Tokyo Tower (東京タワー)

Sis... right now she's gone to the hospital.

The hospital?

Ma-kun, Sis is...

She has... cancer.

Don't worry about it.

You should do your very best for your job.

"Nakagawa Eiko"

Okan!

I got blue!

Ah, you two are the winners.

We got 40. You're surrounding us.

Umm...

Ma-kun!

Why have you come?

You should be working.

Ah, what a nice man!

That's right! He's my son!

Come sit here!

Sit, sit!

In Tokyo, he's an Illustrator!

Isn't this great?!

Ah, I see. So this is by your son?

Nakagawa Masaya.

Tomorrow's operation,

is to extract the cancer that has invaded the thyroid gland.

Umm...

And then...

And then... the cancer left behind around her vocal chords,

we'll try to treat using alternate methods.

Alternate... treatments...

Your mother requested we leave her vocal chords alone,

as a condition for proceeding with this operation.

"Afterwards, Ma-kun...

"not being able to call and talk to you would bother me."

Okan.

Will you be okay?

I told you not to worry about it.

You really won't let them take your vocal chords?

I've already decided that.

Eat.

Don't look like that.

Your Okan, won't die of something like this.

Here.

Okan...

she never changes, does she?

When you came back, she gained twice her strength.

Hey, Ma-kun...

Hmm?

Will you always be away from here?

Will you come back to Chikuhou?

If you were by Sis' side, it would be the best encouragement for her.

It's Sis...

Sis.

You shouldn't exaggerate this.

But...

in this case, those feelings will come out.

Shake hands.

Are you done?

"In Surgery"

Excuse me!

Who are you?

You're cute! What's your name?

Umm... Is Nakagawa-kun here?

What do you want with Senpai?

He was a classmate of mine at the University.

I tried to get in touch with him, but since I couldn't, I got a little worried.

Senpai went back to Kyuushuu.

Did something happen?

It's pretty.

Did Oton give you that ring?

Yes.

I know it's short notice, but...

Can I get my deadline extended?

Nothing can be done, huh...

All right.

About time...

What's this... you seem pretty good.

I haven't got my strength back.

I see.

Then... Okan closed 'Kappa'?

Since she'll be hospitalized for awhile,

she won't be able to keep up with the rent.

I see...

Oton.

What?

Can you...

stay by Okan's side for a little while?

I can't spare the time.

But...

Even if I was at her side, I wouldn't be any good.

Bye. Gotta go.

Runt, you going back to Tokyo?

See you around.

Oton!

Hurry and eat.

Today we have Nukatsuki, to build self-confidence.

Safe!

"At that time...

"I can guess what Okan was imagining.

"That she was getting old...

"That she was alone in this town...

"Attacked by a disease...

"And that she was lucky to be able to sigh about it."

Because when I told the regulars you'd be out for awhile,

they got very noisy.

That's really good, isn't it?

They sound like they've been rejected.

Okan.

Well...

I gotta get back to Tokyo.

Because of my job.

Yes, yes!

Thank you especially, for all you've done.

So long.

Ma-kun!

I got a get-well basket.

Eat it on your way back!

It's apples and bananas and grapes.

Geez, I'm not coming anymore!

Have you forgotten anything?

Do you have your Shinkansen train ticket?

Have you checked what time the bus comes?

I'll be fine!

Look, go back in.

Yes, yes.

So long!

"Someone in May once said:

"No matter how much filial respect you give,

"in any event, you're sure to have regrets.

"Ahh...

"Just doing this and that is good enough."

"Tokyo Tower"

"1995 - Tokyo"

There's only 5 more minutes before the deadline!

Geez, I'm so nervous.

This is the first column illustration I'm responsible for,

so why did I have to rely on Nakagawa, of all people...

Have some tea.

Thanks.

It's hot!

I'm sorry! I'll replace it right away!

Waahh! I can't do it!

Just a little longer. Don't give up!

At long last, you have work you like as an Illustrator, don't you?

No...

When the work you like becomes work...

Then it's just work, isn't it...

There must be a reason I picked you.

Must be nice.

Write and leave, write and leave...

that's what you do.

If you're so worried about your spare time, then keep my deadline!

Ah, this'll be fine!

Ah, that's only half done!

It's okay. It'll work out somehow!

- Your tea... - No thanks.

He's become... a complete square...

- I'm back. - Good work.

Good work...

Misaki...

Yes?

Here. Congratulations.

"Sidewalk Magazine"

- I'm back. - Welcome back.

Senpai, a friend of yours is here.

- Who is it? - Come on in.

Good evening...

Wa... wai... wai..

Wait just a minute.

Hide everything!

Hide everything!!

Thanks for waiting...

Come in.

It's a bit dirty though.

Sorry for coming so suddenly.

Ah, how are you?

Hello.

Why have you come?

Ah, this...

I wanted you to be the first to see it.

Eh?

My first work.

Well, it came much later than Nakagawa-kun's.

"Photo / Masaki Manami"

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Some tea. Please.

Thanks...

Um, just to confirm this...

You two are just friends, right?

You haven't kissed or anything, right?

Do you like Ma-kun?

- That's rude! - Who are you to him?

The air's really bad in here.

Let's go outside.

Hurry and move your relationship forward!

Go for it!

Shut up!

Hey, hey...

If you get half a chance, give her a kiss for me!