Futakoi Alternative 8
Quickly, since I'm behind again...
The mood between Rentarou and Sara/Souju isn't as lively as it was before.. The day marked "Don't forget" on the calendar, Sara and Souju's birthday, is the next day. Rentarou goes off to the store to buy some presents for Sara/Souju, and when he arrives back at the office, that man who tried to call him a few episodes back is there to speak with him. He's Mitsugi Kimihiko, guardian of Sara/Souju, also CEO and many other things of a large company. He's appreciative of Rentarou for stepping in and being what he couldn't be, and letting Sara/Souju be themselves.. but... he's fiance to them.. well, one of them in the end. On their 16th birthday he has to choose one or the other or else he'll lose all the authority he has. Sara/Souju's mother and father died, leaving them by themselves, so their father thought this would be the best way for them to become happy...
Rentarou spends one last night with Sara/Souju, finally realizing what they were afraid of. He brings a birthday cake to have a party, but the mood never really changes. He tells them he met Kimihiko, and heard all. Everything they told him was a lie... Why did they come to him? What is he to them? He's just Rentarou, nothing more. Sara repeats her invitation from earlier... 抱いて... Rentarou says no, saying that it won't change a thing. When he goes to the other side of the bookcase, they're gone, already on their way to the bus stop. Rentarou chases after them in the rain... Sara leaves Souju behind, saying she'll get something to warm her up, but that's not the case. Sara thinks she'll be okay since she's strong. She can do it on her own...
If Rentarou had known everything, would he have been able to be with them as he had? If he had known everything, would he...
We end with a piano/vocal arrangement of "Bokura no Jikan", along with a new claymation of a "memories" book, fitting for this time. So, that's what they were afraid of.. Kimihiko seems like a nice enough guy, but seeing what life was for them before and after meeting Rentarou, it's easy to understand why they'd want to stay with him. And wow, that was a pretty straight pitch from Sara. Just like her to come out and say something like that ;) And just like her to try and fix everything on her own, protecting Souju... As for Rentarou.. seems he's lost all the confidence he has in himself, just like he was before meeting Sara/Souju.
Next time, it looks like we'll get to the "Sara ga..! Sara ga..!" part that was shown in the preview trailer. The episode title is "Futakoi", which would make you think that some very important stuff is going to be brought up. Hopefully we won't be stuck in this sad rut until the end, hopefully the three of them will be able to live together in happiness...
(Added May 27): Keep on reading for a translation of the ending. Really fits well with everything that went on this time.
Japanese
記憶のなかにある 幸せな瞬間
kioku no naka ni aru shiawase na shunkan
光の中でいた あふれてたこの場所で
hikari no naka de ita afureteta kono basho de
たとえば３年後
tatoeba san-nengo
ぼくらの時間を 思い出にすることできるかな
bokura no jikan wo omoide ni suru koto dekiru ka na
あぁ 終わった日々が ココロをずっとずっとしめつけてく
Ah owatta hibi ga KOKORO wo zutto zutto shimetsuketeku
ねぇ まえよりもっと 愛しく思う気持ちを知って
Nee, mae yori motto itoshiku omou kimochi wo shitte
さよならはいわないよ ずっとこれからも
sayonara wa iwanai yo zutto kore kara mo
戻ることのない日々
modoru koto no nai hibi
ココロを残して...
KOKORO wo nokoshite...
English Translation
There's a moment of happiness in my memories
We were in the middle of overflowing light, in this place
Even three years after now
Will I be able to remember our time?
Ah, the days which are over always, always, make my heart ache
I know the feeling of loving even more than before
I won't say goodbye. Always, from now on,
Leaving my heart in those days which won't come back...
Good ep as usual. So happy that Minagi Kimihiko was not our *lovable* main protagonist from Futakoi. I think I would have hung myself if he was... :P
Quick question, where did Rentarou ask Minagi to drop him off to (the gates)?
(BTW, the Souju and Sara rear-view mirror thingie.. so cute!)
I'm awed. This episode could have been so incredibly corny content-wise, but just the opposite: It was of a wonderful sensitivity and delicacy.
So the truth is finally out. Ouch. I have no real idea how they're gonna resolve this one yet, and this is a great thing - because USUALLY you can already guess what's gonna happen. Alright alright, the twins will NOT end up separated, and they WILL end up with Rentarou with 98% probability, but I dunno yet how they will get there. Nice!
We should all be used to the "cut-up" jumping-back-and-forth storytelling style by now, and I can see its advantages here. It's really touching to see all the little details unfold: Rentarou's uneasiness and incredulity when Mitsugi fills him in. His failed attempt to stage a happy birthday party while the twins realize that he knows. His confusion and pain over the impending loss - the hurt accusation to the twins how they could have lied to him like that with the implied "Why did you do this to me? I'm just Rentarou!", while at the same time the girls struggled with their problems no less.
Amazing stuff. I'm really delighted and would have NEVER expected something like this after the first episode. Go girls!
Matthew, I want you to know that I'm always most eagerly awaiting your weekly summary of FA. For me this is the most compelling and riveting show running right now. Thanks for covering it :)
Thanks for the ED translation, Matthew. Wonderful piece :) ... and it really puts things into perspective.