The puppy was always in the dark.
To live is to care for someone.
It's not difficult.
To care for someone and to take a step forward for someone.
That's
probably what it means to live.
The puppy was always in the dark.
The puppy was always lost; he didn't know where he was.
The many tall buildings filling the city blocked all the light.
In the darkness, the puppy walked, hungry.
Sorry, I interrupted you.
Do you want to listen?
Do you want to listen to me read?
Sure.
Would you read it to me?
Sure, okay.
In the darkness, the puppy walked, hungry.
The puppy pointed his muddy face towards the empty sky.
That's when he saw in the darkness a shining light.
I'll lend you this book if you like it.
My eyes...
I can't read.
I'll read for you, then.
"Oh? What is that light?"
The puppy ran towards the light.
But is he getting closer, or is it getting farther away?
The puppy could not tell.
Still, the puppy ran the best he could.
Angel Heart
Yo, Xin-Hong, Xin-Hong.
What's up with Umibozu?
He's been wiping the same cup for half an hour.
Something's not right with him lately.
Every day, past noon...
Xin-Hong.
Yes?
Take care of the shop.
Again?
I'm going shopping.
Yeah, something's definitely not right.
Mister.
Over here.
Have a seat.
Here.
I'm going to read.
Right.
A picture book?
Umibozu?
Yes.
Out of nowhere, he asked me where he could buy one.
It's true.
Ryo-chan! Ryo-chan!
Big news!
That's English for "big news."
Yeah, I know. What?
Oh?
Who's this handsome man?
Where's Glass Heart?
Help me!
What?
What is XYZ?
No!
Wait, Mocchie, calm down.
Ryo-chan told me the situation.
You're Xiang Ying-chan, and you're Xin-Hong-kun!
Who is this person?
She runs a bar named Rafflesia at Nichome.
I'm Holly.
And that over there is Mocchie.
Don't look!
But he's hot.
So what's this "big news"?
Oh, right.
I saw Umi-chan at the park earlier.
What's wrong with Umibozu going to the park?
Get this: She was with the Girl of Happiness.
The Girl of Happiness?
What's that?
Oh, you don't know?
She's been showing up in town lately.
Rumor has it that anyone she meets finds happiness.
Find happiness?
It must have been about six months ago that I first heard rumors about her.
To the Girl of Happiness
She pops up out of nowhere to meet the miserable.
And then she vanishes, leaving smiles on their faces.
Don't you think she's strange?
You sure know a lot.
Don't underestimate the Nichome information hub!
Ask Holly anything about this town; she usually knows.
I'll teach you everything you need to know.
I'm good, thanks.
She's doing well, huh?
I'd never forget.
What didn't you like about me?
Sorry.
It's always in my head!
How strange, I have tears.
I think you're just remembering a man from your past.
Yup.
He works powdering shark cartilage.
Shark cartilage?
Oh, my. Tell me more.
Girl of Happiness, huh?
But if the rumors are true,
that means Umibozu-san can find happiness, too, right?
Dunno.
I wonder.
What the puppy had found in the hollow of the dark was a star.
The star blinked, as if to offer the puppy a conversation.
"Don't worry, you're not alone."
Tears filled the puppy's eyes, and it looked as though the star was smiling.
The star continued:
"Thanks for finding me."
Neither the puppy nor the star were lonely anymore.
Forever and ever, they talked, giving no notice to the passing time.
Thanks for reading every day.
I'm happy as long as you enjoy it, mister.
I'll read it to you again.
Yeah.
See you tomorrow.
Bye-bye.
Sorry.
It's fine.
What an adorable girl.
Is she your daughter?
No, nothing like that.
Oh, really?
You seemed like her real father.
I have to return to work.
M-My apologies.
Excuse me.
Did you still need something?
Beware of the man named "Falcon."
He was what you'd expect from someone close to Saeba Ryo.
He's lost almost all sight.
There's no need.
His other senses appear to have become heightened in its place.
Be careful, or you'll fall victim to an ambush.
It's a Confucian saying,
meaning "the lion hunts even the rabbit with all its strength."
Keep that in mind.
Over there.
He's been there for over two hours now.
I'll handle it.
Excuse me,
I'm Komiyama from Shinjuku Nishi Station.
Hey!
Huh? What're you doing here?
Picture books.
Picture books?
Can you recommend me a picture book?
A recommendation?
Do you have a picture book recommendation?
Ow, ow.
H-H-H-How about th-th-this one?
I want this one.
Okay.
Wait.
Yes?
Would you please put a ribbon on it?
Understood.
A ribbon?
What are you going to do with a ribbon?
Falcon bought a picture book?
I couldn't believe it.
I always thought he was a strange guy.
Imagine him at the picture book section.
He'd be nothing but a terror to the kids there.
Hey, that's the Girl of Happiness's influence.
Girl of Happiness?
Yes.
She brings happiness to whomever she meets?
I've never heard such a rumor.
Apparently she's been showing up in town since about half a year ago.
Falcon with a girl, huh?
Nope, I can't imagine it.
He's completely lost it.
It's odd though, isn't it?
That such a small girl would be wandering around here without even going to school.
I wonder what her parents are doing?
That's true.
That's the thing.
It'd be great so long as she's happy herself.
Oh, sorry mister, I didn't notice you.
Is something the matter?
I was looking at the stars.
The stars?
Yeah.
I was hoping I could see them.
Here.
It's a gift.
Thanks for everything.
What's this?
A picture book.
I don't know if you'll like it or not.
Thanks, mister.
Forever and ever, they talked, giving no notice to the passing time.
I'll read you this book tomorrow.
I'll look forward to it, Miki.
Yup.
See you tomorrow.
Bye-bye.
Here we go.
Why don't we call it a night?
You sure?
I don't want to scare the little angel.
Why did you follow her?
She seems to have something going on at home.
I couldn't just leave her.
Is that what you mean "to care for someone and to take a step for someone"?
That, and Umibozu and I go way back.
The Timid Puppy and the Lost Star
Hey.
Yes?
Can you see the stars right now?
The stars?
The stars...
No, not really.
We're in the middle of a city.
Yeah?
Why do you ask?
No reason.
Hey!
What do you want from us?
Easy. Easy, Xiang Ying.
Sorry.
I just happened to see a girl walk into this building.
This way.
The Girl of Happiness has a secret base.
It doesn't look like something a kid would have made by herself.
I'm the manager of this building.
As you can see, I have no tenants.
Look.
To Miki I'll be home soon. Hold on to your promise with Mommy.
"Hold on to your promise with Mommy."
That was written by Miki's mother, Sato-chan.
Oh.
So you know her mother?
Yes.
It was two years ago that Miki and Sato-chan showed up in Shinjuku.
Are you okay?
They must have had some exceptional circumstances.
They didn't seem to have anywhere to live.
The neighbors and I decided to lend a hand.
Sato-chan, it's not much.
You two should have it together.
Tome-san, this isn't much, but...
Sato-chan tried really hard not to cause us any trouble.
She raised Miki all by herself.
So where is this mother?
That's what we can't figure out.
She vanished about six months ago.
Vanished?
She left Miki here along with that letter.
It's been bothering me the whole time.
There's no telling when Sato-chan will be back.
But I couldn't very well kick the girl out on her own, either.
I see.
Hey.
Are you two not detectives?
Tome-san, come quick.
Miki-chan...
Miki!
Calm down!
She was found collapsed in an alley in Kabukicho.
Is she okay?!
It was from malnutrition.
She's been handing out most of the food and snacks
she'd been given to homeless people.
No way.
Miki did?
Well, I don't think she's in mortal danger.
Give it time, and...
That'd better be true.
Ow, ow, ow.
Let go!
Stop it!
You're way too violent.
There is one thing that's bothering me, though.
That girl's showing signs of stress.
Miki.
Mister.
Sorry, did I wake you?
Sorry.
I was supposed to read you the picture book.
It was the same book that you got me.
I'll read it to you now.
Miki.
Miki!
No, she's just sleeping.
Her sedatives kicked in.
Calm down!
Saeko?
I need your help with something.
Miki's mother?
A pedestrian apparently found her dead on the streets in Ueno about half a year ago.
Acute cardiac failure.
They weren't able to find details on her identity from her belongings.
I see.
I didn't think Sato-chan would abandon Miki.
I'd never have thought...
That girl...
Why?
Why did she worry for others more than herself?
Her mother would come back if she kept her promise.
She truly believes so.
Her promise?
To Miki I'll be home soon. Hold on to your promise with Mommy.
Sato-chan would always say...
Miki, what did you promise me?
Not to cause people trouble.
And to be kind to people.
Yup.
So be a good girl.
Promise, Miki?
Yup.
Promise.
Pinky swear. If you tell a lie,
I'll make you drink a thousand needles.
Now the promise has been made.
See you soon.
See you.
She's been keeping her promise.
And once her mom got home, they'd live together happily.
That was the only thing keeping Miki going.
That's why even after her mom went missing, she didn't leave the room.
She couldn't help herself whenever she saw anyone miserable in town.
She had to try to make herself useful to them.
That was all she was thinking about.
Even though she's in the saddest situation of them all.
That situation may be sad.
But that girl has the purest heart of anyone in this town.
There's no way someone like her couldn't find happiness.
How are you going to break the news to her?
Tell her?
Tell her what?
What do you think? About her mother.
We can't just leave her like this.
I'd expect that to come from a cop.
Tell her the truth, and then what? Case closed?
Her mother is the only thing keeping her going.
I know that.
But there's no way a little girl can live by herself.
Are you going to take everything away from her?
Then what do you want me to do?
I don't know!
Well, one thing I know is that it'll take more than half-assed intentions to save her.
So what's the plan with that Miki girl?
You're not just going to leave her, are you?
It's what she wants that matters the most.
I wonder what Kaori would have done.
She and her brother Makimura-kun must have been happy being City Hunter with you.
You're the only City Hunter left now, huh?
You don't need to tell me that.
Hey, Ryo...
There's one thing I want to talk to you about before we get married.
What's that?
I've decided not to have kids.
City Hunter's a deadly job.
If we died, our kids might have to go through a lot of loneliness.
Are you sure about that?
Yeah.
But with that said, there's something I want you to promise me.
To care for someone and to take a step forward for someone.
That's
probably what it means to live.
Mommy?
Where are you going?
Home.
Mommy might come back.
Wait.
I still think we should tell her the truth.
We can't.
So is she just going to be alone from now on?
We can't do that, either.
What's up, Doc?
What?
Xiang Ying and Miki are missing from the hospital.
Mommy!
What are you doing?
Looking at the stars.
The stars?
Are you okay?
Mommy, are you going to work tomorrow, too?
Yeah.
So I might be home late.
Sorry, Miki.
I'm making you lonely.
I'm not lonely.
I'll be watching my favorite stars while I wait.
Miki.
Mommy must be out there, watching the same stars.
But I can't see them
anymore.
Aren't you going in?
I don't know.
What kind of face does she have on right now?
What do I say to her?
I know the truth.
Mommy doesn't exist anymore.
Thank you, Miki-chan.
Is your mom home yet?
Nope.
Oh.
Okay, see you.
Thanks for the food.
Bye-bye.
That girl isn't that woman's kid, is she?
That woman?
Remember?
I told you about how that woman I met at my temp job who passed away six months ago.
She told me she had a daughter, Miki, who was turning ten.
It's got to be someone else.
Miki's a common name.
It's not Mommy.
My mommy's coming home soon.
But, but...
Mommy!
Mommy! Mommy!
She'll understand someday.
Her mother is with her forever, inside of her.
Mommy?
Welcome home.
I missed you.
Sorry, Miki.
Don't leave me anymore.
Be a good girl.
Promise?
I'm coming with you.
I want to be with you.
I'm with you here.
No matter how tough life gets, or when sad things happen,
I'll always, always be with you.
I was already right here with you.
And I always will be.
Mommy, are you really with me?
You're always going to be with me?
Mommy.
What the puppy had found in the hollow of the dark was a star.
The star blinked, as if to offer the puppy a conversation.
"Don't worry, you're not alone."
Tears filled the puppy's eyes, and it looked as though the star was smiling.
The star continued:
"Thanks for finding me."
Neither the puppy nor the star were lonely anymore.
Forever and ever, they talked, giving no notice to the passing time.
Are they out?
Are the stars out right now?
No, they aren't.
Not to me.
I'm just glad you're both safe.
So the rumor was true.
Umibozu found happiness in meeting Miki-chan.
All that's left is Miki-chan herself.
I guess the question is whether or not Miki-chan intends to leave the room.
I don't think she'll obsess about that place anymore.
Her mother is inside her.
You wouldn't believe how painfully obvious that is to me.
Every damn morning, I stand in front of the mirror, and there's my mom.
I noticed it one day after I'd grown up.
That my face in the mirror is just like the one I'd seen of my mother as a child.
Family is strange, isn't it?
The older you get, the more like your parents you become.
Not just your face, either.
Even your mannerisms and behaviors.
Just kidding.
You know, though, her mother's watching over her from within her.
Miki-chan must have felt that way, too.
Right, Ryo?
Who knows?
She'll understand someday.
Her mother is with her forever, inside of her.
It's about time, isn't it?
For City Hunter to come back.
That's not even funny.
It's too late for that.
Is there something else you can do?
You're the only City Hunter left now, huh?
My heart?
Kaori?
wants you to move on.
...and go forward.
I've decided not to have kids.
Are you sure about that?
Yeah.
But with that said, there's something I want you to promise me.
I want to watch over the people of this town.
So let's not ever stop.
City Hunter.
Hey, Kaori.
Wait?
You're right, Kaori.
How about it?
Can you see them?
No.
Can you see them?
No.
It's the sunset.
It's really pretty!
Tell me, what's the sunset like?
It's huge.
And it's bright red.
The sky, the clouds?bright red.
The sunset, huh?
It's been a while.
I'd forgotten there was even such a thing.
Thank you, Miki.
For reminding me of something precious.
For letting me see such a beautiful sunset.
Would you be my eyes going forward?
Stay by my side.
Tell me when you see the stars,
how big they are, what color they are.
Maybe we can see them.
If not today, tomorrow.
If not tomorrow, the day after.
Forever going forward.
Let's promise to see the stars
together someday.
Yup.
This drama is a work of fiction.
Please find who this heart belongs to.
What? What?
Just who are you?
Thank you.
Kaori's happy.
I thought it was a miracle.