Until the Break of Dawn (ツナグ)

tsunagu = an intermediary between the living and the dead

TSUNAGU ~ Until the Break of Dawn

[ Tenement Building Fire in Shinjuku. 3 Unidentified Dead ]

Not good!

No! We'll be late for morning exercise!

Stop, stop!

What is it?

These residents forgot to turn off the tap.

On cold days, this might cause dangerous ice on the road.

Misono, be quick!

Wait up, Arashi!

Morning.

Morning. Did you read about yesterday?

About the basketball?

No!

5, 6, 7, 8...

1, 2...

You're at it again?

- fashion designer - Ayumi's jacket is *Junya Watanabe, right?

fashion designer

I like *Rei Kawakubo designs for teenagers,

but Junya isn't bad...

Junya Watanabe, eh...

What are you sighing at?

I have things to worry about.

What worry?

Tell me.

It's fine.

How's it fine?

If there's anything...

*group date

There's a *goukon today...

I'm counting on you.

Well, I...

So cool!

I like Ayumi.

Let's go!

- Hey, Arashi... - What?

Introduce me to Ayumi?

Please, as a classmate...

But I've never spoken to him.

Who cares. Just help me.

Everyone will die someday.

The place dead people go...

is invisible to us.

It's a different world.

I'm back.

Welcome home.

Grandma, let me...

Why?

You're not okay with it?

It's no bother.

No need!

Well then...

When I'm gone, you'll be all alone.

What are you saying?

Grandma, you must stay healthy.

Really?

Young people...

Not again.

Young men are full of energy to do God's work.

Don't be jealous.

Yes, no envy. None...

I'm going.

Excuse me, Tsuchiya-san.

May I have your contact details?

Sure.

Really?

Can you use Bluetooth?

Are you Hatada-san?

I got your message.

I am the Connector.

You are?

Yes.

The one who brings back dead people?

Precisely...

allowing the dead and living to meet

is my work.

Don't joke with me!

It was absurd from the start

when my mom insisted connectors exist.

How can we meet the dead?

Hey, what's your aim?

Is it money?

Robbing an old man?

I don't get compensation.

I won't rob you.

Tell me the name of whom you want to see.

Who is it?

Her name is Hatada Tsuru...

my mother who died a year ago.

Why do you want to see her?

I want to sell some land

but I don't know where she put the certificate.

I understand.

I'll explain the rules.

The Connector negotiates with the dead person

and arranges a meeting with you.

The living man commissioned by the Connector

has one chance in his life to meet the dead.

And the named deceased

has only one chance to meet the living.

You each get one chance.

So?

Then...

think carefully about whom you wish to meet.

I said I want to meet Mother!

I understand.

But if the deceased refuses to meet you,

this one chance will be lost.

I see.

You'll say my mother refused to meet me,

then extort money from me.

I said I don't want money.

Don't try to trick me.

Do your parents know you're doing this?

Do they?

After I negotiate with Hatada Tsuru,

I will contact you.

It seems there's a person called "the Connector"

who can allow us to meet the deceased.

Sounds interesting!

Misono knows, eh...

That person does exist?

It's just an urban legend.

If it exists, it's cool.

Misono, what do you think?

I think it's Charlie Chaplin.

Chaplin's Misono's type, eh?

Arashi Misa is really cute, eh...

Really?

Didn't you just see her?

Never mind, I'll give you Misa.

What are you saying?

Misono Natsu is mine.

Are you alright?

My right foot lost balance. I'm fine.

Are you hurt?

Thank you.

Thank you.

What is it?

Are you... okay?

Fine, fine, fine.

It's alright.

It's alright. It's alright.

Daichi, lend me a hand.

Why...?

Why didn't you tell us?

We could've had precious time with Grandma!

Be quiet!

You're no advocate.

I wish I'd known earlier about Grandma's condition!

I'm the eldest son.

I did Grandma no wrong!

Hello?

Hatada Tsuru-san knows about the meeting.

She'll choose a meeting date soon.

So you met my mom?

The dead only meet in moonlight.

23rd March is full moon.

I got it.

It's at Shinagawa Bund Hotel.

Is 6 pm okay?

That's fine.

Well then.

Grandma, you went to hospital today?

I sprained my ankle a bit

but a nice man helped me.

Grandma, see this...

This writing isn't the same. When was it written?

Our mission is not to convey the deceased's messages, or insist on completing meetings.

I don't remember.

But look closely...

Ask if you don't understand something.

This Hatada Tsuru-san

asked for a Connector's service 20 years ago.

Is that so?

There was a child with her then.

Grandma.

Yes?

Do you really meet dead people?

Do you doubt me?

- No. - Really?

Grandma, when did you start?

When I was married,

my brother passed me the ability.

Great-Uncle Akiyama?

It's been 50 years.

Fifty years...

Since I was marrying, my brother passed the ability

to me for safekeeping.

Akiyama and I were always close.

Uncle Akiyama wasn't just a fortune-teller.

Right! Right! Right! Right!

Akiyama had to make money for our household expenses.

Ayumi, you need to arrange a meeting in a hotel.

I understand.

A Connector inherits this ability.

You won't be able to see the dead

unless you inherit the ability from me.