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earth_colors) wrote2013-08-25 08:48 pm
earth_colors) wrote2013-08-25 08:48 pm
Entry tags:
Amachan: Week 21 (Episode Guide)
Week 21: "Our big turn-around"
"I can't cry not knowing anything about her..."
Episode Summaries:
Ep. 121. Haruko realizes that Daikichi isn't tricking her this time. Aki asks her what's wrong. Haruko just puts down the phone and says not to worry about it, and that she will just "leave for a while". However, Aki knows that something has happened to her Bappa, and wants to go with Haruko. Her mom says she'll take care of things and what Aki should be doing now is "to please give your best" for the audition.
Haruko packs her bag and leaves for Kitasanriku. She tells Mizuguchi to handle things while she's gone. Later, she arrives at the station and goes straight to Bar Rias. Not wanting to believe that Natsu had indeed collapsed, her heart fell when she sees the "closed" sign at her mom's shop. It says, "Shop is closed due to the owner's sudden illness". Daikichi arrives and Haruko asks him to take her immediately to the Amano home, still hoping that Daikichi is lying. Once she gets home, she confirms that Natsu is not there so she asks to be taken to the hospital. Daikichi says Natsu is currently having a heart bypass surgery. "The doctor said it's not a difficult surgery but it'll take time too, so not sure. It's the heart after all..."
Aki, meanwhile has gone to the audition being held at Tokyo Edo Theater. She is accompanied by her father and Mizuguchi up to the entrance. She feels scared but she has brought with her the towel Natsu had given her as a source of strength. Inside, she goes in alone. There were many other girls lined up for the audition. GMT's Onodera Kaoruko, Iruma Shiori, and Endo Mana were also there. They were asked to wear their number on their chest, and to prepare a short self-intro and to memorize a line to be presented in front of the casting panel.
Back to Haruko, she has arrived at the hospital. Natsu is still in the operating room. She is greeted by the Ama-sans, Fishery Co-op president Rokuro, and Yui who were keeping vigil in the waiting area. The Ama-sans are worried, saying that Natsu may have had a premonition by suddenly going to Tokyo and that, she had said "I had done everything I wanted in my life." Rokuro scolds them for saying ill omens, and that they should be more positive. But Yui adds, "Is that why she wanted to meet with Hashi Yukio?" Haruko who never heard about Natsu's meeting with Yukio, is told about it. Haruko is so surprised and speechless by this revelation, especially when she sees the picture of Young Natsu and Young Yukio, that was taken by Ben in 1967. It is the first time she had seen Natsu as a young woman. She realizes she never knew anything about Natsu, other than her 18 years of being a mother to her. She also mentions how she hated the song "Itsudemo Yume wo". But now, if only she knew what that song meant for Natsu, "it must have sounded differently. If I knew Natsu-san was a fan of Hashi Yukio, I think I would hear it with a little smirk on my face." Then, she thinks of Natsu dying... "I can't cry for her not knowing anything about her."
While this is happening, Aki along with a batch of other applicants, is finally facing the jury panel. It includes Futomaki, Suzuka Hiromi and two other producers. Each girl is given 3 minutes to introduce themselves, and to say the line, "Mom, I'm sorry I couldn't take care of you!". Aki is able to say her line sincerely and convincingly because her mind is actually on Natsu...
Back at the hospital, the Ama-sans and Yui start singing Natsu's favorite song to bolster up their spirit. Haruko tells them to be quiet but decides to sing along, too. Then, they stop after noticing that the surgeon has finally come out of the operating room...
Ep. 122. The surgeon is irked by their singing and tells them to be quiet. Then he adds, "Good thing, I was done though. It was a success." Everyone feels relieved to hear the good news.
Yui immediately calls up Aki to inform her of the good news. Aki who is at Burai Sushi, thanks her and everyone, and promises to inform her of the results of her audition. Aki then proceeds to tell about it to Mizuguchi and her dad at the sushi bar. Shiori and Mana are also there, catching up on all times. But Mizuguchi announces that it is time to go home (probably not comfortable that Taneichi is also there behind the sushi counter) saying that one of the jurors, Suzuka could come at any moment. But the girls protest saying this is the first time they have been together like this. Then the group becomes more livelier with the arrival of Eren, who just came from a trip back from Okinawa. They inform Aki that GMT has transferred from the old dormitory in Yanaka to a new condo with an auto-lock, kitchen system, dish washing machine and a view of Tokyo Sky Tree. Aki, upon hearing that, expresses bitterness and jealousy that she never got to experience that when she was in GMT.
The discussion shifts to GMT's busy schedule. They say they get to sleep 5 hours if they're lucky. Then, Shiori asks Aki: "What about you?" Aki: "9 hours (of sleep)." Shiori: "No, not that. Have you gotten yourself a boyfriend?" Mizuguchi warns the girls that Aki's Dad could hear them, but Masamune does not seem to mind it and even eggs Aki to answer the question. Aki does try not to answer but even so, the girls could guess who it is. "It's Taneichi-senpai, isn't it?" Then they continue to tease by singing the "Senpai" lyrics of "Let's Go Back to the Hometown." "~I like you, Senpai, do you remember?~"
Taneichi gets nervous and flustered. Also feeling annoyed that the girls were able to guess correctly, Mizuguchi tells them to stop it. "It's preposterous, isn't it? Having a boyfriend and sleeping for 9 hours? There's no idol like that. If so, might as well retire and go back home." Eren and Shiori, finding his reaction suspicious, begin to tease him about it. "You wouldn't have gone independent if you don't have special feelings (for Aki), right?" Mizuguchi just utters an irritated, "Gimme a break" and gulps down the liquor from Masamune's glass. He then takes Taneichi outside of the sushi bar to have a little talk.
Outside the bar, Mizuguchi goes down on his knees, begging Taneichi to stop seeing Aki. But then, he stands up almost immediately, and with a pissed look on his face, asks him what the score is between the two of them, and "how far" (omg lol) has he gotten with her. "Tell me, I won't get angry." Taneichi answers, "Nothing yet, so far." Even so, Mizuguchi gets upset with his answer. " 'So far'?! So you're saying you're planning to 'go there' sooner or later, aren't you!" Mizuguchi comes closer to Taneichi in a funny, drunken sort of threatening way (it seems Mizuguchi is an "easy drunk" like Daikichi). The manager says that if Aki's relationship with some commoner guy like him comes out into the open, her career would fizzle out and her contract will be terminated. He drunkenly calls him, "Nambu Diver Senpai, commoner guy" again and again until Aki comes to her beloved's rescue, to tell them they're going home. Before leaving, Mizuguchi gives a last warning to Taneichi: "I'm counting on you, commoner guy."
While her manager and dad are looking for a taxi, Aki stays with Taneichi for a bit to assure him, that she considers him and her work as equally important. Taneichi who does not seem to take Mizuguchi's warning seriously, tries to go for a kiss. Aki dodges and tells him to wait for the right time. They also notice Ume had been watching them from the door. "Taxi is here~!" the sushi chef shouts, with a scary, strict look on his face.
Meanwhile, Suzuka, Futomaki and the other jurors are deliberating on the list of applicants who will proceed to the second round of auditions. Futomaki takes out Iruma Shiori and Endo Mana, saying, "We must separate GMT and balance them out." Suzuka, noticing that Aki is not among the list, asks why. Futomaki answers that she has an accent. Suzuka: "That's ok with that indescribable accent!" Kawashima pipes in, "If we are looking for someone with an accent, it should be Onodera Kaoruko" since she is a true Miyagi native anyway. Suzuka points out that Kaoruko does not know how to swim and that it's better if the one they choose is a swimmer. Futomaki finally relents and allows Aki to be included in the list since it's "still early anyway."
At Burai Sushi, the GMT girls are still at the sushi bar, gossiping about Futomaki and Suzuka: that the two used to date before. And that they were still together when they set up the agency Heartful but their partnership lasted for just one year. Ume who has been listening corrects them by saying "the two have not broken up and are in fact still living together." The girls let out a loud "Je je je!". Then the said couple arrive. They inform a shocked Shiori and Mana that they did not make it to the next round.
Back at Kitasanriku, Haruko and Daikichi have been keeping watch near the ICU where Natsu is recuperating. At first, they thought that Natsu was sleeping with her usual half-open eyes. But they realize that she has actually woken up already, even smiling and sticking out her tongue at them, like a playful kid. Haruko and Daikichi make loud happy noises, upsetting once again the doctor who prompted them to wear masks inside the ICU.
There's also more happy news, this time over at Setagaya. A fax message has arrived from Heartful informing an ecstatic Aki and Masamune, and a poker-faced Mizuguchi, of Aki's acceptance into the second round.
Ep. 123. That night, Haruko informs Aki on the phone about the good news: Natsu has woken up. Aki also asks her mom when she'll be coming back to Tokyo. Haruko: "Not sure yet. Maybe when the dust has settled." After the call, Aki conveys to her Dad about it. But Masamune feels bothered about Haruko not coming home yet. He thinks Haruko might not come back this time, considering it took 2 years for her to come back the last time Natsu "collapsed." "This time it's the real thing!" Masamune exclaims, pacing worriedly back and forth.
At Kitasanriku Station, Yoshida hears that Haruko is staying for an indefinite time and tries to encourage Daikichi to make his move again. But the Station master has already backed out of his proposal, and will no longer pursue Haruko. "The only one who can make Haru-chan happy is Masa-kun." Yoshida (who has always idolized and looked up to Daikichi) is dismayed that his superior is giving up, and tries to reason with him. When he failed, Yoshida gets upset and even pins him down on the bench shouting, "As your deputy, I waited for you to find your happiness first before mine! That's why I didn't get married all this time!" Yoshida seems to have forgotten that he HAS gotten married already (and that his wife is currently pregnant), and Daikichi reminds him of it. Daikichi snatches Yoshida's wedding ring and runs outside to throw it somewhere in the train depot.
While Yoshida is looking for his ring (which he managed to retrieve from the top of one train car), Daikichi joins Haruko and the others at the bar. He tells Haruko to go back home to Tokyo now, and to let them take care of Natsu. But Haruko says no, because she is waiting to hear Natsu say "Thank you" to her. "She has already said, 'Welcome home' and 'Sorry' to me but never a 'Thank you', not even once. That's why I'm the only one who will take care of her, no one else."
Later, Mr. Adachi and his wife arrive. Yui who is manning the counter says a lukewarm "welcome" to her parents. It looks like things have normalized a bit in the Adachi home, since Yui does not seem to resent Yoshie's presence anymore. Haruko looks pleased about it.
At Aki's next round of audition, she is asked a number of questions, some of them from Futomaki who appears cold to her. He insists she speak in standard language and even asks the issue about her being a victim of "bullying." Aki denies that she was one, saying she was too gloomy and plain and did not have enough personality and presence to be bullied to begin with. But Suzuka, who appeared to be indifferent to her at first, asks if she has changed. Aki says yes, "because of my Grandma." Time is up for Aki but Suzuka insists on hearing Aki talk more about her grandma. And so Aki tells them about the towel Natsu had given her.
Outside, Kawashima and Mizuguchi chit-chat about how Suzuka seems to be favoring Aki. But Kawashima is more puzzled as to why Futomaki chose "Shiosai no Memory" as a movie remake, considering there are plenty of other better movies out there...
Back to the audition, Aki is asked to recite the lines from the original movie: "Mom, I love Shinsuke. That's why I'm leaving the island." But Aki does it with too much intonation, frustrating Suzuka. While the veteran actress coaches Aki, Futomaki watches and listens. But instead of seeing Aki, he suddenly sees Young Haruko before him. In his eyes, Young Haruko says her lines, stands and runs out of the room, as called in the script. Futomaki is so bothered by it, he bolts up and tries to call Haruko to come back. Then, he realizes, it was just his imagination.
After the audition, Mizuguchi asks Aki to go home by herself since he's staying at Heartful to greet the jurors. Aki nods but instead of going home, she goes to the back entrance of Burai Sushi, and calls Taneichi, who is almost done with his shift. Aki, looking shy and nervous, says to him, "Now is a good time. Mom and Dad are not at home."
"There is another me, the non-business side of me, that's trying to push for Amano..."
Ep. 124. Taneichi's eyes widen, as Aki's words sink in. Then he said, "Give me five minutes!" and goes back to get his things. Aki could not believe she uttered such a line and wondered why. Maybe it was because she was released from the tension of the audition?
Anyway, another round of deliberations is taking place at Heartful. The list have dwindled to only 5 applicants. Suzuka again notices that Aki is not among it, and protests. Futomaki whose mind is is still on Young Haruko, says Aki does not have the presence and expectations to lead a movie. But instead of saying "Amano Aki", he mentions "Amano Haruko" repeatedly. He doesn't seem to notice it until Kawashima corrects him. Suzuka (who does not know "Haruko" is Aki's mom) looks pissed at Futomaki, and asks, "Who is THIS Haruko, huh?" Futomaki just looks shocked and could not answer. One producer asks if Aki has work. Mizuguchi who came in, and heard, says that Aki is available. So it has been decided to include Aki in the finals. Defeated and embarrassed, Futomaki could not do anything about it.
Meanwhile, Aki and Taneichi arrive at the Kurokawa residence. As she had said, her mom and dad are not there (Masamune is probably out celebrating since it's his 'payday') and so the two lovebirds are alone. After some small talk, Taneichi nonchalantly asks for beer and to use the shower room (lol). Aki looks surprised that Taniechi intends to shower up (If you do not know what this means: it is a common understanding to take a bath/shower before engaging in sexual activity). Seeing Aki's shocked reaction, Taneichi tries to reason out that he had been cooking eggs the whole day, and does not feel good "if I don't take a shower." Aki, still flustered, shows him the shower room. While he is inside, the phone rings. Haruko is at the other end, trying to hear the messages from the answering machine, but Aki answers it. Since Aki is on the line, Haruko asks how things are. Aki tries her best not to show her nervousness while answering. But Tanechi goes out the bathroom to ask Aki a question. "Is somebody there?" Haruko asks. Panicking, Aki pretends that it was Mizuguchi, and Haruko believes her.
Haruko puts down the phone. She is at the Amano house at the moment. She looks around, trying to imagine Natsu alone in that old house for many years. As she sings "Itsudemo Yume wo" softly at the hearth, she resolves to help Natsu recover so she can be able to see "this scene" once again.
Back in Setagaya, Taneichi is done showering, and is in the living room, drinking beer, and chatting awkwardly with Aki. They try to be more comfortable by talking about Taneichi's work (he's being taught to make tamagoyaki now), and his dream (to set up a sushi shop in Kitasanriku). They also reminisce about the days they spent in their hometown. At last, the mood gets better so Taneichi aims to give her their first kiss her but she, again turns away. Suddenly she sees a vision of Young Haruko sitting on her mom's office chair. It does not seem to be a dream this time. "Why? Why am I seeing her?" Then the phone rings. Aki answers it and it was Haruko again.
"I told you not to answer it, I'm trying to hear the messages in the answering machine!" Haruko reminds her on the line. Then, she asks if Mizuguchi is still there. Aki lies, saying he is "in the toilet." Then Aki hangs up so Haruko can listen to the phone's messages.
Somehow, for some reason, Aki becomes bolder by telling Taneichi that she'll be taking a shower, too. And to not answer the phone, AND that Taneichi can wait INSIDE Aki's bedroom. The guy's eyes widen, and manage to reply with a "sure thing"...
Haruko is listening to the messages left in the answering machine. There is one message that bothered her. It was the one left an hour ago by a giddy Mizuguchi. He had said: "I'll call you later in your cellphone, too but Aki-chan, you're chosen as a finalist! That's about it, I'm going home and won't be stopping by the office today. That's all I wanted to report~!" Alarmed, Haruko calls up Mizuguchi on the phone...
At this time, Mizuguchi is at Burai Sushi, celebrating Aki's inclusion in the finals. His phone rings and answers it. He is told by Haruko to go to Setagaya immediately!
Meanwhile, Aki has just finished taking a shower. She steps out of the bathroom, and into her bedroom where her boyfriend is waiting for her...
Ep. 125. Aki and Taneichi are alone in her room. Still, the two are feeling awkward and nervous so they try to relax by pretending to be underwater during their Nambu Moguri days. They hold hands and gaze into each other's eyes, preparing for a kiss. However, Aki giggles as she sees Taneichi (who is too much into the Nambu Diver mode) doing the "flushing out the air" movement with his neck. They try again, but Aki's tummy makes a loud grumbling sound...
Mizuguchi who noticed that Taneichi isn't at the sushi shop had called Masamune to inform him about it. The two arrive at the condo. Seeing Taneichi's shoes on the entryway, they barge into Aki's room. "We know you're in there!" But no one is inside the room. Apparently, Aki and Taneichi are inside the kitchen, making tamagoyaki.
Mizuguchi and Masamune have decided to let the two of the hook by not informing Haruko about it. Instead, they'll tell her that Taneichi is inside the condo, helping Aki prepare for her final audition. Still Mizuguchi is pissed at Taneichi. "I can't even let my guard down with you, huh? Nambu Diver Senpai." But Aki defends her boyfriend, saying she was the one who invited him. She insists that it's only normal for a girl like her to love someone, and that having a boyfriend will motivate her to work even harder. But Mizuguchi tries to make her see the situation by making her imagine what her fans will feel like if they knew that she has a boyfriend. "What if Taneichi, your Idol, has someone else he loves? How would you feel?" Aki, of course, remembers the hurt she felt when Taneichi chose Yui over her, so she feels bothered when asked to imagine the "heartbreak" it would cost to her "million fans." Taneichi defends his love, saying he can make Aki happier "than her million fans by being million times the man." Mizuguchi calls him an idiot for saying that, and asks Masamune about his thoughts on the matter.
But instead of admonishing, Masamune talks about his experience with Young Haruko, on how he encouraged her to continue to stay in Tokyo. Taneichi is brought to tears, touched by his story. He says he feels ashamed that even if he also encouraged Aki to hang in there (Ep. 110-111), he has done nothing much to support her (except to "get in her bedroom when no one's around" lol). Masamune says it's okay because whether he supports her through words or deed, his feelings for Aki are nevertheless "sincere", and that's "how a man is" (lol, okay).
Mizuguchi, not liking where the topic went, warns the two not to see each other for the meantime (but only at Burai Sushi) and to just email each other. "So far, I'll turn a blind eye on this."
Finally the day of the final audition has come. Only Aki and Kaoruko are left. For the finals, Suzuka takes repeated turns with the two, reciting and acting out the "I'm leaving the island" scene together, while being videotaped for later deliberations. While it was going on, Futomaki watches in silence. For some reason, he has a sad (and probably guilty) look on his face...
Afterwards, the two wait nervously in the Hole while the grown-ups discuss the final decision. Kawashima says if they choose Kaoruko, they'll be needing a body double because she cannot swim. He asks Futomaki: "Is that why you kept Amano whom you fired once?" Futomaki looking sad and defeated, replies, "I guess I wanted to make a favor. I also had a sense of guilt. As the office president, I wanted to push for Onodera. But there is another me, the non-business side of me, that's trying to push for Amano. Saying, Make a movie with Amano Aki. Saying if I make Amano a body double, I'll regret it again." Kawashima: "Again?" Futomaki shows them the online video of Aki taking her first sea urchin. "As I watched it, I don't know... but I became really sad..."
Meanwhile, in Kitansariku, Haruko is at Natsu's hospital room, peeling pears for her mother. Natsu tells her she's already fine and that Haruko can go home to Tokyo now. Haruko says she is still staying. Probably not wanting to make Natsu feel bothered (about being a burden to her daughter), Haruko says she does not "have a job waiting for her" in Tokyo" anyway.
Finally, a decision has been made by the jury panel. Kawashima goes to tell the two girls the results...
The two girls stand up as Kawashima enters the room. Kaoruko is told to go home while Aki is being called by Futomaki in his office. Aki feels ecstatic but understandably, she does not to show it in front of Kaoruko. The younger girl congratulates her and smilingly, shakes her hand. But as Aki leaves, Kaoruko is shown with tears streaming down her cheeks...
Aki enters Futomaki's office. Aki says her thanks to the jurors and "Yoroshiku." The head of Heartful, who is now more amiable, is sincerely happy for Aki and congratulates her. Suzuka also wishes her good luck and shakes her hand, with a happy, and motherly smile on her face...
Ep. 126. Outside the theater, a tearful Mizuguchi, who is already aware of the great news, comes and gives Aki a bear hug. Then, she notices one of her misanga had fallen off, and now there are two left.
They celebrate her victory with Masamune at Burai Sushi. Of course, the first person Aki calls is Yui who is at Bar Rias, with Ben. They are ecstatic over her "win." And Ben also congratulates his former disciple Mizuguchi for a job well done. An emotional Mizuguchi breaks into tears again, informing him "the gemstone has already shone." Yui also informs Aki that everyone is with Natsu who is set to go home on this day from the hospital.
At the Amano home in Sodegahama, everyone arrives and shows Natsu her new hospital bed placed in her room. Then, Haruko gets a call from Aki, and gets informed of the great news. Everyone rejoices as they hear of it. Hiroshi also gets to talk with Aki on the phone to congratulate her. Aki thanks him as well because he was the one who put up the video of her getting her first uni. "That video was the decisive factor that made me get the role." Hiroshi tries to reiterate his love for Aki even if she has become a big star, but alas, she could not hear him amid all the noisy revelry everyone was making.
Pretty soon, Aki receives the scripts of the movie, "Shiosai no Memory ~Island of Mother and Daughter". Suzuka will reprise her role of "Suzuka Hiromi" while Aki will play the 17 year old daughter, named "Suzuka Aki". "It feels like being the adopted daughter of Suzuka Hiromi," Aki says to herself, "I feel happy and embarrassed at the same time."
She also sent a script to her mom in Kitasanriku. Natsu, still recuperating on her new bed, gets to read it. She is happy for Aki, and comments that the story is "not bad at all." But her mood sours when she hears the Ama Club's loud speaker, announcing tomorrow's Honki Dori event. Natsu hates to not being able to join Honki Dori, "for the first time in all my years of being a diver." Haruko reminds her that she gave her slot once to Aki before. Natsu remembers how Aki managed to get only one sea urchin at that time, and everyone made a huge happy fuss over it. Mother and daughter have a good laugh about it. Then, when Haruko offers Natsu some barley tea, Natsu ekes out a "thank you", not just once but twice! Haruko could not believe her ears. Natsu even tells Haruko to "stay as long as she likes."
During the Honki Dori, Yui, had managed to fetch 4 sea urchins. The guys at the railway held an auction for these uni. Many otakus turn up and the winning bid was 40,000 yen, paid, of course by Hibiki.
Meanwhile, things have become busy for Aki. She has to film 20 episodes of "Make it and Break it" in advance, because she would soon be busy shooting the movie. She also has to rehearse with the actors and director for the scenes in the movie. Then, she also has to undergo lots of preparation as an actress: dancing, vocal exercises, voice training, more special training on skin diving, kimono gestures, Nichibu (traditional dance), calligraphy, penmanship, ikebana, cooking... plus she has to read huge amounts of materials. Aki strives hard to do all these until finally...
It is early morning, the sun hasn't come out yet. Aki and the crew are at a harbor, getting ready for the first day of filming. Aki, dressed up in a somewhat Showa period costume, nervously waits for things to start. Suzuka arrives and Aki giddily greets her. The veteran actress offers her some unconventional words of advice, "You've endured well up to this point. You've learned how hard an actress tries to play a part as another woman, right? Alright! Then, everything you have studied so far... forget them all. Reset it. Let's start from scratch. That's acting, that's a movie!"
"I can't cry not knowing anything about her..."
Episode Summaries:
Ep. 121. Haruko realizes that Daikichi isn't tricking her this time. Aki asks her what's wrong. Haruko just puts down the phone and says not to worry about it, and that she will just "leave for a while". However, Aki knows that something has happened to her Bappa, and wants to go with Haruko. Her mom says she'll take care of things and what Aki should be doing now is "to please give your best" for the audition.
Haruko packs her bag and leaves for Kitasanriku. She tells Mizuguchi to handle things while she's gone. Later, she arrives at the station and goes straight to Bar Rias. Not wanting to believe that Natsu had indeed collapsed, her heart fell when she sees the "closed" sign at her mom's shop. It says, "Shop is closed due to the owner's sudden illness". Daikichi arrives and Haruko asks him to take her immediately to the Amano home, still hoping that Daikichi is lying. Once she gets home, she confirms that Natsu is not there so she asks to be taken to the hospital. Daikichi says Natsu is currently having a heart bypass surgery. "The doctor said it's not a difficult surgery but it'll take time too, so not sure. It's the heart after all..."
Aki, meanwhile has gone to the audition being held at Tokyo Edo Theater. She is accompanied by her father and Mizuguchi up to the entrance. She feels scared but she has brought with her the towel Natsu had given her as a source of strength. Inside, she goes in alone. There were many other girls lined up for the audition. GMT's Onodera Kaoruko, Iruma Shiori, and Endo Mana were also there. They were asked to wear their number on their chest, and to prepare a short self-intro and to memorize a line to be presented in front of the casting panel.
Back to Haruko, she has arrived at the hospital. Natsu is still in the operating room. She is greeted by the Ama-sans, Fishery Co-op president Rokuro, and Yui who were keeping vigil in the waiting area. The Ama-sans are worried, saying that Natsu may have had a premonition by suddenly going to Tokyo and that, she had said "I had done everything I wanted in my life." Rokuro scolds them for saying ill omens, and that they should be more positive. But Yui adds, "Is that why she wanted to meet with Hashi Yukio?" Haruko who never heard about Natsu's meeting with Yukio, is told about it. Haruko is so surprised and speechless by this revelation, especially when she sees the picture of Young Natsu and Young Yukio, that was taken by Ben in 1967. It is the first time she had seen Natsu as a young woman. She realizes she never knew anything about Natsu, other than her 18 years of being a mother to her. She also mentions how she hated the song "Itsudemo Yume wo". But now, if only she knew what that song meant for Natsu, "it must have sounded differently. If I knew Natsu-san was a fan of Hashi Yukio, I think I would hear it with a little smirk on my face." Then, she thinks of Natsu dying... "I can't cry for her not knowing anything about her."
While this is happening, Aki along with a batch of other applicants, is finally facing the jury panel. It includes Futomaki, Suzuka Hiromi and two other producers. Each girl is given 3 minutes to introduce themselves, and to say the line, "Mom, I'm sorry I couldn't take care of you!". Aki is able to say her line sincerely and convincingly because her mind is actually on Natsu...
Back at the hospital, the Ama-sans and Yui start singing Natsu's favorite song to bolster up their spirit. Haruko tells them to be quiet but decides to sing along, too. Then, they stop after noticing that the surgeon has finally come out of the operating room...
Ep. 122. The surgeon is irked by their singing and tells them to be quiet. Then he adds, "Good thing, I was done though. It was a success." Everyone feels relieved to hear the good news.
Yui immediately calls up Aki to inform her of the good news. Aki who is at Burai Sushi, thanks her and everyone, and promises to inform her of the results of her audition. Aki then proceeds to tell about it to Mizuguchi and her dad at the sushi bar. Shiori and Mana are also there, catching up on all times. But Mizuguchi announces that it is time to go home (probably not comfortable that Taneichi is also there behind the sushi counter) saying that one of the jurors, Suzuka could come at any moment. But the girls protest saying this is the first time they have been together like this. Then the group becomes more livelier with the arrival of Eren, who just came from a trip back from Okinawa. They inform Aki that GMT has transferred from the old dormitory in Yanaka to a new condo with an auto-lock, kitchen system, dish washing machine and a view of Tokyo Sky Tree. Aki, upon hearing that, expresses bitterness and jealousy that she never got to experience that when she was in GMT.
The discussion shifts to GMT's busy schedule. They say they get to sleep 5 hours if they're lucky. Then, Shiori asks Aki: "What about you?" Aki: "9 hours (of sleep)." Shiori: "No, not that. Have you gotten yourself a boyfriend?" Mizuguchi warns the girls that Aki's Dad could hear them, but Masamune does not seem to mind it and even eggs Aki to answer the question. Aki does try not to answer but even so, the girls could guess who it is. "It's Taneichi-senpai, isn't it?" Then they continue to tease by singing the "Senpai" lyrics of "Let's Go Back to the Hometown." "~I like you, Senpai, do you remember?~"
Taneichi gets nervous and flustered. Also feeling annoyed that the girls were able to guess correctly, Mizuguchi tells them to stop it. "It's preposterous, isn't it? Having a boyfriend and sleeping for 9 hours? There's no idol like that. If so, might as well retire and go back home." Eren and Shiori, finding his reaction suspicious, begin to tease him about it. "You wouldn't have gone independent if you don't have special feelings (for Aki), right?" Mizuguchi just utters an irritated, "Gimme a break" and gulps down the liquor from Masamune's glass. He then takes Taneichi outside of the sushi bar to have a little talk.
Outside the bar, Mizuguchi goes down on his knees, begging Taneichi to stop seeing Aki. But then, he stands up almost immediately, and with a pissed look on his face, asks him what the score is between the two of them, and "how far" (omg lol) has he gotten with her. "Tell me, I won't get angry." Taneichi answers, "Nothing yet, so far." Even so, Mizuguchi gets upset with his answer. " 'So far'?! So you're saying you're planning to 'go there' sooner or later, aren't you!" Mizuguchi comes closer to Taneichi in a funny, drunken sort of threatening way (it seems Mizuguchi is an "easy drunk" like Daikichi). The manager says that if Aki's relationship with some commoner guy like him comes out into the open, her career would fizzle out and her contract will be terminated. He drunkenly calls him, "Nambu Diver Senpai, commoner guy" again and again until Aki comes to her beloved's rescue, to tell them they're going home. Before leaving, Mizuguchi gives a last warning to Taneichi: "I'm counting on you, commoner guy."
While her manager and dad are looking for a taxi, Aki stays with Taneichi for a bit to assure him, that she considers him and her work as equally important. Taneichi who does not seem to take Mizuguchi's warning seriously, tries to go for a kiss. Aki dodges and tells him to wait for the right time. They also notice Ume had been watching them from the door. "Taxi is here~!" the sushi chef shouts, with a scary, strict look on his face.
Meanwhile, Suzuka, Futomaki and the other jurors are deliberating on the list of applicants who will proceed to the second round of auditions. Futomaki takes out Iruma Shiori and Endo Mana, saying, "We must separate GMT and balance them out." Suzuka, noticing that Aki is not among the list, asks why. Futomaki answers that she has an accent. Suzuka: "That's ok with that indescribable accent!" Kawashima pipes in, "If we are looking for someone with an accent, it should be Onodera Kaoruko" since she is a true Miyagi native anyway. Suzuka points out that Kaoruko does not know how to swim and that it's better if the one they choose is a swimmer. Futomaki finally relents and allows Aki to be included in the list since it's "still early anyway."
At Burai Sushi, the GMT girls are still at the sushi bar, gossiping about Futomaki and Suzuka: that the two used to date before. And that they were still together when they set up the agency Heartful but their partnership lasted for just one year. Ume who has been listening corrects them by saying "the two have not broken up and are in fact still living together." The girls let out a loud "Je je je!". Then the said couple arrive. They inform a shocked Shiori and Mana that they did not make it to the next round.
Back at Kitasanriku, Haruko and Daikichi have been keeping watch near the ICU where Natsu is recuperating. At first, they thought that Natsu was sleeping with her usual half-open eyes. But they realize that she has actually woken up already, even smiling and sticking out her tongue at them, like a playful kid. Haruko and Daikichi make loud happy noises, upsetting once again the doctor who prompted them to wear masks inside the ICU.
There's also more happy news, this time over at Setagaya. A fax message has arrived from Heartful informing an ecstatic Aki and Masamune, and a poker-faced Mizuguchi, of Aki's acceptance into the second round.
Ep. 123. That night, Haruko informs Aki on the phone about the good news: Natsu has woken up. Aki also asks her mom when she'll be coming back to Tokyo. Haruko: "Not sure yet. Maybe when the dust has settled." After the call, Aki conveys to her Dad about it. But Masamune feels bothered about Haruko not coming home yet. He thinks Haruko might not come back this time, considering it took 2 years for her to come back the last time Natsu "collapsed." "This time it's the real thing!" Masamune exclaims, pacing worriedly back and forth.
While Yoshida is looking for his ring (which he managed to retrieve from the top of one train car), Daikichi joins Haruko and the others at the bar. He tells Haruko to go back home to Tokyo now, and to let them take care of Natsu. But Haruko says no, because she is waiting to hear Natsu say "Thank you" to her. "She has already said, 'Welcome home' and 'Sorry' to me but never a 'Thank you', not even once. That's why I'm the only one who will take care of her, no one else."
Later, Mr. Adachi and his wife arrive. Yui who is manning the counter says a lukewarm "welcome" to her parents. It looks like things have normalized a bit in the Adachi home, since Yui does not seem to resent Yoshie's presence anymore. Haruko looks pleased about it.
At Aki's next round of audition, she is asked a number of questions, some of them from Futomaki who appears cold to her. He insists she speak in standard language and even asks the issue about her being a victim of "bullying." Aki denies that she was one, saying she was too gloomy and plain and did not have enough personality and presence to be bullied to begin with. But Suzuka, who appeared to be indifferent to her at first, asks if she has changed. Aki says yes, "because of my Grandma." Time is up for Aki but Suzuka insists on hearing Aki talk more about her grandma. And so Aki tells them about the towel Natsu had given her.
Outside, Kawashima and Mizuguchi chit-chat about how Suzuka seems to be favoring Aki. But Kawashima is more puzzled as to why Futomaki chose "Shiosai no Memory" as a movie remake, considering there are plenty of other better movies out there...
Back to the audition, Aki is asked to recite the lines from the original movie: "Mom, I love Shinsuke. That's why I'm leaving the island." But Aki does it with too much intonation, frustrating Suzuka. While the veteran actress coaches Aki, Futomaki watches and listens. But instead of seeing Aki, he suddenly sees Young Haruko before him. In his eyes, Young Haruko says her lines, stands and runs out of the room, as called in the script. Futomaki is so bothered by it, he bolts up and tries to call Haruko to come back. Then, he realizes, it was just his imagination.
After the audition, Mizuguchi asks Aki to go home by herself since he's staying at Heartful to greet the jurors. Aki nods but instead of going home, she goes to the back entrance of Burai Sushi, and calls Taneichi, who is almost done with his shift. Aki, looking shy and nervous, says to him, "Now is a good time. Mom and Dad are not at home."
"There is another me, the non-business side of me, that's trying to push for Amano..."
Ep. 124. Taneichi's eyes widen, as Aki's words sink in. Then he said, "Give me five minutes!" and goes back to get his things. Aki could not believe she uttered such a line and wondered why. Maybe it was because she was released from the tension of the audition?
Anyway, another round of deliberations is taking place at Heartful. The list have dwindled to only 5 applicants. Suzuka again notices that Aki is not among it, and protests. Futomaki whose mind is is still on Young Haruko, says Aki does not have the presence and expectations to lead a movie. But instead of saying "Amano Aki", he mentions "Amano Haruko" repeatedly. He doesn't seem to notice it until Kawashima corrects him. Suzuka (who does not know "Haruko" is Aki's mom) looks pissed at Futomaki, and asks, "Who is THIS Haruko, huh?" Futomaki just looks shocked and could not answer. One producer asks if Aki has work. Mizuguchi who came in, and heard, says that Aki is available. So it has been decided to include Aki in the finals. Defeated and embarrassed, Futomaki could not do anything about it.
Meanwhile, Aki and Taneichi arrive at the Kurokawa residence. As she had said, her mom and dad are not there (Masamune is probably out celebrating since it's his 'payday') and so the two lovebirds are alone. After some small talk, Taneichi nonchalantly asks for beer and to use the shower room (lol). Aki looks surprised that Taniechi intends to shower up (If you do not know what this means: it is a common understanding to take a bath/shower before engaging in sexual activity). Seeing Aki's shocked reaction, Taneichi tries to reason out that he had been cooking eggs the whole day, and does not feel good "if I don't take a shower." Aki, still flustered, shows him the shower room. While he is inside, the phone rings. Haruko is at the other end, trying to hear the messages from the answering machine, but Aki answers it. Since Aki is on the line, Haruko asks how things are. Aki tries her best not to show her nervousness while answering. But Tanechi goes out the bathroom to ask Aki a question. "Is somebody there?" Haruko asks. Panicking, Aki pretends that it was Mizuguchi, and Haruko believes her.
Haruko puts down the phone. She is at the Amano house at the moment. She looks around, trying to imagine Natsu alone in that old house for many years. As she sings "Itsudemo Yume wo" softly at the hearth, she resolves to help Natsu recover so she can be able to see "this scene" once again.
Back in Setagaya, Taneichi is done showering, and is in the living room, drinking beer, and chatting awkwardly with Aki. They try to be more comfortable by talking about Taneichi's work (he's being taught to make tamagoyaki now), and his dream (to set up a sushi shop in Kitasanriku). They also reminisce about the days they spent in their hometown. At last, the mood gets better so Taneichi aims to give her their first kiss her but she, again turns away. Suddenly she sees a vision of Young Haruko sitting on her mom's office chair. It does not seem to be a dream this time. "Why? Why am I seeing her?" Then the phone rings. Aki answers it and it was Haruko again.
"I told you not to answer it, I'm trying to hear the messages in the answering machine!" Haruko reminds her on the line. Then, she asks if Mizuguchi is still there. Aki lies, saying he is "in the toilet." Then Aki hangs up so Haruko can listen to the phone's messages.
Somehow, for some reason, Aki becomes bolder by telling Taneichi that she'll be taking a shower, too. And to not answer the phone, AND that Taneichi can wait INSIDE Aki's bedroom. The guy's eyes widen, and manage to reply with a "sure thing"...
Haruko is listening to the messages left in the answering machine. There is one message that bothered her. It was the one left an hour ago by a giddy Mizuguchi. He had said: "I'll call you later in your cellphone, too but Aki-chan, you're chosen as a finalist! That's about it, I'm going home and won't be stopping by the office today. That's all I wanted to report~!" Alarmed, Haruko calls up Mizuguchi on the phone...
At this time, Mizuguchi is at Burai Sushi, celebrating Aki's inclusion in the finals. His phone rings and answers it. He is told by Haruko to go to Setagaya immediately!
Meanwhile, Aki has just finished taking a shower. She steps out of the bathroom, and into her bedroom where her boyfriend is waiting for her...
Ep. 125. Aki and Taneichi are alone in her room. Still, the two are feeling awkward and nervous so they try to relax by pretending to be underwater during their Nambu Moguri days. They hold hands and gaze into each other's eyes, preparing for a kiss. However, Aki giggles as she sees Taneichi (who is too much into the Nambu Diver mode) doing the "flushing out the air" movement with his neck. They try again, but Aki's tummy makes a loud grumbling sound...
Mizuguchi who noticed that Taneichi isn't at the sushi shop had called Masamune to inform him about it. The two arrive at the condo. Seeing Taneichi's shoes on the entryway, they barge into Aki's room. "We know you're in there!" But no one is inside the room. Apparently, Aki and Taneichi are inside the kitchen, making tamagoyaki.
Mizuguchi and Masamune have decided to let the two of the hook by not informing Haruko about it. Instead, they'll tell her that Taneichi is inside the condo, helping Aki prepare for her final audition. Still Mizuguchi is pissed at Taneichi. "I can't even let my guard down with you, huh? Nambu Diver Senpai." But Aki defends her boyfriend, saying she was the one who invited him. She insists that it's only normal for a girl like her to love someone, and that having a boyfriend will motivate her to work even harder. But Mizuguchi tries to make her see the situation by making her imagine what her fans will feel like if they knew that she has a boyfriend. "What if Taneichi, your Idol, has someone else he loves? How would you feel?" Aki, of course, remembers the hurt she felt when Taneichi chose Yui over her, so she feels bothered when asked to imagine the "heartbreak" it would cost to her "million fans." Taneichi defends his love, saying he can make Aki happier "than her million fans by being million times the man." Mizuguchi calls him an idiot for saying that, and asks Masamune about his thoughts on the matter.
But instead of admonishing, Masamune talks about his experience with Young Haruko, on how he encouraged her to continue to stay in Tokyo. Taneichi is brought to tears, touched by his story. He says he feels ashamed that even if he also encouraged Aki to hang in there (Ep. 110-111), he has done nothing much to support her (except to "get in her bedroom when no one's around" lol). Masamune says it's okay because whether he supports her through words or deed, his feelings for Aki are nevertheless "sincere", and that's "how a man is" (lol, okay).
Mizuguchi, not liking where the topic went, warns the two not to see each other for the meantime (but only at Burai Sushi) and to just email each other. "So far, I'll turn a blind eye on this."
Finally the day of the final audition has come. Only Aki and Kaoruko are left. For the finals, Suzuka takes repeated turns with the two, reciting and acting out the "I'm leaving the island" scene together, while being videotaped for later deliberations. While it was going on, Futomaki watches in silence. For some reason, he has a sad (and probably guilty) look on his face...
Afterwards, the two wait nervously in the Hole while the grown-ups discuss the final decision. Kawashima says if they choose Kaoruko, they'll be needing a body double because she cannot swim. He asks Futomaki: "Is that why you kept Amano whom you fired once?" Futomaki looking sad and defeated, replies, "I guess I wanted to make a favor. I also had a sense of guilt. As the office president, I wanted to push for Onodera. But there is another me, the non-business side of me, that's trying to push for Amano. Saying, Make a movie with Amano Aki. Saying if I make Amano a body double, I'll regret it again." Kawashima: "Again?" Futomaki shows them the online video of Aki taking her first sea urchin. "As I watched it, I don't know... but I became really sad..."
Meanwhile, in Kitansariku, Haruko is at Natsu's hospital room, peeling pears for her mother. Natsu tells her she's already fine and that Haruko can go home to Tokyo now. Haruko says she is still staying. Probably not wanting to make Natsu feel bothered (about being a burden to her daughter), Haruko says she does not "have a job waiting for her" in Tokyo" anyway.
Finally, a decision has been made by the jury panel. Kawashima goes to tell the two girls the results...
The two girls stand up as Kawashima enters the room. Kaoruko is told to go home while Aki is being called by Futomaki in his office. Aki feels ecstatic but understandably, she does not to show it in front of Kaoruko. The younger girl congratulates her and smilingly, shakes her hand. But as Aki leaves, Kaoruko is shown with tears streaming down her cheeks...
Aki enters Futomaki's office. Aki says her thanks to the jurors and "Yoroshiku." The head of Heartful, who is now more amiable, is sincerely happy for Aki and congratulates her. Suzuka also wishes her good luck and shakes her hand, with a happy, and motherly smile on her face...
Ep. 126. Outside the theater, a tearful Mizuguchi, who is already aware of the great news, comes and gives Aki a bear hug. Then, she notices one of her misanga had fallen off, and now there are two left.
They celebrate her victory with Masamune at Burai Sushi. Of course, the first person Aki calls is Yui who is at Bar Rias, with Ben. They are ecstatic over her "win." And Ben also congratulates his former disciple Mizuguchi for a job well done. An emotional Mizuguchi breaks into tears again, informing him "the gemstone has already shone." Yui also informs Aki that everyone is with Natsu who is set to go home on this day from the hospital.
At the Amano home in Sodegahama, everyone arrives and shows Natsu her new hospital bed placed in her room. Then, Haruko gets a call from Aki, and gets informed of the great news. Everyone rejoices as they hear of it. Hiroshi also gets to talk with Aki on the phone to congratulate her. Aki thanks him as well because he was the one who put up the video of her getting her first uni. "That video was the decisive factor that made me get the role." Hiroshi tries to reiterate his love for Aki even if she has become a big star, but alas, she could not hear him amid all the noisy revelry everyone was making.
Pretty soon, Aki receives the scripts of the movie, "Shiosai no Memory ~Island of Mother and Daughter". Suzuka will reprise her role of "Suzuka Hiromi" while Aki will play the 17 year old daughter, named "Suzuka Aki". "It feels like being the adopted daughter of Suzuka Hiromi," Aki says to herself, "I feel happy and embarrassed at the same time."
She also sent a script to her mom in Kitasanriku. Natsu, still recuperating on her new bed, gets to read it. She is happy for Aki, and comments that the story is "not bad at all." But her mood sours when she hears the Ama Club's loud speaker, announcing tomorrow's Honki Dori event. Natsu hates to not being able to join Honki Dori, "for the first time in all my years of being a diver." Haruko reminds her that she gave her slot once to Aki before. Natsu remembers how Aki managed to get only one sea urchin at that time, and everyone made a huge happy fuss over it. Mother and daughter have a good laugh about it. Then, when Haruko offers Natsu some barley tea, Natsu ekes out a "thank you", not just once but twice! Haruko could not believe her ears. Natsu even tells Haruko to "stay as long as she likes."
During the Honki Dori, Yui, had managed to fetch 4 sea urchins. The guys at the railway held an auction for these uni. Many otakus turn up and the winning bid was 40,000 yen, paid, of course by Hibiki.
Meanwhile, things have become busy for Aki. She has to film 20 episodes of "Make it and Break it" in advance, because she would soon be busy shooting the movie. She also has to rehearse with the actors and director for the scenes in the movie. Then, she also has to undergo lots of preparation as an actress: dancing, vocal exercises, voice training, more special training on skin diving, kimono gestures, Nichibu (traditional dance), calligraphy, penmanship, ikebana, cooking... plus she has to read huge amounts of materials. Aki strives hard to do all these until finally...
It is early morning, the sun hasn't come out yet. Aki and the crew are at a harbor, getting ready for the first day of filming. Aki, dressed up in a somewhat Showa period costume, nervously waits for things to start. Suzuka arrives and Aki giddily greets her. The veteran actress offers her some unconventional words of advice, "You've endured well up to this point. You've learned how hard an actress tries to play a part as another woman, right? Alright! Then, everything you have studied so far... forget them all. Reset it. Let's start from scratch. That's acting, that's a movie!"