Rui!
I missed you so much!
"The Ordinary Duo! "
Large eyes...
And flowing chestnut brown hair.
I've never seen such a beautiful woman.
Rui, let me see your face.
You've grown into such a handsome man.
I've... I've missed you so much.
Me, too.
Shizuka!
Tsukasa! Akira! Sojiro!
Welcome home, Shizuka!
Nice to be back.
Shizuka, you're even more beautiful now.
Thanks.
You normally don't kiss just to say hello!!
When'd you get back?
We saw your poster. Looks great.
Tell us all about France.
All right then! Let's go out for a celebration.
Rui, what're you doing? Let's go.
I thought women like that
existed only in novels or the movies.
S-she's way out of my league...
I don't have a chance.
When I was young...
I was so poor, I had to make one pickled plum last three days.
What's the matter, Tsukushi?
N-nothing.
Then I became anemic and was hospitalized.
I'm done.
No, Susumu! Sit down and finish it up!
One fish cost 250 yen!
Aww...no thanks. I'm full.
By the way, can't you raise my allowance a little bit?
20,000 yen a month is just too...
Sure, when you become manager.
You're mean...too mean!
Then from tomorrow, your lunch will be pickled plum!
Is that okay?
N...no...!
Being born into a family like this...
No wonder I don't have a chance.
I guess... average people like us...
Live in a different world.
It was a mistake...
that I entered the small, elite world of Eitoku Academy.
I'm not in love.
I'd better forget it... before I get serious.
Before I feel even more miserable.
I'll stay away from F4 and return to my old self.
Bye-bye...
Rui Hanazawa.
As always, you know all the strange places.
No sense in taking you to a French restaurant, right?
You call people like us childish friends.
Stupid, you mean "childhood " friends!
You haven't changed at all, Tsukasa.
Is your sister well?
She got married last year and lives in Beverly Hills with her husband.
You must be lonely. You were so close to your sister.
But now, there's a wild girl who's taken her place.
Her name's Tsukushi Makino.
S-shut up!
As if I'd give that pauper girl the time of day!
Rui, why so glum?
Shizuka is back!
I know that. She's sitting right here.
He always gets moody when he's happy.
That's right.
That's not it!
Rui, what's the matter? Don't you feel well?
Why'd you let them... take pictures like that?
You're practically naked!
What a guy!
It's better for my career...
if I'm recognized by people.
Well, I still don't like it.
You're different from those brainless models, Shizuka.
Sorry... I'm acting like a kid.
You're very kind, Rui.
Always thinking about me...
I love you so much.
I love you so much, Rui...
And I love Tsukasa and Sojiro and Akira, too.
I forgot all about the time!
With only 3, 000 yen each month in allowance,
I can't even go to the beauty salon.
Having braids is so economical...
What's with that hair?
Perfect style for a pauper.
Him again.
Finally decided to defer to F4?
At least, you know your place now.
Know my place?!
Huh?! Why're you glaring at me?
Want to go at it? Want to?
I'm so mad, but I can't get back at him!
Bye-bye... Rui Hanazawa.
That's right. I made up my mind to stay away from F4.
But what's this emptiness I'm feeling?
Tsukushi?
It is Tsukushi!
It's me! Remember?
We were in elementary school together. Kazuya Aoike.
Huh? Kazuya?!
Remember?
Why're you here?
I transferred.
Remember? My family were farmers.
Just before the economic bubble burst, we sold the land.
And we became nouveau riche.
And now that the interest rates are low,
we built a house in Setagaya.
Really! How nostalgic!
To meet in a place like this!
I was nervous about coming to a prestigious school like Eitoku.
But a friend from elementary school mentioned that you attended
and I was so relieved.
That's right. I've been branded.
Um...Kazuya...maybe it's better if you don't talk to me too much.
Huh? Why?
You're the only one I can rely on!
When we were kids, you always looked after me!
Oh, all right. Okay.
I'm such a sucker when they say things like that.
Why aren't they dressed in uniform?
Listen up!
If you want to be happy at this school,
don't associate with those kids.
W-why?
Because!
Nothing is more frightening than ignorance.
But isn't it nostalgic?
Remember how we always climbed the mountain for yomogi herbs?
And Granny would make us yomogi dumplings.
Uh-huh, uh-huh!
And dessert would be 30-yen popsicles!
Yeah, yeah!
And if your stick had a mark, you got another one for free!
Tsukushi Makino's with a guy!
Never seen him before... what a dweeb.
A pair of no-classers?
Say, do you know this?
Oh, it was the rage at my other school!
It's fun, isn't it?
This is it!
This enthusiasm is what's missing at Eitoku.
I'm so glad!
Kazuya...
Are you ready? Let's go home.
Just a sec.
Huh? There's something in here.
What's this?
A red slip!
Why Kazuya?!
Does this red paper mean, "Welcome, transfer student "?
- No! - Is he serious?
Kids at Eitoku are nice.
Right?
They're all so shy.
Tsukasa... what're you up to?
Hey! What're you doing?!
Run!
Huh?! Fermented beans!
Get outta here, stupid!
You're mean!
Hurry and run!
Tsukushi...
Stop it, you guys!
Next is this!
Take that!
Get them!
Tsukushi! Are you all right?
I'm fine. I'm used to this.
That jerk! I won't let him get away with this!
Tsukushi!
I never thought of you as a decent human being!
In fact, you're no better than vermin!
Just what do you think you're doing, you bastard!
How dare you hurt my dear friend!
Say something!
It's because...
Because you don't understand a thing!
It's all your fault!
Hope you learned your lesson, stupid!
Why?
Why is it my fault?
Why must I be insulted by a brainless guy like you!
B-brainless?
Then...then you're saying that guy has more brains?
Kazuya?
Yeah...that nerdy, got-rich-quick kid.
You're an eyesore...
Two paupers acting so chummy.
"Dear " friend? Gives me a chill down my spine!
He is my DEAR friend! He's my oasis!
The flower that blossomed in the desert!
What do you see in an average guy like that?
You like him?
Yes, I do! I loooove him!
He's a hundredfold, a thousandfold better than you!
How dare you slap a girl!
W-wait! I didn't mean that. I'll explain...
Why you...
Disgusting jerk!
I'll never forgive you!
Dang it! Kazuya!
Get this off! It smells!
Kazuya!
What're you doing?!
Kazuya, are you all right?
I'll get it off right away.
I don't like this...
Tsukushi...what's going on?!
Found them!
Talk later!
Just run!
I think we gave them the slip.
I'm so sorry, Kazuya.
On the day you transferred, too...
Why must you apologize?
I'm not really sure...
But I think I'm to blame for this.
Kazuya, it's not too late. Change schools.
Then what about you?
I'll be all right. It's just for two more years.
I'll hang in there.
If it's with you, I can take it.
I can't leave you alone in a place like this.
Kazuya!
Oh, how touching! Such beautiful friendship.
It suits you, Tsukushi...
Trash perfume is perfect on you!
Yuriko and her friends...
Tsukasa saved you on a whim.
But you got cocky, and this is what happens.
Everyone, over here!
The red-slip couple is right here!
Huh?
What're you doing? Hurry and run away.
I'll return the favor one day!
Hey! They're running towards the college!
Hey! Wait!
Miss Aoi!
If you're going to sleep, come to the infirmary.
"Summer school in Hawaii "?
"Nurture kind hearts in a setting of natural beauty, " huh?
So much commotion on the high school side.
He went and posted another red slip
without our permission.
So what? They seemed bored anyway.
We're the instigators of the game.
Gotta let them have fun sometimes.
Up to your old tricks, as usual.
Never mind that, Shizuka.
Meet any cool guys in Paris?
Huh? What's this all of a sudden?
Well, bet they wouldn't leave a pretty girl like you alone.
Well...
Femme fatale... Some called me their woman of destiny.
But unless I felt the same way, it was over before it even started.
Hmm...like that, is it?
If it were me...
That's why you're an animal.
- Hey! Stop! - Stop!
Oh no...so many college students!
Ugh! Who are they?
Are they from the high school?
They smell awful!
You got some nerve running in here!
Sorry! Ladies and gents...
Please don't pay any attention to us.
Hey, come with us you filthy germs!
What're they doing?
Is this what they do in Japan these days, Rui?
Someone...
Please help us...
Quit acting like kids!
Rui Hanazawa...!
Rui Hanazawa saved me...
I can't believe it!
Rui Hanazawa sacrificed himself to save me.
And Tsukasa breaks off his friendship with him.
So why is he at my house eating stewed taro?
I don't know what's going on anymore!
On the next episode: "Me, Him and the Other Guy! "
Rui...you're just how I imagined you'd be. let me see your face.
You've grown into such a handsome man. 9 00:02:5