02x09 - The Declaration

[bunniefuu]

It's all wasted effort.

It's not!

You don't really want to give up, do you?

You're the same.

You gave up on being a manga artist

and became an office worker.

The characters aren't very impactful.

Yes?

Mi-chan, how are you?

What's up, Dad?

What kind of reaction is that?

You hurt my feelings.

Sorry, I'm working.

At this hour?

You're not overworking yourself, right?

Are you eating properly?

Being an editor must be hard

with all the scary seniors

and eccentric manga artists…

You're choking.

Calm down, speak slowly.

Ah, I've been coughing a lot lately.

I might be getting old.

Yeah.

So, what did you call me for?

Nothing really.

Oh, have you heard?

About what?

About Kizuki.

What happened to Kizuki?

I heard it from Kizuki's mom.

He quit his job.

Huh?

Miss Nishino, thank you
for making the arrangement.

On-site research will make
the work more convincing.

Yes.

Thank you for your help.

Then I'll show you the way.

It hasn't changed at all.

Have you been here before?

My childhood friend learned swimming here.

I see.

I heard it from Kizuki's mom.

Over here.

This pool is huge.

That one over there

is the athlete

being interviewed this time.

Thank you.

No way.

Mizuho.

Yes, exactly, that's the feeling.

That's valuable information.

Really? That's great.

Mr. Hazawa?

Oh, sorry.

But I haven't been swimming for a while.

So the information might be outdated.

I see.

Because of a shoulder injury,

I once completely gave up on swimming

and gave up on life.

I even pushed away people
who cheered me on.

But I don't want to run away anymore.

That's why I came back.

I quit my job at the company.

Kizuki came back to swim.

That's a big decision to make.

Weren't you hesitant at all?

No.

I know it's a reckless challenge.

But I want

to show someone again.

But your shoulder
hasn't fully recovered yet.

I'll definitely get it fixed.

Don't slow down.

So cool.

Kizuki is truly dazzling when he swims.

Your condition has improved a lot.

Thank you very much today.

It was a valuable interview.

It's okay. Good luck with your work.

Thanks to Mr. Hazawa,

I got the image
of the protagonist's rival.

That's great.

Wh… what's wrong?

Is that childhood friend you mentioned

Mr. Hazawa?

So it really is him.

Miss Kawaguchi, are you a psychic?

It seems you didn't know
about his comeback.

Right.

I wish he had told me.

He is your youth, isn't he?

What?

Well…

Mizuho.

Kizuki?

I miss you.

Huh?

Miss Nishino.

I'm bursting with creative energy.

I need to get back to the storyboards.

Okay.

I'll take my leave then.

I'm sorry, Mizuho.

What?

For the past three years,
I've been running away.

I acted selfishly and hurt you.

I truly am sorry.

You gave me a shock.

I didn't expect you to be here.

Are you still mad?

I'm mad at myself.

I never tried to understand
what you were going through.

You were suffering because of your injury,

but all I could say was "don't give up"

or "are you okay?"

I kept pushing you into a corner.

No.

It was because of your encouragement

that I felt I could come back to swimming.

Kizuki.

Mizuho, I want to aim
to be a swimmer again.

I don't know if I'll ever be able to
get back to my peak,

but I want to reclaim everything I lost.

Both swimming and you.

Kizuki.

I'll make you like me again.

I'll get back on my feet.

The research came in handy.

But why…

Senior, you've been really noisy.

Sorry.

I got quite emotional,
so my mind went blank.

Then snap out of it and help me.

With what?

Just this.

Let me see.

This is…

I'm a bit lost
on how to develop this next part.

The main character received
confessions from two people.

Let's date.

Shin.

But Shin…

Let me make sure

if I still have feelings for you.

I want to reclaim everything I lost.

Both swimming and you.

Kizuki.

I'll make you like me again.

I need to think things through.

Are you getting emotional again?

Sakura.

Yeah?

What would you do if it were you?

If…

Miss Nishino.

You have a visitor at the front desk.

Thanks.

But I don't have any appointments today.

It's someone named Kashiwagi.

Huh? Kashiwagi?

I heard he's really handsome.

Handsome?

What's your relationship?

Mizuho.

Kai? What are you doing here?

I came to see you.

So?

Want to quit your job and marry me?

A handsome high schooler? Marry?

That's cute!

Senior Nishino is so lucky.

No way, idiot.

Marry me and come live with us.

No matter how much you grow,
you're still a kid inside.

Is there a manga artist here?

No, there isn't.

Eh?

By the way, Kai,
shouldn't you be in school?

Actually…

I'm here today for a university open day.

And this is for you.

Could you give it
to my workaholic brother?

Shin? Why?

He seems to be down with a cold.

Mom asked me to bring him these.

But since I'm a student taking the exam,
I should avoid getting sick.

So I must trouble you.

W-Wait a second, Kai.

That puts me in an awkward spot.

Why?

Why would it be awkward?

Because…

Did something happen between you and Shin?

N-No, nothing.

Oh, okay.

If you're so hesitant about it,

why not just pick me?

If nothing happened between you,
you should be able to bring this to him.

Thanks. See you.

Wait…

Mizuho.

Shin. Perfect timing.

Can you give me a rain check?

Huh?

I heard Kizuki had an asthma attack.

Please inform everyone for me.

I'm going to check on Kizuki.

Mizuho.

What am I to you?

What is it? So annoying!

Mizuho.

What's wrong?

Did you have a fight with Kizuki?

Shin…

Congratulations on
getting into Touou University!

That's great!

Thank you.

Shin-chan, that's amazing!
- Congrats!

I always knew you'd make it!
- You're amazing, bookworm.

Thanks, everyone.

You've worked so hard for it.

Huh? I fell asleep.

The day Mizuho needs me will never come.

All athletes and related personnel,

thank you for attending
today's swimming competition.

The meet has concluded successfully…

They look so happy.

Shin-chan…

Even if I don't work hard,

Mizuho will still be happy.

But…

Kizuki showed up
at the fireworks festival.

What?

He said he came to see me.

It was over between us long ago.

I can't give up on Mizuho.

Mizuho…

Sorry, did I wake you?

You came.

Yeah.

Shin, you are still feverish.

Are you okay?

I took medicine earlier.

The fever should break soon.

Then you should go back to sleep.

Okay.

Um…

Kai asked me to bring you some stuff.

I put them in the fridge for you.

I'll head out now.

Don't go.

I've always been jealous.

When Kizuki was sick,
he always got to have you all to himself.

Shin…

Are you and Kizuki still in contact?

I'll make you like me again.

Yeah…

I can't forgive him.

He hurt you.

Shin.

I won't let you go anywhere.

Mizuho.

Stay with me.

Shin, what's wrong with you?

This isn't like you at all.

Shin?

You're still feverish.

Mizuho…

Miss Nishino?

Dr. Kuroda.

Thank you for the other day.

Well…

I was just bringing Shin
some food his mom made for him.

That's all, really.

So, um…

I… I should go.

Wait, please.

Can I ask you something?

What is Kashiwagi to you?

What does he mean to you?

Huh?

Shin is my childhood friend.

That's not fair.

What?

That's really not fair.

Haven't you realized?

Kashiwagi doesn't feel that way.

Keeping the feelings bottled up

is truly painful.

I can't face Kashiwagi anymore.

I…

I'm sorry.

I was just jealous.

Please forget it.