What is it?
A pig.
A pig!
It's a souvenir from Chile.
It's only got three legs.
It's a talisman from that region.
I see. A talisman.
What kind of talisman?
I want you guys to know that I didn't buy them.
My mom sent them to me.
So what kind of talisman is it?
For family safety?
No, not that.
Safe birth!
Why "safe birth"? That's ridiculous.
Then what's it for?
Friendship…
Friendship?
Friendship…
Yes, it's something like that, I think.
Thank you. I'll treasure it.
Friendship?
I guess this means that we're friends forever.
I'm overjoyed!
I'm not sure it means "forever."
It means we'll never be able to separate.
-No. -Pervert!
I didn't buy them!
My mom sent them to me.
I'm stuck to you!
Good morning!
Ready, set, good!
Nice to be here!
Morning!
As usual,
everyone else in class continued to ignore me.
But that didn't matter much to me.
What's that?
Did you buy that?
It was a gift?
Is that right? How cute.
But as for Aoi…
I plan on plunging Kotani into such deep despair
that she wants to kill herself.
When I see her, I'm overcome with such a feeling of horror,
I can hardly breathe.
Shuji!
Your friend is here.
My friend?
Hey!
Welcome home.
-Thank you so much for doing this. -No problem.
What are you doing?
My hamburger steak is really delicious.
What the heck are you doing here?
I promised that I'd show you the photos, right?
Oh, what's that? It's so cute!
We've got an extra one. Have it.
-Really? -What are you doing?
-Thank you! -She can have it.
This looks delicious!
Don't touch it!
We haven't said our thanks yet.
Oops. My bad habit.
Actually, I'll be going.
-Really? -I've got cram school.
-You should stay and eat with us. -Yes.
Kiritani, here are the photos I promised.
See you tomorrow at school.
Good night.
Thank you so much.
-Goodbye. -Bye.
-Bye-bye. -Take care.
-What? -What are you doing?
Why are you doing that?
What's the matter? What?
What are you doing?
You're kidding!
Why did you do that?
After she went to the trouble of making it, why would you do that?
What'll we do for dinner now?
I'll buy us something.
This wasn't simply hatred.
This was more like…
Hey!
What the heck are you doing?
I want to be one of you guys.
One of us?
It doesn't have to be forever.
Just let me be one of the people producing Nobuta.
Then just like you asked,
I'll disappear from Kotani's life without a word.
Since I had no idea what she was thinking,
I was afraid.
Good morning!
Kotani!
Good morning.
-Good morning. -Look at this.
Voilà!
Kiritani and I made up.
Also, he asked me if I would help be a producer for you.
Is that all right if I join you guys?
You mean, everything that happened until now was done by Aoi?
That's right.
What did she do it for?
I have no idea.
I see.
Aoi?
That hurts!
Anyway, sit down.
I see…
-I'll kick her ass! -What?
Hey! Wait!
-Wait! -Let go of me!
You can't hit a woman!
Oh, yeah! That's right! I forgot that!
Okay?
But isn't Aoi, Nobuta's friend?
That's right.
Also…
She wants to join our group.
Join our group? You mean me, you, and Nobuta?
-Yes. -What?
Absolutely not!
I don't want her to either…
I really don't want that either,
but if we don't let her join us, she's going to tell the truth to Nobuta.
What?
Could you tell Nobuta
that her first friend ever was the one who'd been harassing her?
Nobuta could end up not believing in anything again.
I don't believe that things will change.
When I believe and open up my heart,
I only get hurt.
If she crawls into her shell again,
I get the feeling she may never come out again.
It's nice to be here.
Arf!
I was so incredibly afraid, I couldn't stand it.
Probably, the reason I made the wrong choice
was because of that.
-Yuck. -What? Why?
You know, I still think
we should make up another catchphrase or line for you.
Like, "The IT revolution in food!"
Yes. When you eat it…
"Inside my mouth, it's like a hotdog bun!"
"Hotdog bun!" I like that!
I know.
"Inside my mouth, it's like the Satsuma-Choshu Alliance!"
"Satsuma-Choshu Alliance!" Yes!
-Clink clink! -Try Satsuma-Choshu Alliance.
Inside my mouth, it's like the Satsuma-Choshu Alliance.
Then do "Clink clink!"
-Hey. Excuse me. -Clink clink!
Let's try to be more serious.
We are being serious.
Seriously serious.
The way you do things is really pretty weak.
That hurts!
What do you mean by weak?
I think this is why Kotani is still so dull.
If we want her to be popular, we need to be more thorough.
I think there are still lots of things that need to be improved, like education
and improving her sense of style and how she talks.
But, you know,
if Nobuta could do everything, would that be interesting?
I think what's interesting is
seeing awkward Nobuta trying her best to improve.
But I think if that makes her popular, it's not real popularity.
I want Kotani to become someone that everyone would approve of.
You say you're producing for her,
but you're hardly trying at all.
Oh, that ticks me off!
Whack! We were here first! What gives you the right to say that?
Now, now. It's all right. Leave it be.
I'm angry.
I will do my best.
I just need to try harder.
I'm sorry about that.
I spoke out of place.
It's okay.
First, why not try shortening your skirt?
Don't you think it's a little long?
You think so?
Yes.
And I think your hair would be cuter if you had it in pigtails.
Want to try?
-Okay. -Good.
CLOSED FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS
Hot springs sure sound nice.
I'd like to go.
Hey! You're bringing a rice cooker?
You know what? Actually, I might…
Yes?
I might not ever return.
What? That hurts!
How come?
The proprietress of the hot spring inn I'm going to,
she's an old classmate,
but her husband died young.
Oh, and?
You see,
she said there's something she wants to ask me to do!
I see. And what is it?
That's the question.
What I think is
it's become too difficult
for a fragile woman like her to run the inn all by herself.
Mr. Hirayama, are you going to
marry that woman?
Well, there is that possibility.
I guess you could say that it just might happen.
If I don't come back,
then assume that's what happened.
Seriously?
The way you talk, Kotani, you're way too timid.
Yes.
I think that's one reason why you get bullied and stuff.
Sit up straight.
Lift your chin up.
That's right. And talk more femininely.
I'm not sure I can.
Don't worry. You can do it.
What do you recommend?
The sweet and sour pork.
May I have one?
Sure.
It's delicious.
-Today, Kotani's so ordinary! -Thank you.
Maybe it's the way she talks.
-Maybe so. -It's her voice.
-She acts differently, doesn't she? -Yes.
And her skirt is shorter too.
Seriously?
Cut that out! That's so perverted!
-You're perverted too! -I'll surprise check again tomorrow.
I want to go back.
What do you mean?
This doesn't feel like the real me.
But isn't this what producing is?
I mean, you're playing someone that isn't yourself.
But…
If she doesn't like it, then maybe we should stop.
Why do you spoil her like that?
What? What's wrong with spoiling her?
It doesn't do Kotani any good.
Are you saying it's better for her to just deal with it and endure it?
You see, humans can't improve unless they do that.
Actually, I don't think that's true.
I think people end up being mean and cruel when they're
forced to put up with things they don't want to.
I'd rather be treated kindly by others.
That's why I want to be as kind as I can to people from now on.
You want to be treated kindly?
The way you talk, you sound like a child.
So what if I do?
I'm just a brat anyway.
The next photo could be of them kissing.
Maybe.
You did see the photo of Kotani hugging Kiritani, didn't you?
Then why are you still hanging around them?
Isn't it painful?
To me, Shuji and Nobuta are the most important.
I'm number two.
You're such a liar.
Everyone believes they're the most important.
I'm not lying.
It's more important to have fun every day.
So I put my priority on that.
You know, don't you think your way of doing things is wrong?
People shouldn't be tested.
If you don't test them, then what do you do with them?
You cultivate them.
With love!
Bye.
UGLY PIG
Kotani…
This was left on my desk.
Thank you.
Can I see your grandpa?
The old man at the aquarium that I helped…
Your grandfather…
I want to ask him something.
Can I see him?
No.
You can't.
Because that's a lie that I made up.
Did you
do those things?
Did you wreck
the haunted house?
Did you wreck the tape?
Did you do all of it?
Yes.
That's right.
Why?
Because I hate you.
You're irritating.
"The three of us are all friends."
That stuff is such bullshit.
Your kindness to me
and when you said
we were friends.
Those were all lies?
Yes. They're lies.
I was going to be even kinder
and then push you into despair when it would be most effective.
Too bad, right?
Hey, that's enough of that.
She's crying.
Aren't you the girl Kiritani dumped?
I've got some news for you.
Actually, Kiritani and this girl are dating.
What? No, we're not.
So?
What about it?
Don't act so tough.
Was that girl your friend?
Roast chestnuts.
Nice and warm, right?
Would you rather you were still friends even if she kept lying to you?
I'm also glad I learned the truth.
It feels lonely being lied to.
But
it's also probably lonely if you're always lying.
I wanted everyone
to think that I had a girlfriend.
Sorry.
You may be right.
You like it?
-Mr. Yokoyama! -Yes?
The end-of-year party last night sure was rough, wasn't it?
The end-of-year party? What happened back then?
What?
After all you did, you don't remember it?
What? Did I do something?
-If you don't remember, forget it! -What? Wait!
Tell me what happened!
-Mr. Yokoyama, you sure are young! -What the heck happened?
-You got drunk and dissed the principal. -No way!
What's more, you slapped your resignation in his face.
Resignation?
You smacked it right on his forehead.
I don't remember that.
"Resignation! I quit being a damn teacher!"
I have officially accepted this resignation.
You're kidding!
No, I'm not.
Today, we're surprise checking first year, class B.
Hello.
You know, Kotani is the best to do this show.
Yes. This isn't funny.
Yes, not at all. It's dull.
Not at all.
Kusano.
That hurts!
Where's Kotani?
She's absent.
That figures.
Her friend said awful things to her yesterday.
They're both good? Today…
Friend? You mean her?
Yes. That girl.
Aoi told Nobuta the truth?
That girl… Darn her.
The stuff she said was pretty harsh.
I just wanted to tell you that.
Yip yip.
Mariko!
Thank you.
Kotani will be all right.
It may take time, but she'll be okay.
Accepting the truth is really painful.
But…
it's not impossible to do.
Since we're friends, I'll have it for free.
Okay?
Thank you. I'll take good care of it.
Nobuta!
Kotani!
Kotani?
I know you're in there, Nobuta.
-Nobuta! -Yip yip! This is when you use it! Yip!
I knew this would happen.
There are some things you just can't ignore.
-Nobuta! -Nobuta!
Come out!
-Kotani! -Nobuta!
I know you're there!
Nobuta!
I know you're there!
We are…
-Sumidagawa High Night Angels! -Sumidagawa High Night Angels!
Come on! Put Kotani back on, man!
-We want to see Kotani's, "Yuck!" -That's right!
And when it's really bad, her eyebrows twitch.
-That's right! -I want to see that twitch again!
-It's a lucky day when you see that. -Yes! That's lucky!
Get the camera!
Let's film this and give it to Nobuta.
Yip!
I have a favor to ask everyone.
I'm afraid Kotani
might not ever come back to school.
But if she hears what you're saying
I think she'll come back.
That's the kind of person she is.
So I want to film all of your comments and bring them to Kotani.
Will you do that?
I know none of you want to do a favor for me.
But just this once…
Just this once…
do me this favor.
Please.
When I think about…
how you may not even be…
listening to what I say right now,
I'm afraid.
I'm so afraid, I could die.
We're listening.
Don't worry. We hear you.
Yes.
I'm not sure what happened,
but let's help out.
-Yes. -Right?
-It's to bring Kotani back. -That's right!
Okay!
Get the camera ready!
-All right! -All right!
All right!
It's the great first episode of "Kotani Surprise Lunch Check"!
TO NOBUTA
OINK
Kotani's the only one who can do "Surprise Lunch Check!"
Here it comes! Here comes "Yuck!"
-Yuck. -There it is!
-Nice! -I just love Kotani's "Yuck!"
Please! Let's see that twitching eyebrow of yours!
Lunchtime is best with "Attack! Kotani Surprise Lunch Check"!
Please do an episode on my love-filled bento lunch.
-Please! -Please!
-The best break from studies is… -Yuck!
Isn't it obvious?
-Kotani! -Come back soon!
I want to see your "Yuck!"
-Yuck! -Yuck!
Yuck!
-Yuck! -Yuck!
Try some "Honey Honey."
Kotani's way better than Aoi.
-Replace her! -Replace her!
Bring back Kotani, damn it!
-Kotani! -Kotani!
Thumbs up, everyone.
-Right! -Right!
Nobuta, come back!
Yes! Reporter Kotani! We've been waiting for you!
Welcome back!
-L-O-V-E! Lovely Kotani! -L-O-V-E! Lovely Kotani!
That girl's probably going to do something again.
I think she's frightened.
Why?
She's afraid we'll tell everyone the truth.
I think that scares her.
Then we shouldn't worry.
But if she feels cornered,
I just hope she doesn't go into a frenzy.
I don't really get her, but she's a real pain.
"Come to the school roof."
"Aoi…"
So you came.
What is it?
If I jump from here, do you think I'll die?
Are you angry?
Of course, you are.
I did do some pretty cruel things to you.
Will you forgive me for what I did?
If you won't forgive me, I'll jump from here.
How about it?
Will you forgive me or not?
I can't forgive you.
Okay.
Then I'll jump.
Stay back!
This is your final chance.
Will you
forgive me?
Kotani,
will you?
What are you doing?
Aoi wants me to forgive her.
If I don't, she says she'll jump.
What will it be?
Will you forgive me or not?
I told you to quit testing people.
This is the only way she knows how to act.
You know everything, don't you, Kiritani?
You're amazing.
Don't jump.
Then you forgive me?
No, I can't forgive you.
But don't jump.
It doesn't work that way.
It's one or the other.
Wait!
You…
You don't even really want her to forgive you, do you?
That's right.
I don't care if she forgives me.
Then what is it that you want to do?
I want you to remember me.
Even if it's for awful things,
I want you to remember…
that I existed.
That's all.
Bye.
Aoi!
That hurts!
I just had a weird dream.
A dream that Aoi jumped?
It was the school roof!
That hurts!
Aoi.
Aoi?
Did you dream that
you jumped from the roof?
Thank goodness.
I'm so glad
you're alive.
DELPHINE
What are you doing?
I'm just waiting for someone.
At a place like this?
Who are you waiting for?
Someone called my phone out of the blue and said,
"Let's be friends."
And
you went to wait for them?
Yes.
But they haven't shown up.
You must have been tricked.
Maybe so.
They sounded awfully lonely though.
Oh,
they're here!
Are you the one who called me?
Wow.
What a magnificent moon.
Yes.
Why the four of us had the same dream,
I still don't know.
You let me join your group,
but it wasn't as fun as I expected.
I'll release you.
Aoi disappeared from us forever.
My classmates started talking to me again.
Shuji.
Yokoyama gave his resignation to the principal and has to quit.
What? Yokoyama's quitting?
For Yokoyama's sake, we stayed up all night forging petitions.
I LOVE MR. YOKOYAMA! AKIKO KUSAKA
Yip!
Everyone, we got 100 petitions!
PETITION TO RESCIND TAKESHI YOKOYAMA'S RESIGNATION
Out of consideration of these petitions, I'll forget it.
Thank you!
Mr. Hirayama came back too.
So that proprietress wanted to ask you
to buy health products?
Yes. That's right.
Oh, I see.
What are you looking at?
Have you ever been in a situation that was beyond redemption?
Yes.
I have.
Did you make it through alone?
No. With friends.
Is that right?
My friends brought me through.
Only people
can save other people.
I think I'm going to start over.
Start what over?
In our class,
I think I'll start building Shuji Kiritani again.
You want to become popular again?
I wouldn't be so sure about that.
I'll be your producer. Twang!
No, thank you. Twang!
Twang! Why?
As long as you have someone,
even if you're in a situation beyond redemption,
you can make it through.
Welcome home.
Yes…
What's your problem?
This is kind of sudden, but I'm getting transferred.
What? We're moving?
Yes.
That tickles!
As long as I'm here,
I doubt that I'll ever lose my way.
Nobuta! Hold him!
FINAL EPISODE PREVIEW FAREWELL AMIGO
Farewell,
Shuji Kiritani.
THIS DRAMA IS A WORK OF FICTION
Subtitle translation by: Brian Athey