The Limit of Sleeping Beauty (リミット・オブ・スリーピング・ビューティー)

Gin and Tonic, no lime Gin Tonic.

Lime is fine.

Don't got lime.

Even though I recognize my existence, I often don't know

where I am or when it is.

What?

This happen to you too?

Do you think time is something that always flows?

That means?

In fact, time doesn't flow.

Past, present, and future.

They share one space.

You're in them all at the same time.

Doesn't feel like it.

It's how your brain processes it.

The idea that time flows

is only in your mind.

You mean I can travel to any moment?

Your emotions catching up is another story.

Then, fly me to when I was the happiest.

When is that?

Read me. I know you can tell.

Welcome.

Orange juice, please.

Sure.

Gin and Tonic, no lime Gin Tonic.

Okay.

By the way,

check out this photo.

It's beautiful.

Nice, right?

Keep it.

Can you take it over?

To her?

Yeah.

Here.

Thank you.

This too. Sorry I took it without asking.

Your bag is full.

Like a school trip.

- Perhaps. - Leaving home?

Came out good. Keep it.

Bye.

She's a runaway.

Let her stay at Aurora.

She's got a place.

No, she doesn't. That's why she's here. Look at her.

Got a place to stay?

If you want, stay at Aurora.

Aurora is,

the circus place over there.

I'm the owner.

If you're in trouble, I can help.

He's a famous photographer.

Cut it out.

He's okay.

You'll be the same age as Kaito soon.

I can't stand it.

Those dead are always dead.

Those left behind are always left behind.

Left behind, I'm becoming the same age as him.

I haven't accomplished a thing he hoped for.

To become an actor. To protect Aurora. Nothing.

Wasn't he selfish?

All he did was have expectations for you and die.

I was reaching my limit around that time.

Ten years is enough to realize this isn't a sane city for people to live in.

Even so, I also realized that I had no place to go.

I'm dumb founded every time I wake

to see the time now without Kaito

is longer than the time we made love.

Once upon a time, Aki was a girl who dreamed of being an actor.

She grew up in the empty countryside.

She just wanted to be a princess in the box.

Aki, Aki.

You're next.

I was supposed to be an actor.

But for the past ten years I've been a magician's assistant.

So, is this how you sometimes feel?

What?

If I had no dreams,

I wouldn't suffer a life where dreams don't come true.

I used to think this wasn't how it was supposed to be. And then...

Now I wonder what it was I was excited about. Things like that.

That's fear.

I no longer see it as fear.

You do.

Feel it?

Who's your favorite character in Hamlet?

Huh?

Mine is Laertes.

Why?

He's the most human.

I would say Ophelia.

Isn't this the audition for Ophelia?

That's so ordinary.

I've a special feeling for Ophelia.

That is?

You care?

Yes.

Sorry.

I'm Maria. I'm not with an agency.

I'm Aki. Aki Oria.

Neither am I.

Freelance actors pass the application screening.

A fair audition, no?

It's to be director Bito's masterpiece.

That's right.

So, why do you have a special feeling for Ophelia?

We put on Hamlet in elementary school.

I got the role of Ophelia.

It was the first and last time I played a heroine.

So far, I mean.

I hope you can play Ophelia again.

Same to you, too.

What does "love" mean to you?

For me love is... Gain and loss...

Love?

Thanks. You may go now.

Sorry.

It's what saves me. But it's what's taken from me.

Perhaps...

I keep acting because I want to know.

What now?

Around that time I was reaching my limit.

Flashing through my mind was

how this wasn't how it was supposed to be, and fear.

The emotions I escaped from

and contained finally let go like a flood.

They erode and torture me to the bone.

My name is Aki Oria. 29 years old.

"To be, or not to be - that is the question ."

She's everywhere these days. Film, TV, and commercials.

She was picked to play Ophelia!

Always up to the challenge!

The hottest actress today. Here she is!

Actress, Aki Oria!

Welcome, Aki.

- Aki. - What?

In Japanese showbiz it's unusual for an actress to make it in her thirties.

I thought to quit many times.

Now I see it as an honor

to encourage women of my generation.

Now it's time for...!

Charlie's Funny Time!

- Aki. - What?

Aki, congratulations for Ophelia!

Thank you. It's a once-in-a-lifetime role.

When do you begin?

I'm discussing the part with the director.

You mean the world-famous Bito.

He's a great talent, a wonderful director.

You sound very busy.

So, when are the two of us going out on a date?

Okay, Charlie.

My schedule is full for the next three years.

Ask me during the Olympic Games, Charlie.

You got it. Charlie Max Time!

Aki.

You have a meeting in Roppongi with the director at 7.

Can I use the car until then?

Why?

I'm going to Aurora.

I told you not to go there anymore.

Today is special.

Just don't be late.

Take me to Aurora.

Stop ignoring me.

- Why? - Huh?

Why do you still turn up like this?

That means?

You know what it means.

I've no time for you anymore.

Huh?

You're me.

You're me too.

Don't get cocky.

You're the cocky one. It's why I'm here.

Getting suspicious?

Of course I am.

Jealous that I'm always working and never have time for you?

I don't mean that.

You never change.

I said I don't mean that.

Disappear.

You mean it?

Sorry.

Thanks for coming.

Sure.

These days you're all over the TV. It's such a surprise.

For real.

Are you busy every day?

More or less.

You're the same age as Kaito, right?

That's right. I am.

Finally.

Aki.

I haven't told you this.

We've decided to close Aurora.

What?