SEVEN YEARS LATER
YEAR 2020
You're Mei Konno, right?
Yes, I am.
Stay away from my husband!
If you contact him again,
I will sue you.
You've been warned.
I can't believe that just happened…
-I'm sorry. -Don't worry about it.
I brought it on myself.
-But what about your job? -I'll be fine.
It was only a temp job.
As long as I have a job, I don't care where I work.
Today's special program is on frozen vegetables produced in Japan.
Stable prices and being able
to just use what you need, make these convenient frozen vegetables
a housewife's best friend.
This factory limits the use of pesticides as much as possible
and the soil is also carefully managed.
The company only uses vegetables from their own fields.
Using the latest technology and human hands…
KOTA SOMETANI POSTED: APRIL 9TH, 2012
Today is Kota's seventh birthday since the incident.
In the seven years that passed, I turned 24.
But my childhood friend who was always by my side back then
will always remain a high schooler.
No matter how many birthdays come and go in the future,
he'll remain 17 years old forever.
And now, our next news topic.
In Yagami City, Nagano Prefecture,
a single cherry blossom tree bloomed early today.
This tree has a time-honored history and is well loved by the locals.
People come from far and wide
to get a look at the cherry blossom tree that blooms in winter.
However, sadly, it has been decided that it will soon be cut down
due to a land development project.
Hey, wait!
So, how was it?
Get out of the way!
You think he's here?
Hey! Hey!
What are you doing?
Is it true a first year asked you out under the cherry blossom tree?
-Can't you see we're changing! -Oh, we don't mind.
We do!
So, is it true?
That's news to me!
Why didn't you tell us?
-What did you say? -It didn't happen!
-Huh? But we heard rumors. -Right?
-It's not like that at all. -Huh?
Senpai.
Sometani Senpai.
What?
Could you please move from there?
-What? -I'm going to
confess my love to a guy, here.
Please move to another spot.
What?
-Wow, that's got to sting! -Ouch!
-Sorry for asking. -Ugh, don't apologize.
So that means she asked some other guy out, right?
Did you see who it was?
Well…
What are you looking at?
Iori, was it you who got asked out by the first year?
-Word spreads fast. -You got asked out again?
She was cute, right? What did you say?
I turned her down.
-Again? -Don't let it bother you, Kota.
Shut up!
This is why girls dislike you.
Ouch! That hurts. You're freakishly strong.
That's why guys don't like you either.
-Where's my apology? -Ugh. Ouch!
-Where's my apology? -Like I'd say that.
-By the way, Kota. -What?
Is it true you're selling pictures of me to girls?
-I heard a rumour about it. -Word got out?
-Huh. Don't fool around. -Wait, hang on!
I have a good excuse.
Ta-da!
What's that? It looks cool.
-Right? -What is that?
-I found a good second hand model. -You're joking…
Iori, I'm so glad we are friends.
Let's stay together forever. I'm counting on you.
Stop messing around.
If you can afford that, pay me back for the soda earlier.
I told you I don't have change. I'll pay back next time.
-Kota, you really have no shame. -Hey, take a picture of me.
-Huh? -I don't care if you sell it.
No one would buy that.
-Just do it. -Stop, lay off.
It's delicate.
-Come on. -I said stop!
This isn't a digital camera.
I don't want to waste film on you.
They're flirting with each other again.
How about we take one together?
Good idea. Let's do it, Kota.
-Come on. -Let's do it. Let's do it.
Okay, we have five seconds.
-Five seconds? -Okay
-Ready? -Yeah.
-Quick! Hurry! -We only got five seconds.
Three, two, one…
Ouch!
The next stop is Nishi Yagami.
Make sure to take all your belongings with you.
-Huh? Is that you, Mei? -Ryohei?
I knew it was you! How have you been?
What are you doing here?
I work at the station. I'm an attendant.
-Isn't it obvious? -That hurts.
Has it been seven years already?
-You look so much older. -Shut up!
It was a joke.
Why are you in town?
I saw the news about the cherry blossom…
So Iori is just as popular with girls as ever?
That's right. Unlike someone…
-That must hurt you, as a man. -Shut up!
-Okay, it's ready. -Thanks for the meal.
Go ahead.
That reminds me, I heard a superstition about that cherry blossom tree long ago.
If a couple confesses their love
for each other under that tree while the blossoms are in full bloom,
they'll be together forever.
It's my dream for someone to tell me they love me under that tree.
-Really? -Yeah.
Kota, why don't you make Mei's dream come true?
Huh?
Hey, not just anyone will do.
Well, I guess Kota is a bit…
I'd never go for you either.
Huh? You're so rude.
But if you did become Kota's wife
it would make me very happy.
-How unfortunate. -Yeah, it really is.
I'll get more tea.
Okay.
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to give you your birthday present.
Huh? My birthday was ages ago.
Did you need to bring that up?
Happy birthday.
It's Funassyi. Put it on your bag.
I don't want that. It's embarrassing.
What are you talking about? It's cute!
The way it jumps, it's so cool!
-You're making fun of me, aren't you? -Of course not.
This was a limited edition claw machine item.
I worked really hard to get it. Take it.
Did you submit your career slip?
Oh, that…
Iori will take over his dad's hospital so he said he's going to medical school.
He's really amazing.
Haruka says she's going to school to become a beautician.
Is that so?
What are you going to do? Let's go to the local uni together.
I…
-I'm not going to university. -No way?
I'm going to get serious about studying photography.
Really?
Is there a specialist photography school around here?
No…
It's in Tokyo.
-Huh? -I'm going to a school in Tokyo.
Oh, is that so?
Sounds good! You've always liked photography.
But do you really want to go there?
Would you fit in in Tokyo?
I hear all the guys in Shibuya are hot.
You'll really stand out.
Someone as good looking as me will be fine.
What are you saying? You'll stand out like a sore thumb.
Shut up.
You're really going to Tokyo?
We've been together forever,
so it feels strange.
I like it here.
I couldn't imagine going to another town.
Ta-da! In honor of our time in school, let's go see the Geminid meteor shower.
-A meteor shower? -Yeah.
-Looks cool. I wanna go. -Right?
The new moon is on the 13th so they say we'll get a good view.
-I'm out. I hate the cold. -And it's at night too.
-You are going, Kota! -Stop doing that!
-It hurts! You're tearing my mouth open. -We should go.
This may be the last time we can all view it together.
You're right.
Okay! It's decided! We're all gonna go together!
No…
Why is it raining?
There's really nothing we can do about this.
It's a shame, but we have to cancel.
KONNO MEI WE SHOULD GO
Huh?
THE RAIN SEEMS LIKE IT WILL STOP.
Huh?
I THINK IT WILL STOP.
NO, I'M SURE IT WILL STOP.
What are you talking about?
LET'S MEET DOWNSTAIRS IN 10 MINUTES.
Seriously?
Look, it stopped.
I told you.
Quick, let's go.
All right!
We'll get in trouble if we're caught. Let's go!
Whatever…
What are you doing? Come on!
Hey, walk more quietly.
I heard you already. Come on, let's go. Quickly!
Won't this be bad if we're caught?
Don't worry about it. This way. This way.
Hey, stop making noise.
-Walk more quietly. -I heard you the first time.
Hey, Kota, help me spread this out.
Okay.
-Oh! I just saw it. -Really?
Look, over there!
-Wow, it's so pretty! -It's incredible.
-Wow. -It's amazing.
-Look, it's over there too. -Wow!
-It's beautiful. -Incredible.
I don't believe it.
I'm glad I came.
Did you make a wish?
-Well, yeah… -What was it?
What did you wish for?
-What does it matter? -What's the harm in telling me?
Spoil sport.
-You go first. -Huh? Me?
-It's a secret. -Huh? What kind of answer is that?
It's not really a wish…
I just thought it'd be great if things stay like this.
If we all stayed just as we are.
All of us together.
If we could all be here.
I was wishing for that.
It's a crazy wish, right?
What are you doing?
Huh?
What do you think you're doing?
Nothing…
You were about to do something weird, weren't you?
No, I wasn't trying to do anything.
Ouch!
Aren't you forgetting something important?
What?
I'm saying that you have the order of things all messed up.
The order?
I'm looking at the stars so stop bothering me.
So, the Japanese phrase "ito aranu" means "not really".
"Yangotonaki" is an adjective meaning "noble".
"Kiwa" means social status,
so you could translate this as "not really of high social status".
Court ladies and court attendants both refer to consorts of the emperor.
A court lady was of higher social status.
Whether one became a court lady or an attendant
depended on whether the family from which they came had power or not.
Done.
A request to the Gods to fulfill the superstition?
I mean the cherry blossoms are already in full bloom.
And it doesn't look like he'll be confessing to me anytime soon.
What is he thinking?
How would I know?
Don't tell me he'll pretend like nothing happened
and find a girlfriend in Tokyo.
Why don't you confess to him, then?
No way! There's no way I could do something like that.
OFFERING
I WISH HE'LL CONFESS HIS LOVE TO ME BEFORE THE BLOSSOMS FALL. - MEI KONNO
What are you doing?
-Huh? -What happened?
-Oh, my God! -Is it him?
MEET ME AT 5PM TOMORROW UNDER THE CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE.
No way! Is he serious?
Wait here. I'm gonna go write a wish too!
Okay.
YAGAMI SHRINE
Woohoo!
I WISH HE'LL CONFESS HIS LOVE TO ME BEFORE THE BLOSSOMS FALL. - MEI KONNO
The cherry blossoms in full bloom outside of the regular season in Yagami City
are attracting national attention.
Did you go see the cherry blossom tree?
-No, not yet. -I guess it is tough for you.
I wonder how Iori is doing.
Well, ever since that incident, he's like a different person.
It's no surprise. I mean, he was the first to discover Kota.
It must be great.
I wish someone would confess to me under the blossoms.
Maybe we shouldn't do this.
It looks like I've made a big effort.
What are you talking about?
It's a big occasion, so you should look as cute as possible.
-I'm sure Kota will be thrilled. -You think so?
You finally got your wish!
Ah. My heart is pounding.
NAGANO PREFECTURE YAGAMI PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Whoa!
-What are you doing? -I need to talk to you.
Huh?
FRIDAY, APRIL 12TH
KOTA SOMETANI CALLING…
Excuse me! Please let me through!
No one is allowed to enter this area.
Stand back.
Please stand back.
Kota! Kota!
Kota! Let me go!
Kota!
OPEN EVERY DAY UNTIL 5 AM.
I have an early start tomorrow so I better…
You're staying in the hotel by the station, right? I'll give you a ride.
It's okay. I'm fine.
I'm gonna have a few more drinks.
Okay.
Make sure to visit me again before you go back to Tokyo.
Sure.
-See you. -Bye.
Excuse me. Another drink please.
Sure.
Excuse me, miss.
Excuse me.
Miss?
We are closing.
Sorry about that.
BANYA
YAGAMI SHRINE
What are you doing in there?
Come here. I said come.
OFFERING
I WISH HE'LL CONFESS HIS LOVE TO ME BEFORE THE BLOSSOMS FALL. - MEI KONNO
THE FUNERAL OF KOTA SOMETANI
LIGHT, TRUTH, VOYAGE, VIRTUE, BELIEVER
Kota! Where are you?
Hey!
What are you doing?
It's not true, right?
It can't be true, that you're dead.
I'm sure…
you just got lost somewhere.
You were always like that.
When you were small,
you got lost at the theme park.
You really caused trouble for everyone.
Isn't it time you grew up?
And by the way,
you need to keep your promise.
I'll be waiting forever.
I'll be waiting here forever.
Please come to me.
I don't need you to confess your love.
You can kiss me if you want.
So please…
Come to me.
I'm begging you.
Please, I'm begging you.
Come to me.
The seasons have changed many times since then.
Soon the seventh spring will come.
I came back to this town,
and realized…
Just like Kota, I was still
my 17 year old self.
Regardless of how many years have passed,
I'm still not able to move from here.
You're kidding?
You haven't traveled back in time.
It was a ghost, right?
If it really was Kota…
It seems like I've come back from the dead.
What happened that day?
I know you better than anyone.
It's been seven years. People change.
He hasn't changed a bit.
I WISH HE'LL CONFESS HIS LOVE TO ME BEFORE THE BLOSSOMS FALL. - MEI KONNO
Since you came back,
why don't you tell her?
Can we meet today?
Beneath the cherry blossom tree.
THIS DRAMA IS A WORK OF FICTION
Subtitle translation by: Shane Forde