That's enough for me.
But…
I told you. I don't mind.
As long as someone knows the truth, that's enough for me.
Since you know the truth, that's good enough.
Sorry, but I've got to go back to practice.
-Okay. -Bye.
What are you doing?
I caught that bird that's been doing that crazy laughing.
It's a myna bird.
That's right. A myna bird.
It must have escaped from its owner.
Everyone says it sounds like me.
You troublemaker!
It was a bird?
What?
Wait a minute here.
Even the calm and cool Shuji Kiritani
was deceived by that rumor?
Oh, say…
Are you letting this kind of thing deceive you too?
Kiritani, do not be afraid.
This is nothing but garbage.
It's the kind of garbage you find anywhere.
What are you doing?
Oh, it's you.
Mom went off for work again.
But what are you doing, Dad?
The plane she's on will be passing by pretty soon.
You're hardly ever together, so what was the point of getting married?
Don't be stupid. We got married because we are hardly ever together.
Now that we're married, I can see her at least a few times a year.
Seriously?
You bet. I'm totally serious.
Just knowing that there's someone somewhere in this world
who knows everything cool about me,
and everything lame and pathetic about me is good enough.
That's all I need.
Hey.
Is that it?
That's it!
Nobutan!
"Nobutan"?
Yes. That's what I used to call her.
Nobutan!
I just think dating someone who I don't like is wrong.
Shuji.
What's with you?
What do you want?
Come with me.
What? Why?
Yip.
What's this about?
We're going to tail Nobuta.
How come?
Come on.
Here, she practices smiling with Tarokichi, the dog.
And here,
she always says a prayer.
She gazes at the vegetables but never buys any.
They…
They're very pretty.
You're very pretty too.
And she talks with the florist.
Us two…
we don't know anything about Nobuta.
In fact, we never even tried to learn more about her.
Do you know what her wish is?
To become popular someday
and then tell you, "Thank you!"
Nobuta!
Shuji has something to say to you!
You know…
I want to make you popular.
And then, I want to see you laugh at silly things…
until you double over and cry
like any ordinary girl would.
Like I was told, the flyers turned into just garbage.
And the date caused something unexpected.
Kotani.
The man you helped was my grandpa.
Oh, is that right?
Thank you.
My grandpa was really happy.
Come see him sometime. It'll make him happy for sure.
Okay?
Okay.
Nobuta made a friend.
Nobuta…
Let's go.
There's something I can't help thinking right now.
I don't want to lose to
anyone who isn't honestly pleased when other people find joy.
You don't know it?
Then I'll take you there sometime.
Do you like monjayaki, Kotani?
I definitely don't want them to get the best of me.
Yes, I do.
We'll get rich off of Nobuta?
We'll be rolling in cash!
You young people obsessed with money!
Shall be punished!
Subtitle translation by: Brian Athey