Legend of Plumeria (プルメリアの伝説　天国のキッス)

Long ago, beyond the blue sea on a southern island...

lived a young and beautiful goddess named Plumeria.

One day, Plumeria broke her vow,

falling in love with a human youth.

This angered the gods.

Out of their wrath, a volcano erupted, and hot stones struck the goddess.

That's how she met her demise.

After Plumeria's death...

fragrant and beautiful flowers began to bloom on this island.

The islanders felt sorry for the goddess who had met such a tragic end.

And they named the flower Plumeria.

Over time, necklaces made of these flowers adorned the necks of young women.

There's nothing better than ice cream after a Hula dance.

Rebecca, do you attend practices just for the ice cream afterward?

You're right. But aren't you all here with me?

- You are perceptive. How about the second one? - We are for it!

- Amy, are you joining too? - I have to go now.

- Do you have a date? -Have you found a guy?

-What's he like? - I don’t know, it’s just omiai.

Omiai? What's that?

It's when a boy and a girl look at each other.

Oh, I know that Japanese tradition. That's how girls find their husbands.

And what do you have to do?

Endure three "rounds" within 60 minutes.

Akira is the eldest son of the Kuniyosi family.

He graduated from Stanford with honors.

A splendid young man.

He will undoubtedly follow in his father's footsteps.

He'll take over as the director of this hotel.

Understood.

You have a wonderful son.

We owe you a lot for your work.

Your hotel chain, Mr. Kuniyoshi, has long been a great help to us.

- It's a great honor for me. - And for me.

Will your daughter finish the University of Hawaii next year?

Yes.

Our daughter knows nothing about adult life.

Mom's right.

I can't really clean or do laundry properly.

Can you cook?

No. I can fry an egg, maybe.

But it always ends up burnt.

She loves...

- listening to music on vinyl records. - Right.

Our Akira is also crazy about modern jazz.

The whole room is filled with records.

- Amy, do you like jazz? - No, I prefer classical.

Is it Beethoven or Chopin who you prefer?

I meant Japanese classical music (rokyoku).

Japanese?

- Not many people listen to that. - Probably influenced by my father.

For example, I love Mabuta no Haha or Shimizu no Jirocho.

Can we have some time alone now?

Sorry, I got carried away.

If you wish, please go ahead.

Hayasaka-san, may I spend some time with Emiko?

Certainly.

Take care of her.

Emiko.

It was all boring, right?

- Yes, I can’t stand it a second time. - Forget about those formalities.

Agreed.

Seems like we think alike.

He has been working for us since childhood.

So naive that I can't bring myself to scold him.

Alright.

If we're already thinking about marriage, let's skip the formalities from now on, okay?

We'll meet under the pretext that we'll get married in the future, okay?

Well, suddenly being forced to dance out of nowhere.

You used to say you've been learning Japanese dance since childhood.

It would be a shame not to show it to the groom's parents.

- Is Dad okay with it? - Of course, he's fine with it.

Recently, the matchmaker whispered in his ear:

"Akira really liked Amy."

Now it's up to you to make an impression.

Thanks for the guidance.

But I'm not a commodity to be evaluated.

- Mom, I brought the cassettes. - Thanks, Mariko.

Amy, Mariko will play some music now. Choose what you like.

What specifically should I perform?

Whether "Fujimusume" or "Te-narai-ko." Choose what you can do best.

Mom and Dad are making an effort to ensure the formalities go well.

- Mariko. - What?

I want to ask you something.

Go ahead...

Tell me please, did you like Amy?

Certainly.

About the Japanese dance...

We were worried that we offended you. Forgive her behavior.

I appreciate her agility. Even changing the music didn't throw off her tempo.

Mr. Kuniyosi really enjoyed the improvisation.

- How wonderful. - Congratulations.

Hayasaka, if you manage to establish a connection with the hotel king, Kuniyosi...

- then your restaurant chain will flourish. - Thank you.

Little sister, no tricks.

Now it's my turn to be the head.

- Like this. - Oh.

Aren't you pleased with our prospects?

I don't care.

Akira's family wishes...

to have the wedding immediately once you finish university.

Understood.

Well, such a fine young man fell for you.

I've worked so hard all this time to raise you properly.

Oh, my God! Amy, spare me, leave me this pawn.

Fine. Here, take it.

In return, Dad, promise to give me time to think.

What are you talking about? These are incomparable things.

Dad.

Do you want me to leave our home sooner?

I want,

you to be happy as soon as possible.

I'm already quite happy.

So let me stay in this house a little longer.

Amy, are you not sure yet if you like Akira?

I do.

He's cheerful.

Kind.

And also educated and noble.

The ideal man.

Amy, please wait.

Dad is asking to wait again.

This is exactly what Amy wants, to postpone things with Akira.

What bothers you about him?

Akira said that after talking to you, he felt encouraged.

That's because we agreed that repeat formalities are unnecessary.

Since you've decided, why drag it out?

People who go on multiple formal meetings are usually unlucky.

It's too fast to get married right after school.

And besides, Dad,

I've never been to your homeland, Japan

That's true.

Don't you want to spend the next vacation in Japan? Grandma would be thrilled.

Really?

But Akira will definitely go with you.

Why?

Akira once studied in Tokyo.

He'll make a great guide.

Dad, checkmate.

Checkmate? Amy, wait...

- Wait. - No. You lost, dad.

That's the fifth consecutive win, Amy.

I'll go for a walk.

Take Daigoro with you, he needs some exercise.

Alright, see you later.

Is Amy not happy that Akira loves her?

- She's very happy. - But her face doesn't show it at all.

The feelings of a young girl are not easily understood.

She's simultaneously happy as if warmth is spreading throughout her body.

And anxious, as if she's about to dive into the cold sea.

That's how it is...

Exactly.

Right now in her heart...

love is quietly blooming, even if she doesn't realize it yet.

Before you know it,

Amy will love as an adult.

We hope for that.

You performed well today. That's on me.

Finally you did it.

Second place in the overall standings.

Now I'm one step closer to Kurosaki.

He would certainly be happy for you.

If Kurosaki were alive,

then he would certainly say: “The first place will be mine!”

Kurosaki died, never having won first place.

And he loved the sea so much.

He was a good guy.

If only the tide hadn't knocked me over back then...

“Kurosaki wouldn’t have rushed to save me.” - Stop it.

I was inexperienced.

“I shouldn’t have overestimated myself.” -Kurosaki is not dead.

Yu, Shinji, not only in your hearts,

but in my heart too...

Kurosaki is more alive than anyone.

As long as we remember him,

Kurosaki will live forever.

Exactly.

Kurosaki often said:

"Anyone can make it into the top three,

but claiming the first place is extremely difficult:

a wall stands between the first and second places."

A towering wall...

Break that wall, Shinji.

- Another round? - No, I'm driving today.

- Master, thank you for the treat. - You're welcome.

Until next time.

- I'll send you the photos from the competition in a few days. - Thank you.

Shinji,

be careful while driving.

- Tired? - Not at all.

The hardest part is yet to come.

I heard that we can quickly get home in Kanazawa Prefecture through the highway.

Hardly call it a highway.

Well then.

What's this?

- Nothing. - The car is waiting.

Made it from Hawaii in just 8.5 hours? How fast.

When Emiko's father first started his business in Hawaii,

- it took him 12-13 hours on the road. - That's something...

By the way, Emiko, you need to adjust your watch.