Romantic Prelude (おと・な・り)

Could you please repeat that?

A little slower, please.

Sorry!

What would you like?

A café au lait, please.

Very well, Miss.

And a glass of water, please.

Right away, Miss.

- Watch the thorns. - Okay.

No need to look at the camera.

This cut's done.

Thanks.

What's next?

Ready to go?

I'm sorry, please give us a moment.

- Satoshi. - Yeah?

It's past 12. You need to hurry.

Okay.

- We're here. - Oh, good morning.

- We're ready for you. - Sorry we're late.

- Hello. - Thank you for waiting.

Please get ready.

Hey, listen.

That guy is the one who photographs Shingo.

No way. Shingo?

All set.

- We're ready. - Alright, let's get started.

Positions, please.

A little more this way.

Good.

Thank you for today.

- Excuse me. - Yes?

You take all of Shingo's photographs, right?

Yeah.

If it's not too much to ask, I'd love your autograph.

LEARN FROM SHINGO

PHOTO NOJIMA

Thank you so much.

Please leave a message at the tone.

Hello, Shingo? It's me.

I have something important to tell you, preferably in person.

Call me on my cell when you can.

- Yeah. - Morning. Were you awake?

I'm just about to leave.

Did you make sure to have breakfast?

Are you going to have time to come home before leaving for France?

I don't know yet.

You don't?

Listen, Nanao--

Sorry, Mom, but I have to go. I'll call you later, okay?

REFILL WATER

CANADA

Shingo's on vacation from today?

Yeah.

- Say Nojima... - Hm?

Did you hear from Shingo yesterday?

Nope.

I see...

What is it?

It's just...

Well...

Well?

Thing is, yesterday...

Sakurai, did you send the fax?

No.

- Well, send it. - Okay.

Satoshi, a word.

Come here.

You told Shingo about Canada, right?

Not yet.

Seriously?

- Why not? - I've been busy with things.

Satoshi?

Yes.

- Where are you? - Here.

Come.

Scumbag.

MEN TAKE IT BLACK

Shingo's landed his first lead.

In a movie?

Filming starts in January.

Next year?

You're doing the stills.

What?

You see, Shingo's a bit shaken.

What with that last TV drama getting poor reviews...

He's completely lost confidence.

He gets oddly tense on set.

You know, he really can't do this without you.

Whenever you're there, he's relaxed.

I can't.

I told you I'm going to Canada after Shingo's next photo essay.

I want to photograph landscapes, not people.

I know that. I completely understand.

How's this, then?

Put off Canada for a year. No, just six months.

And I'll help get your first book of Canadian landscapes published.

No, I couldn't...

Look, Satoshi.

Shooting Shingo's photo essays is what allowed you to go pro.

And why did you do it? Because you and he are close buddies.

Couldn't you do this for your friend?

I'll talk to publishers about getting your landscapes published.

Hey...

We need to decide on a cover photo and contact the publisher today.

I hear you.

I'm off to Mountain Valley Publishers. Hold down the fort here.

Mountain Valley?

They specialize in nature photos, right?

- Cut on an angle. - Okay.

Did you hear a strange noise?

Huh? Oh, that.

Hey, Yamaga!

Yes?

You're doing clearance today, right?

Yes.

Here.

Thanks.

Throw them out.

- All of them? - That's right.

But they're still in bloom. Why not give them away as a free gift?

Look closely.

The flowers may be fine but look, the leaves have withered.

They'll droop the moment someone takes them home.

I've told you before, don't judge by just the flowers.

Make sure to inspect the leaves and sepals as well.

Disposing of flowers is also part of a florist's job. Here.

I'll take them home.

What?

Welcome!

Good afternoon, sir!

Do your thing, Nanao.

Okay!

Nanao!

Coming.

Your mild bitter blend, just as you like it.

Thank you for always making this.

You deserve it.

- It looks great. - Drink up.

Okay. So you want an arrangement around snapdragons, right?

What's your budget?

Very good. We'll deliver it to you. Thank you.

- Hey, Nanao. - Yes?

Go on home. You have a big test tomorrow, right?

It's fine.

You mean the NFD test? Level 1?

Yeah, that's the one.

Wow. That'll get you a flower designer's license.

So scat. This is your last chance before going to France.

Yes, well... okay. If you insist.

- Rest up. - Have a good night.

THE 30-SOMETHING WORKING WOMAN

Good evening.

No bag.

Thank you.

Out of 200 yen?

Seven yen is your change.

Here you are. Your change and your receipt.

Thank you. Come again.

SHINGO 1ST PHOTOESSAY SATOSHI NOJIMA

Good work today.

- You... - Yes?

Want to try photographing Shingo?

Who, me?

Yeah. You two seem close.

Shingo's got potential, but his expression is always a bit stiff.

Then I saw him with you and thought, "That's it!"

I'll do it. Please let me try.

Sorry.

Huh?

Satoshi Nojima?

How do you do? I'm Akane Ueda.

- H-Hey... - Can I check something?

Hey!

What're you doing?!

Shingo?

Shingo?

No, not in there! Stop!

Shingo!

Why isn't he here?

Shingo...

Focus, focus.

Shingo?

No...

He's not here.

Why would he be?

Come on, don't cry.

Look, pipe down, alright?

These walls are paper thin, okay?

Do you know about me and Shingo?

Safe to say I do now.

I'm three months pregnant.

You don't believe me.

Wait.

He gave me this. It's a souvenir from Canada that you gave him a long time ago.

I don't remember that far back.

Okay, then here! Look at this!

Your high school rowing championship!

Shingo's dad donated the oars from his boating company.

And his dad took this picture as well!