Aug. 11th, 2013 08:00 pm
Amachan: Week 19 (Episode Guide)
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earth_colorsWeek 19: "My heart is re-ignited"
"I didn't do anything to deserve this... I don't want to cheat to get a job."
Ep. 109. Using Masamune's savings, Haruko sets up their own agency at home, buying desks and chairs for the living room cum office. The company logo is ( 'JJJ' )/. Haruko, pleased with her new position, establishes some office rules and insists to be called "President". 
Later, they receive a call from Kitasanriku. The guys inform them that Yoshida and Kurihara Shiori are getting married (and good-naturedly chide Hiroshi about it, who is sitting at a corner, looking gloomy). They ask Aki to send a congratulatory message to the couple so they can show it during the reception. However, Haruko, now that they have a company, says they should channel such requests next time through the office. Daikichi is put off by her formal tone and hangs up on her (lol). Anyway, Haruko tells Aki she is looking for a site manager and will be interviewing applicants later on. So then, that afternoon...
The venue for the applicant interview turns out to be Coffee Shop Idol. As Haruko is interviewing an applicant, Aki is also there, for her waitress job. Aki watches a commercial of GMT on TV. The girl who replaced Aki was a 14 year old young half-Brazilian, half-Japanese girl who lip-synchs to Aki's singing parts. It seems the commercial keeps repeating over and over again, indicating that plenty of money had been put into promoting it. Haruko is done with the applicant screening, and feels unsatisfied with the turn-out. Aki suggests Mizuguchi for the position. Mizuguchi is at the counter, looking ready to apply, and wearing a smart business suit. He stands up and hands Haruko his resume. He says since Futomaki has taken over the reins of GMT, he (Mizuguchi) feels he has been unceremoniously kicked out and does not have anything left to do. But Haruko says it is impossible. "If we work together, it'll look like we stole you from him... If we make an enemy out of a man like that we can't survive in this industry. He will crush us very easily." Not giving up, Mizuguchi says he will "take the proper steps as a man" and starts calling Yui on his phone. He tells Yui, he will be quitting Futomaki's company to join Haruko's new office. He also apologizes for not fulfilling his vow to make her an Idol. It seems it is Mizuguchi's way of proving to Haruko that he is not like Futomaki who will continue to string a talent along endlessly, and fool her into believing that she will debut. Yui tells him that it's okay, and that she has given it up anyway. But Mizuguchi promises he will not give up in making her and Aki debut as Idols together. Hearing it, Haruko finally says Mizuguchi has passed and will serve as their site manager. In Kitasanriku Station, after Yui's phone call, Natsu approaches her and asks if her diving has improved. Yui says yes and smiles. Natsu seems happy that Yui is striving hard to move on and recover from her painful past, by helping at the bar, and becoming an Ama. If only Natsu could give her something back in return...
Later, they receive a call from Kitasanriku. The guys inform them that Yoshida and Kurihara Shiori are getting married (and good-naturedly chide Hiroshi about it, who is sitting at a corner, looking gloomy). They ask Aki to send a congratulatory message to the couple so they can show it during the reception. However, Haruko, now that they have a company, says they should channel such requests next time through the office. Daikichi is put off by her formal tone and hangs up on her (lol). Anyway, Haruko tells Aki she is looking for a site manager and will be interviewing applicants later on. So then, that afternoon... The venue for the applicant interview turns out to be Coffee Shop Idol. As Haruko is interviewing an applicant, Aki is also there, for her waitress job. Aki watches a commercial of GMT on TV. The girl who replaced Aki was a 14 year old young half-Brazilian, half-Japanese girl who lip-synchs to Aki's singing parts. It seems the commercial keeps repeating over and over again, indicating that plenty of money had been put into promoting it.
Haruko is done with the applicant screening, and feels unsatisfied with the turn-out. Aki suggests Mizuguchi for the position. Mizuguchi is at the counter, looking ready to apply, and wearing a smart business suit. He stands up and hands Haruko his resume. He says since Futomaki has taken over the reins of GMT, he (Mizuguchi) feels he has been unceremoniously kicked out and does not have anything left to do. But Haruko says it is impossible. "If we work together, it'll look like we stole you from him... If we make an enemy out of a man like that we can't survive in this industry. He will crush us very easily." Not giving up, Mizuguchi says he will "take the proper steps as a man" and starts calling Yui on his phone. He tells Yui, he will be quitting Futomaki's company to join Haruko's new office. He also apologizes for not fulfilling his vow to make her an Idol. It seems it is Mizuguchi's way of proving to Haruko that he is not like Futomaki who will continue to string a talent along endlessly, and fool her into believing that she will debut. Yui tells him that it's okay, and that she has given it up anyway. But Mizuguchi promises he will not give up in making her and Aki debut as Idols together. Hearing it, Haruko finally says Mizuguchi has passed and will serve as their site manager. In Kitasanriku Station, after Yui's phone call, Natsu approaches her and asks if her diving has improved. Yui says yes and smiles. Natsu seems happy that Yui is striving hard to move on and recover from her painful past, by helping at the bar, and becoming an Ama. If only Natsu could give her something back in return... Days later, Aki and her new manager or rather her old manager, Mizuguchi is at a TV studio. Mizuguchi is handing out flyers of Aki, asking for parts that she could take on, especially a Tohoku drama. Then, they also see Kawashima and Kaoruko, doing the same thing. For some reason, Mizuguchi and Aki hide in a corner. But they are seen by Suzuka who is at the studio filming some drama. Suzuka is a bit irked that Aki had quit without saying goodbye but she nevertheless understands Aki's decision. "After I went independent, too, I couldn't get work for 2 to 3 years," Suzuka reveals. Aki says "Jeh~" to that, her eyes widening. However, Suzuka adds, "But staying with Futomaki-san is not going anywhere so I think this is much better than that." She smiles at Aki and makes her promise that the two of them "should hang out together some day." Aki replies with a joyful "Yes!"
Ep. 110. Mizuguchi continues to make his rounds in studios, pitching for Aki. He is understandably desperate because if Aki does not get work, he won't receive his pay. Adding to his difficulties, Haruko is adamant that he only gets roles with speaking parts to show off Aki's "indescribable accent."
Meanwhile, in Kitasanriku... Yui has shed off her Yankii image and has gone back to being Idol Yui with black hair. She dresses up as Ama, and announces her comeback in front of her loyal otaku fans, all happily taking her pix. Of course, Hibiki is among them. He later goes back to Tokyo to show Aki the shots he took of Yui.
At Coffee Shop Idol, Aki is not in a good mood, probably feeling jealous that Yui is happy doing Ama, and not her. She does not want to see Hibiki's pix of Yui, even feeling slighted when Hibiki mentions her being "out of work" now that she has quit Futomaki's office. Then, she notices one of her misangas had fallen off. "Will I be able to get a job today?" she asks, hopefully. But then, Mizuguchi arrives, looking frustrated after another disappointing round at the studios. Hibiki adds to the gloomy atmosphere by telling them about GMT's concert to be held that night, celebrating their 100,000th sale of their record. Aki is curious to hear about it but Mizuguchi tells her not to mind it because they both have already quit the group. Nonetheless, Aki and Mizuguchi both go with Hibiki to see the concert. The venue is full of adoring fans, and the girls seem lively and happy performing onstage. They both cannot help but feel a sense of jealousy and regret to see the girls succeed without them. Later, during the hand-shaking event, Kawashima sees Mizuguchi and they chit-chat. Futomaki is also there, thanking guests who have come. Mizuguchi tries to make his greetings but Futomaki ignores him. Shiori meanwhile sees Aki and approaches her. Shiori tells her to meet them at the sushi shop later on.
At the sushi shop, Aki and Mizuguchi are waiting for the girls. The girls are late because they are still at the Hole being reprimanded by Futomaki who was not happy with their performance. While waiting, Aki and Mizuguchi talk about having regrets on quitting the group. Then, Aki decides to go home, saying that she is not ready to face the girls. "I don't have enough nerve to see them. I don't know what to say to them anyway." She gives Mizuguchi her regards to the girls before going out the door. But she gets stopped by Taneichi just outside the shop.
Taneichi is in a strange mood. He tells Aki that she must hang in there, and that he'll be there to support her. Aki senses something unusual about him. "Why Senpai?" she asks. "Why are you being so kind to me all of a sudden?" Taneichi says he understands how lonely she must be feeling, and using "Nambu Moguri" metaphors, he says he is the only one who can "pump air" to her when she's alone "in the bottom of the ocean." Aki thinks this is it, the reason why her misanga fell off. After finally getting over him, is Aki going to have a second chance with love?
Later, during the hand-shaking event, Kawashima sees Mizuguchi and they chit-chat. Futomaki is also there, thanking guests who have come. Mizuguchi tries to make his greetings but Futomaki ignores him. Shiori meanwhile sees Aki and approaches her. Shiori tells her to meet them at the sushi shop later on. At the sushi shop, Aki and Mizuguchi are waiting for the girls. The girls are late because they are still at the Hole being reprimanded by Futomaki who was not happy with their performance. While waiting, Aki and Mizuguchi talk about having regrets on quitting the group. Then, Aki decides to go home, saying that she is not ready to face the girls. "I don't have enough nerve to see them. I don't know what to say to them anyway." She gives Mizuguchi her regards to the girls before going out the door. But she gets stopped by Taneichi just outside the shop.
Taneichi is in a strange mood. He tells Aki that she must hang in there, and that he'll be there to support her. Aki senses something unusual about him. "Why Senpai?" she asks. "Why are you being so kind to me all of a sudden?" Taneichi says he understands how lonely she must be feeling, and using "Nambu Moguri" metaphors, he says he is the only one who can "pump air" to her when she's alone "in the bottom of the ocean." Aki thinks this is it, the reason why her misanga fell off. After finally getting over him, is Aki going to have a second chance with love?
Ep. 111. Aki does not know how to take this sudden turn of events. She had been banned from love for so long but realizes she had already quit Futomaki's company and is now free to have a relationship. With the "Hometown" song playing in the background, Aki summons up the courage to confess once again to Taneichi. And this time, the young man says, "Yes." He approaches her (for a hug or kiss) but Aki backs away. Feeling unsure and uncomfortable, Aki retracts her confession. "Right now, I'm not normal," she reasons out, meaning the circumstances are not the same as before, and she has to think over carefully whether this is the right thing to do. Taneichi says he understands but then, no matter what her answer is, his feelings will not change. He confesses he has been having feelings for her for quite some time now. And that he and Yui are over. Feeling so happy with this development, Aki says again, that she wants to go steady with him. As Taneichi is about to kiss her, Kaoruko comes and interrupts them. Shocked and still unsure, Aki tells Taneichi that she again takes it back. "Maybe next time!" she says, running away.
Later at the sushi shop, the girls arrive to have dinner with Mizuguchi. Mizuguchi had called up Haruko to ask if Aki has arrived safely, and Haruko confirms that she has. The girls are sad that Aki refuses to see them. "Why does she have to worry about such a thing?" Mizuguchi answers for Aki, saying that it is important to feel depressed sometimes. He apologizes to the girls for abandoning them, and that he promises to show what he and Aki can do. The girls say there are no hard feelings, and wish them both good luck. They even make sure to pay for majority of the bill since they know that Mizuguchi is still hard up.
Meanwhile, Aki comes home in a bad mood. After signing "home" on the attendance board, Aki heads straight to her bedroom. Concerned, Haruko checks up on her. She tries to acknowledge her daughter's frustration, assuring her that she IS looking for some work for her. But Aki is not in a mood to talk and lashes out at Haruko. She says she blames her for making her quit the company and runs out of the condo. Aki runs until she reaches a tunnel. She vents out her frustration at her mother by shouting it out (the same way she used to do inside Ben's tunnel). She shouts, "I want to become an Idol~!"
Aki runs until she reaches a tunnel. She vents out her frustration at her mother by shouting it out (the same way she used to do inside Ben's tunnel). She shouts, "I want to become an Idol~!" Back at the condo, Haruko is sorting through old stuff until she finds what she had been looking for. They were her "Trump card": business cards of the men who had made her a "Kagemusha". They were the staff who were present during her ghost singing days. She tells Masamune that it is time to "get serious".
Later on, Haruko meets with some of these men. As Aki the Narrator puts it, "Three J's woman president, Amano Haruko has finally begun to move." Some of the men have went on to become successful in their fields. One by one, Haruko "sweet-talks" them into finding work for Aki, and if they are uncooperative, she'd convince them by turning on the waterworks to take advantage of their guilt. "It was like watching some old revenge drama," Aki says while watching these meetings in awe. The men of course, give in, promising to help pull some strings for Aki.
As a result of Haruko's Machiavellian efforts, Aki "got" several offers for small parts for TV dramas and variety programs. Everyone (Haruko, Aki, Masamune and Mizuguchi) gather at the home/office. Haruko presents Aki with scripts from these offers and asks her to choose among them. But Aki refuses any of it. She says she does not want to be a part of such underhanded tactics. "I didn't do anything to deserve this. If I accept one of these, I'll turn into a snob. I don't want to cheat to get a job." Haruko loses her patience and shouts, "This is NOT CHEATING!" She hits her daughter on the head with a script, stunning everyone in the room.
"It's already the prime of the hunchbacked female monkey!"
Ep. 112. Aki wails after getting hit by her mother. Haruko with a raised voice, reminds her how she had worked hard getting those offers, by stooping down to those men, and that she wasn't harming anybody. Still, Aki shouts back, insisting that she will not accept any of it. Masamune manages to stop the shouting match between mother and daughter, by losing his temper. "That's ENOUGH!" Finally, everyone sits and try to talk about the matter more calmly. Still, Haruko is unapologetic, insisting that she did nothing wrong. Aki voices out her regrets of quitting GMT. Mizuguchi says that if Aki continues to have regrets and be "choosy" with the roles, nothing will happen for all of them, and time is something all of them cannot afford to waste right now. A more subdued Haruko apologizes to Aki for hitting her, and Aki says "sorry" back for calling her a cheat. Haruko tries again to convince Aki to choose among the offers. "This is as far as I can do. After this, you can go and carve your own path." Finally, Aki chooses one, and it was something that Mizuguchi had managed to get for Aki: a new children's show called, "Let's Find it and Break it!"
It turns out that Aki's choice was a good one. In the show, Aki, who is playing as herself, "Aki-chan the Idol from Iwate", gets to co-host it with Sakana-kun (who is also playing as himself). The show is about teaching kids to value their stuff by way of reverse psychology. Aki would find an object like a vase, and in front of the camera, she'd drop the vase and break it. Then, she'd put it back together again magically by shouting, "Reverse Rotation!" The show was a great hit among kids, finally making Aki a household name, and "Reverse Rotation" a new by-word.
At the bar in Kitansanriku, everyone watches Aki's show happily. Then, Natsu makes a surprise announcement. She'll be making a trip to Tokyo during the Bon holidays to visit Aki and Haruko. And she needs someone to accompany her. Of course, she asks Yui. However, Daikichi, unaware of Natsu's roundabout good intention for Yui, offers to be her escort. Good thing he gets shot down by Kurihara.
At the bar in Kitansanriku, everyone watches Aki's show happily. Then, Natsu makes a surprise announcement. She'll be making a trip to Tokyo during the Bon holidays to visit Aki and Haruko. And she needs someone to accompany her. Of course, she asks Yui. However, Daikichi, unaware of Natsu's roundabout good intention for Yui, offers to be her escort. Good thing he gets shot down by Kurihara.
Yui immediately calls Aki to tell her of the good news. Yui will go to Tokyo with Natsu for a week, and that Hiroshi can handle things with their dad while she's gone. Aki is so happy about the news but later on, realizes that if Yui comes, it will be awkward between her, Aki and Taneichi. She does not know how to tell Yui about Taneichi... Anyway, at that time, Aki is at Coffee Shop Idol. Her mom and Mizuguchi are also there, having a meeting with some advertising director. They tell Aki that she has been chosen as the image character for an ad for a famous preparatory (cram) school. The ad contract is good for one year but... she must refrain from having a relationship. Aki, thinking of Taneichi, is too flabbergasted to utter even a "jeh." They tell Aki to continue with the "Love Ban" rule. Mizuguchi: "It can't be helped. The ad's slogan is 'Entrance exam is my love (priority)'." Haruko, smilingly: "When it comes to things like boyfriends, there's nothing to worry about, right?" Aki can only smile and scream inside, "Uwah~ What shall I do!"
Anyway, at that time, Aki is at Coffee Shop Idol. Her mom and Mizuguchi are also there, having a meeting with some advertising director. They tell Aki that she has been chosen as the image character for an ad for a famous preparatory (cram) school. The ad contract is good for one year but... she must refrain from having a relationship. Aki, thinking of Taneichi, is too flabbergasted to utter even a "jeh." They tell Aki to continue with the "Love Ban" rule. Mizuguchi: "It can't be helped. The ad's slogan is 'Entrance exam is my love (priority)'." Haruko, smilingly: "When it comes to things like boyfriends, there's nothing to worry about, right?" Aki can only smile and scream inside, "Uwah~ What shall I do!" Ep. 113. Aki has her image plastered all over Tokyo as result of the aggressive ad campaign of her cram school contract. There were pictures of her in billboards, newspapers, and free tissue hand-outs. But instead of feeling happy about it, she thinks it has happened at a worst timing. Now that she has finally able to be in relationship, the rug is suddenly pulled out from under her...
Meanwhile, Futomaki seems pleased with the success of GMT's song which has reached the top of the charts. However, he is unhappy to see Aki's pictures plastered all over the media...
Aki meets with Suzuka at Burai Sushi during the shop's preparation time. Aki has been covering her face with a mask since she is now getting recognized in the streets. The two catch up on what's happening with them lately. Suzuka says she is still without an assistant, and tries to make do with Taneichi as her new read-through partner. Aki tells her about how strict her mom is to her, and even mentions an unsavory comment that Haruko made about Suzuka's "ham" acting during her Idol days. Suzuka is upset about that but what Aki really wants to talk about is Taneichi. Before she confides to Suzuka, she had to tell Taneichi, who is nearby, to go and do some delivery or something. With Taneichi gone, Aki starts confiding to Suzuka about her love dilemma. "The train of love has started to run again, and then it's stopped! It's already the prime of the hunchbacked female monkey!" Despite that puzzling outburst, Suzuka is thrilled for Aki, and tells her to go for it, and to not mind the "Love Ban" rule (just as long as they don't get caught). She speaks about her experience with Futomaki, that being greedy, she does not believe she can only have one or the other. In her case, Suzuka had both "love AND work." That's why, she explains, she went independent and set up her own company with Futomaki. "But," she adds, "it only lasted for a year. You cannot be too greedy after all." She tells Aki not to let Haruko know, or else, "both of us will be in trouble." Taneichi has come back and so Suzuka gets up to leave the two alone.
With that love advice from Suzuka, Aki decides to give it a go with Taneichi. She tells him she is pushing through with the relationship. Taneichi is so happy to hear it, he approaches her for a kiss. Still, Aki backs away instinctively. But Aki realizes there's nothing wrong with getting a kiss since she is old enough anyway. But as he comes closer to give her a kiss, Aki's phone rings. She answers it and is told of some news that was somehow important, that she has to leave immediately.
Aki arrives at Coffee Shop Idol. Inside is Haruko and Kai. Sitting opposite Haruko is Yui's mom, Yoshie.
Ep. 114. Haruko tells Aki that Yoshie has found out how to contact them through one her ads for the cram school. Haruko says the people back home should be informed about this but Aki says she already told Hiroshi. She could not tell everyone because Yoshie was with a man in Ueno.
Yoshie says she had been feeling depressed and had lost confidence with herself. She feels that she has no self-worth as a person, and that if her husband's gone, she is worried about what will become of her. She says she found herself going farther and farther away from Kitasanriku until she reached Tokyo. In Tokyo she had gotten some free-lance announcer jobs with the help of her former boss during her announcer days. That was the man she was walking with in Ueno that day. She has also been working part-time at a convenience shop. By doing that, she says she was able to be finally involved with society as a person. "Felt like I found myself, not the wife of Adachi Isao..." When she was a housewife, her world revolve only around her family and their needs, and "wasn't able to make decisions on my own." Haruko asks her how she is, now that she has found herself. Yoshie says she misses her family and wants to go back and ask for forgiveness. Haruko tells her that even if she does that, things cannot simply go back to where they were. "It is not something you can 'reverse-rotate'." She tells Aki to go and call Yoshie's family and inform them about her. Aki goes out to make the call. She chooses to speak to Hiroshi.
Yoshie says she had been feeling depressed and had lost confidence with herself. She feels that she has no self-worth as a person, and that if her husband's gone, she is worried about what will become of her. She says she found herself going farther and farther away from Kitasanriku until she reached Tokyo. In Tokyo she had gotten some free-lance announcer jobs with the help of her former boss during her announcer days. That was the man she was walking with in Ueno that day. She has also been working part-time at a convenience shop. By doing that, she says she was able to be finally involved with society as a person. "Felt like I found myself, not the wife of Adachi Isao..." When she was a housewife, her world revolve only around her family and their needs, and "wasn't able to make decisions on my own." Haruko asks her how she is, now that she has found herself. Yoshie says she misses her family and wants to go back and ask for forgiveness. Haruko tells her that even if she does that, things cannot simply go back to where they were. "It is not something you can 'reverse-rotate'." She tells Aki to go and call Yoshie's family and inform them about her. Aki goes out to make the call. She chooses to speak to Hiroshi.
At Bar Rias, everyone is there for a bon voyage party for Natsu and Yui. Hiroshi goes out to speak to Aki on the phone. Aki says she has good news and bad news for him. First, the bad news: "I, Amano Aki is officially going steady with Taneichi-senpai. Oh, wait, sorry. That was actually the good news. Now for the real bad news..." Poor Hiroshi, he is so shocked to hear of it. "Wait! Wait! I can't keep up... T-THAT was the good news?" (lmao) Aki: "For me, it is good news. Next the bad news..." She proceeds to tell him about his mom...
Inside the coffee shop, Haruko continues to talk with Yoshie. She tells her of what happened to Yui, and how everyone helped her go back to the right path, and how they've all been treating her like family. Yoshie looks sincerely sorry. "Don't apologize to me," Haruko smiles wryly, "being that I ran away from home, too... That's why, as your Runaway Senpai, let me tell you one thing. Don't take the countryside lightly."
After Aki's call, Hiroshi goes inside Bar Rias to convey the news to Yui. Yui looks surprised and troubled by the news.
In the end, Yui decided not to go to Tokyo. When she told Natsu about her decision, she apparently just said, "I don't know how to face the mother who had abandoned me." That night, Aki and Yui talk on the phone. Aki says she understands her decision and assures her that there will be other chances to come. However, Yui feels pessimistic about it. "If I accept that this is my fate, may be it's easier." Aki tells her not to be so negative. "After all, Tokyo is just an hour and a half away from Morioka!" The next day, Natsu finally arrives in Tokyo for the first time in all of her 66 years. She is met by Aki and Masamune in Ueno. And along with her is Daikichi, who replaced Yui as her escort.
Next: Week 20
Previous: Week 18
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