Issue : November Ribon 98 Translated by : Emiko (emichansribon@yahoo.com) HTML-ized by : Flipper (http://www.suzaku.nu) note : text in [] are actions Kodomo no Omocha by - Obana Miho SANA'S MOTHER MONOLOGUE : Hello. I'm Kurata Misako. I'm a novelist, a little mischievous. I'm single with a daughter. Lately, my mind has been filled up thinking about my daughter. Since Sana's boyfriend Hayama kun left for America, everyday has been as usual with her friends holding study lessons. They all seem to be worrying about her in different ways. (the monologue goes on while it shows a scene of Sana studying with Fuuka, Tsuyoshi and Aya) FUUKA : There you go! You can do it if you try! AYA (or TSUYOSHI) : Let's graduate into 2nd year of junior high together! SANA : Yup! I hope we do---! FUUKA : You sound like you think it's nothing! SANA : I can understand the way everyone teaches me. FUUKA : Really! All right then, we'll keep going. SANA'S MOTHER MONOLOGUE : Sana's expression has returned completely and it looks like she doesn't need counselling any more. (SANA is studying in her bed room while LEI and her mother look on from outside) SANA'S MOTHER MONOLOGUE : Sometimes the songs she hums are songs like "Kanashii Sake" (lit. The Sad Alcohol) by Misora Hibari and it worries me.... SANA'S MOTHER THINKS : She's talking to herself... LEI THINKS : Sing a more happy tune Sana chan. SANA'S MOTHER MONOLOGUE : It seems she still has her hurdles to overcome. Meanwhile, Hayama kun operation was a success and his bandage has been removed. His rehabilitation has finally started. (in the classroom) SANA : Yeah, we talk to each other on the phone about once or twice a week. I heard Dr. Barns is a really funny person! He says it's quite fun to learn English and he's doing well. FUUKA : That's good. SANA : What about you? That guy from Oosaka... do you still keep in touch? FUUKA : Yup, we do. He calls me though. SANA : I see [giggles] LEI MONOLOGUE : I'm Sagami Lei. I'm Sana chan's manager. I used to be homeless. I have a girlfriend. I see my girlfriend as much as possible so don't worry. Sana chan had cancelled most of her jobs so there are those in society who think "She's no good now", but we don't let that bother us. Now she's doing only one job that she couldn't refuse. It's a job on the radio and it is a popular show aimed for people her age, called "Advice for Worries". That was what she was going to do without standing out too much, but... (in the radio room) SANA : This week's advice for worries channel! 'C' prefecture's pen name 'Dancing Pink Penguin'-chan! Hmm... are they really worrying with this pen name? LEI MONOLOGUE : Sana chan cried, got angry and emotional along with everyone's worries so her advice channel got very popular. The time was made longer and since she couldn't stop the job, she also brought it home. SANA ON HER MOBILE PHONE : Sana's advice for worries channel! CALLER : Sana chan? Really? SANA : Yup! I'm the real one! LEI : Don't tell people the number okay? Or else people will ring up like crazy. There will be people who misuse the number. SANA : But can't I tel it to people who understand that? People who really are worried? LEI : Well I suppose... FUUKA : Whoa, it looks like you've got a hard job. Is there anything I can do to help? SANA : Help? LEI MONOLOGUE : And for some reason, Fuuka chan ended up on the show. It was like a comedy thing with the two of them and it got more popular. (in the radio room) SANA : Sana and Fuuka's advice for worries channel! Our first person is pen name 'Don Tacos'-kun with love worries! [Sana & Fuuka do the show] (At the end, in the car) SANA : Thanks Fuuka. FUUKA : No problem. It was fun for me too. (They keep talking about the callers & people on the show) LEI MONOLOGUE : It seemed their friendship got closer. FUUKA : Well then, do some studying too! SANA : Yes-- FUUKA : Bye! SANA : See you tomorrow! [thinks] Thanks Fuuka.... [drives off home] LEI : Hey, that's Maeda san's car. Naozumi kun must be here. SANA : What? NAOZUMI KUN : Long time no see! Here's a souveneir from Egypt. SANA : Wow thanks, it's so cute. NAOZUMI KUN : That radio show's interesting, but are you okay? You're carrying other people's worried too. Isn't it a little hard? SANA : Nope, I'm fine. I feel happy when sad people get better. I want to keep on doing it. NAOZUMI KUN THINKS : She really has gotten better. NAOZUMI KUN : Well that's good. SANA : Um... I'm sorry about before... when I was sick.. NAOZUMI KUN : What? What are you talking about? I forget really easily. [SANA smiles apologetically] SANA : but you remember things from when you were little. NAOZUMI : Well yeah. That's right, my dream when I was little was to work with 'Sana chan'... Now my dream has already come true. I'm happy. SANA : Happy? NAOZUMI KUN : Yup! Happy! (SANA reflects on what NAZUMI KUN says as he drives away) NAOZUMI KUN : I have a lot of other dreams. I'm busy with trying to make them come true. It's fun and I'm happy. If you're happy, then I'm even happier.... Bye. SANA : Mama, do you think these people don't have anyone they can talk to? SANA'S MOTHER : I suppose they don't. Or they do, but they don't realise... SANA : That's why they write.. SANA'S MOTHER : Well yes.. SANA MONOLOGUE : Most of the worries are about love or friendship, but sometimes there are really serious ones... Then all I can do is just listen. There are a lot of people who find things difficult.. SANA : Hello? This is Sana's advice for worries channel! Were you surprised? No, no, no! That's the one thing you can't do! You can't die! (LEI is looking on from out side her room) LEI THINKS : She's acting cheery compared to what she's saying. SANA : Yeah I'm hitting the air. Can you hear it? Serious? Yeah, I understand. Sometimes I lose my courage too. SANA MONOLOGUE : Everyone's worrying about something CALLER : [sob] Really? You do too? SANA : Sure I do. SANA MONOLOGUE : And they're fighting it... CALLER : Okay. I'll try a bit.... Thanks for listening.... Thank you... SANA : That's okay. I'll ring again. [thinks] That's good. [Hangs up and starts singing] LEI THINKS : Ah, she's singing a slightly brighter song. SANA'S MOTHER : Sana, do you want to have tea? SANA : Yup! SANA : Mama, I'm.... lucky.. aren't I? SANA'S MOTHER : Hm? SANA : I worried a lot, but I think I was a little spoilt. Because I had all these good people around me... SANA MONOLOGUE : I always had people around me who would care and support me. It becomes so natural that I forget that sometimes. SANA : 'Good people' includes yo too Mama. And Lei kun and Shimura san! My friends too! They're all good people. So I think I'm lucky. That's what I've been thinking lately. SANA'S MOTHER : It might be that good people are attracted to a good person. Also, the people you say are 'good people' are people who you gave your heart to first. That's the same with me. I had times when I was sad, but you gave me peace. After you were born, you were an individual. You've lived 12 years and you've met people. You sould believe... believe in yourself, the person who has all these good people around you. SANA THINKS : Believe.... [SANA trembles, then cries] SANA : MAMA!! SANA'S MOTHER : Yes? SANA : THANK YOU!!! Mama, I think I'm getting fired up! SANA'S MOTHER : You are? SANA : I am! Something deep down is firing up! LEI : What's all the noise? Sana cha---- [Sana pushes him] Wah! SANA : Lei kun! After my exams are over, can you bring in heaps of jobs like before? I'm A-OK! LEI : What? SANA : Oh and I'm going to borrow your fax machine okay? [LEI is on the ground, confused] [SANA skips away, singing] LEI : Er... ma'am? Sana chan was singing a very happy song... SANA'S MOTHER : She's over it. She's grown up again. I'm happy... SANA MONOLOGUE : I'm happy... I'm really happy! (sends a fax) (It reads : Hayama Akito sama How are you? I'm happy!!!) SANA MONOLOGUE : I'm happy---- [walks out to verandah] SANA MONOLOGUE : Ah... I wish that happiness would fall on everyone from above. [phone rings] (At HAYAMA'S house) HAYAMA : What was the cheery fax for? What's making you so happy? Share some of it. Yeah, it's morning here. I just woke up. [SANA laughs] SANA MONOLOGUE : Time passed and I somehow graduated to a second year of junior high student. I'm still doing the radio as well as other jobs. That spring, Hayama's right hand was able to move a bit. (And finally, the tool on his hand was removed) Apparently, rehab was needed more. (SANA, TSUYOSHI, AYA and FUUKA are around a fax machine at SANA's house) SANA : He's going to send a fax of some words he wrote with his right hand! (The fax is sending. So far, it says A and I) FUUKA : Wah? What is it? AYA : Is it "Aishiteru"? (I love you) TSUYOSHI : Has Akito kun been Americanized? (The fax ends up saying AIUEO, the first row of Japanese hiragana & katakana sounds) LEI : Sana chan, let's go to the TV studio! SANA : Yes!! SANA MONOLOGUE : Everyday became busy for the both of us.... Both of us gradually reduced the number of calls and faxes. Since we both lived different lifestyles, it couldn't be hlped. It's a little lonely, but.... I could try harder by thinking that he's trying his best. And so we were still apart as many months passed---------- --- Los Angeles --- (Karate Cup) UMPIRE : Ippon! CROWD : Wow! That's the win for the Junior section! Akito Hayama is a 15 year old Japanese boy. He's from Dr Barns' rehab center. Then does that mean he has some kind of disability? It doesn't look like it. REPORTERS : Congratulations on your win! We heard this is your first tournament? HAYAMA : Yup. I'm happy I can be in it. In Japan, junior high kids can't even be in a practice tournament. REPORTER : What are your thoughts on your win? HAYAMA : Since I'm in the junior section, of course I won. Everyone's a weakling. [gets hit on head by someone] REPORTER : [laughs] You have strong courage! KARATE TEACHER : Can't you say it in a more humble way? HAYAMA THINKS : Humbly...? HAYAMA : It was all thanks to everybody's support... KARATE TEACHER : What!? That's a little extreme! [REPORTERS laugh] KIDS : Well done Akito! Wow, look there's a camera! REPORTER : Akito, one shot! HAYAMA : It's just a local minor magazine. BOY : Let him take it! [A photo is taken] LITTLE KID (in a wheel chair) : You're so strong Akito! You're cool! I want to be in a tournament one day! I wonder if I can? HAYAMA : Yeah, if you're strong, you will! (adds in Japanese) Maybe... BOY : Akito! Mama says she'll drop you off! She says she's a fan of yours now! (HAYAMA is dropped off at home. He places his karate trophy on a ledge along with his dinosaur and a b'day card) (back in Japan) SANA'S MOTHER : Is Sana still asleep? LEI : Yes, yesterday's location was pretty hard on her. SANA MONOLOGUE : Kurata Sana, 14 years old. (Obana's note : because her birthday is in March) I'm still busy with TV, radio and school. SANA'S MOTHER : I wonder how she's doing..... with Hayama kun... LEI : Well, I don't know... Come to think of it, there hasn't been any calls or anything lately. SANA'S MOTHER : I see... SANA'S MOTHER MONOLOGUE : ..... This might be a natural thing... I just remembered.. when I was little and I had to move house... There was a girl in my neighbourhood who was like a sister to me. I don't remember her name, but I called her "Chii chan". Parting with her was the saddest moment and I cried a lot, but I believed that I'd see her again... but I haven't met her and I probably won't meet her from now on. Our paths had already parted then ---- Will those kids be the same? Time changes a person's heart. Painful memories will soften and disappear. You feel warmth from people who are cloes to you. And soon, in their own worlds---- [phone rings] SANA'S MOTHER : Yes, Kurata.... Oh. Long time no see. SANA : What? From Hayama!? Hello? How are you doing? Oh yeah, did you get the birthday card I sen you? What!? Are you coming here for senior high school? Do you think you'll get in? Hmm... I guess. Well you've got a better chance than I do [giggle] What? Senior high schools? You're looking around? Tomorrow? What? but if you're going for Jinbou Senior High School, then you don't need to. Just say you wanted to see me. "Shut up"? [laughs] Tomorrow? Our time? For one day only? Okay, I'll come see you at the airport. Bye! Mama, guess what? Tomorrow, Hayama's---- SANA'S MOTHER : I heard it all. SANA : Oh okay, well that's it! SANA'S MOTHER MONOLOGUE : I wonder where they get their power from... I'd like to learn from them ---- SANA'S MOTHER : Isn't it good to be young? SHIMURA SAN : Yes, isn't it good, Mi-chan? I mean.. ma'am... SANA'S MOTHER : Chii chan? [eyes sparkle] (Obana note : Oi....) SANA MONOLOGUE : Even if we're apart, we can keep supporting each other. That's what I found out. These past 2 years, we never got a chance to see each other... I can see him tomorrow... I can see! I can see him!!! (at the airport) HAYAMA : Hi! Japan is still a little cold. (speaks in half English, half Japanese ) SANA : What do you mean, "Hi"! It doesn't suit you! TSUYOSHI : If you're in Japan, use Japanese. SANA MONOLOGUE : We met up just as though we had been together forever. That makes me really glad... (SANA is recognised in the airport) HAYAMA : You still on TV? SANA : Yup, but I haven't skipped school at all. HAYAMA : Hmm... that's good. (walks off to talk to TSUYOSHI) SANA THINKS : Hey.. isn't he a little cold? Oh well... (at a cafe) HAYAMA : This is just a minor magazine from over there. TSUYOSHI, SANA & AYA : Wow! You really are in it! There's an article on you too! SANA THINKS : Hayama probably sent this over. MOTHER : Kazuyuki, there's an air mail for you. KAZUYUKI Hm? (Komori kun reads the magazine) SANA MONOLOGUE : Hayama's right hand seems to be moving quite a lot. But it seems that it's difficult to fix it completely. HAYAMA : Sometimes I get pain in it, but I can do karate a bit. Well, at least the possibility of it healing isn't zero any more. SANA MONOLOGUE : Even so... we don't get saddened by the thought. SANA : That's right, it's not zero. HAYAMA : Yeah. I can do this much. [feels SANA] HAYAMA : What? You haven't grown at all! All the girls over there are like... (SANA beats him with the toy hammer) TSUYOSHI : He does it because he knows what'll happen... SANA : I have grown a little!! You haven't changed at all! If you thought about BCG (?) then I'd let you touch it!! HAYAMA : You mean TPO? (??) I thought you'd be a bit more gentle! (They argue so TSUYOSHI and AYA leave) (at HAYAMA's house) SANA : Wow, I haven't been here in ages! But it's a little dusty, you need to clean it. [HAYAMA hugs her from behind] SANA : Hayama... HAYAMA : I wanted to see you... SANA THINKS : I wanted to see you... SANA : Me too... You should have said so in the first place. HAYAMA : You too... [HAYAMA and SANA kiss] [SANA's mobile phone rings] SANA : It's my phone. Can you wait? HAYAMA : No. SANA : Wha... [HAYAMA kisses her again] [the phone keeps ringing] SANA : I said wait!! [pushes HAYAMA] Hello! Sana's advice for worries channel! Hello? The only people who know this number are Ga-chan or M chan or Blue chan.... which is it? HAYAM THINKS : She's still doing advice... SANA : Oh M chan? I thought so! What? But we talked it over the other day... what's the matter? Um... wait, don't! I'll come! Let's meet! Let's mee now and talk! Okay? Where? [SANA then rings FUUKA] SANA : Sorry Hayama, I have to go see this girl. She's been through a lot and she's lonely by herself... Lei kun said not to get involved, but I want to see her. HAYAMA : Can I come too? SANA : Yup! I know, let's invite Tsuyoshi kun and Aya chan! (in taxi) SANA : Sorry about this. HAYAMA : So you should be. SANA : But you're coming here for senior high right? HAYAMA : Yeah. SANA : Then we can see each other everyday! HAYAMA : Yeah. SANA : ..... Are you sulking? HAYAMA : No. SANA : Really? HAYAMA : The job suits you. [walking] SANA : Um.. this job... (although I don't get paid) is to share my cheer to others... if I'm always happy, it works out. HAYAMA : I guess it would... SANA : And you know what? I need you to keep me happy. HAYAMA THINKS : I can't stand it when she says cute things! SANA MONOLOGUE : We carry both strengths and weaknesses and support each other... I have a lot of great 'supports'. I'll probably get depressed from now on but I'll get over it. I'll worry all I can and I'll get over it. And then if I can, I want to share my happiness to as many people as I can and to people who are sad. I hope I can.... (FUUKA, TSUYOSHI & AYA come) FUUKA : Where are you meeting M chan? SANA : At a cafe, it's just over there. [phone rings] SANA : The phone! Is it M chan? Yes, Sana here! CALLER : Please listen to my worries.... SANA : Huh? Who is it? [thinks] There's only 3 people who know this number... CALLER : I have no worries, what can I do? Oh wait, I have one! It's about my girlfriend who I haven't seen in a while.... how can I get her to be more sexy? [HAYAMA is on a payphone] [SANA beats up HAYAMA] HAYAMA : it's just a silly American joke! SANA : I do this seriously! Don't tease me! I've had prank calls on the radio and it's annoying! (they keep arguing) TSUYOSHI : They haven't seen each other in a while but they're arguing already.... AYA : Quit it you two~~~ FUUKA : Nah, that's their way isn't it? (people recognise SANA) SANA : Oh no! I can't be found out now! FUUKA : Yeah, let's hurry! TSUYOSHI : Run! [they all run to the cafe] (in the cafe) SANA : There she is, in the orange shirt. That's M chan. Hello! It's Sana! SANA MONOLOGUE : Cheer up! (M chan smiles) SANA MONOLOGUE : And let's keep trying hard! HAYAMA : But you can slack off sometimes. THE END