Because I Am Me (僕が僕であるために)

Shizuoka. Winter, 1990.

The runners of the last leg are here.

That time, we were running with everything we had,

we only knew how to just blindly run ahead towards the end,

just keep on running.

The high school where we were at didn't really get much attention...

our studies and sports were so so,

we weren't hated by girls but neither were we that sought after.

Living in a hometown in the countryside surrounded by mountains and the sea,

we were no different from ordinary high school students...

I made it!

But one thing makes us different...

We are good runners.

No, no, no! This way, this way!

That idiot...

Hurry up!

Fallen to last place already!

I can't run anymore.

Now when I think of it, for all of us, that was the best time ever,

like flying in the sky,

with warm blood and sweat,

that day,

that time, we were definitely in the wind...

He's coming.

2nd place, Numazu Minami.

Numazu Minami?

2nd place? It's me, it's me!

Here you go!

What are you doing!? Go! Quick!

2nd place, Numazu Minami!

Etsu, Etsu!

Etsu, behind you, behind you!

You can do it!

Come here!

Naru-chan!

Good job!

Where is he?

Just a bit more, about 5 more minutes.

Not him.

There he is!!

Go, go!

He's running barefoot!

Banzai! Banzai!

Boku ga Boku de aru Tame ni subtitles by yanie

Tokyo. Winter, 1996.

This "Merry Christmas" one, please.

Thank you.

So cold...

I'm so sorry.

It's okay.

I'm very sorry.

No... it's fine.

Oh, no...

Sorry.

I'll take it to a dry cleaner and return it to you.

It was my fault, after all.

-But... -But...

But?

But, what... Miss?

I've been waiting to meet someone as handsome as you are.

She didn't say that.

She didn't...

She didn't, but well... I had no choice so I have her sweater with me.

I think she said she work at a real estate agent.

Oniichan, you look so happy!

I'm not...

I messed up the cake I just bought, and all...

So? You got her number too?

Her... number!

You didn't?

Student?

No, I'm an office worker.

Seriously?

It's such a waste to be an office worker with such a pretty face, y'know.

What do you want?

This is my business card.

How about a change of profession?

You can definitely be a commercial star or a gravure idol.

-Really? -I'm serious. Definitely.

Excuse me.

-Sorry, I'm in a hurry. -Don't throw away my card, okay?

Call me!

Hello. Kurosawa here.

It's me, Ecchan! About tonight...

Huh? Got cut off?

That's weird...

Hello! Riki? Sorry, the line got cut off.

Yeah, I hung up.

Stop calling me! I'm at work.

If I don't keep calling, you won't come, will you?

What's it about, anyway? It’s not a class reunion,

why do you call everyone to meet up?

Just come and you'll know why.

Stop messing around, just tell me already!

Fine, I'll tell you only.

I'm... getting married! Are you surprised?

Not really... but well, if that's the case... I'll come.

Kurosawa Riki?

Riki?

-No. -Riki? What's wrong?

You must be Kurosawa Riki.

Can you come have a word with us?

Hung up on me again...

Mizoguchi.

Who did you just talk to?

I'm sorry.

You can't get any business sitting here!

Go outside and get business!

Yes, Sir! I'm going now!

There's 100,000 yen in this wallet.

If I pretend and pass it to her saying,

"Excuse me, this is yours..."

Of course, there's no card or identity in the wallet.

No one would know if she just accept it and keep quiet about it.

Wanna bet?

Ah, excuse me!

You dropped this.

Wow, there's about 100,000 yen here.

It's yours, isn't it?

Sorry, I looked.

Uh... um...

Just like you said.

Heya, been a while!

Kinoyan-senpai!

A little early, huh.

Gin Lime, please.

I'm here to meet someone.

Yeah, me too.

Etsu called you too, right?

I'm waiting for my girlfriend!

-Girlfriend, y'know! -Girlfriend?

I'm waiting for her.

I don't know if she'll really show up,

but I bring some extra underwear.

What, Etsu didn't call you?

He did call me, he did, he called me.

Then when I told her,

I'm meeting my seniors from high school,

she said, "I want to meet them too!"

So I said... Please come!

I said, "Please come!"

I don't mind.

Naruse-san!

What's with you? Wearing neck tie and all.

Aren't you still a student?

That's true...

Oh, it's fine.

Kinoyan, it's been a while, huh.

Actually, I lied to my girlfriend!

I beg you.

Please lie for me, tonight!

What? Arranged-marriage meeting?

It's arranged by my father's business client...

But.. we're...

It's my parents' wish...

I'm sorry.

I don't have the confidence to go against their wish by myself.

I can't be together with you as long as my parents against it.

Etsu!

-Over here! -Naru-chan!

You guys came!

-How are you guys? -Good.

So? What did you want to speak to us about?

Um, it's been a long time since we met, just wanted to get together and have a drink.

Etsuro-san, please help me too!

Actually...

I'm a 24 year old elite office worker working in a big corporation, for today!

What's this?

That's what he told his girlfriend.

So you have a girlfriend too, now.

The little fellow who secretly went into the hills for plants & dragonflies...

Satoru was such a weird boy.

Didn't you go and catch a grasshopper once?

Yeah, he ate it!

Seriously, in which era were you born?

Satoru is his granny's son, after all.

Oh, right! You took notes on your chair during lessons, didn't you?

He's good at that.

Here's your beer.

Whatever was just said, you can't say it in front of her!

You mean, we have to lie too?

I didn't mean to ask you to lie for me,

but I'm asking you to be more elegant and flawless in front of Sonoko...

I haven't even held her hand...

Then you can't call her your girlfriend.

I just don't feel like doing that when I'm with her.

Maybe she's ugly.

An ugly woman.

So, she's ugly.

She's here.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Please, have a seat.

I moved to Bologna and studied language there.

Then, I went to painting restoration school in Florence.

Even if it's the work by a great artist, the quality of canvas and paint

will fade out as time passes by.

Restoring those paintings neatly and reviving its beauty.

That's my job.

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