Algernon Ni Hanataba Wo (Flowers for Algernon / アルジャーノンに花束を)

I want to become smart! - It’s his own wish to have this surgery.

I want to document the trial subject’s human emotions.

Interest in the opposite sex. - Bride?

It’s the girl you love most in the world. Do you have one? A girl like that?

Your heart doesn’t beat fast for me at all?

I’ll become smart. - I think you’re good the way you are now.

Who is she? - She’s the daughter of Koutei Medical Industries’ President Kawaguchi.

From here on, her brain will atrophy, step by step...She’ll fall into a so-called vegetative state.

Sakuto-san...he’s a human guinea pig? To save that girl!

Please say I’m wrong! Hachisuka-sensei!

Haruka is...the girl I like most in the world.

From here, the first trial subject, Shiratori Sakuto, will begin clinical testing.

Sakuto-san…

Sakuto-san? Sakuto-san?

Are you awake?

Excuse me, please let me look at your incision.

Is he normal? - It’s transitioning as expected.

We’ll document his postoperative progression.

The surgery was a success. How do you feel?

Surgery…

I…

...became smart?

Uh...

Next, I’ll explain the technical aspects of the surgery.

We’ve pasted a thin film of electrodes onto the brain to allow mapping of the nerve cells,

and will measure brain waves and blood flow in real time.

In short, a pseudo--

Are you okay?

What can you see? - Uh…

Let’s go to the next test. - Yes.

I’ll take it. - Okay.

Okay, Sakuto-kun, let’s begin. Next...

This is the situation after one week of postoperative tests.

As of now, there is no great change.

As we know, Algernon’s situation a few days after surgery

in every aspect, such as comprehension and memory,

we saw remarkable improvement.

It’s about to time we saw steady effect in the trial subject.

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is thickening.

Bring up the photo. - Yes, Sir.

The ratio of grey matter is increasing compared to before the operation.

Note: ACC - anterior cingulate cortex, the part of the brain responsible for jealousy

Additionally, if the anterior cingulate cortex or ACC starts to work,

it should trigger activation of the entire brain.

ACC...you mean…

...his emotions will influence his brain?

Hachisuka-sensei said you can go back to your normal life tomorrow.

It’s okay if you come by sometimes for your medicine.

I...became smart?

There’s no effect yet,

but if we wait a little longer, it should appear.

Excuse me, two hamburgers, please.

When will I become smart?

When will I be smart?

I can’t really say yet.

Uh…

Ah, how about you think of it this way?

For example...

The longer you have to stand in line for this hamburger,

the more hungry you get, and the more tasty it will be.

Here. - I’m hungry.

Thanks for the food.

It’s good, right? - Ah, it’s good!

Ah, hang on.

The surgery is the same way.

The longer you have to wait,

the happier you’ll be when you become smart.

Yeah. - You’ll definitely become smart,

so try to be patient, okay?

Yes!

Nice ball! If I say that, we’ll lose the next match, right?

That’s right, no matter how hard we try, right? - We're pretty desperate to put Saku in right field.

That’s not true.

This time we’ve got the big rookie,

Hiyama-kun, right?

What are you talking about? - I’m talking about you taking Saku’s place.

Oh, speak of the devil! - Long time, no see.

Oh, Saku! - Where on earth did you go?

This.

Oh, Saku-chan, you playing?

Saku, here, you forgot this.

Sakuto, how did your surgery go? - Uh…

Did his head get any better?

It doesn’t look like anything’s changed.

It was a failure, huh.

Saku is still Saku, isn’t he.

Anyhow, it’s good that he’s safe. - Right.

You guys, go back to work.

Cheers! - You’re too loud!

Why do we have to toast in this place?

It can’t be helped. It’s before payday and we’re broke. - But why in this small space?

Bigger isn’t better, you know. Rio-chan’s vacation house bathroom

was so big, I couldn't relax and nothing came out.

Stop it, we’re in the middle of dinner. - You poop, too, Mai-chan.

I don’t. - Are you a Showa-era idol?

Mai-chan poops! - Who poops?

Why the hell are we talking about toilet stuff?!

That’s why I said bigger isn’t better.

People have their own sense of distance… - My room at the hospital was big.

Hospital? The hospital where you had surgery, right?

But I was really surprised he had a surgery to improve his mind. - Sakuto, are you eating?

Nothing’s changed, it’s surprising, right? - I have to do something.

Not at all!

I think it’s great that Sakuto-san hasn’t changed.

Well...I think it’s better for Saku to get smarter.

It’s fine. Sakuto-san’s fine as he is.

What’s wrong? You’re so serious. We’re just talking about a dream.

Dream...I guess you’re right.

Saku! Where are you putting your cleats? Put them down there.

I’m hungry.

Well, at any rate, Saku hasn’t changed.

Wonderful, wonderful.

I will become smart...from now on. - I got it, I got it.

By the way, about the match we were talking about earlier.

If Rio-chan and Mai-chan come to cheer us on,

we’ll get really motivated. Right, Hiyama-kun?

When did I say I’d do it? - Idiot.

It’s a good chance for you. Come here.

Didn’t I tell you? Rio-chan actually likes either you or me.

If we show her our cool WHAM, her heart will THUMP. You got it?

Come on, please. Hey, the anticipated rookie is playing. Come and watch.

But you’re just a grass-lot team. Right, Rio?

Is Sakuto-san playing? - Ah, Saku is...this time…

I’m a fill-in! Fill-in.

Oh! Ow, ow, ow~

Fill “in,” right?

Watch the ball carefully. Hit it hard. Ready~set

Too bad, too bad.

Saku, let’s change it up.

Hiyama, come try it. Try it, try it.

Can the big rookie make it fly?

Will the big new rookie hit it?

Will he not hit it? - What will he do?

Yeah, he won’t hit it.

Saku won’t get a turn, then.

Let’s go, Sakuto...ready~set…

Sakuto, you know...

I believe there’s at least one thing...

...where Sakuto can shine.

And then Mama…

Even Mama…

One more time.

That’s right.

One more time.

My papa…

...taught me...a lot of things.

But because I’m stupid,

I can’t even do one little thing.

If I become smart, Papa will be happy.

Mama will…

Karen is Mama’s pride and joy. Such a good girl.

Mama will definitely...

...say, “Good boy, good boy” to me.

Translations by areea-chan Timings by keiko1981

Excuse me.

Sakuto-san’s medicine administration will be over soon.

Ah, I’d like you to participate in tonight’s dinner meeting, too.

Yes, Sir.

I apologize for keeping quiet...

...about President Kawaguchi’s daughter.

She was a cute young lady with a cheerful, radiant smile.

There was never a doubt she would have a happy future.

It was like seeing...

...your late son all over again?

Am I…

...no longer trustworthy?

No, that’s not…

I also...

...said too much before.

Thank you for coming back.

A grass-lot baseball game?

That’s great. What’s your position?

I’m a fill-in.

Ah...a fill-in is a great team member, too.

I expect you can more actively participate if the surgery's effect materializes.

If I become smart, can I play baseball?

That is possible.

Since all of the brain’s function will rise, your motor skills should also rise.

You’ll probably get better at baseball, he says.

Ah, will you come to the game?

Sakuto-san, Hachisuka-sensei is very busy.

Will you come, Haruka? - Eh?

Will you come?

Sure. I’ll come to cheer you on.

Thank you for waiting. Here’s your apple compote with vanilla ice cream.

Do you love Mochizuki-kun?

Haruka is…

...the girl I like most in the world.

Sakuto-san, I’m glad, but your voice is loud.

There’s a legend about Adam and Eve.

Adamoto…

The pure and innocent Adam and Eve

obtained intelligence by partaking of the forbidden fruit.

Sensei… - And at the same time,

they acquired an intense shame.

Sham...Sheem? - Shame.

It’s like feeling embarrassed.

They became embarrassed of being naked, in short, they awoke to their true natures.

Awakening to their true natures, their love became complicated.

The two who had a simple love were born into intense jealousy, a desire to monopolize each other,