Poor Sisters Story (貧乏姉妹物語)

This child is Kyo, my eldest daughter.

She's fifteen years old.

This child is Asu, my youngest daughter.

She's only nine years old.

Everyday, to prevent from waking her little sister up,

Kyo quickly gets up after the alarm rings.

Every morning, Kyo goes out to make newspaper runs.

I'm going!

All right!

Good morning, Asu.

I'm looking forward to today's fireworks festival.

I have always looked from afar in heaven at my two children.

What I have left for them... is only...

a small promise.

Mother went to heaven the year she gave birth to Asu.

Father left a huge debt after gambling and is now missing,

leaving only the two of us.

The place we live in,

a beaten up 40 year old apartment with one room.

This is our home.

But, when spring comes...

Translator, Timer, Encoder - Maceart Editor, Typesetter, OP/ED - Ladholyman

Ah, Onee-chan's about to come back.

I have to go prepare breakfast.

I'm finally done.

From what I recall, up until last year's fireworks festival,

Asu has needed to be patient.

But this year...

Ok.

Eh?

Oh yeah, the change from yesterday's shopping.

Please.

I've saved up for today,

to go with my sister to the fireworks festival and have lots of fun.

Candy apples.

Octopus balls.

And Japanese crackers with sauce.

I'm back!

Welcome back, Onee-chan.

Thank you for your work.

Breakfast is ready.

Time to eat!

Today is the fireworks festival.

Yes, the fireworks festival.

Um, after I finish cleaning can I go out for a bit?

Sure, since it's Saturday.

But where are you going?

You'll know later.

I'm going!

Neighbor-san, your mailbox is full.

It's very full!

Asu, be careful!

I know.

Where are you going?

You'll know later.

Ah, Owner-san, good morning.

Well then, me too.

All right!

Go!

Oh my, aren't you Asu-chan?

Eh, the vegetable store owner.

Are you going to be selling vegetables at the festival?

I can't sell vegetables at the festival.

Ah! This is...

Yes, I also sell candy apples.

Ah, candy apples, eh?

Later I'll come by and buy one with my sister.

Ok! Then I'll prepare an extra large one.

Thank you!

Octopus balls stand, the shooting game stand, and the cotton candy stand.

It's complete!

Owner!

I'm back.

Eh?

Onee-chan?

The money's...

Asu, I'm back.

Sorry for being so late.

What's wrong? The lights aren't even on.

Here, Asu. A present.

A yukata...

Yes!

Why do you have this?

I bought it at the Ashimoto clothing store.

Even though I have an yukata left over from Mom,

Asu doesn't have one.

Ever since then, I've always wanted to give you one.

Did you buy this...

Using the money from the piggy bank?

Yes.

Here, hurry up and wear it.

Eh?

I don't want it.

Why?

I bought this for Asu.

Why... why did you spend all my savings?

Why...

I thought Asu would be happy.

Hey, you can just save more money.

Anyway,

even though I was wrong for spending the money,

it was a rare chance,

so wear the yukata, and let's go see the fireworks together, ok?

I'm not going.

Who cares about the fireworks festival...

I'm not going!

Stupid Onee-chan!

I've saved the money for so long,

just to spend it on the fireworks festival...

Octopus balls, Japanese crackers with sauce...

Everything that I've waited so long for!

I really wanted to eat a big candy apple together...!

Asu...

I'm going to return this yukata.

It's raining...

I have to go get Asu!

That time...

It was the same as that time.

Phew, just made it.

Asu! Asu!

She's not back yet...

Will she be all right? Is she still at school?

If she's outside, I hope she's found a place to hide from the rain.

I hate lightning!

What if... Asu is also...?

Wait for me, Asu.

Onee-chan is going now.

There's lightning! And it just hit really near.

Oh yeah, I heard that lightning is attracted to umbrellas.

Onee-chan!

Onee-chan! Here! I'm right here!

Oh yeah, that time, Asu wasn't afraid of the lightning at all.

I didn't even realize that.

At that time, I was afraid of lightning.

When I went to get Asu, I almost gave up halfway.

Today is also...

Maybe Asu doesn't even need a sister like me.

Oh my, Asu-chan?

What's wrong?

You're soaked!

What if you catch a cold?

Owner, this yukata...

Ah, this yukata.

It looks good, right?

Eh?

It has the same design as your sister's.

The same...?

Kyo-chan wanted this design no matter what.

She even ran to our store's warehouse to search for it.

She searched for a whole day.

Eh? The whole day she was...?

Every year, since she didn't have a yukata for Asu-chan,

she felt very guilty.

Ah, for me...

She searched so hard to find the same yukata.

For me...

Onee-chan really wanted me to wear the same yukata to see the fireworks festival.

Don't worry.

The rain will stop soon.

Rain...

At that time it was also...

I forgot my umbrella.

Ah, there's lightning.

How annoying, looks like I'll be home late.

Ah, Onee-chan!