Le Portrait de Petite Cossette (コゼットの肖像)

Who would love me so much

that he would cast aside his own precious life?

If someone were to drown in the seas and die for my sake,

then I would be released from stone

and I would return to life... to life once more.

But if I were to return to life one day--

which would give me the most important thing--

I would then cry, alone.

I would cry, longing for my stone.

Of what use would my blood be,

even if it were to ripen like wine?

For it would not be able to bring back the one who loved me the most

from the waters' depths...

I was serious... This time, I was really serious.

How could Sayaka have pulled that on me all of a sudden?

That was so cruel of her!

Okay, okay. We got it; you don't have to cry.

Come to think of it, it was doomed from the beginning.

A student at Shoutoku Women's College and a student at our Meihou Art College...

It just wouldn't have worked out.

Note: This is a saying meaning that everything has its place.

"In the end, milk vetch should be left in the fields."

You should've left it as an unrequited crush.

Don't give me that!?

You're the one who told me that love can overcome GPAs, Senpai!

Oh, did I?

Yes, you did!

You were there, so you heard him too, right, Eiri?

Huh?

Sorry, I wasn't listening.

What's up?

Dude, what's up with your attitude?

Your best friend is all depressed about a breakup!

I'm not asking you to find me another girl, but at least show a little support!

Sorry, my fault.

What's up with that beatific smile? You look like the Virgin Mary.

Haven't you been kinda out of it for the past week?

You think so?

Kurahashi,

you're in love, aren't you?

Your first love even. Am I wrong?

You're absolutely right.

What?!

Seriously?

How long's it been since you started going out?

It's been about seven days now.

Dude, when did you...

Who's the girl?

Where'd you land her?

Sorry, I lied.

I think I'll get going.

Eiri...

Hey!

Sorry. I have my shift coming up.

Were you lonely? Sorry to have left you by yourself.

"First love," huh?

Senpai's pretty sharp.

It's all fine. Nice and clean.

Yeah?

37.2 degrees Celsius.

Your throat looks red as well, so you probably have a slight cold.

I see.

I acted too hastily in spite of myself.

It's because Shouko said that you've been acting strangely over the past couple days.

I wonder if I gave her that impression because of my fever.

The blood test results will be back in four days.

Well, I don't think there'll be any problems.

Um, Doctor?

Yes?

Oh, no... it's nothing.

You work hard at your job, Kurahashi.

Oh. It's you, Mataki.

What do you mean, "Oh"? I even brought you stuff to eat.

Here.

Thanks.

Wow, how pretty!

Can I use this?

That one's...

Nah, it's okay.

This is Venetian glassware, no?

Yeah.

Is it expensive?

Yeah.

It sure rains a lot.

Yeah.

I heard from Hisamoto-senpai that you decided not to go to the mixer the day before yesterday.

Yeah.

He was saying that you got a girlfriend.

He told me that just a while ago, too.

It's a habit of his to link everything to girls.

True... You're not into girls, anyway.

Are you sure about this, Ms. Zenshinni?

Didn't this belong to your father?

It hasn't been too long since he passed away, but I have no choice

if I want to pay the inheritance tax.

I see...

Don't worry.

I'll have a trusted dealer take it off your hands for a good price.

I'm counting on you.

"Everything has a soul," huh?

This one sure does. His thoughts reside in here--they're quite powerful.

Ms. Zenshinni, you're a psychic, aren't you? Do you "see" things?

Well, yeah.

My old man's frequently roaming around there.

I wish he'd stop showing up in the shower,

though I'm his daughter and all...

Yuu, that girl who works over at the deli, also has a sixth sense.

Oh really?

What about you, Kurahashi?

None at all. I'm not into that sort of thing, either.

Very well. That's the right answer, too.

If you develop an untoward curiosity about the spirit world

or try to contact ghosts

like those paranormal fanatics do,

it'll be no joke.

Oh...

Hi, Eiri.

If you'd like, have some of this.

Thanks as always, Yuu. I'll take care of the rest.

Thank you.

I'll be going, then.

What a cute girl.

Oh, Michiru. Hello.

Hi.

Sorry, Kurahashi.

I'll be borrowing your storefront again.

Sure, go right ahead. If you don't mind such a dingy store like this, that is.

What a cute girl...

Here are the test results.

You're so normal it's not even funny.

Thank you for going through all the trouble.

Don't thank me. I just stopped by on my way back from lunch.

Shouko, want to stop by my place?

Sure, I'll come by later.

3 290,000 yen...

This is all thanks to the buddha's protection

and your efforts Kurahashi.

Thanks! I'll take you out to karaoke sometime.

Why does this arcade mall have so many good-looking people?

This environment... is dangerous.

Don't tell me it's true that you're actually going out with someone!

Hey, who is she?

Is it someone I know? Don't tell me it's Aunt Hatsumi...

Well, Kurahashi?

Look what you've done, Mataki! Be more careful!

Kurahashi...

If it had broken, there'd have been no way to fix it!

lt'd just about amount to murder!

What the hell?!

Why do you have to act like such a jerk... over just one freaking glass?

Just?!

Again...

It's happened seven days in a row now.

Sorry, you're right.

It's merchandise... If it'd broken...

I'm sorry too, for having yelled at you in spite of myself.

Hey, Mataki...

What?

Didn't something strange happen?

Never mind. Sorry for making you into a guinea pig.

Kurahashi... You don't look well.

There really has been something wrong with you lately.

Is something wrong?

Mataki, you've always been perceptive about the strangest things.

Am I acting weird? In what way?

Well... You're kinda out of it...

People have been telling me that a lot for a long time.

That's not what I meant... It's like your mind is far away.

Have I become the neighborhood loony?

I don't talk to myself, do I?

Is there something you suspect that might be causing it?

No... nothing really.

Nothing serious.

Jeez, my uncle really bugs me.

He gets to wander around Europe and buy as many antiques as he likes.

I wish he'd think of the people who have to sort out his purchases.

Last one.

Caution

An 18th-century French curio case and a set of glassware...

with a retail price of 4,000,000 yen.