Ef: A Tale of Melodies.

Two cities by the name of Otowa exist:

the real city built upon burned-down bricks,

and the fraudulent city, which has carried the city's image to peaceful, beautiful lands.

It bears a painful past,

and its cornerstone is this misfortune.

As everyday activities are woven,

the city becomes engulfed in the sparkles called human beings.

The real city becomes a shadow of the fake,

while the fake city becomes reality.

What is sought there after time, space, and repeated memories have left it unrecognizable?

That is...

Now that I think about it, that might have been when it all began.

It's dangerous. Don't stand up there!

Oh? You're kind, aren't you, Himura Yu-san?

Who are you?

I'm Yuko.

Yuko?

Yuko?

If... If you've forgotten, please don't say any more.

Please forget this ever happened. This will be farewell.

Himura Yu-san. Even now, I despise you.

Yo, Himura.

Is this all right, Kuze?

The weather is chilly around this time, so it's fine.

Where's the princess?

She went to sleep long ago. And you?

The same as you. Are you reminiscing about the past again?

Heh, who knows? I've forgotten the past.

I'll go greet the girl myself next time.

Heh, what a joke.

Himura, will you stick around for the recital tomorrow?

Recital?

Yeah. A recital for you and your girl.

That's all. Nothing else.

Ah, a fermata.

Fermata: musical notation for a sustained or stretched note. Fine: musical notation for the end of a repeated segment.

No, it's a fine.

But if it's an exhibition, wouldn't it be a fermata?

You seem to know your stuff.

You're the one who told me.

Oh, I might have.

Hmm, would it be a fermata?

For my current situation, it would clearly be...

Oh yeah, a girl is visiting Renji's house.

A girl?

You didn't know?

I haven't really seen him in a while.

He's your next-door neighbor.

Physical proximity doesn't mean much.

If a girl sits next to you, it doesn't mean you're closer to her than to a girl in another class, right?

Isn't it a problem if you're dating both of them?

It's okay as long as it's not just two.

Huh?

If you're dating two girls, it's a fight.

If you're dating twenty, it's a competition.

When it gets to that point, the girls direct their anger towards each other, not me.

You're an ass.

Girls sometimes develop friendly ties from rivalries, you know.

It's not all that bad.

Now you're a bigger ass for using such a lame excuse.

But they all love me.

Heh. You haven't changed at all.

Of course I haven't. Humans don't change that easily.

Himura, you haven't either, have you?

You've always...

You're right.

Perhaps I haven't changed since that day.

Art Room

Hirono

Art Room

Hirono

That idiot.

Yo, Himura.

You workin' today?

Yeah.

Give me a hand, though, before you head off to work?

I'm going to open a flea market.

A flea market?

I was thinking of getting rid of my junk before I left Japan.

Sorry, something just came up.

Something, eh?

If it's a girl, I'll let you go.

It is about a girl, but it's just her.

Please, go right ahead.

Ah, Himura-kun.

Do you have business in the Art Room?

Amamiya-sensei...

This place is non-smoking, you know.

Where there isn't fire, there isn't smoke.

Well then, why do you have it in your mouth?

When people have desires, they want to satisfy them, even if it means using a substitute.

Anyway, you've finally decided to join the Art Club?

I'm glad. All those attempts to convince you weren't a waste.

Nope, I don't plan on joining any clubs.

Don't say things like that.

You've got talent. Letting it deteriorate is such a shame.

I keep telling you, I'm not interested in drawing.

Anyway, I'm in a hurry.

Hirono-san, eh?

Yeah.

It's a hassle, isn't it? Art is such a hassle.

People who venture into the world of art, and those who associate with them,

are all pulled in without realizing it.

So, Himura-kun, you should pull others in. It'd be a lot easier on you.

No, thanks.

Hey.

What the heck are you doing?

You're late, Yu.

I got tired of waiting, so I started drawing.

Sorry, but could you wait a while?

I want to draw until I get to a good stopping point.

You don't have to be naked to draw!

Put on some clothes!

Don't talk nonsense.

I'm drawing a rough draft!

A rough draft doesn't mean drawing in the rough!

It's just an initial sketch!

This is a miracle.

That's the first time I've ever heard you crack a joke.

It wasn't a joke.

Hurry up and put your uniform on!

Sheesh, you're so dull.

Shut up!

You might not know this, but a rough draft is one of the most basic procedures in drawing.

Where else would you find someone dumb enough to be their own model?

A self-portrait is also one of the most basic procedures.

I've never seen a rough self-portrait by van Gogh or Picasso before.

Van Gogh and Picasso were both men.

Even if they did draw themselves, it wouldn't be "rough".

You're stupid, aren't you?

First Kuze, then you.

I honestly can't comprehend the mindset of people who involve themselves with art.

You're not winning any points by equating me to Kuze.

Well,

it might actually be easier to get others involved in art.

What?

If I've got this much, it'll last for a long time.

When are you going to learn how to go shopping by yourself?

There's no point in asking me.

Then who am I supposed to ask?

If you ask me, I find it strange that anyone can walk into a shop alone and buy something.

Yu, you're like that too,

but what's wrong with those people?

You're the one with the problem.

Oh, yeah.

I owe you for coming with me.

You can have this.

I don't want it.

They gave it to me for free.

No need to be considerate.

I'm not. I just don't want it, that's all.

You're such a jerk.

You saw me naked, and yet you can't pay me back?

You have crazy logic.

You're the one who owes me,

and you got naked of your own free will!

All the guys wanted to see that.

Who, exactly?

Anyway, Yu. Did you do something that would piss people off?

Huh?

Someone's been following you

ever since we left school.

Hello.

So, who are you?

My name is Amamiya Yuko, a freshman.

An acquaintance of yours?

Nope.

I know him, but he doesn't know me.

That's because Himura-senpai doesn't remember me.

I'm going home.

Nagi? Hey, what's up—

What the hell?

She's really cute.

In what way?

She's so contrary.

She's an honest, strong-willed woman.

I admire her.

Are you two dating?

As if.

She just drags me around.

You haven't changed at all.

You and your prickly attitude.

But...

you don't remember any longer, do you?

Nope, I remember.

I remember now.

Everything.

I see.

It's been a long time, Yuko.

It has, Yu-kun.

Have you been well?

Yes. I'm glad to see that you're doing fine as well.

It's been ten years since then, yes?

Time flies.

For me, it was a long ten years.

What are you doing now?

I'm living with my new brother. It's just the two of us.

I see.

But I'm glad.

I got to meet my onii-chan again.