01x05 - Uchiage Hanabi

[bunniefuu]

I'm home.

This is just an old habit.

Turning the lights on doesn't help me see.

But when I know that the room lights
are on, it makes me feel like I'm home.

That was so fun!

Welcome back, Koharu!

You still haven't eaten, right?

Right.

LOVE UNSEEN BENEATH THE CLEAR NIGHT SKY

What are we having for dinner?

I decided to make tempura.

Great!

Are you ready to eat now?

Mm-hmm. Thanks.

I get as hungry as anyone does,
but eating in front of other people

is not my favorite thing.

Thank you for the food.

It's hot, so be careful.

The tempura plate is right in front.
Everything else is in the usual place.

Mm-hmm.

Mmm, this is so good!

I get nervous when I start to worry
I might have something stuck to my face.

Even when I was eating with Kakeru-kun,
I actually felt very anxious.

By the looks of things,
it seems the date went well.

How did you know it was a date?

Well, you put more effort
into your makeup than usual

and you tried on
a bunch of different outfits.

It's true that I put in
a little extra effort today.

I woke up on my own, earlier than usual,

then took a shower, picked my clothes,
and took time doing my makeup.

I got all dressed up.

But none of it felt like a hassle.
I wanted to look nice for Kakeru-kun,

and I was so, so excited
for him to see me.

I had so much fun just getting ready

that I wasn't sure how
I'd react when I met him.

Yeah. I had fun.

You're even grinning now.

No, I am not!

Thank you for the meal.

It was a short date that
lasted less than half a day,

but the fact that Kakeru-kun
took the time to see me

and stayed with me so long

made me very happy.

Even though I can't see, there are
plenty of things that I want to do,

but people think that
they are too difficult for me.

The hardest part is when that makes
people not want to include me.

But Kakeru-kun is different.

He tries to understand me.

Hey.

If you don't want to talk about it,
that's totally fine with me...

Sometimes Kakeru-kun speaks
to me in a very gentle tone

and it sounds like he is being very,
very careful not to hurt my feelings.

but what does it look like when you're
blind? Is it pitch black or something?

Well...

You really don't have to answer.

People tend to think it's pitch black,
but for me, it's the opposite.

Opposite?

It's like I'm in this whitish,
transparent blur.

Huh.

Kakeru-kun responds with "huh" a lot.

I guess it's a habit of his.
I think it's cute.

How do I put this? It feels like
a very thoughtful "huh" to me.

It's one thing that I like about him.

"Life must be hard when you're blind."

There are a lot of people
who say things like that.

I guess it just goes to show
how uncommon blindness is.

When people say that, I want
to tell them, "I'm totally normal."

Wow, it really is rocking.

There's a waist-high railing in front
of you, so hang on to that.

Okay.

It certainly was a shock when I learned
that I was going to lose my sight.

However, I got used to it over time and
now I can eat and take baths just fine.

I can use a cell phone and
even 'read' audiobooks.

I can do my own makeup
and dress myself up.

It can be hard to walk on tactile blocks,
so I don't wear shoes with narrow heels.

Boots and sandals are fine, though.

I'm actually living a pretty normal life.

Thank you for joining us today.

We will be departing shortly.

Hang on tight, okay?

You know I will!

Actually hang on, though!

There are still many things I can't do
by myself, but I manage to get by.

I've learned to ask for help
when I need it.

I've even made some good friends that way.

So I don't think
people need to worry about me.

The wind's pretty strong. Are you okay?

I'm all right.

It's very refreshing.

On both sides of the ship, there are rows
of buildings lining the Sumida River.

Okay.

Every once in a while, you can
see a park on the riverbank.

The trees are all green.

Mm-hmm!

The sun is high in the sky, and the light
is reflecting off the water.

It's really bright.

I love the way that being thoughtful
comes as second nature to him.

I love how warm Kakeru-kun's hands are.

I love his voice.

I love the way he makes me laugh.

I love how kind he is.

Whoa!

What's the matter?

Th-The bridge in front of us,
it says Eitai Bridge,

yeah I guess it's called Eitai Bridge,
but it's a lot lower than the others.

We might hit our heads, so get down!

Okay!

Sorry.

It wasn't as low as I thought.
We were totally clear.

Are you kidding me?

At times like this, I think,
"I wish I could see his face right now."

I am absolutely, positively sure that
I'd still like him if I saw his face.

I do like Kakeru-kun,
but I'm too afraid to let him know.

Maybe he doesn't want to be
with a handicapped person.

No, I know Kakeru-kun isn't like that.

But I still can't help but feel very
uncertain and scared.

I think we're in Tokyo Bay now.

I can smell the ocean.
I guess we'll be arriving soon.

I can't see the university from here,
but we should arrive at Etchujima—

Oh... sorry to grab you like that.

No, it's all right.

I'm having so much fun!

If I could still see then, would I have
been able to tell him I like him?

No, I think I would have been too scared.

Wow. I guess confessing
your true feelings can be scary.

Ah, I'm so happy.

I'm so happy to know what that feels like.

I'm so happy that I know
what love feels like.

I wonder what Kakeru-kun thinks of me.

Should I go ahead and tell him how I feel?

But what would I do if he rejects me?

Even after exchanging Lime info,
he's never contacted me on his own.

I'm having so, so much fun
that it almost hurts,

like my chest is about to burst open.

I feel incredibly happy
but also so anxious.

Kakeru-kun.

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Cutter training.

They say it's a dorm tradition.
They say it's 100 years old.

They say it started when
the Black Ships arrived.

It's all a fish story that grew
not only legs but even fins,

but dorm residents are
required to participate.

Dorm residents wake up at the crack
of dawn and meet at Harumi Pier,

get on this small vessel called a cutter,

and do nothing but row the boat in time
with the calls until the sun comes up.

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

It's all in preparation for the school
festival at the beginning of June,

when the dorm residents
take guests on trial cutter boat rides.

Once the passengers board the boat,

we go from the triangular area formed
by Etchujima, Tsukishima, and Toyosu,

then pass under the Harumi
Bridge and row all the way around.

It's always one of the most popular
events during the festival.

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

- Keep it up, Kakeru-kun!

Stroke!

- Heave-h*!

- Hang in there!

- Why did those two have to ride?

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Hey, aren't we turning right a little?

Sorano! Put your back into it!

You're rowing too hard, Narumi!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Fuyutsuki, are you okay?
You aren't scared?

No, this is super fun!

Go for it, go for it, Kakeru-kun!

Go for it, go for it, Kakeru-kun!

How can you be enjoying this so much?

It's so nice to smell the saltwater
and feel the breeze!

What's not to like about it?

Oh, that's cold!

The sea awakens a man's
sense of adventure!

If this doesn't get your heart
pounding, nothing will!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Wow!

You ain't seen nothin' yet!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

When this is finally over,
I'm dropping out of college

and moving back home to grow vegetables.

You're going to drop out?

No, he's not, Koharu-chan.

Don't fall for this guy's stupid jokes.

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Heave-h*!

Stroke!

Hayase, you doing okay?

What? I can't hear you.

Are you doing okay?

What's that?

I said, are you doing okay?!

No, I am not doing okay!

Senpai, a passenger is feeling seasick.
I suggest we slow down.

Oars!

That's very considerate of you.

Sorry, sorry. I was gettin' into it.

Oh, did you know that there's a fireworks
show at the end of the festival?

Hey, Sorano-kun.

I've got a festival committee meeting,

so it would be great if you could
take care of Koharu-chan for me.

I got a late shift at seven.

Come on, you seriously plan to work
after living through cutter boat hell?

Your nerves will be so dead
you won't even know how sore you are.

Fine.

I'll take care of her,
so let's meet up later.

Fuyutsuki, wait for me
at our usual terrace.

All right.

You know, we still haven't used
the fireworks we bought yet.

No, we sure haven't!

If I knew there would be
fireworks at the festival,

I wouldn't have bought quite as many.

Oh, come on.

Hey, at least you got a date
with Koharu-chan, right?

The dude even hit the shower
before heading out.

Ew, he's serious.

Koharu-chan, you'd better
keep your guard up.

Seriously, would you drop it already?

Aah!

It's not funny, guys!

After being on the water all that time,

it feels like the ground is moving
and it's hard to walk.

My arms are shaking like crazy

and my back hurts so much
it feels like it could snap in half.

But even though I'm such a mess right now,

the thought of spending time alone with
Fuyutsuki makes my heart jump with joy.

Since when did I get
so excited to see her?

Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?

No, I haven't been here long.

Want another?

No, I'm fine.

Congratulations!

Let's give them a big round of applause!

Kakeru-kun?

For a second, I thought
you had gone off somewhere.

I was just keeping a low profile.

You're so mean, Kakeru-kun.

I could hear Hayase's voice
as she's emceeing on the main stage

and was thinking, there's no way I could
ever serve on a festival committee,

so I really respect that.

I know what you mean.

Was the yukata contest
going to be at the end?

Yeah. After that, it's just the fireworks.

I wish I could've worn a yukata.

I bet Fuyutsuki dynasty yukata
are crazy expensive!

My mother used to wear a yukata
with a spider lily pattern on the sash.

I wanted to try wearing it.

So why didn't you sign up
for the yukata contest?

Me? Sign up?

You totally would have taken first place.

If I had entered the yukata contest,
would you have voted for me?

Of course!

Please give me a serious answer.

Yes, I would have voted for you.

Even though I can't see?

You still would have
chosen me for first place?

For a yukata contest,
does it really matter if you can't see?

There's no way it doesn't matter.
Deep inside, everyone knows that.

It isn't possible for people
to be completely unbiased.

But even then...

Even then, regardless of that, I think
I would have voted for you, Fuyutsuki.

That would almost be like...

you confessing your feelings for me.

Huh?

No, no! I simply mean that
you're really attractive...

Attractive?

No, no, no, no!

I simply mean that the lady
must look quite stunning in a yukata!

What are you talking about?

It must be love.

Huh?

Uh, y-you must really love fireworks!

I mean, you're always
going on and on about them.

I do think it would be wonderful if
we could sh**t off fireworks together.

I'm sure it would be a very special day.

One that we'd never forget.

Those fireworks we splurged on
the other day were pretty heavy, right?

Yeah, and right now they're sitting
all lonely in a corner of my room.

They should have told us there would be
a fireworks show at the festival.

But when?

Hmm. Maybe during
the matriculation ceremony.

Students, congratulations
on your enrollment.

I realize this may be somewhat premature,

but there will be a fireworks show
during the school festival.

Like that?

Oh boy.

There are some
scary-looking clouds rolling in.

The wind is getting stronger too.

And now, the moment
you've been waiting for!

The esteemed winner of our yukata contest

- is second-year student of Maritime Systems
Engineering, Funayama Shiori-san!

- Yuko-chan's voice is going to be
really hoarse tomorrow.

- Congratulations!

It's so cool that she can do this.

Huh?

What's the matter?

It smells like rain.

Thank you for coming, everyone!

We have an important announcement.

Due to the rain, today's fireworks
show has been canceled.

I repeat,

we have an important announcement.

- Due to the rain, today's fireworks
show has been canceled.

- I doubt it'll let up anytime soon.

- Are you cold?

Not at all. I'm fine.

Fuyutsuki was getting wet from the rain,
and I knew I had to get her home quickly.

I knew that, but I still wanted
to spend more time with her.

Let's stop by my dorm.

Huh?

Oh.

You'll catch a cold.

Thank you very much.

Is it okay if we hold hands?

We don't have an umbrella
and I don't want you to slip.

Okay.