Jun. 1st, 2013 03:01 pm
Amachan: Week 6 Episode Guide
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earth_colorsWeek 6: "My Grandpa is on a rampage!"
"You're rather plain-looking than I thought."
Episode Summaries:
Ep. 31. Aki is so flabbergasted to see her supposedly dead Ojii-chan, looking alive and well that all she can say is "Jejejejeh." He gets off at a station and Aki tails him. He is apparently heading straight to the Amano house where Haruko is currently questioning her mother.
"Me and the Co-op president are having an affair?" Natsu just laughs at the insinuation. She tries to leave saying she has made a promise to someone. Haruko is demanding who it was when the man arrives. "Welcome home!" Natsu greets him joyfully. It was indeed her husband, deep-sea fisherman, Amano Chubee. "You've gotten old!" Chubee greets his stunned daughter, Haruko. After she recovers from her shock, she accuses her mother of deceiving her. "You placed his picture on the altar. Of course I would think he's dead!" "You thought of that on your own but I didn't say he was dead," Natsu just says, matter-of-factly. Friends come to the house to welcome back Chubee. They've decided to close the bar for the night and celebrate and drink to Chubee's homecoming at the Amano home. They talk and laugh about his "death" and Natsu's "affair" (She was just asking Rokuro at the Co-op, whether he received any radio message about the arrival of Chubee's ship). Aki asks, "But why did Natsu-bappa say you died last year?" Natsu says that's how she prepares herself every year when she sends him off. Chubee: "Every time I board the ship, I'd tell Natsu to 'Think of me as dead.' " But Haruko was not having any of it. She also tried telling her father about her separation from her husband but only got a nonchalant "Oh, I see" from him. Haruko: "Aren't you supposed to comfort me?!" But her complaints only got drowned in the merry noise of the guests. Aki and Yui (who has arrived for a visit) are told to go upstairs by Haruko. Yui sees the 80s room and flips out. "This room is awesome!" She is so impressed by it that she decides to sleep over. Back at the party, Haruko has had too much to drink, and rambles on and on about how she constantly thought about her parents while she was in Tokyo, and that they all played a cruel joke on her. Katsue: "Look, there's no need for a reason why he's alive. You should be glad he IS alive." Haruko calms down a bit and tries to make up with her father. But he and Natsu are no longer around. During her drunken monologue, the two lovebirds apparently slipped out, and are now strolling sweetly at the beach, holding hands. "Sorry about that, " Natsu (the narrator) tells the viewers, "After all, we only get to be together for 10 days in a year."
Ep. 32. The next morning, with Chubee around, there are 4 of the Amano family eating breakfast. But for now there's also Yui, plus the women who are helping out with the unidonburi preparation. Chubee is not used to be called Ojii-chan by Aki. "It feels only yesterday that Haruko left, and now I have a granddaughter." He adds: "I wish you (Aki) were small so I coulda hug-hug you and lick your face." (Haruko is like "Yuck... stop it" lol) Later after Aki finishes her unidonburi chore, she goes to meet her grandparents at the cafe. They just came from a date around town. They tell Aki and Hiroshi that they've been married for 44 years. Hiroshi does the math: "So if he's home for only 10 days, you've only been together for 440 days." Aki says she envies how their long-distance relationship keeps their love afresh: "Thanks to the sea." But it's not the same for her own parents though... Masamune, in Tokyo, is on the phone with Haruko. He is ecstatic about Aki's popularity on the internet. However... "Don't come here!" Haruko tells him. Masamune wants to visit Aki on her upcoming birthday but she insists that he must not come. "Aki says she will get her diver's license and get a job here. There is no need for you at all." That night, Aki tries telling her Grandpa why she ended up in Kitasanriku. After listening to her confusing story, he says "I don't get half of it but I reckon you like it here." Aki says she loves everything about the town and the sea. Chubee says it's the best place to be and that he is sure of it since he's been all over the world. The next day, Chubee visits Aki during her practical training at the diving pool, and cheers her on. He meets Isono-sensei and Taneichi, and reminisce about the days of being a student there. Afterwards, Aki is scheduled to meet with the guys at the Tourism Office. There, she is introduced to a somewhat smug-looking man wearing light-colored sunglasses. "You seem rather plain-looking than I expected," he says, eyeing Aki. He is Ikeda Ippei, a TV director.
Ep. 33. The TV director is impressed by what the two girls are doing for the town. He wants to feature them for an interview in a local news magazine show called "It's 5:00! Wanko Channel!" "If the reception is good, we might have you on the show as regulars." Aki says she would have to ask her mom about this to which Daikichi replies: "I'll ask her for you. Just leave it to me." On the other hand, Yui who is well-aware of the idol business asks the director a series of questions: "Will there be a stylist? Make-up artist? Will we have costumes? Can we check the VTR in advance before broadcasting it?" Afterwards, despite the "good chance" of being famous, Yui voices her anxieties to Aki. "TV is so unlike the internet. you never know who may be watching... It's almost like a debut..." She says she wants to consult Hibiki about it. Aki says she will have to follow what her mom decides. She relates how Haruko does not think Aki will become an idol since she called her (Aki) "ugly" once. Yui reacts strongly about that. "You're not ugly at all! You have the makings of an idol. Your mom doesn't know anything about being an idol!" Aki assures her that her mom, when mad, does not know what she is saying and most probably did not mean it. Then Haruko arrives for her shift at the shop, and the two girls quickly leave. At the shop, the four guys (Daikichi, Sugawara, Yoshida, and Hiroshi) are lined up at the counter looking tensed, as they get ready to talk to Haruko. "What is it now?" She knows something is up. The guys then inform her of the TV offer. Haruko asks the same questions that Yui had asked ("Will they have a stylist? Make-up artist? Costumes?..."). Daikichi is confused, "How come you know all that?" Haruko: "I just know." They tell her: "Though it's only shown locally, the publicity for the town is going to be great...." Haruko asks what Yui thinks. Hiroshi: "She would likely say yes because she wants to become an idol." Haruko says she sees her former self in Yui, and that her (Yui's) motivation is completely different from Aki's. (As she explains, Aki is shown back at home, having hot pot and sashimi dinner with her grandparents and friends). Haruko says Aki is only doing this promotional thing because she loves the countryside and the people; whereas Yui is itching to leave for Tokyo. "They really do not care about the PR for the town. What happens if this escalates badly?" Hiroshi volunteers to be their manager, to serve as the middleman, listen to the girls' wishes, and to look out for them. Haruko says there is no need since "they're not celebrities." And that besides, he might only be in it because he loves Aki. But Hiroshi says "He's giving (his love) a rest for now." He admits he was not exactly dumped but Aki did say that it was "awkward" between them. "Maybe she wants to concentrate on her studies." But Haruko recalls meeting Taneichi. Hiroshi asks her if she knows something. She gave a coded message: " 'Ru-i-ga-to-hi-na-ki-su' Try saying saying that in reverse." There is a look of pain in Hiroshi's face as he realizes what it meant: "There's a person that (she) loves." The next day, Hiroshi goes to Aki's high school. He watches Aki doing practical training through the pool's window. When Aki sees him, he sadly traces the same message from last night on the dirty pool window for Aki to read: "There is a person that (you) love."
Ep. 34. After seeing Hiroshi's message, Aki floats up, again causing Isono-sensei to panic. "Stove!" is all she can say, prompting Isono to have her heavy suit be taken off. But Aki adds, "Never mind. I'm fine already." Isono: "But it's bad to leave your stove on!" (Haha!) As Aki had feared, Hiroshi has reverted back to his old "Stove"-self. Depressed, he stares vacantly into space as he burns the love letter he wrote for Aki. His father asks him if he skipped work, but his wife tells him to leave him alone. "Why did you tell him?!" Aki asks Haruko at the shop. Haruko: "I didn't expect that he'll take it THAT bad." The guys by now know about her crush (Senpai), and tease her by singing (but forgetting part of the lyrics though) the 80s song, "Sotsugyoo* (Graduation)" by Saito Yuki. They do meet THE Senpai in question. Taneichi is at the station to help Aki study. Daikichi is impressed by the tall youth. "Once you graduate come to us and we'll hire you!" Aki tells them to leave them alone so they can study, and they back away. But Yui also arrives and sits at a distance from them. Unbeknownst to the two girls, it seems Taneichi is giving surreptitious glances towards Yui (Uh-ohs!) Later Aki and Yui go to the former's home to find Chubee and Natsu fighting. It looks like that after only 4 days of being together, they've already gotten on each other's nerves. Natsu: "I'm asking you which do you prefer, yellowtail teriyaki or yellowtail with radish?!" Chuubee: "I told you either one is fine!... You're so noisy! I'm eating out!" Natsu: "Fine! Go and get on your ship!" Chubee does leave. And the 2 girls go upstairs. Back at the the shop, Congressman Adachi arrives and apologizes to Sugawara because "my son has been absent" (They do inform him "It's because of a broken heart"). The congressman kneels down before them. The guys think he is apologizing on his knees but he is actually picking up his phone strap that he dropped in the shop the other day (haha!). Haruko asks the other men to leave since she and Adachi will have a private talk about their daughters' TV guesting issue. Meanwhile Chubee is having drinks with the people at the Fishing Co-op. As he is bragging about the women he meets "at every port," he didn't know Natsu has come and left, leaving a bottle of sake. "Why didn't you tell me?!" The others tell him to go home and patch things up with Natsu. At the shop, Adachi says he's fine with his daughter going on TV. But Haruko says, "If it were Aki alone, I won't allow her but since she's doing it with Yui..." She adds: "You get all sorts of attention, there's a chance Aki might get hurt, and if that happens, I'm not sure if I can protect her." Adachi understands but they both agree it is up for the girls to decide what they want to do. Adachi smilingly recalls how he would scold Haruko back in high school for wearing "permed" hair. "Never expected that our daughters would become best friends." Haruko: "I see myself in Yui... the same high pride and confidence... I believed that I was different from people around here, that I was special..." At this time, Yui tells Aki she wants so badly to go on TV, even if it's a local network and even if it means she has to make use of necessity: "So be it! I'll make use of the countryside!" She practices her speech in the local dialect (which she has never shown before): "I'm Yui, Miss Kitatesu, Nice to meet cha'll! Ya'll come and visit Kitasanriku... Jejeh!" It was the first time Aki hears her talk like that. "You SHOULD go on TV. If you go, I'll go!" They go downstairs in time for dinner. Chubee has also come back, seeing that Natsu has prepared both Yellowtail Teriyaki and Yellowtail with Radish for them. All is well now, and they start eating.
(*They were singing opening lyrics about a kohai coaxing the second button from a senpai's uniform; they were having trouble remembering the word for "coax")
Ep. 35. Parents of the the two girls are having a meeting with TV Director Ikeda at the Tourism Office. He says the girls will be featured in a segment of the show called, "Come Meet an Idol!" Haruko frowns on the word "Idol." Ikeda assures her it's about high school girls who are doing something good for their community. "The townspeople will also be interviewed and talk about the tourist attractions..." But Haruko is also concerned about their privacy since the camera will also be entering their homes and school. She warns that dangerous guys will find out their addresses and they will come stalking and torment the two girls, making their lives a living hell ("Are you prepared for that?!"), scaring Aki to tears. Yui's Dad, Isao tells Haruko she's thinking too much: "They'll only be on TV once, it can't bring about that much damage." Yet Haruko turns to Yui, saying she is more worried about her. "You're being used by the countryside for its benefit... buttering you up with comments of 'You're cute! You're cute!'... getting pushed (or giving you ideas) to go to Tokyo, you must think hard about this!" But Yui speaking in the local accent says: "Doncha worry. I too will be using the countryside." The others are surprised by this, and Haruko relents. "But on one condition," she says, "I want a deadline for you guys using the girls for your 'machi-okoshi'." Daikichi proposes three years ("Because if we don't gain a profit, they will close down the railway in 3 years"). But Haruko demands it should be "up to March of next year." So the TV crew descends on the town, recording interviews with everyone involved: Ama-sans, the Trainmasters, the Amanos, the Diving Department. Their interview segment is shown on TV followed by the two girls. Aki and Yui come on the show (which was live) wearing their respective uniforms. It was going fine (except when Aki gets pricked by the uni) until they get cut off by a news announcement. Because of the show, they expect many tourists to come for the weekend. However, on Saturday morning, no one has shown up so far. Later they found out that since the program was shown locally, many locals from the prefecture are coming in with their cars and had caused a huge traffic jam enroute to Kitasanriku. "Damn that motorization*!" swears Daikichi. After another exhausting day, Aki returns home to find her dad's taxi cab parked in front of their house. Masamune is inside sharing a drink with his father-in-law. "Why are you here?" Aki asks. Her dad replies:"Because tomorrow is your birthday."
(*"Motorization" = when locals prefer to use their cars, or buses and taxis, instead of the local train; Daikichi hates that word, because it means less profit for the railway)
Ep. 36. Aki reacts with "Jejeh... Jeh!" as she realizes tomorrow is her birthday. But the third "Jeh" is for something else... Taneichi had earlier given her a wrapped item. Before he could explain what it was, they were interrupted by Isono-sensei ("Did you record the show?!"). So in her room, Aki opens the gift and found a misanga bracelet inside (made by the Ama-sans at the Co-op). "Did Taneichi-sempai knew it was my birthday?" She wants to thank him but does not have his phone number. She calls up Yui instead. "Is it really for your birthday?" Yui says, doubtfully. Aki reiterates: "But it's a misanga!" Aki thinks that the gift could mean something promising - love-wise*. Anyway, Haruko comes home finding her husband at the house. "I told you not to come!!" Aki wants to talk to her mom about her birthday but Haruko dismisses her off saying now is not a good time. At night, Aki sleeps in the 80s room (which is by now her official bedroom) and dreams of giving a misanga to Taneichi but he turns into Isono. She wakes up to find her father sleeping next to her and she (as well as the rest of the family) is put off by him. The next day, Aki finishes her train job a bit late and is told by Daikichi to wait at the shop so he can get his car (to drive her home). It turns out everyone is in the shop to give her a 17th birthday surprise party. They bring her an Ama cake adorned with chocolate sea urchins (really cute!). Then Yui brings in Taneichi which rouse some teasings from the rest. "Is he perhaps your rumored Helmet Sempai?" (lol) They also did not spare poor Hiroshi-kun from their good-natured ribbing: "Look look, Stove-san is red with anger." "Is this Stove VS Helmet?" (Haha!) "I'm okay. I've already gotten over it," Hiroshi says sullenly as he gets himself a long drink. (XD) Aki and Taneichi have a moment alone together outside the shop as the party gets going inside. He tells her the bracelet is actually for "goodluck" for her upcoming qualification exam. Aki asks him shyly "If I pass the exam, can you go out with me?" Taneichi does not give a straight answer ("But where can we go on a date around here?") but as he leaves, he tells her with a smile: "I'll give it a good thought." Aki goes back inside the shop. Chubee and Natsu are singing a duet. Afterwards, Chubee invites Haruko to sing a song which she declines. But he insists: "You used to sing for us before I go leave the next day for the ocean." Haruko's husband chooses a song for her to sing. The title is "Shiosai no Memory (Memory of the Sea's Roar)." As the opening chords is heard, others say "Oh, I miss that song..." "Wasn't it a song from an old movie?" Haruko and Masamune exchange a meaningful glance. "No, no, no, I can't," she refuses and puts down the microphone. "Tsk, you've changed," Chubee says, irritated. "In the past you said you wanted to be an entertainer in Tokyo." He turns to Masamune. "You know what? She said she wanted to be an idol singer. That's why she ran away from home!" Both Aki and Yui give out a perplexed "Eh?" as a sudden uncomfortable silence fills the room.
(*As stated before, a misanga could mean "goodluck." Or can be a "promise band" for young lovers)
Next: Week 7
Previous: Week 5
Episode Index: Link
Character Guide: Link
"You're rather plain-looking than I thought."
Episode Summaries:
Ep. 31. Aki is so flabbergasted to see her supposedly dead Ojii-chan, looking alive and well that all she can say is "Jejejejeh." He gets off at a station and Aki tails him. He is apparently heading straight to the Amano house where Haruko is currently questioning her mother.
"Me and the Co-op president are having an affair?" Natsu just laughs at the insinuation. She tries to leave saying she has made a promise to someone. Haruko is demanding who it was when the man arrives. "Welcome home!" Natsu greets him joyfully. It was indeed her husband, deep-sea fisherman, Amano Chubee. "You've gotten old!" Chubee greets his stunned daughter, Haruko. After she recovers from her shock, she accuses her mother of deceiving her. "You placed his picture on the altar. Of course I would think he's dead!" "You thought of that on your own but I didn't say he was dead," Natsu just says, matter-of-factly. Friends come to the house to welcome back Chubee. They've decided to close the bar for the night and celebrate and drink to Chubee's homecoming at the Amano home. They talk and laugh about his "death" and Natsu's "affair" (She was just asking Rokuro at the Co-op, whether he received any radio message about the arrival of Chubee's ship). Aki asks, "But why did Natsu-bappa say you died last year?" Natsu says that's how she prepares herself every year when she sends him off. Chubee: "Every time I board the ship, I'd tell Natsu to 'Think of me as dead.' " But Haruko was not having any of it. She also tried telling her father about her separation from her husband but only got a nonchalant "Oh, I see" from him. Haruko: "Aren't you supposed to comfort me?!" But her complaints only got drowned in the merry noise of the guests. Aki and Yui (who has arrived for a visit) are told to go upstairs by Haruko. Yui sees the 80s room and flips out. "This room is awesome!" She is so impressed by it that she decides to sleep over. Back at the party, Haruko has had too much to drink, and rambles on and on about how she constantly thought about her parents while she was in Tokyo, and that they all played a cruel joke on her. Katsue: "Look, there's no need for a reason why he's alive. You should be glad he IS alive." Haruko calms down a bit and tries to make up with her father. But he and Natsu are no longer around. During her drunken monologue, the two lovebirds apparently slipped out, and are now strolling sweetly at the beach, holding hands. "Sorry about that, " Natsu (the narrator) tells the viewers, "After all, we only get to be together for 10 days in a year."Ep. 32. The next morning, with Chubee around, there are 4 of the Amano family eating breakfast. But for now there's also Yui, plus the women who are helping out with the unidonburi preparation. Chubee is not used to be called Ojii-chan by Aki. "It feels only yesterday that Haruko left, and now I have a granddaughter." He adds: "I wish you (Aki) were small so I coulda hug-hug you and lick your face." (Haruko is like "Yuck... stop it" lol)
Later after Aki finishes her unidonburi chore, she goes to meet her grandparents at the cafe. They just came from a date around town. They tell Aki and Hiroshi that they've been married for 44 years. Hiroshi does the math: "So if he's home for only 10 days, you've only been together for 440 days." Aki says she envies how their long-distance relationship keeps their love afresh: "Thanks to the sea." But it's not the same for her own parents though... Masamune, in Tokyo, is on the phone with Haruko. He is ecstatic about Aki's popularity on the internet. However... "Don't come here!" Haruko tells him. Masamune wants to visit Aki on her upcoming birthday but she insists that he must not come. "Aki says she will get her diver's license and get a job here. There is no need for you at all." That night, Aki tries telling her Grandpa why she ended up in Kitasanriku. After listening to her confusing story, he says "I don't get half of it but I reckon you like it here." Aki says she loves everything about the town and the sea. Chubee says it's the best place to be and that he is sure of it since he's been all over the world. The next day, Chubee visits Aki during her practical training at the diving pool, and cheers her on. He meets Isono-sensei and Taneichi, and reminisce about the days of being a student there. Afterwards, Aki is scheduled to meet with the guys at the Tourism Office. There, she is introduced to a somewhat smug-looking man wearing light-colored sunglasses. "You seem rather plain-looking than I expected," he says, eyeing Aki. He is Ikeda Ippei, a TV director.Ep. 33. The TV director is impressed by what the two girls are doing for the town. He wants to feature them for an interview in a local news magazine show called "It's 5:00! Wanko Channel!" "If the reception is good, we might have you on the show as regulars." Aki says she would have to ask her mom about this to which Daikichi replies: "I'll ask her for you. Just leave it to me." On the other hand, Yui who is well-aware of the idol business asks the director a series of questions: "Will there be a stylist? Make-up artist? Will we have costumes? Can we check the VTR in advance before broadcasting it?"
Afterwards, despite the "good chance" of being famous, Yui voices her anxieties to Aki. "TV is so unlike the internet. you never know who may be watching... It's almost like a debut..." She says she wants to consult Hibiki about it. Aki says she will have to follow what her mom decides. She relates how Haruko does not think Aki will become an idol since she called her (Aki) "ugly" once. Yui reacts strongly about that. "You're not ugly at all! You have the makings of an idol. Your mom doesn't know anything about being an idol!" Aki assures her that her mom, when mad, does not know what she is saying and most probably did not mean it. Then Haruko arrives for her shift at the shop, and the two girls quickly leave. At the shop, the four guys (Daikichi, Sugawara, Yoshida, and Hiroshi) are lined up at the counter looking tensed, as they get ready to talk to Haruko. "What is it now?" She knows something is up. The guys then inform her of the TV offer. Haruko asks the same questions that Yui had asked ("Will they have a stylist? Make-up artist? Costumes?..."). Daikichi is confused, "How come you know all that?" Haruko: "I just know." They tell her: "Though it's only shown locally, the publicity for the town is going to be great...." Haruko asks what Yui thinks. Hiroshi: "She would likely say yes because she wants to become an idol." Haruko says she sees her former self in Yui, and that her (Yui's) motivation is completely different from Aki's. (As she explains, Aki is shown back at home, having hot pot and sashimi dinner with her grandparents and friends). Haruko says Aki is only doing this promotional thing because she loves the countryside and the people; whereas Yui is itching to leave for Tokyo. "They really do not care about the PR for the town. What happens if this escalates badly?" Hiroshi volunteers to be their manager, to serve as the middleman, listen to the girls' wishes, and to look out for them. Haruko says there is no need since "they're not celebrities." And that besides, he might only be in it because he loves Aki. But Hiroshi says "He's giving (his love) a rest for now." He admits he was not exactly dumped but Aki did say that it was "awkward" between them. "Maybe she wants to concentrate on her studies." But Haruko recalls meeting Taneichi. Hiroshi asks her if she knows something. She gave a coded message: " 'Ru-i-ga-to-hi-na-ki-su' Try saying saying that in reverse." There is a look of pain in Hiroshi's face as he realizes what it meant: "There's a person that (she) loves." The next day, Hiroshi goes to Aki's high school. He watches Aki doing practical training through the pool's window. When Aki sees him, he sadly traces the same message from last night on the dirty pool window for Aki to read: "There is a person that (you) love." Ep. 34. After seeing Hiroshi's message, Aki floats up, again causing Isono-sensei to panic. "Stove!" is all she can say, prompting Isono to have her heavy suit be taken off. But Aki adds, "Never mind. I'm fine already." Isono: "But it's bad to leave your stove on!" (Haha!)
As Aki had feared, Hiroshi has reverted back to his old "Stove"-self. Depressed, he stares vacantly into space as he burns the love letter he wrote for Aki. His father asks him if he skipped work, but his wife tells him to leave him alone. "Why did you tell him?!" Aki asks Haruko at the shop. Haruko: "I didn't expect that he'll take it THAT bad." The guys by now know about her crush (Senpai), and tease her by singing (but forgetting part of the lyrics though) the 80s song, "Sotsugyoo* (Graduation)" by Saito Yuki. They do meet THE Senpai in question. Taneichi is at the station to help Aki study. Daikichi is impressed by the tall youth. "Once you graduate come to us and we'll hire you!" Aki tells them to leave them alone so they can study, and they back away. But Yui also arrives and sits at a distance from them. Unbeknownst to the two girls, it seems Taneichi is giving surreptitious glances towards Yui (Uh-ohs!) Later Aki and Yui go to the former's home to find Chubee and Natsu fighting. It looks like that after only 4 days of being together, they've already gotten on each other's nerves. Natsu: "I'm asking you which do you prefer, yellowtail teriyaki or yellowtail with radish?!" Chuubee: "I told you either one is fine!... You're so noisy! I'm eating out!" Natsu: "Fine! Go and get on your ship!" Chubee does leave. And the 2 girls go upstairs. Back at the the shop, Congressman Adachi arrives and apologizes to Sugawara because "my son has been absent" (They do inform him "It's because of a broken heart"). The congressman kneels down before them. The guys think he is apologizing on his knees but he is actually picking up his phone strap that he dropped in the shop the other day (haha!). Haruko asks the other men to leave since she and Adachi will have a private talk about their daughters' TV guesting issue. Meanwhile Chubee is having drinks with the people at the Fishing Co-op. As he is bragging about the women he meets "at every port," he didn't know Natsu has come and left, leaving a bottle of sake. "Why didn't you tell me?!" The others tell him to go home and patch things up with Natsu. At the shop, Adachi says he's fine with his daughter going on TV. But Haruko says, "If it were Aki alone, I won't allow her but since she's doing it with Yui..." She adds: "You get all sorts of attention, there's a chance Aki might get hurt, and if that happens, I'm not sure if I can protect her." Adachi understands but they both agree it is up for the girls to decide what they want to do. Adachi smilingly recalls how he would scold Haruko back in high school for wearing "permed" hair. "Never expected that our daughters would become best friends." Haruko: "I see myself in Yui... the same high pride and confidence... I believed that I was different from people around here, that I was special..." At this time, Yui tells Aki she wants so badly to go on TV, even if it's a local network and even if it means she has to make use of necessity: "So be it! I'll make use of the countryside!" She practices her speech in the local dialect (which she has never shown before): "I'm Yui, Miss Kitatesu, Nice to meet cha'll! Ya'll come and visit Kitasanriku... Jejeh!" It was the first time Aki hears her talk like that. "You SHOULD go on TV. If you go, I'll go!" They go downstairs in time for dinner. Chubee has also come back, seeing that Natsu has prepared both Yellowtail Teriyaki and Yellowtail with Radish for them. All is well now, and they start eating.(*They were singing opening lyrics about a kohai coaxing the second button from a senpai's uniform; they were having trouble remembering the word for "coax")
Ep. 35. Parents of the the two girls are having a meeting with TV Director Ikeda at the Tourism Office. He says the girls will be featured in a segment of the show called, "Come Meet an Idol!" Haruko frowns on the word "Idol." Ikeda assures her it's about high school girls who are doing something good for their community. "The townspeople will also be interviewed and talk about the tourist attractions..." But Haruko is also concerned about their privacy since the camera will also be entering their homes and school. She warns that dangerous guys will find out their addresses and they will come stalking and torment the two girls, making their lives a living hell ("Are you prepared for that?!"), scaring Aki to tears. Yui's Dad, Isao tells Haruko she's thinking too much: "They'll only be on TV once, it can't bring about that much damage." Yet Haruko turns to Yui, saying she is more worried about her. "You're being used by the countryside for its benefit... buttering you up with comments of 'You're cute! You're cute!'... getting pushed (or giving you ideas) to go to Tokyo, you must think hard about this!" But Yui speaking in the local accent says: "Doncha worry. I too will be using the countryside." The others are surprised by this, and Haruko relents. "But on one condition," she says, "I want a deadline for you guys using the girls for your 'machi-okoshi'." Daikichi proposes three years ("Because if we don't gain a profit, they will close down the railway in 3 years"). But Haruko demands it should be "up to March of next year."
So the TV crew descends on the town, recording interviews with everyone involved: Ama-sans, the Trainmasters, the Amanos, the Diving Department. Their interview segment is shown on TV followed by the two girls. Aki and Yui come on the show (which was live) wearing their respective uniforms. It was going fine (except when Aki gets pricked by the uni) until they get cut off by a news announcement. Because of the show, they expect many tourists to come for the weekend. However, on Saturday morning, no one has shown up so far. Later they found out that since the program was shown locally, many locals from the prefecture are coming in with their cars and had caused a huge traffic jam enroute to Kitasanriku. "Damn that motorization*!" swears Daikichi. After another exhausting day, Aki returns home to find her dad's taxi cab parked in front of their house. Masamune is inside sharing a drink with his father-in-law. "Why are you here?" Aki asks. Her dad replies:"Because tomorrow is your birthday."(*"Motorization" = when locals prefer to use their cars, or buses and taxis, instead of the local train; Daikichi hates that word, because it means less profit for the railway)
Ep. 36. Aki reacts with "Jejeh... Jeh!" as she realizes tomorrow is her birthday. But the third "Jeh" is for something else...
Taneichi had earlier given her a wrapped item. Before he could explain what it was, they were interrupted by Isono-sensei ("Did you record the show?!"). So in her room, Aki opens the gift and found a misanga bracelet inside (made by the Ama-sans at the Co-op). "Did Taneichi-sempai knew it was my birthday?" She wants to thank him but does not have his phone number. She calls up Yui instead. "Is it really for your birthday?" Yui says, doubtfully. Aki reiterates: "But it's a misanga!" Aki thinks that the gift could mean something promising - love-wise*. Anyway, Haruko comes home finding her husband at the house. "I told you not to come!!" Aki wants to talk to her mom about her birthday but Haruko dismisses her off saying now is not a good time. At night, Aki sleeps in the 80s room (which is by now her official bedroom) and dreams of giving a misanga to Taneichi but he turns into Isono. She wakes up to find her father sleeping next to her and she (as well as the rest of the family) is put off by him. The next day, Aki finishes her train job a bit late and is told by Daikichi to wait at the shop so he can get his car (to drive her home). It turns out everyone is in the shop to give her a 17th birthday surprise party. They bring her an Ama cake adorned with chocolate sea urchins (really cute!). Then Yui brings in Taneichi which rouse some teasings from the rest. "Is he perhaps your rumored Helmet Sempai?" (lol) They also did not spare poor Hiroshi-kun from their good-natured ribbing: "Look look, Stove-san is red with anger." "Is this Stove VS Helmet?" (Haha!) "I'm okay. I've already gotten over it," Hiroshi says sullenly as he gets himself a long drink. (XD) Aki and Taneichi have a moment alone together outside the shop as the party gets going inside. He tells her the bracelet is actually for "goodluck" for her upcoming qualification exam. Aki asks him shyly "If I pass the exam, can you go out with me?" Taneichi does not give a straight answer ("But where can we go on a date around here?") but as he leaves, he tells her with a smile: "I'll give it a good thought." Aki goes back inside the shop. Chubee and Natsu are singing a duet. Afterwards, Chubee invites Haruko to sing a song which she declines. But he insists: "You used to sing for us before I go leave the next day for the ocean." Haruko's husband chooses a song for her to sing. The title is "Shiosai no Memory (Memory of the Sea's Roar)." As the opening chords is heard, others say "Oh, I miss that song..." "Wasn't it a song from an old movie?" Haruko and Masamune exchange a meaningful glance. "No, no, no, I can't," she refuses and puts down the microphone. "Tsk, you've changed," Chubee says, irritated. "In the past you said you wanted to be an entertainer in Tokyo." He turns to Masamune. "You know what? She said she wanted to be an idol singer. That's why she ran away from home!" Both Aki and Yui give out a perplexed "Eh?" as a sudden uncomfortable silence fills the room.(*As stated before, a misanga could mean "goodluck." Or can be a "promise band" for young lovers)
Next: Week 7
Previous: Week 5
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