[Yuichi comes home after having a serious talk with Kaori. Yuichi shows obvious signs of being depressed.]
AyuWelcome back!
Yeah. [Picks up Piro] How is Akiko-san doing?
Ayu
Nayuki-san made egg-drop porridge and took it to her.
I see. [Hands Piro to Ayu]
Ayu
What's wrong? You don't look so well.
Eh? Yeah, it's because it was so cold outside. [Yuichi turns and walks away toward his room. A few minutes later, Ayu comes to Yuichi's room.]
Ayu
[Knocks on the door] Yuichi-kun, I'm coming in. [Ayu opens the door and Piro walks in first. Ayu sees Yuichi laying on his bed.] Ah! It's pitch black in here. Can I turn the lights on?
Ayu
Why?
When it gets bright, I turn to ashes.
Ayu
[Laughs and walks closer to Yuichi's bed, sitting next to him.] So you're a vampire?
Ayu
No, not really. I just I just felt that it'd be better to stay close to you.
Ayu
You're right...
[Small laugh] You're so strange.
Ayu
You're right.
[After a short pause] Thank you.
[After her bath, Ayu comes into Yuichi's room to tell him the bath is ready.]
You keep your hair band on even after you take your bath, eh?
Ayu
This? [While slightly blushing] It's because I got it as a present from someone precious to me.
[Shiori's birthday party is underway and Jun notices that most of Yuichi's friends are girls.]
So Shiori-chan was the girl that came to get you the other day.
I knew I had seen that face from somewhere before. You're the one that was standing in the courtyard, right?
Oh yeah, you were the one who first found Shiori there.
That's right! And you laid your hands on her without my permission!
Don't say such misleading things.
Shiori-chan, Minase, and eh...Tsukimiya Ayu-chan, was it?
Ayu
Yep!
And Shiori-chan's classmate. And you're close with Kurata-san and Kawasumi-san from the third-year class, aren't you? [Jun jumps up and grabed Yuichi in a neck hold.] You pimp!
[Shiori's birthday party has just ended and everyone's outside the café.]
Yeah right, after how much you were laughing?
Ayu
Are you all right, Shiori-chan? Are you tired?
No, I'm fine. It was fun. I'm glad I was able to share some time with you. [Shiori pauses and looks to her sister her is looking the other way.]
Shiori-chan, let's have lunch together next time.
SSShiori's classmate
Then me, too.
Ayu
Me, too!
You go to a different school.
Ayu
Ugū.
I'm in, too. It's a waste to let Aizawa have all the fun.
I told you to not say misleading things.
Why? Don't you want to make a cute girl like her your girlfriend?
You really don't have an eye for girls, do you, Aizawa-kun? [Both Shiori and Yuichi are shocked at what she said.]
[After a short pause, and then with a smirk on his face.] Mind your own business.
It is my business. [Kaori finally turns toward Shiori and Yuichi.] Because Shiori is... Shiori is...[Short pause.] ...my litter sister. [Everyone is shocked to hear this, though mainly those that didn't already know.] Right, Shiori?
Why didn't you say that in the beginning? Ah, could it be- [Yuichi slaps his hand on Jun's mouth.]
Come, let's be off. [Kaori starts to lead the others away from Yuichi and Shiori.]
Ayu
Y-Yeah.
Oh yeah, I have practice!
[Kaori stops and turns back to face Shiori and Yuichi.] Shiori, um... [Short pause.] Let's chat a lot later.
Aizawa-kun, take care of my sister, please.
Yeah. [Kaori has one more look at Shiori and then turns to continue walking with the others.]
[Seven years prior to the present in the story, Yuuichi and Ayu are talking together in the shopping district.]
Ayu
This? [Ayu motions to the doll she's holding.]
That doll is actually not an ordinary doll. It's a mysterious doll that grants a wish for the owner. [Short pause.] You just thought I was lying, didn't you?
Ayu
A little.
Ayu
[Surprised] Really?
But it can only grant three wishes. Of course, it doesn't accept "I want more wishes." Put yourself in the shoes of the one that has to grant them.
Ayu
Who's going to grant them?
Ayu
[Short pause and then after a small laugh] I see.
So I can't grant wishes that are impossible for me, either. By the way, I'm poor. [Ayu laughes] Now, say any wish you have.
Ayu
Then, here's my first wish. [Holds the doll as if she is praying to it.] Please don't forget about me. Even if you go home because winter vacation is over, please remember me from time to time. And think, "Right, I met a strange girl in that snow-covered city." That enough, so please don't forget. That's my first wish. [Looks up at Yuichi] Is that no good?
I told you that I'd do anything I can. I promise. I'll never forget about you, and I will come back to this city. When I do, let's eat taiyaki together.
Ayu
Yep.
By the way, the taiyaki will be on me.
Ayu
Yep, it's a promise!
[Nayuki is just about to start the track team tournament, while Ayu, Yuichi, Jun and Nayuki's mother watch on the sidelines.]
Ayu
I'm getting worried. Nayuki-san will be all right, right? She'll win, right?
I wonder. I feel like she's not nervous enough for the match.
Ayu
That's not true! Nayuki-san will win it for sure!
You're the one that said you're worried.
Ayu
Ugū. I did but...
[To Yuichi, trying to keep his voice down.] Hey, don't make a grade school girl your girlfriend, all right? There are a lot of problems with that.
Ayu
[Annoyed] I'm the same age as Yuichi-kun and Kitagawa-kun. [Jun is shocked and screams out.] You're overreacting!
You're really in high school? Which high school?
Ayu
One in the west forest.
Apparently you can go when you want and leave when you want.
Ayu
There's no homework, and taiyaki is served for lunch.
Does that kind of school even exist?
[Voice hushed] Don't take it seriously.
[Seven years previous, Ayu is waiting on a bench for Yuichi with a present to give to him.]
Ayu
[Ayu notices Yuichi running up to her and stands up to face him while smiling.] You're late, Yuichi-kun.
Sorry... [Catches his breath] ...to keep you waiting.
Ayu
I thought you wouldn't be coming today.
Me too; I thought I wouldn't make it today. I'm sorry I always make you wait, Ayu.
Ayu
Yuichi-kun, um...[Ayu holds out her present to Yuichi.] These are for you! They're cookies I made.
Handmade? [Takes the small bag.] Thank you.
Ayu
[Yuichi looks inside the bag to discover all the cookies are black and hard.] I'm sorry I couldn't make them very well. [Yuichi manages to take a bite of one of the cookies.] How is it?
Ayu
[With a smile] That's great!
[Right after they break their kiss together.]
Ayu
Um, I-I...I'm sorry!
Don't apologize, you idiot!
Ayu
B-But I ignored your feelings, and I...
I love you, Ayu. Do you love me?
Ayu
I...I've loved you since a long, long time ago, too! [Slight pause.] I think, if you love me, then I think I can love you back forever! [Covers her face in embarrassment, then looks up at Yuichi.] I don't really understand it, but I think it's something like that. Um...[Laughs] What am I saying? I shouldn't be saying things that aren't like me.
No, my thoughts are exactly the same. We've waited for seven years, so we need to take back the time we've lost.
Ayu
Yuichi-kun... [Hugs him] Then let's meet here tomorrow after school, too. Like we used to.
[Yuichi and Ayu are just about to part ways while they go to their respective schools.]
Don't go following a stranger even if you're given taiyaki.
Ayu
I'm not a child!
You are a child until you can solve cubic equations like child's play. Do you know what a cubic equation is?
Ayu
Ugū, not really...
Ayu
Eh?!
[Ayu and Yuichi are sitting on a bench out in front of a convenience store.]
You know, Ayu, don't take this the wrong way, but you're kind of a freak.
Ayu
Okay, I'm confused. Now how am I not supposed to take that the wrong way?
I'm just saying. You're like a weird, spazzy little boy lost in the supermarket.
Ayu
Ugū, I know my way around the supermarket!
[Sighs] That's exactly what I'm talking about. You're in your own world. I mean it's-it's mind-boggling. You've even got your own weird lost boy language.
Ayu
Yuichi, why are you calling me a boy?!
Not just a boy, I said "spazzy little lost boy". Hmm...I should add "crazy" to that.
Ayu
[Complaining] Hey!
Come on, I wanna see if you can do it. Try and say something normal. It's an important skill to have.
Ayu
Okay...Let's see...[Ayu strains herself.] Yuichi, this is just stupid! [Ayu groans which causes Yuichi to laugh]
Ayu
You're mean! You didn't even give me a chance! [Yuichi catches his breath and stops laughing]
You're right. Sorry. Okay, give it another try. I promise I won't laugh.
Ayu
I'm not going to play your dumb game.
Come on, now. You can't be crazy forever. Think of the future, Ayu. I mean, you're gonna have to get a job someday, aren't ya? Say you're on a job interview and you open your mouth: "Ugū, I'm Ayu. I think that taiyaki is really awesome".
Ayu
Ugū. Um...That is not what I would say. You're...a stupid-head!
Yeah...Uh, see, I don't think I'd hire you.
Ayu
Do you get some sick pleasure out of making fun of me?
Whoa! Hey, hey! There's nothing sick about it!
Ayu
You called me a boy!
A spazzy little lost boy!
AYAyu and Yuichi
[Yuichi mocking Ayu] Ugū!
[Ayu is up in a tree about to make her second wish on the doll Yuichi gave her.]
Ayu
Then my second wish is, I want to go to school with you. Just today. We'll make this place our school. We'll study together, eat lunch together, clean the classroom together...and I want to go home with you. Is a wish like this okay?
I promised that I'd grant anything I can. From now on, this place is a school. A school without rules or uniforms. A school with freedom.
Ayu
How about homework?
Ayu
How about tests?
No tests! You can skip school when you want. You can come when you want and leave when you want.
Ayu
That's a nice school! Then I'll add something, too...Taiyaki is served for lunch every day!
Ayu
Yep! Taiyaki every day.
Ayu
No! It'll be served every day!
[After a short pause] Let's meet at this school, again.
Ayu
Here?
Yeah, next time I come to this city.
Ayu
We'll meet at this school!
Ayu
Yep! It's a promise.
[Ayu just feel off from the tree and cannot move.]
Ayu
[Opens her eyes] Yuichi...kun...
Don't talk. I'll take you to the hospital right away.
Ayu
It hurts. It really hurts.
Ayu
[Small laugh] I fell...I'm supposed to be good at climbing trees, too. [Suddenly feels something] What's this? I don't feel the pain anymore. What's going to happen to me?
If it doesn't hurt, then it's absolutely fine.
Ayu
Yep. [Short pause] Heh? My body doesn't move.
It's fine if it doesn't move. I'll take you.
Ayu
But...if I can't move...we can't play. [Starts to cry] Yuichi-kun. Will you...play with me again?
[About to cry] Yeah, of course. I even have something to give you.
Ayu
I'm glad. Then it's a promise.
Ayu
Pinky promise. [Tries to move her hand.] I can't move. If I can't move my hands, we can't make a pinky promise. I'm...such a fool.
[Grabs her hand and makes a pinky promise.] There, we can still make a pinky promise. We did make a promise, Ayu. It's a promise so...
Ayu
Yep, it's a promise...
[Short pause] Come on, if you don't let go, it doesn't become official. You have to let go of me. We have to let go of it together, or else it won't be official. Ayu? [Breaks down] Ayu!!!
[Yuichi meets Ayu at the place where the tree was cut down.]
Ayu
Me, too, Yuichi-kun.
Then why did you say we can't meet again?
Ayu
Because I'm out of time. Today, I'm here to say goodbye.
I'm here to give you what you left behind.
Ayu
So...you found it.
Yes, with some trouble. Lots of trouble. [Yuichi stands up and faces Ayu.]
Ayu
Thank you. [Yuichi walks closer and hands her the bag.] Yuichi-kun.
Ayu
We're allowed to come whenever we want to our school.
Ayu
Yep!
We were able to meet again.
Ayu
Yep.
Ayu
Yep.
You can't stay in this city forever?
Ayu
No.
I see. [Short pause] Then...Then at least tell me your third wish. Since I made a promise that I'd grant your wish, so at the very least, let me grant the last wish.
Ayu
...That's...right...Thank you for waiting! Here's my last wish! Yuichi-kun. Please...Please...forget about me. Please think as if I'd never existed. Yes...Please...[Starts to cry] Please...forget about...
Are you sure? Do you really wish for me to forget about you?
Ayu
But I...don't have any more wishes. I was able to eat so much of the taiyaki that I was never supposed to have been able to eat again. So...So, please forget about me. [Yuichi embraces her.] Yuichi-kun...I'm not a child anymore.
Ayu
That's not true.
You go running off on your own and cause trouble for others.
Ayu
Ugū.
What's worse, you try to shoulder all the burden yourself. All with your small body. You're not alone. I won't accept that wish. I can't grant it.
Ayu
Yuichi-kun...
There's no way I'd be able to forget about you!
Ayu
I know what my wish is. My last wish is...[A strong wind passes by and the wish is not audible.]
What did you just say, Ayu? [Short pause] Ayu? [Embraces her again]
Ayu
Yuichi-kun, is my body still warm?
Ayu
What a relief. [Ayu disappears in a flash of light.]
[Falls to the ground] Ayu...
[Yuichi finally finds Ayu's headband. He breaks down in tears.]
Ayu
[In flashbacks] It was a gift from somebody who was really important to me. [Another flashback] And you gave me this headband. [Another flashback] You wouldn't happen to remember anything about the day you gave this to me, would you?
[Present day] I never even gave her the present...I never gave it to her.
Ayu
[In flashback] You mean I can really keep it? If you change your mind and ask for it back I don't think I'm going to give it back...
[Present day] I chose an illusion over reality. I shoved what really happened deep down into my heart and chose to accept an illusion that gave me comfort. I protected myself from being heartbroken so I wouldn't destroy the good memories I have.
[Ayu is out of the hospital and is waiting on a bench for Yuichi in the spring.]
Ayu
[In thought.] It's getting sad. [Yuichi finally shows up.] He's standing right in front of me.
Ayu
You're late! Way too late!
Sorry, I was a little late.
Ayu
Besides, I'm not a suspicious person.
What? You're suspicious no matter how you look at it.
Ayu
How so?
Ayu
Ugū. That's not true!
[Pating the strange hat Ayu has on.] What's with this? Trying to change your image?
Ayu
You promise not to laugh?
Ayu
You really promise not to?
I swear that I won't no matter what happens.
Ayu
It sounds really made-up, but okay, it's a promise.
Ayu
I went to a barber and asked for a haircut. Then...[Ayu takes off the hat]...I got a lot cut off. [Yuichi beings to laugh.] [In thought.] And he laughed out loud without holding anything back. [Aloud, and puts the hat back on.] Ugū. You said you wouldn't laugh!
With that hairstyle, you're more and more like a boy. That's what you get for going to a barber at your age.
Ayu
But I've only gone to barbers before.
Next time, have Nayuki show you to a hair salon.
Ayu
Yep, I'll do that.
Let's go now. [Yuichi helps her up.] Akiko-san said she'll make you taiyaki.
Ayu
Really?
Shiori, Mai, Kaori, and Sayuri-san are there, too. They're all waiting for us. [Yuichi helps Ayu into her wheelchair.]
Ayu
Then we have to hurry.
Yeah. [Yuichi begins to push Ayu in the wheelchair.]
Ayu
I want to make some taiyaki, too. [In thought.] The time that had stopped slowly starts moving...while holding on to a small fragment of a miracle. [Aloud.] Hey, Yuichi-kun.
Ayu
Will I be able to run around again?
Of course. On the dirt, grass, or snow. You'll be able to run around again.
Ayu
Yep. You're right. [In thought.] I don't know how long it'll take. But there's plenty of time.
Kanon · 82 quotes
