Jul. 4th, 2013 09:31 pm
Amachan: Week 14 (Episode Guide) Part 2
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earth_colorsWeek 14."I will become an assistant to a famous actress" Part 2
"Because you remind me of my old self..."
Episode Summaries:
Ep. 82. An extremely shocked Yoshida walks into Rias shop, and sits in one corner, without saying a word. Nearby are Daikichi, Misuzu, Yayoi, Atsushi, and Ben, sitting and waiting for something. Then, Haruko comes in and stands onstage, modeling off a busy patterned, long sleeved top with a high collar from Konno Boutique. The others are pleasantly surprised. "Jejeh!" Daikichi: "The day has come for Haru-chan to wear 'Boutique Konno' clothes!" Misuzu: "It suits you! I can't picture you in your same usual clothes!" Haruko: "Really?" Yayoi who's wearing the same top from her store, poses with Haruko and says, "Well, my hourglass body will not lose to you... Here." She takes out another Konno Boutique item (top with matching shirt) and asks her to wear it. Misuzu: "Good, good! Let's have a fashion show!" Ben claps, also egging her on. Haruko, seemingly in a rare jolly mood, tells them to wait as she goes to try the outfit on. Daikichi (happily): "Finally, Haru-chan has come down to our level lol!"
They finally notice the dazed Yoshida. "What's wrong?" Yoshida stands up and starts sobbing. Daikichi: "Are you crying?" At last, Yoshida stammers, "Our Yui-chan... KitaTetsu's Yui-chan... Has fallen from our level..." He starts bawling loudly while the others just stare at him speechlessly. "Sorry for waiting~..." Haruko, wearing new clothes, comes in eagerly and stops. "...Eh? No one is looking anymore."
Aki narrates, 'Meantime, the life of Adachi Yui, the cute one from 'Shiosai no Memory' has fallen into ruin. She had been seen everyday driving around in a modified car, with a chubby dog-lover and walks arm in arm with him in the mall or supermarket.' Isono-sensei also sees the two in a supermarket, and he, too is in shock. "Yui-chan... Why? Yui-chan..."
'Of course, since she's not going back home, it is left to Stove-san to take care of their dad...' Hiroshi is at the hospital, helping Isao walk during his exercise. Isao slowly lets go of the handrail, to show Hiroshi he can stand without it. "Just a bit more, and I can go up the stairs," the older Adachi says. "Don't tell your mother. I want to surprise her." Hiroshi can only nod silently.
At the Tourism Office, Kurihara Shiori, Sugawara, Yoshida, and Daikichi are looking at pix of Yui and her Yankii companion in the internet. These pix were posted on chat threads, with comments from those who say they have seen the fallen Miss KitaTetsu. Kurihara reads one comment, "'That KitaTetsu's Yui-chan is dangerous, ne'..."
Daikichi is disgusted with the comments and pictures, "Why can't we delete them?" Sugawara reads more of the comments, "'They sit in front of a convenience store, and extort money from passing middle school graders'..."
Daikichi groans loudly in despair. Yoshida continues reading, "'They pry vending machines in the middle of the night with some kind of a bar'.. 'They threaten a convenience store clerk with something like a bar'...""
Daikichi: "Enough, stop it!" Yoshida tries to console Daikichi. "It can't be a 'crowbar'... they only said it's 'some kind of'." Kurihara: "'Some kind of bar...' there's no other 'bar' except THAT." Yoshida: "Yes, there is! It could've been a back-scratcher!" His remark is met with a confused silence.
Then, Hiroshi comes in. "Sorry I'm late." Kurihara slams the laptop shut. "Good morning." Hiroshi goes to his desk to work while Daikichi and Yoshida pretend to play with the diorama. But Sugawara just cannot hold back his tears...
'On the one hand, Amano Aki, the one with the accent in 'Shiosai no Memory' is in a TV studio, serving as assistant to famous actress, Suzuka Hiromi.' Aki is at the TV studio where the filming of 'Shizuka Gozen' is taking place. Holding a script in her hand, Aki watches Hiromi through a monitor. The actress is dressed up in 12th century costume (playing a scene wherein Shizuka Gozen's infant son was taken from her by the order of Yoritomo, the ruling Shogun). With tears falling down her cheeks, the actress says her line, "Please forgive me, Yoshitsune-sama~..." "Cut! Okay!" Hiromi snaps out of her character and calls for Aki. "Amano-san~!" "Yes!" Aki hurries over to the actress.
Later the two are walking back to the actress' dressing room. She seems to be reprimanding Aki who is carrying boxes of waffles. "If we are working through the meal time, let me know ahead of time... I'm trying not to eat after 9 pm. That's why I try to eat as much as I can before 9 pm. I’m greedy when it comes to food. Ah~ So hungry." Aki apologizes. The actress explains, "You see, I don't eat anything after 9 pm. That's why I eat to death before 9, or else I become really nasty. Remember that... That's why I somehow hate this 'Shizuka Gozen'... I can't empathize with such a depressing character." Hiromi takes the waffles from Aki and gives it to the AD. He thanks her and announces to everyone, "We have received some waffle snacks from Suzuka Gozen-san!" Staff: "Thank you very much!" Hiromi (to Aki): "'Suzuka Gozen-san' Who's that?" Both laugh, an indication that the two are really getting along well... But...
"How much were the waffles?" the actress asks Aki. "10,000 yen," answers Aki. She is asked for the receipt. "Oh, I forgot!" Hiromi: "What're you doing?! You must absolutely get the receipt! For us, big taxpayers, the receipts are our source of life! Receipt! Receipt! Receipt!" Aki (shrinking): "Yes!"
Inside the actress' dressing room, Aki shares with the viewers her observations of Suzuka Hiromi. 'When I became her assistant, I found out that Suzuka-san is ordinary, acts according to her age, a just-like-you-and-me kind of person... Okay, I'll say it already. She's an 'Oba-chan.' Hiromi, still in her costume, is relaxing on her recliner, wearing a pair of huge reading glasses, and looking at her cellphone. "Say, how do you increase the font size of this?" Aki: "Let me."
'And also, she always wears really plain, black clothes...' Hiromi: "You think it's lame?" Aki: "Of course not. Just a while ago, I saw Osugi-san (movie critic, always wears black) wearing the same thing while walking down the hallway, it was really different." Hiromi: "So who wore it better?" Aki is slow to give an answer, "Um... You!"
Aki also describes to the viewer the weird way the actress pronounces things... Hiromi: "Say, your G-M-Teh..." Aki: 'She says 'Teh' for 'T'.' Hiromi: "...when will your C-Deh come out?" Aki: 'She says 'Deh' for 'D'.' Hiromi: "What is 'Tu~su*!" (*a gag by comedy duo, Audrey), is it popular?" Aki: 'There are a lot of things she doesn't understand.'
They begin to eat their meal... Hiromi: "I won't eat anything after 9 pm!" Aki (smiles): 'She would often say that many times.' Hiromi absent-mindedly pours the sugar in her miso soup instead of her coffee. She spits it out after tasting it. "Oh, no! I poured sugar in my miso soup... it's sweet!"
Aki says, 'Though she may be like that, when she is in front of the camera... She is perfect.' Aki is seen crying while watching Hiromi acting out a very emotional scene through a monitor. 'When you see her like that, those little ignorance and selfishness don't bother you at all.'
'Then, at 7 pm, we have our training at the Hole...' The girls are again practicing their rap song. ♬~We are GMT6! You are GMT6!~♬ Taneichi comes down to deliver some sushi. "Good evening, from 'Burai Sushi'." Aki: "Oh, senpai!" Taneichi: "These are for everyone at GMT6 from Suzuka-san." Everyone is thrilled to receive the food. "Is it okay, Aki-chan?" She gives a triumphant thumbs up sign. As the girls begin to gather around their meal, Taneichi calls Aki. "Amano, Suzuka-san says she'll be waiting for you at the shop."
After her practice, Aki goes to the shop. She sits in front of Hiromi at a cubicle, listening to her complain about some scene from the drama. Hiromi: "Did you watch me closely? When your baby is stolen from you, you have no time to be worrying about your clothes, right? That's why I didn't fix it." Aki: "Yes." Hiromi: "I'm acting with my entire body but that producer keeps taking close-ups... Ha! What a laugh, so funny... And who was that actor playing Kiyotsune? A poor actor, I should call him a ham... He has no depth, don't you think so?"
Aki could only just nod and say, "Yes." Aki: 'Past 9 pm, Suzuka-san is already aggressive.' Hiromi: "It's okay if you want to object. C'mon, tell me anything you want to say." Aki: "It's okay?" Hiromi says, "Go ahead," and sips her drink.
Aki, of course, believes it, and relaxes. "Suzuka-san is really like that, huh? You really like dramas. When you talk about dramas, you become alive. And, the only thing you talk about are dramas." Hiromi: "What is this..." she puts down her drink "You make it sound like I'm a person with no other merits, that I don't do fun things." Aki: "You do fun things?" Hiromi: "Of course I do! I have hobbies." The actress has started to raise her voice, attracting stares from customers, and Umezu and Taneichi. But clueless Aki is oblivious to it. "Oh, c'mon..." Hiromi: "It's true! I knit sweaters, make sweets, bake cookies..." Aki: "I think it's okay if you can only do dramas... You don't need to do such interesting hobbies."
Hiromi takes one last sip of her drink and thanks Umezu before asking Taneichi to hail her a taxi. Aki: "Eh? I'm sorry. Did I say something rude?" Hiromi smiles and assures her that she did not. Before Hiromi leaves, Aki asks her one last question. Hiromi: "What is it?" Aki: "Why me? Why are you being kind to me?" Hiromi answers with a smile, "Because you remind me of my old self."
Later after his work, Taneichi is hanging out with Aki on the rooftop of a certain building. Taneichi: "I guess you're really something, Amano... Well, you don't get timid in front of such a famous actress... Ambition like that is not a trait of people in Tohoku." Aki: "I'm a fake Tohoku person anyway, lol." Taneichi: "You've tried to deceive by using the local dialect but in the end, you were using Tokyo peer talk anyway." Aki: "No way! lol" Taneichi asks if she's going home for the New Year. Aki: "New Year? I guess not 'cause I just got here recently." Taneichi: "It's already November, you know." Aki: "Jejeh!" Taneichi: "Sooner or later, it'll be 'On the Calendar, it's December'." Aki: "Jejejeh! Since when?!" Taneichi: "Well, over here, there's no clear sense of the seasons. When you're in the countryside, there's Honki Dori, harvesting, the first snow of the year..." Aki: "Yeah, and it gets cold, right?" Taneichi: "I wonder how everyone is doing... Like Yoshida-san, and the Stationmaster?" Aki: "And the Ama Club, too, like Katsue-san and Yayoi-san, I wonder if they're still weaving misangas." Aki looks at her misanga bracelets and asks him if he's going home for the New Year. Taneichi: "I guess. I'll report that I've changed jobs... and I'm also worried about Yui..." Aki: "I see." Taneichi: "My friends back home told me rumors about her... That she's hanging out at night with the bad crowd, that she's riding in cars of Bōzōzoku... That she dropped out of highschool and living with a man..."
It seems Aki already heard it, too. She looks hurt, understandably so, considering she was defending Yui just a month ago, and believing she will be coming to Tokyo. Taneichi continues, "Well, I dunno how much of it is true. But it's true that she did kinda drop out of school..." He notices Aki has gone quiet. "What will you do? If you're worried, would you like to return to Kitasanriku with me?" Aki says no. "If the rumors are true, the more I don't want to go back."
Taneichi: "Why?"
Aki: "I'm sure Yui-chan doesn't want me to see her like that... I don't want to see it either... It's hard for me but I'll pretend I never heard about it."
Taneichi: "Are you sure? Aren't you supposed to straighten her out as a best friend?"
Aki: "Even as best friends, we need tension between us... I want Yui-chan to be running in front of me all the time."
Taneichi looks at Aki and does not saying anything...
Ep. 83. On that rooftop that night, Aki had told Taneichi what's on her mind about Yui... However, in her heart, 'We believe in Aki... but...'
In Kitasanriku, Yui, the Yankii, is at a supermarket. She stops at a make-up section and tries to shoplift a lipstick. However, she hears a voice. "That's bad, you know." It is Haruko, who's probably been secretly following Yui. She warns Yui, "You better not do that." Yui throws away the lipstick and tries to run for it but Haruko grabs a hold of her hoodie and drags her along to the Rias.
Outside the entrance of the shop, Yoshida sees Ben squatting and peeking inside the glass door. Yoshida (*old man's voice*): "Ben, you sunovagun, what're you doin?" Ben signals for him to shut up and points to a sign that says, 'Private (Reserved)." They both peek in.
Inside, Yui is glumly sulking on a chair. Haruko, in her new look (upswept hair, Konno Boutique clothing, plus accessories and makeup), serves her Neapolitan pasta and a bottle of grated cheese. "Here, this is the food for the bitch. All the bitches and delinquents in the old movies ate Neapolitan pasta. Put some grated cheese on top... (Yui doesn't touch the food) Here, don't be shy, eat. They ate making their lips all oily... (Laughs) Looking at you feels like I'm looking at my old self. Anyway, what's with that? Eh?" She stands up and touches Yui's dyed hair. Yui brushes her off. "Is this bleached? Or hair dye? You want me to call the police? Or maybe I should call Aki? Which one do you hate more? I see, I see... You don't like me to call Aki more than the police, right?" She takes out her phone to call Aki.
At last, Yui speaks, "What're you doing?"
Haruko puts down the phone. "Oh! She finally spoke."
Yui: "Please leave me alone. I'm not bothering anybody.
Haruko: "(Laughs) Didn't you make all that fuss, saying, "I wanna go to Tokyo~'?"
Yui: "It was the grown-ups who went and made a fuss about it, wasn't it?"
Haruko: "Well, whatever... But... Promise me one thing." She sits in front of her again. "Don't hold a grudge against your mother. Bleaching your hair doesn't have anything to do with your mother running away! If you wanna go to Tokyo, then GO! (Thank God, FINALLY, somebody said it!) Anyway, you're not going to school, right? You're not taking care of your Dad anymore, are you? What? You going around loitering about in the daytime, and shoplifting... At night, you go speeding off in your Senpai's car, aren't you? If so, then just go to Tokyo then! Don't be so glum in the countryside! Did you give up on your dream because of your parents ... Or maybe you don't want anyone to feel sorry for you?"
Yui: "I'm already behind..."
Haruko: "Behind?"
Yui: "It's already late for me to go... It can't be helped. I'm already 18. You talk as if I can hit it big by age 20."
Haruko: "Of course... You're already behind Aki and your pride won't allow it, huh?"
Yui: I don't have pride like that to begin with. It's like the heat has turned cold. I just think I was so uncool dreaming about the entertainment world and idol back then... See, even you get to Tokyo, uncool ones are still uncool. Trying hard to create a character and flirt with men... so uncool."
Silence. Haruko looks at her, feeling sad that this girl had given up so easily. Then, she says, "Even Aki?"
Yui pauses and says softly without expression, ".... Well, I guess."
Haruko (stands up): "I think I'll call her after all." Yui: "What?"
Haruko starts calling Aki (I'm not sure if she's bluffing or not but): "Hello, Aki? Mm. Right now, Yui has come to the shop... She said you're lame... That Idols are uncool and lame--"
Yui yanks away Haruko's phone. She looks down, avoiding to look Haruko in the eye.
Haruko: "You DO have pride! Stop putting up a front... You're just an 18 year old kid!"
Yui at last breaks down and cries. Haruko goes out of the shop. Outside, Ben and Yoshida have been joined by Daikichi and Sugawara. They all have been peeking inside the shop all along. Haruko says to them, "Now." Daikichi: "Now?" Haruko: "Now's the time to comfort her."
The guys go in and they see Yui, weeping while eating her Neapolitan pasta. They do not know what to say nor how to approach her though. Only thing they can do is to offer her some grated cheese for her pasta.
Hiromi is filming what seems to be her new drama entitled, 'Omedeta Bengoshi (Expectant or Pregnant Lawyer)'. Hiromi is watching her vividly through the monitor (I assume Aki is studying how the actress does her work). Hiromi this time wears a business suit for her role as well as a fake pregnant belly, and goes, "I object... to this allegation... Ouch, ah..." The camera shows her grimacing in pain until the director says 'cut.' As usual, she snaps out of her character and calls for 'Amano-san~!" And Aki goes rushing off to her boss.
Later, Hiromi and Aki are walking in the studio's corridors. The actress takes off her fake belly cushion and starts complaining again about the drama. "Did you see that last cut just now? Close-up again. What a laugh, so funny. What do they mean, 'Omedeta Bengoshi'? Every time I go to court, I go into labor!" She sees the next script with 'Vol. 14' printed in front. It means it must be a very popular drama. "Eh? Part 14? So when will I ever give birth?"
Then, the AD announces to everyone: "Omedeta-san has given us homemade cookies~!" Staff: "Thank you so much~!" Hiromi smiles at them but she says to Aki: "I'm not 'Omedeta-san' (sighs)" and goes off to her dressing room.
Later that night, at 'Burai Sushi,' Hiromi hands her the script and says, "Here, let's have a read-through." Aki: "Jejeh!" Hiromi: "You're aspiring to be an actress, right?" Aki: "But I dunno anything about acting." Hiromi: "I will decide whether you have potential or not. Read the lines in Scene 67." Aki reads it still in Tohoku dialect, "Congratulations, you're 4 months preggers." Umezu and Taneichi nearby couldn't help but laugh when they overhear it.
Hiromi is trying not to laugh as well. "Wait, you're doing (the accent) on purpose, right?" Aki: "I'm sorry." Hiromi: "Don't you speak standard Japanese?" Aki: "I do." Hiromi: "Say 'You're 4 months pregnant'." Aki repeats it without an accent. Hiromi: "Now try it with an accent." Aki: "You're 4 months preggers." Hiromi: "LOL you're good with that dialect." Aki: "Yes! Mizuguchi-san the Manager said I sound better with the dialect, too. He said to show local flavor." Hiromi: "Since you're a hometown idol, right?" Aki: "Yes, there are only 6 of us still but... there's so many accents floating around, it's fun." Hiromi: "That's what being an idol is, huh? Well, it can help to make your face known but... If you're going to be an actress, you must speak the standard language when you act." Aki: "Why?" Hiromi: "'Why?' Because you'll only be given roles with dialects, right?" Aki: "Can't I just do roles with a dialect?" Hiromi: "You can't. The only one who can do that is Aki Takejo-san." Aki: "We're both Aki! lol" Hiromi: "If you like the dialect that much, then why don't you go and be an assistant of Aki Takejo." Aki: "Then, Suzuka-san will become lonely." Hiromi pouts but doesn't deny it. Aki continues, "What's wrong with just one person with a dialect. Just because we're on TV, why do we all have to talk the same. And if I speak in standard Japanese... I'm sure Natsu-bapa and everyone in Ama Club will be disappointed..." Hiromi: "Are you going to become an actress for your grandmother and those Amas?" Aki: "Then what (or whom) do you keep acting for?" Hiromi smiles and says in Tohoku dialect: "Waganeh (I dunno)." They both laugh.
Later, Aki comes home to the dorm bearing sushi gifts for the girls. Takuma, having a meeting with the GMTs, scolds Aki for coming home late. "I'm already imposing a curfew for the time being." Shiori: "It's 11 pm though. Is that for us?" The girls eagerly go to the table where Aki places the sushi but Takuma reminds them that they're still having a meeting. They all sit back down, this time, joined by Aki. "What's the meeting about?" Takuma: "Well, at the end of the year, it's been decided that there will be an election. In other words, a popularity vote. All members of Ameyoko Jogakuen, along with you 6 guys of the GMT, total of 46 girls are eligible for this election. Futomaki had announced it today at a press conference." He hands out flyers of the election. They read the title ('Decisive Battle, AmeJo Elections, 12th of December'). "Jejeh!"
At Bar Rias, the guys (Haruko, Yayoi, Atsushi, Ben, Daikichi, Sugawara and Yoshida) are playing a modified version of 'Naha Naha' or the 'Senda Mitsuo game'(1). But instead of 'Senda,' it's 'Amber', 'Ben-san' instead of 'Mitsuo', and 'Jejeh' instead of 'Naha Naha.' Yayoi gets pointed at but she looks confused. Others: "You're it." Yayoi: "But I still don't know the rules." "Then why did you join?" Then Yoshida suggests to change it to 'Boutique' (for Senda) and 'Konno' (for Mitsuo). "I like that!" Haruko suggests that instead of 'Naha Naha', they'll go 'Dasa Dasa ('So lame')', while doing the Comaneci gag(2). Yayoi doesn't find it funny but everyone else bursts out laughing, even her husband. "Dasa Dasa! LOL So funny!" Yayoi gets mad at him, saying, "You shouldn't be laughing at that!" and goes over to hit him again. "Stop it, you guys! Watch out..."
Then, the door opens and it is Yui. They're surprised to see her but they happily welcome her in. "Sit, sit." They explain to her their 'Konno Boutique' game. Yui joins in, still awkward and shy but at least she is finally smiling and looking like she's going to be alright now.
(1. 'Naha Naha' = A drinking game. One points at a person and says 'Senda'; The one pointed at will say 'Mitsuo' next and points at another player; The two people on each side of that person will say 'Naha Naha' while waving his hands on each side of his face. If one makes a mistake, he will take a drink)
(2. Making a V gesture down one's groin area, emphasizing that part of Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci's leotard; a gag popularized by Beat Takeshi a long time ago. Isono-sensei also did it in Ep. 46)
Ep. 84. Futomaki, wearing a kimono, had announced the AmeJo elections in a somewhat dramatic press conference earlier in the day. Next to him is a scroll sign that says 'Elections.' "The 2009 national elections has already replaced the administration. In the Idol world, there may also BE a change in power! Or maybe not. It's already AmeJo's 3rd Founding Anniversary! Everyday, members who are also currently working hard in a place where the sun doesn't shine... they were not given a chance... So for this reason, we will hold the elections!"
Back at the GMT meeting, Takuma explains it by way of a pile of biscuits. "Those who are voted into the Top 20 will be promoted as regular members of AmeJo. Those who are ranked 21-30, will be termed as 'reserves'. These Top 30 members can perform in their Annual New Year's Eve Live show. Those who are ranked 31-40 are the 'beyond.' For those who are in the remaining bottom 6... Well, the subs, right?"
As Futomaki had announced earlier: "However, past the 40th ranking, those 6 will be...", he takes out a sword and with dramatic flourish, he slashes off the 'Election' sign next to him, to reveal the word, 'Dismissal' in red characters underneath. The girls are astonished to hear about it. "Dismissal?" Takuma takes one of the biscuits from the 'bottom 6' pile and eats it. "Yeah. Well, that's how it is. Sorry." (What happened to your 'I will never abandon you' speech? lol) Ellen: "Geez, it'll really be impossible for us, since we're like underground idols or something." Mana: "How will they do the voting?" Ayumi says it might be through the internet or through mobile phone. Shiori suggests they should vote for themselves. Ayumi: "In that case, we can keep casting block votes as we wish." But Takuma tells them not to be so pessimistic. "The President is giving you a chance (to go up the ladder)." Aki: "But those 6 will be fired, right?" Takuma: "Those who don't make it within the top 40 should give up now and look for a different path. He is doing that out of kindness. It's been decided anyway.. Please think of a way to survive. Okay, that's all. Goodnight."
After he leaves, the girls ponder on this development. Shiori: "What shall we do? As Kyan-chan had said, the odds are against us overwhelmingly. We're not members. As shadows, we cannot go up the stage as long as someone does not rest." Ellen: "Even if we want to appeal, we cannot." Aki: "Um, maybe we could do an event?" Ellen: "We could do a street concert!" Shiori: "What will we sing?" Ellen: "Like songs from 'Begin'?" Shiori: "Here it comes. People from Okinawa sing Begin songs right away." Ellen: "Okinawans are proud of 'Begin'! (She hits Shiori with a pillow) It's the treasure of the island people." But Shiori won't lose to Ellen. "Tokoro George, Koyanagi Yuki, Ozaki Yutaka, Kanmuri Jirō, Alfee... All of them are from Saitama. They're our treasure! But I'm not going to brag about it." She throws the pillow back at Ellen. Mana: "In Fukuoka, there's Takeda Tetsuya-san's Kaientai, Kai Band..." Shiori: "Aren't you from Saga?" Mana: "In Saga, we have also Hanawa-san!" Shiori (not to be outdone): "But Hanawa-san was born in Kasukabe, Saitama, and he only moved to Saga on account of his parents!" Finally, Ayumi tells them to stop bickering over unrelated things. Then, Aki suggests "Shiosai no Memory!"
The girls watch Aki and Yui's performance at the 'Amasonic' on the internet. Mana: "I do think it's a good song but...” Shiori: "...don’t get it." Aki: "Jeh! Really?" Ellen (points at Yui on the monitor): "But she really is cute." Aki (smilingly): "She is, right? She's pretty!" Ayumi: "I understand why Mizuguchi-san wants her to be the Center." Aki nods proudly.
Later, everyone is asleep. Aki and Kaoruko are in their room, plus Shiori who is staying over, sleeping in a futon. Aki is still awake, leaving a voicemail to Yui: "Hello, I'm sorry for calling in the middle of the night. Well, I called because I'm happy. Everyone here said that you're so pretty, and that it's right for you to be the Center. And also, I think you know it but.. Taneichi-senpai is now a chef. He's still an apprentice though, washing dishes and doing deliveries but..." She hears Kaoruko from up the bunk bed crying, so she had to end the call. Aki asks her what's wrong. "I'm worried," Kaoruko says, "What should I do if I don't get into the Top 40? My mom had planned on coming out here to Tokyo." Aki had climbed up the bunk bed to chat with her. "Just your Mom?" "Yes, it seems my parents have divorced. You and I are the same." She explains that her Dad had been opposed to her joining show business, and her mom was all for it, so their opinions clashed. "What will I do? She will be teed off." Aki: "Teed off?" Kaoruko: "It means 'angry'." Aki assures her it'll be fine. "You're pretty." Kaoruko: "But neither good in singing and dancing. Got nothing to be proud of." Aki: "You're still 14. You still have so much more ahead." She pats her on the arm. Below, Shiori, seems like she's still debating in her dreams, is mumbling in her sleep. "Bibiru Ooki, too, Saitama... so let's rule the world..." Aki tells Kaoruko they'll consult Leader Shiori about it tomorrow. Kaoruko nods while Shiori continues to mumble. "Diamond Yukai, Shoei, too... Saitama..." Aki: "She sure is noisy..."
The next day, Haruko is at home, vacuuming. The phone rings, and it's Aki. She's calling from the TV studio, expecting Natsu to answer the phone. Aki (to her mom): "Jeh! I'm surprised. I thought you left. Where's Bappa?" Haruko: "Still at the shop. I'll be taking over the night shift for tonight. Why? You don't wanna talk to me?" Aki: "No, not that. It's because when I hear your voice, it makes me wanna come home." Haruko (speaking in a slight accent): "No, you can't. You just left two months ago." Aki has never heard her mom speak in her native dialect before. That is why, when Aki hears it, she utters, "Ararah..." Haruko: "What?" Aki: "Nothing... Oh, I met the President." Haruko: "Futomaki?" Aki: "Mm. I don't know what's on his mind but he's an interesting person." "I see... Give him my regards," says Haruko, with an accent again, but this time, it's more noticeable. "I knew it!" says Aki. "You're talking in the dialect!" Haruko laughs, "Of course not, stop it--" She finally hears herself speak, and realizes it's true. "Well, the people I talk with here are from the countryside, got no choice!"
At the Rias, Daikichi says to Natsu, "What should I do? Somehow we got through last month with some profits. Entire town is full of energy now, too. Isn't it okay for me to find happiness too? Isn't it time for me to benefit? I don't think I've benefited enough, right?" (Awww, poor Daikichi-san! lol) Natsu, "Of course, Daikichi-san." He is going to say he's going to propose to her daughter but the phone rings. Natsu answers and it is Aki. She is still calling from the TV studio. "Natsu-bappa, we're going to have an event here but where can I buy an Ama costume?" Natsu: "You don't have to buy. You just wear Haruko's former uniform. I'll be sending it to you." Aki thanks her Grandma and hears Hiromi calling her name so she hastily says goodbye. After the call, Daikichi tries to tell Natsu again, "I-I will officially... pro-p-propo..." but he just couldn't go through with it...
At the Hole, the GMTs line up wearing costumes that represent their respective hometowns. Takuma inspects their outfits, and try to guess what each one means. He starts with Ayumi, and says "Awa Dori." With Aki, it's "Ama-san." Kaoruko, it's "Cow." Ellen, it's "Eisa." To Shiori, he says, "I'll skip yours..." Shiori: "Please don't skip me!" Takuma: "But I don't know what yours means." Shiori: "It's Fukayama specialty, leeks." She shows off her white and green dress with leeks wrapped around her wrist like bracelets." Takuma: "Leeks? I wouldn't know unless you told me." Ellen (to Shiori): "Better if you put some dirt on you, then we would understand." (^o^ nice one, Okinawa Girl!) Shiori: "Tsk!" Takuma: "Then, how about you, Mana-chan?" Mana pretends to stoop and holding an imaginary cane. She has her hair in a bun, and is wearing glasses and a Granny outfit. Mana: "I'm Saga's incredible Granny*." Everyone has gone suddenly quiet. "I'm sorry. When I googled 'Saga,' it came out as the top hit." Takuma likes it. "It's funny! Though you're an Idol, you'll be funny as a Granny, isn't it?" Mana is not sure. "What about Saga cattle?" Takuma: "Then, we'll have two cows. (lol, that just sounds funny for some reason) But it is funny! Well, just work on your costumes a bit more. The problem is what song will you sing?" Ellen starts crooning Begin's 'Nada Sou Sou'. ♬~"You're in my mind as I drown in my tears~♬ Shiori protests again. "Don't sing Begin! You guys should pay royalties to the members of Begin. Seriously, all Okinawans should be obligated to do that." Ayumi: "You know, for the fans, songs from Amejo would work the best, don't you think?... How about during the intermission, I will dance the Awa Dori. Kyan-chan will dance the Eisa. Aki-chan will dive for uni..." Takuma: "Hold on a sec. Won't we be needing an uni for that? We don't need an element of the Ama in it, right?" Aki looks peeved to hear that. Anyway, even though the girls are desperate to put up an event for themselves, Aki somehow feels nostalgic by looking at them. She remembers hers and Yui's performance at the parlor train and at the Ama Cafe. So in a way, it also made her feel sad that Yui's not with them.
At the hospital, Hiroshi is getting ready to leave after taking care of his dad. "I'll stop by tomorrow. If there is anything you want, just email me later today." Isao: "Your mother?" Hiroshi stops and asks, "What?" His father says she hasn't been coming recently. "Is she not feeling well?" Hiroshi: "Mm, yeah. She's seems tired." He smiles, and says jokingly, "What? Are you dissatisfied with me?" Isao: "No, no... I appreciate it." After his son leaves, Isao looks at a distance, seemingly sad.
A lonely Hiroshi is going home via the train. But as he passes the Rias shop, he hears laughter from inside, and so he decides to go in. Inside, regular customers Ben, Sugawara, Yoshida and Daikichi are there. But he stops when he realizes his sister is there, too, manning the counter along with Haruko. Yui is still dressed up in her gloomy Yankii look. "What're you doing? Sit down," says Haruko to the stunned young man. The guys invite him to sit down, too. Yui asks him for his order. "You want beer?" Hiroshi asks as he sits, "What're you doing here?" Haruko answers for Yui, "By the third week, she asked to work here. Since she said she dropped out of high school, it's better than just sitting about." Daikichi: "As long as she is here, she won't be hanging out with the wrong people." Yoshida: "Some say we are the wrong people though." They laugh. Hiroshi asks Yui if this is okay. Yui: "I'm already 18. It's got nothing to do with you, Onii-chan (Meaning: She's of age now, and can decide for herself)." Haruko (to Hiroshi): "It's a kind of a rehab for the heart... The 'boil' (Yui) will be regenerated here." Hiroshi says nothing but smiles a bit, probably feeling relieved, as he sips his beer.
At the Heartful Office, Aki has just turned over her nameplate before going home when she hears Futomaki's voice. "Yo, Ama-chan!" (Note: I think this is the first time anybody called Aki, 'Ama-chan') Aki greets him back. The president, in a jolly pleasant mood, asks, "How was it? Are you doing the assistant job?"
Aki: "Yes! Just now, we were at the 'Burai Sushi'."
Futomaki: "You're with her everyday lol! She's difficult, huh?"
Aki: "Not at all, I get to study her."
Futomaki: "Sorry if she's a troublesome person but I do hope you'll take care of her."
Aki: "I will! By the way, my mom sends her regards."
Futomaki: "Your mom?"
Aki: "Yes, she's Amano Haruko."
"Eh? What?" Futomaki looks surprised. "You're Amano Haruko's daughter?"
Aki: "Yes, please take a look at this. (She shows him her Ama costume with Haruko's embroidered name on it) It used to be my Mom's."
Futomaki (looking very troubled): "I see... is that so."
Aki notices it but says, "Yes, I'll go ahead then."
Futomaki: "G-g-good work."
After Aki leaves, her Boss is visibly shaken up. While turning his nameplate over, he had to hold his other hand to stop it from shaking. (Been meaning to say this ever since he came on... but it's really a pleasure to watch Arata Furuta; he's doing a truly fantastic job as Futomaki!)
(*'Saga no Gabai Baa-chan' = 2006 movie)
Next: Week 15 Part 1
Previous: Week 14 (Part 1)
Episode Index: Link
Character Guide: Link
"Because you remind me of my old self..."
Episode Summaries:
Ep. 82. An extremely shocked Yoshida walks into Rias shop, and sits in one corner, without saying a word. Nearby are Daikichi, Misuzu, Yayoi, Atsushi, and Ben, sitting and waiting for something. Then, Haruko comes in and stands onstage, modeling off a busy patterned, long sleeved top with a high collar from Konno Boutique. The others are pleasantly surprised. "Jejeh!" Daikichi: "The day has come for Haru-chan to wear 'Boutique Konno' clothes!" Misuzu: "It suits you! I can't picture you in your same usual clothes!" Haruko: "Really?" Yayoi who's wearing the same top from her store, poses with Haruko and says, "Well, my hourglass body will not lose to you... Here." She takes out another Konno Boutique item (top with matching shirt) and asks her to wear it. Misuzu: "Good, good! Let's have a fashion show!" Ben claps, also egging her on. Haruko, seemingly in a rare jolly mood, tells them to wait as she goes to try the outfit on. Daikichi (happily): "Finally, Haru-chan has come down to our level lol!"
They finally notice the dazed Yoshida. "What's wrong?" Yoshida stands up and starts sobbing. Daikichi: "Are you crying?" At last, Yoshida stammers, "Our Yui-chan... KitaTetsu's Yui-chan... Has fallen from our level..." He starts bawling loudly while the others just stare at him speechlessly. "Sorry for waiting~..." Haruko, wearing new clothes, comes in eagerly and stops. "...Eh? No one is looking anymore."
Aki narrates, 'Meantime, the life of Adachi Yui, the cute one from 'Shiosai no Memory' has fallen into ruin. She had been seen everyday driving around in a modified car, with a chubby dog-lover and walks arm in arm with him in the mall or supermarket.' Isono-sensei also sees the two in a supermarket, and he, too is in shock. "Yui-chan... Why? Yui-chan..."
'Of course, since she's not going back home, it is left to Stove-san to take care of their dad...' Hiroshi is at the hospital, helping Isao walk during his exercise. Isao slowly lets go of the handrail, to show Hiroshi he can stand without it. "Just a bit more, and I can go up the stairs," the older Adachi says. "Don't tell your mother. I want to surprise her." Hiroshi can only nod silently.
At the Tourism Office, Kurihara Shiori, Sugawara, Yoshida, and Daikichi are looking at pix of Yui and her Yankii companion in the internet. These pix were posted on chat threads, with comments from those who say they have seen the fallen Miss KitaTetsu. Kurihara reads one comment, "'That KitaTetsu's Yui-chan is dangerous, ne'..."
Daikichi is disgusted with the comments and pictures, "Why can't we delete them?" Sugawara reads more of the comments, "'They sit in front of a convenience store, and extort money from passing middle school graders'..."
Daikichi groans loudly in despair. Yoshida continues reading, "'They pry vending machines in the middle of the night with some kind of a bar'.. 'They threaten a convenience store clerk with something like a bar'...""
Daikichi: "Enough, stop it!" Yoshida tries to console Daikichi. "It can't be a 'crowbar'... they only said it's 'some kind of'." Kurihara: "'Some kind of bar...' there's no other 'bar' except THAT." Yoshida: "Yes, there is! It could've been a back-scratcher!" His remark is met with a confused silence.
Then, Hiroshi comes in. "Sorry I'm late." Kurihara slams the laptop shut. "Good morning." Hiroshi goes to his desk to work while Daikichi and Yoshida pretend to play with the diorama. But Sugawara just cannot hold back his tears...
'On the one hand, Amano Aki, the one with the accent in 'Shiosai no Memory' is in a TV studio, serving as assistant to famous actress, Suzuka Hiromi.' Aki is at the TV studio where the filming of 'Shizuka Gozen' is taking place. Holding a script in her hand, Aki watches Hiromi through a monitor. The actress is dressed up in 12th century costume (playing a scene wherein Shizuka Gozen's infant son was taken from her by the order of Yoritomo, the ruling Shogun). With tears falling down her cheeks, the actress says her line, "Please forgive me, Yoshitsune-sama~..." "Cut! Okay!" Hiromi snaps out of her character and calls for Aki. "Amano-san~!" "Yes!" Aki hurries over to the actress.
Later the two are walking back to the actress' dressing room. She seems to be reprimanding Aki who is carrying boxes of waffles. "If we are working through the meal time, let me know ahead of time... I'm trying not to eat after 9 pm. That's why I try to eat as much as I can before 9 pm. I’m greedy when it comes to food. Ah~ So hungry." Aki apologizes. The actress explains, "You see, I don't eat anything after 9 pm. That's why I eat to death before 9, or else I become really nasty. Remember that... That's why I somehow hate this 'Shizuka Gozen'... I can't empathize with such a depressing character." Hiromi takes the waffles from Aki and gives it to the AD. He thanks her and announces to everyone, "We have received some waffle snacks from Suzuka Gozen-san!" Staff: "Thank you very much!" Hiromi (to Aki): "'Suzuka Gozen-san' Who's that?" Both laugh, an indication that the two are really getting along well... But...
"How much were the waffles?" the actress asks Aki. "10,000 yen," answers Aki. She is asked for the receipt. "Oh, I forgot!" Hiromi: "What're you doing?! You must absolutely get the receipt! For us, big taxpayers, the receipts are our source of life! Receipt! Receipt! Receipt!" Aki (shrinking): "Yes!"
Inside the actress' dressing room, Aki shares with the viewers her observations of Suzuka Hiromi. 'When I became her assistant, I found out that Suzuka-san is ordinary, acts according to her age, a just-like-you-and-me kind of person... Okay, I'll say it already. She's an 'Oba-chan.' Hiromi, still in her costume, is relaxing on her recliner, wearing a pair of huge reading glasses, and looking at her cellphone. "Say, how do you increase the font size of this?" Aki: "Let me."
'And also, she always wears really plain, black clothes...' Hiromi: "You think it's lame?" Aki: "Of course not. Just a while ago, I saw Osugi-san (movie critic, always wears black) wearing the same thing while walking down the hallway, it was really different." Hiromi: "So who wore it better?" Aki is slow to give an answer, "Um... You!"
Aki also describes to the viewer the weird way the actress pronounces things... Hiromi: "Say, your G-M-Teh..." Aki: 'She says 'Teh' for 'T'.' Hiromi: "...when will your C-Deh come out?" Aki: 'She says 'Deh' for 'D'.' Hiromi: "What is 'Tu~su*!" (*a gag by comedy duo, Audrey), is it popular?" Aki: 'There are a lot of things she doesn't understand.'
They begin to eat their meal... Hiromi: "I won't eat anything after 9 pm!" Aki (smiles): 'She would often say that many times.' Hiromi absent-mindedly pours the sugar in her miso soup instead of her coffee. She spits it out after tasting it. "Oh, no! I poured sugar in my miso soup... it's sweet!"
Aki says, 'Though she may be like that, when she is in front of the camera... She is perfect.' Aki is seen crying while watching Hiromi acting out a very emotional scene through a monitor. 'When you see her like that, those little ignorance and selfishness don't bother you at all.'
'Then, at 7 pm, we have our training at the Hole...' The girls are again practicing their rap song. ♬~We are GMT6! You are GMT6!~♬ Taneichi comes down to deliver some sushi. "Good evening, from 'Burai Sushi'." Aki: "Oh, senpai!" Taneichi: "These are for everyone at GMT6 from Suzuka-san." Everyone is thrilled to receive the food. "Is it okay, Aki-chan?" She gives a triumphant thumbs up sign. As the girls begin to gather around their meal, Taneichi calls Aki. "Amano, Suzuka-san says she'll be waiting for you at the shop."
After her practice, Aki goes to the shop. She sits in front of Hiromi at a cubicle, listening to her complain about some scene from the drama. Hiromi: "Did you watch me closely? When your baby is stolen from you, you have no time to be worrying about your clothes, right? That's why I didn't fix it." Aki: "Yes." Hiromi: "I'm acting with my entire body but that producer keeps taking close-ups... Ha! What a laugh, so funny... And who was that actor playing Kiyotsune? A poor actor, I should call him a ham... He has no depth, don't you think so?"
Aki could only just nod and say, "Yes." Aki: 'Past 9 pm, Suzuka-san is already aggressive.' Hiromi: "It's okay if you want to object. C'mon, tell me anything you want to say." Aki: "It's okay?" Hiromi says, "Go ahead," and sips her drink.
Aki, of course, believes it, and relaxes. "Suzuka-san is really like that, huh? You really like dramas. When you talk about dramas, you become alive. And, the only thing you talk about are dramas." Hiromi: "What is this..." she puts down her drink "You make it sound like I'm a person with no other merits, that I don't do fun things." Aki: "You do fun things?" Hiromi: "Of course I do! I have hobbies." The actress has started to raise her voice, attracting stares from customers, and Umezu and Taneichi. But clueless Aki is oblivious to it. "Oh, c'mon..." Hiromi: "It's true! I knit sweaters, make sweets, bake cookies..." Aki: "I think it's okay if you can only do dramas... You don't need to do such interesting hobbies."
Hiromi takes one last sip of her drink and thanks Umezu before asking Taneichi to hail her a taxi. Aki: "Eh? I'm sorry. Did I say something rude?" Hiromi smiles and assures her that she did not. Before Hiromi leaves, Aki asks her one last question. Hiromi: "What is it?" Aki: "Why me? Why are you being kind to me?" Hiromi answers with a smile, "Because you remind me of my old self."
Later after his work, Taneichi is hanging out with Aki on the rooftop of a certain building. Taneichi: "I guess you're really something, Amano... Well, you don't get timid in front of such a famous actress... Ambition like that is not a trait of people in Tohoku." Aki: "I'm a fake Tohoku person anyway, lol." Taneichi: "You've tried to deceive by using the local dialect but in the end, you were using Tokyo peer talk anyway." Aki: "No way! lol" Taneichi asks if she's going home for the New Year. Aki: "New Year? I guess not 'cause I just got here recently." Taneichi: "It's already November, you know." Aki: "Jejeh!" Taneichi: "Sooner or later, it'll be 'On the Calendar, it's December'." Aki: "Jejejeh! Since when?!" Taneichi: "Well, over here, there's no clear sense of the seasons. When you're in the countryside, there's Honki Dori, harvesting, the first snow of the year..." Aki: "Yeah, and it gets cold, right?" Taneichi: "I wonder how everyone is doing... Like Yoshida-san, and the Stationmaster?" Aki: "And the Ama Club, too, like Katsue-san and Yayoi-san, I wonder if they're still weaving misangas." Aki looks at her misanga bracelets and asks him if he's going home for the New Year. Taneichi: "I guess. I'll report that I've changed jobs... and I'm also worried about Yui..." Aki: "I see." Taneichi: "My friends back home told me rumors about her... That she's hanging out at night with the bad crowd, that she's riding in cars of Bōzōzoku... That she dropped out of highschool and living with a man..."
It seems Aki already heard it, too. She looks hurt, understandably so, considering she was defending Yui just a month ago, and believing she will be coming to Tokyo. Taneichi continues, "Well, I dunno how much of it is true. But it's true that she did kinda drop out of school..." He notices Aki has gone quiet. "What will you do? If you're worried, would you like to return to Kitasanriku with me?" Aki says no. "If the rumors are true, the more I don't want to go back."
Taneichi: "Why?"
Aki: "I'm sure Yui-chan doesn't want me to see her like that... I don't want to see it either... It's hard for me but I'll pretend I never heard about it."
Taneichi: "Are you sure? Aren't you supposed to straighten her out as a best friend?"
Aki: "Even as best friends, we need tension between us... I want Yui-chan to be running in front of me all the time."
Taneichi looks at Aki and does not saying anything...
Ep. 83. On that rooftop that night, Aki had told Taneichi what's on her mind about Yui... However, in her heart, 'We believe in Aki... but...'
In Kitasanriku, Yui, the Yankii, is at a supermarket. She stops at a make-up section and tries to shoplift a lipstick. However, she hears a voice. "That's bad, you know." It is Haruko, who's probably been secretly following Yui. She warns Yui, "You better not do that." Yui throws away the lipstick and tries to run for it but Haruko grabs a hold of her hoodie and drags her along to the Rias.
Outside the entrance of the shop, Yoshida sees Ben squatting and peeking inside the glass door. Yoshida (*old man's voice*): "Ben, you sunovagun, what're you doin?" Ben signals for him to shut up and points to a sign that says, 'Private (Reserved)." They both peek in.
Inside, Yui is glumly sulking on a chair. Haruko, in her new look (upswept hair, Konno Boutique clothing, plus accessories and makeup), serves her Neapolitan pasta and a bottle of grated cheese. "Here, this is the food for the bitch. All the bitches and delinquents in the old movies ate Neapolitan pasta. Put some grated cheese on top... (Yui doesn't touch the food) Here, don't be shy, eat. They ate making their lips all oily... (Laughs) Looking at you feels like I'm looking at my old self. Anyway, what's with that? Eh?" She stands up and touches Yui's dyed hair. Yui brushes her off. "Is this bleached? Or hair dye? You want me to call the police? Or maybe I should call Aki? Which one do you hate more? I see, I see... You don't like me to call Aki more than the police, right?" She takes out her phone to call Aki.
At last, Yui speaks, "What're you doing?"
Haruko puts down the phone. "Oh! She finally spoke."
Yui: "Please leave me alone. I'm not bothering anybody.
Haruko: "(Laughs) Didn't you make all that fuss, saying, "I wanna go to Tokyo~'?"
Yui: "It was the grown-ups who went and made a fuss about it, wasn't it?"
Haruko: "Well, whatever... But... Promise me one thing." She sits in front of her again. "Don't hold a grudge against your mother. Bleaching your hair doesn't have anything to do with your mother running away! If you wanna go to Tokyo, then GO! (Thank God, FINALLY, somebody said it!) Anyway, you're not going to school, right? You're not taking care of your Dad anymore, are you? What? You going around loitering about in the daytime, and shoplifting... At night, you go speeding off in your Senpai's car, aren't you? If so, then just go to Tokyo then! Don't be so glum in the countryside! Did you give up on your dream because of your parents ... Or maybe you don't want anyone to feel sorry for you?"
Yui: "I'm already behind..."
Haruko: "Behind?"
Yui: "It's already late for me to go... It can't be helped. I'm already 18. You talk as if I can hit it big by age 20."
Haruko: "Of course... You're already behind Aki and your pride won't allow it, huh?"
Yui: I don't have pride like that to begin with. It's like the heat has turned cold. I just think I was so uncool dreaming about the entertainment world and idol back then... See, even you get to Tokyo, uncool ones are still uncool. Trying hard to create a character and flirt with men... so uncool."
Silence. Haruko looks at her, feeling sad that this girl had given up so easily. Then, she says, "Even Aki?"
Yui pauses and says softly without expression, ".... Well, I guess."
Haruko (stands up): "I think I'll call her after all." Yui: "What?"
Haruko starts calling Aki (I'm not sure if she's bluffing or not but): "Hello, Aki? Mm. Right now, Yui has come to the shop... She said you're lame... That Idols are uncool and lame--"
Yui yanks away Haruko's phone. She looks down, avoiding to look Haruko in the eye.
Haruko: "You DO have pride! Stop putting up a front... You're just an 18 year old kid!"
Yui at last breaks down and cries. Haruko goes out of the shop. Outside, Ben and Yoshida have been joined by Daikichi and Sugawara. They all have been peeking inside the shop all along. Haruko says to them, "Now." Daikichi: "Now?" Haruko: "Now's the time to comfort her."
The guys go in and they see Yui, weeping while eating her Neapolitan pasta. They do not know what to say nor how to approach her though. Only thing they can do is to offer her some grated cheese for her pasta.
Hiromi is filming what seems to be her new drama entitled, 'Omedeta Bengoshi (Expectant or Pregnant Lawyer)'. Hiromi is watching her vividly through the monitor (I assume Aki is studying how the actress does her work). Hiromi this time wears a business suit for her role as well as a fake pregnant belly, and goes, "I object... to this allegation... Ouch, ah..." The camera shows her grimacing in pain until the director says 'cut.' As usual, she snaps out of her character and calls for 'Amano-san~!" And Aki goes rushing off to her boss.
Later, Hiromi and Aki are walking in the studio's corridors. The actress takes off her fake belly cushion and starts complaining again about the drama. "Did you see that last cut just now? Close-up again. What a laugh, so funny. What do they mean, 'Omedeta Bengoshi'? Every time I go to court, I go into labor!" She sees the next script with 'Vol. 14' printed in front. It means it must be a very popular drama. "Eh? Part 14? So when will I ever give birth?"
Then, the AD announces to everyone: "Omedeta-san has given us homemade cookies~!" Staff: "Thank you so much~!" Hiromi smiles at them but she says to Aki: "I'm not 'Omedeta-san' (sighs)" and goes off to her dressing room.
Later that night, at 'Burai Sushi,' Hiromi hands her the script and says, "Here, let's have a read-through." Aki: "Jejeh!" Hiromi: "You're aspiring to be an actress, right?" Aki: "But I dunno anything about acting." Hiromi: "I will decide whether you have potential or not. Read the lines in Scene 67." Aki reads it still in Tohoku dialect, "Congratulations, you're 4 months preggers." Umezu and Taneichi nearby couldn't help but laugh when they overhear it.
Hiromi is trying not to laugh as well. "Wait, you're doing (the accent) on purpose, right?" Aki: "I'm sorry." Hiromi: "Don't you speak standard Japanese?" Aki: "I do." Hiromi: "Say 'You're 4 months pregnant'." Aki repeats it without an accent. Hiromi: "Now try it with an accent." Aki: "You're 4 months preggers." Hiromi: "LOL you're good with that dialect." Aki: "Yes! Mizuguchi-san the Manager said I sound better with the dialect, too. He said to show local flavor." Hiromi: "Since you're a hometown idol, right?" Aki: "Yes, there are only 6 of us still but... there's so many accents floating around, it's fun." Hiromi: "That's what being an idol is, huh? Well, it can help to make your face known but... If you're going to be an actress, you must speak the standard language when you act." Aki: "Why?" Hiromi: "'Why?' Because you'll only be given roles with dialects, right?" Aki: "Can't I just do roles with a dialect?" Hiromi: "You can't. The only one who can do that is Aki Takejo-san." Aki: "We're both Aki! lol" Hiromi: "If you like the dialect that much, then why don't you go and be an assistant of Aki Takejo." Aki: "Then, Suzuka-san will become lonely." Hiromi pouts but doesn't deny it. Aki continues, "What's wrong with just one person with a dialect. Just because we're on TV, why do we all have to talk the same. And if I speak in standard Japanese... I'm sure Natsu-bapa and everyone in Ama Club will be disappointed..." Hiromi: "Are you going to become an actress for your grandmother and those Amas?" Aki: "Then what (or whom) do you keep acting for?" Hiromi smiles and says in Tohoku dialect: "Waganeh (I dunno)." They both laugh.
Later, Aki comes home to the dorm bearing sushi gifts for the girls. Takuma, having a meeting with the GMTs, scolds Aki for coming home late. "I'm already imposing a curfew for the time being." Shiori: "It's 11 pm though. Is that for us?" The girls eagerly go to the table where Aki places the sushi but Takuma reminds them that they're still having a meeting. They all sit back down, this time, joined by Aki. "What's the meeting about?" Takuma: "Well, at the end of the year, it's been decided that there will be an election. In other words, a popularity vote. All members of Ameyoko Jogakuen, along with you 6 guys of the GMT, total of 46 girls are eligible for this election. Futomaki had announced it today at a press conference." He hands out flyers of the election. They read the title ('Decisive Battle, AmeJo Elections, 12th of December'). "Jejeh!"
At Bar Rias, the guys (Haruko, Yayoi, Atsushi, Ben, Daikichi, Sugawara and Yoshida) are playing a modified version of 'Naha Naha' or the 'Senda Mitsuo game'(1). But instead of 'Senda,' it's 'Amber', 'Ben-san' instead of 'Mitsuo', and 'Jejeh' instead of 'Naha Naha.' Yayoi gets pointed at but she looks confused. Others: "You're it." Yayoi: "But I still don't know the rules." "Then why did you join?" Then Yoshida suggests to change it to 'Boutique' (for Senda) and 'Konno' (for Mitsuo). "I like that!" Haruko suggests that instead of 'Naha Naha', they'll go 'Dasa Dasa ('So lame')', while doing the Comaneci gag(2). Yayoi doesn't find it funny but everyone else bursts out laughing, even her husband. "Dasa Dasa! LOL So funny!" Yayoi gets mad at him, saying, "You shouldn't be laughing at that!" and goes over to hit him again. "Stop it, you guys! Watch out..."
Then, the door opens and it is Yui. They're surprised to see her but they happily welcome her in. "Sit, sit." They explain to her their 'Konno Boutique' game. Yui joins in, still awkward and shy but at least she is finally smiling and looking like she's going to be alright now.
(1. 'Naha Naha' = A drinking game. One points at a person and says 'Senda'; The one pointed at will say 'Mitsuo' next and points at another player; The two people on each side of that person will say 'Naha Naha' while waving his hands on each side of his face. If one makes a mistake, he will take a drink)
(2. Making a V gesture down one's groin area, emphasizing that part of Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci's leotard; a gag popularized by Beat Takeshi a long time ago. Isono-sensei also did it in Ep. 46)
Ep. 84. Futomaki, wearing a kimono, had announced the AmeJo elections in a somewhat dramatic press conference earlier in the day. Next to him is a scroll sign that says 'Elections.' "The 2009 national elections has already replaced the administration. In the Idol world, there may also BE a change in power! Or maybe not. It's already AmeJo's 3rd Founding Anniversary! Everyday, members who are also currently working hard in a place where the sun doesn't shine... they were not given a chance... So for this reason, we will hold the elections!"
Back at the GMT meeting, Takuma explains it by way of a pile of biscuits. "Those who are voted into the Top 20 will be promoted as regular members of AmeJo. Those who are ranked 21-30, will be termed as 'reserves'. These Top 30 members can perform in their Annual New Year's Eve Live show. Those who are ranked 31-40 are the 'beyond.' For those who are in the remaining bottom 6... Well, the subs, right?"
As Futomaki had announced earlier: "However, past the 40th ranking, those 6 will be...", he takes out a sword and with dramatic flourish, he slashes off the 'Election' sign next to him, to reveal the word, 'Dismissal' in red characters underneath. The girls are astonished to hear about it. "Dismissal?" Takuma takes one of the biscuits from the 'bottom 6' pile and eats it. "Yeah. Well, that's how it is. Sorry." (What happened to your 'I will never abandon you' speech? lol) Ellen: "Geez, it'll really be impossible for us, since we're like underground idols or something." Mana: "How will they do the voting?" Ayumi says it might be through the internet or through mobile phone. Shiori suggests they should vote for themselves. Ayumi: "In that case, we can keep casting block votes as we wish." But Takuma tells them not to be so pessimistic. "The President is giving you a chance (to go up the ladder)." Aki: "But those 6 will be fired, right?" Takuma: "Those who don't make it within the top 40 should give up now and look for a different path. He is doing that out of kindness. It's been decided anyway.. Please think of a way to survive. Okay, that's all. Goodnight."
After he leaves, the girls ponder on this development. Shiori: "What shall we do? As Kyan-chan had said, the odds are against us overwhelmingly. We're not members. As shadows, we cannot go up the stage as long as someone does not rest." Ellen: "Even if we want to appeal, we cannot." Aki: "Um, maybe we could do an event?" Ellen: "We could do a street concert!" Shiori: "What will we sing?" Ellen: "Like songs from 'Begin'?" Shiori: "Here it comes. People from Okinawa sing Begin songs right away." Ellen: "Okinawans are proud of 'Begin'! (She hits Shiori with a pillow) It's the treasure of the island people." But Shiori won't lose to Ellen. "Tokoro George, Koyanagi Yuki, Ozaki Yutaka, Kanmuri Jirō, Alfee... All of them are from Saitama. They're our treasure! But I'm not going to brag about it." She throws the pillow back at Ellen. Mana: "In Fukuoka, there's Takeda Tetsuya-san's Kaientai, Kai Band..." Shiori: "Aren't you from Saga?" Mana: "In Saga, we have also Hanawa-san!" Shiori (not to be outdone): "But Hanawa-san was born in Kasukabe, Saitama, and he only moved to Saga on account of his parents!" Finally, Ayumi tells them to stop bickering over unrelated things. Then, Aki suggests "Shiosai no Memory!"
The girls watch Aki and Yui's performance at the 'Amasonic' on the internet. Mana: "I do think it's a good song but...” Shiori: "...don’t get it." Aki: "Jeh! Really?" Ellen (points at Yui on the monitor): "But she really is cute." Aki (smilingly): "She is, right? She's pretty!" Ayumi: "I understand why Mizuguchi-san wants her to be the Center." Aki nods proudly.
Later, everyone is asleep. Aki and Kaoruko are in their room, plus Shiori who is staying over, sleeping in a futon. Aki is still awake, leaving a voicemail to Yui: "Hello, I'm sorry for calling in the middle of the night. Well, I called because I'm happy. Everyone here said that you're so pretty, and that it's right for you to be the Center. And also, I think you know it but.. Taneichi-senpai is now a chef. He's still an apprentice though, washing dishes and doing deliveries but..." She hears Kaoruko from up the bunk bed crying, so she had to end the call. Aki asks her what's wrong. "I'm worried," Kaoruko says, "What should I do if I don't get into the Top 40? My mom had planned on coming out here to Tokyo." Aki had climbed up the bunk bed to chat with her. "Just your Mom?" "Yes, it seems my parents have divorced. You and I are the same." She explains that her Dad had been opposed to her joining show business, and her mom was all for it, so their opinions clashed. "What will I do? She will be teed off." Aki: "Teed off?" Kaoruko: "It means 'angry'." Aki assures her it'll be fine. "You're pretty." Kaoruko: "But neither good in singing and dancing. Got nothing to be proud of." Aki: "You're still 14. You still have so much more ahead." She pats her on the arm. Below, Shiori, seems like she's still debating in her dreams, is mumbling in her sleep. "Bibiru Ooki, too, Saitama... so let's rule the world..." Aki tells Kaoruko they'll consult Leader Shiori about it tomorrow. Kaoruko nods while Shiori continues to mumble. "Diamond Yukai, Shoei, too... Saitama..." Aki: "She sure is noisy..."
The next day, Haruko is at home, vacuuming. The phone rings, and it's Aki. She's calling from the TV studio, expecting Natsu to answer the phone. Aki (to her mom): "Jeh! I'm surprised. I thought you left. Where's Bappa?" Haruko: "Still at the shop. I'll be taking over the night shift for tonight. Why? You don't wanna talk to me?" Aki: "No, not that. It's because when I hear your voice, it makes me wanna come home." Haruko (speaking in a slight accent): "No, you can't. You just left two months ago." Aki has never heard her mom speak in her native dialect before. That is why, when Aki hears it, she utters, "Ararah..." Haruko: "What?" Aki: "Nothing... Oh, I met the President." Haruko: "Futomaki?" Aki: "Mm. I don't know what's on his mind but he's an interesting person." "I see... Give him my regards," says Haruko, with an accent again, but this time, it's more noticeable. "I knew it!" says Aki. "You're talking in the dialect!" Haruko laughs, "Of course not, stop it--" She finally hears herself speak, and realizes it's true. "Well, the people I talk with here are from the countryside, got no choice!"
At the Rias, Daikichi says to Natsu, "What should I do? Somehow we got through last month with some profits. Entire town is full of energy now, too. Isn't it okay for me to find happiness too? Isn't it time for me to benefit? I don't think I've benefited enough, right?" (Awww, poor Daikichi-san! lol) Natsu, "Of course, Daikichi-san." He is going to say he's going to propose to her daughter but the phone rings. Natsu answers and it is Aki. She is still calling from the TV studio. "Natsu-bappa, we're going to have an event here but where can I buy an Ama costume?" Natsu: "You don't have to buy. You just wear Haruko's former uniform. I'll be sending it to you." Aki thanks her Grandma and hears Hiromi calling her name so she hastily says goodbye. After the call, Daikichi tries to tell Natsu again, "I-I will officially... pro-p-propo..." but he just couldn't go through with it...
At the Hole, the GMTs line up wearing costumes that represent their respective hometowns. Takuma inspects their outfits, and try to guess what each one means. He starts with Ayumi, and says "Awa Dori." With Aki, it's "Ama-san." Kaoruko, it's "Cow." Ellen, it's "Eisa." To Shiori, he says, "I'll skip yours..." Shiori: "Please don't skip me!" Takuma: "But I don't know what yours means." Shiori: "It's Fukayama specialty, leeks." She shows off her white and green dress with leeks wrapped around her wrist like bracelets." Takuma: "Leeks? I wouldn't know unless you told me." Ellen (to Shiori): "Better if you put some dirt on you, then we would understand." (^o^ nice one, Okinawa Girl!) Shiori: "Tsk!" Takuma: "Then, how about you, Mana-chan?" Mana pretends to stoop and holding an imaginary cane. She has her hair in a bun, and is wearing glasses and a Granny outfit. Mana: "I'm Saga's incredible Granny*." Everyone has gone suddenly quiet. "I'm sorry. When I googled 'Saga,' it came out as the top hit." Takuma likes it. "It's funny! Though you're an Idol, you'll be funny as a Granny, isn't it?" Mana is not sure. "What about Saga cattle?" Takuma: "Then, we'll have two cows. (lol, that just sounds funny for some reason) But it is funny! Well, just work on your costumes a bit more. The problem is what song will you sing?" Ellen starts crooning Begin's 'Nada Sou Sou'. ♬~"You're in my mind as I drown in my tears~♬ Shiori protests again. "Don't sing Begin! You guys should pay royalties to the members of Begin. Seriously, all Okinawans should be obligated to do that." Ayumi: "You know, for the fans, songs from Amejo would work the best, don't you think?... How about during the intermission, I will dance the Awa Dori. Kyan-chan will dance the Eisa. Aki-chan will dive for uni..." Takuma: "Hold on a sec. Won't we be needing an uni for that? We don't need an element of the Ama in it, right?" Aki looks peeved to hear that. Anyway, even though the girls are desperate to put up an event for themselves, Aki somehow feels nostalgic by looking at them. She remembers hers and Yui's performance at the parlor train and at the Ama Cafe. So in a way, it also made her feel sad that Yui's not with them.
At the hospital, Hiroshi is getting ready to leave after taking care of his dad. "I'll stop by tomorrow. If there is anything you want, just email me later today." Isao: "Your mother?" Hiroshi stops and asks, "What?" His father says she hasn't been coming recently. "Is she not feeling well?" Hiroshi: "Mm, yeah. She's seems tired." He smiles, and says jokingly, "What? Are you dissatisfied with me?" Isao: "No, no... I appreciate it." After his son leaves, Isao looks at a distance, seemingly sad.
A lonely Hiroshi is going home via the train. But as he passes the Rias shop, he hears laughter from inside, and so he decides to go in. Inside, regular customers Ben, Sugawara, Yoshida and Daikichi are there. But he stops when he realizes his sister is there, too, manning the counter along with Haruko. Yui is still dressed up in her gloomy Yankii look. "What're you doing? Sit down," says Haruko to the stunned young man. The guys invite him to sit down, too. Yui asks him for his order. "You want beer?" Hiroshi asks as he sits, "What're you doing here?" Haruko answers for Yui, "By the third week, she asked to work here. Since she said she dropped out of high school, it's better than just sitting about." Daikichi: "As long as she is here, she won't be hanging out with the wrong people." Yoshida: "Some say we are the wrong people though." They laugh. Hiroshi asks Yui if this is okay. Yui: "I'm already 18. It's got nothing to do with you, Onii-chan (Meaning: She's of age now, and can decide for herself)." Haruko (to Hiroshi): "It's a kind of a rehab for the heart... The 'boil' (Yui) will be regenerated here." Hiroshi says nothing but smiles a bit, probably feeling relieved, as he sips his beer.
At the Heartful Office, Aki has just turned over her nameplate before going home when she hears Futomaki's voice. "Yo, Ama-chan!" (Note: I think this is the first time anybody called Aki, 'Ama-chan') Aki greets him back. The president, in a jolly pleasant mood, asks, "How was it? Are you doing the assistant job?"
Aki: "Yes! Just now, we were at the 'Burai Sushi'."
Futomaki: "You're with her everyday lol! She's difficult, huh?"
Aki: "Not at all, I get to study her."
Futomaki: "Sorry if she's a troublesome person but I do hope you'll take care of her."
Aki: "I will! By the way, my mom sends her regards."
Futomaki: "Your mom?"
Aki: "Yes, she's Amano Haruko."
"Eh? What?" Futomaki looks surprised. "You're Amano Haruko's daughter?"
Aki: "Yes, please take a look at this. (She shows him her Ama costume with Haruko's embroidered name on it) It used to be my Mom's."
Futomaki (looking very troubled): "I see... is that so."
Aki notices it but says, "Yes, I'll go ahead then."
Futomaki: "G-g-good work."
After Aki leaves, her Boss is visibly shaken up. While turning his nameplate over, he had to hold his other hand to stop it from shaking. (Been meaning to say this ever since he came on... but it's really a pleasure to watch Arata Furuta; he's doing a truly fantastic job as Futomaki!)
(*'Saga no Gabai Baa-chan' = 2006 movie)
Next: Week 15 Part 1
Previous: Week 14 (Part 1)
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