Our Dearest Sakura (同期のサクラ)

Good morning.

It's 8:00 a.m. on 1st of April .

Today's weather forecast for Tokyo is overcast

with a predicted high of 24 degrees.

Sakura, is there anything else?

If not, I'll play a song from your morning playlist.

The new era name is Reiwa.

Hey Sakura, do you remember?

Ten years ago, I was the first person to hurt your feelings.

Excuse me.

Would you mind moving to where you won't impede commuters?

Let's go.

Wow! She's got nerve.

Right! Let's go with this.

From the outset,

Sakura never, ever gave up on any task until she was satisfied.

It's no good. It's no good at all.

Wheelchairs can't get around here so this needs to be changed.

Not again.

We only came together for training but Sakura believed in us.

Thank you. You're a big help.

Not at all. Say...

we're all in this together so let's take a picture.

Although we put on brave faces, we were really quite anxious.

But Sakura gave us the courage to stand up and be counted.

I have a dream.

Rentaro...

- Aoi. - Let's go.

Hey! Aoi!

- Rentaro! - Kikuo.

Yuri.

How's Sakura?

She's got a serious brain contusion and may not regain consciousness.

It can't be.

Please Sakura, open your eyes.

We...

don't want to live in a world without you.

"April 2009"

Stop it. The neighbours will hear us.

They're still asleep.

Grandad, how is your heart?

Today is my company initiation.

I'm proudly wearing the suit and shoes you bought for me.

Wish me luck.

Where shall we go?

Anywhere you like.

Excuse me...

Everyone can hear you in there,

so please be mindful of families with children and keep it down.

- Yes. - Yes.

Thank you very much.

"Hand-made croquettes”

Excuse me, please don't block the street so commuters can pass.

Thank you very much.

This is good. This is very good.

"Hanamura Construction Co., Ltd"

Hello, I'm at the initiation and I owe it all to you.

I'll do my best not to disappoint everyone who helped me.

Right!

Good-bye.

The future of this company will be...

in good hands with me.

Congratulations.

Tetsuya Nogami...

Congratulations.

Good morning. I'm Keio University graduate, Yuri Tsukimura.

"Initiation Ceremony 2009"

This is bad. This is really bad.

- Sakura Kitano? - Yes.

The ceremony's about to begin.

I'm sorry. I saw a lot interesting buildings so I was taking photos.

- Would you like to see? - Not now.

Hurry up and get in.

In completing these three big projects over the next 10 years,

I want this company and you all to shoulder the heavy responsibility of

contributing continually to the future of Japan

in ways our competitors can only dream about.

This is what I want you to be...

- passionate about. - What a windbag.

Further, we've embarked on a plan of reform in the company

which encourages open discourse between staff regardless of rank.

So when you happen to see me, don't hesitate to stop me

and share your thoughts and ideas with me.

Here!

Yes?

May I share my thoughts with you?

Yes... by all means.

First of all, I thought your speech was too long.

What?

You had some good points but they got lost in your long sentences.

Then, you mentioned the Bayside Hill Hotel would have 670 rooms.

However, I believe the correct number is 760 rooms.

Also, you used the word "continually”

whereas a more appropriate word would have been "unceasingly.”

That's all.

What is she thinking?

That was great.

That's exactly what the CEO was hoping for.

In actual fact,

our CEO made his speech deliberately long and threw in some errors

to test if any of you were listening.

You got them all correct.

A splendid job.

Thank you very much.

Well sir, please continue.

However, you may like to shorten it a tad now.

Sure, sure.

So continuing with these reforms is Hanamura Construction's...

"Recruit Training Overview"

I'm Sumire Hino and will be in charge of your training.

The training is for three weeks.

In the last week, you'll be divided into teams of five

and make a model of a structure you want to be a legacy for Japan.

I'm Kurokawa in charge of personnel.

On the last day, your models will be judged by the CEO and directors.

The best model will be awarded the CEO's prize, so do your best.

- Yes. - Excuse me...

Yes?

Will the results of the judging influence our postings?

"Announcement of Postings”

That's a very good question.

Thinking about that is also part of your training.

Please check the team lists on the last page.

Names with circles have been assigned as team leaders.

"Team D Leader: Sakura Kitano"

Why didn't they select me?

Yuri Tsukimura!

Yes?

- Kikuo Shimizu! - Yes.

Rentaro Doi!

What now?

Aoi Kijima!

Huh.

I'm Sakura Kitano from the same team.

I don't know why I was chosen as team leader

but I'll work my fingers to the bone so please extend me your support.

"Our Dearest Sakura"

I'm Aoi Kijima.

I'm Kikuo Shimizu. Call me Kikuo.

Kikuo.

And you?

- Yuri Tsukimura. Nice to meet you. - Yuri.

- Who are you? - Rentaro Doi.

- Doi. - Doi?

Well then, I suppose I'll see you tomorrow.

Thank you. See you tomorrow.

Thank you. See you tomorrow.

Something wrong?

Shouldn't we discuss about tomorrow?

I also want to get to know you.

Well, let's get acquainted, shall we?

- Good idea. - Great.

Yes, it's good to build team spirit for the model competition.

So where shall we go?

I know a cheap pub that's good.

Sorry, I'd prefer a quiet place

and I hate cigarette smoke.

How about cheap and tasty Chinese restaurant?

Sorry, I'll pass if we're going Chinese restaurant.

In that case, I know a nice French place.

Except I can't afford to eat expensive.

Truth, we can't agree on anything!

Let's ask our leader.

I know a place.

It's non-smoking, not Chinese, quiet, cheap and delicious.

Here we are.

"Cafe Request"

Haruki Murakami's latest novel

published under the title 1Q84...

Hello.

Welcome.

Is this place any good?

It's just a coffee shop.

The food's good and they serve alcohol.

They'll make anything you want.

So even sashimi or deep fried chicken?

If that's what you want.

Really?

Anyway, let's kick off with beers all round, okay?

Okay, five beers please.

Sorry, I'll have oolong tea.

You don't drink?

No. Right now, I feel like oolong tea.

So much for team spirit.

Okay, four beers and one oolong tea.

Here's your sashimi and fried chicken.

They really can make anything.

It's really good too.

I found this place when I was scouting the office.

Speaking of which, where are you hoping to get posted?

I want to know as well.

How about you, Yuri?

Anywhere except construction sites.

So that would mean

- public affairs, for instance? - Maybe.

- Public affairs is... - That's wonderful.

It would be great if someone pretty like you can relay our dreams.

Possibly.

And you, Rentaro?

I was hoping for design.