Episode 12: Love Begins at Last

LOVE BEGINS AT LAST

EPISODE 12 OF THE ANIME (AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE ANIME STORY)

Previously
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Episode Overview
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This Episode's Story
Whenever Hzaumu becomes troubled or upset, they find peace and solace walking the trails and paths of Kashima Mountain (see Episode 1). Now faced with the dilemma of the seeming breakup of the three friends, Hazumu, Yasuna, and Tomari, Hazumu is once again alone on the mountain with only her thoughts, hopes, and earnest wishes to keep her company. It is just past sunset. As she walks, she remembers the times that were had with Tomari. Long ago, as children, Tomari was very close to her. Sometimes, Mom would dress Hazumu in girl's clothes, and together with Tomari dressed in cute girl's clothes, they made such a cute couple, with many memorable times and pictures together. Then there is Yasuna. The girl that plays the flute so wonderfully. My first love ! And that love is still strong and ongoing. Hazumu pauses at the overlook at the very top of the mountain, the overlook where one can see the entire city of Kashima. Hazumu muses to herself that maybe she didn't take the love of the two girls seriously, and ended up hurting both of them.

The next day, Yasuna is packing her things in boxes, ready to be moved to where her grandmother lives. Hazumu is up bright and early, and checks at the home where Tomari lives. But Tomari is already up and gone. Hazumu goes to the school's rooftop garden to tend to the plants and flowers, as she always does. There, surprisingly, she finds Tomari, already watering the greenery with a water hose. Tomari wants to talk, but so does Hazumu. Hazumu ends up going first, but can't seem to 'spit it out' as to what is bothering her. After he-hawing around, Hazumu finally tells all---''she is going to stay with Yasuna ! ''Tomari is silent for a long time, with the water hose still going. Without warning, she soaks Hazumu with water, saying that her hand 'just slipped' ! Tomari, in a creepy mood, says that Hazumu probably knows just what she wants to do right now ! And with that, Hazumu gets a real soaking, head to toe ! But just as sudden, Tomari gets a face full of water ! Another hose, now in Hazumu's control ! Both girls have such a water fight !

Now laying prone on the rooftop, next to one another, drying off in the warm sunshine, they reminisce about the many times that they did things together as children. Finally, with a romantic look shared between the two, Hazumu asks what Tomari wanted to talk about ? Tomari wants to have a 'play date' with Hazumu one last time, then she will give her up forever. Tomari then gets up to go, but Hazumu stops her, suggesting that they do the date today, starting right here and now !

The two girls ride their bikes together. Then at a snack bar, Tomari beats Hazumu in an rice pudding eating contest. They then go to a batting practice cage to 'swing the bat' around. Afterwards, they play a crane game (also called a UFO catcher). Going up an escalator at the mall, Hazumu puts her hand on Tomari's behind, to hide the fact that someone may see her panties (something that Tomari did to Hazumu at school one time). But Tomari points out that she is wearing a skort, that only looks like a mini-skirt, but has shorts underneath. They listen to the latest music CD's at a store, then go for karaoke. Afterwards, they go to the local Buddhist shrine, to offer prayers together. They wish for the same outcome, that Yasuna would recover from her sickness. At the top of the shrine's stair steps, they play rock, paper, scissors. Tomari then wants to end the play time, but Hazumu says that she has one last request ...........

Yasuna, right about now, is leaving home to travel to grandmother's house. Mom and Dad say there goodby's, but Yasuna can't see them clearly anyway. Ayuki is at the bridge where she always hangs out when she is troubled, and notices the bike parked below belongs to Hazumu. Hazumu is actually riding on the back of Tomari's bike. Faster, faster !! Tomari ponders if they can ride all the way to the beach ? But then her eyes become moist, thinking about the implications of being alone with Hazumu on the beach. But just then, Hazumu begins to cry. With both girls crying, and Hazumu grabbing the neck of Tomari, the bike becomes unstable, and falls over. Tomari is okay, but Hazumu is on the ground crying uncontrollably, from a broken heart, not the bike crash. Tomari lovingly points out that Hazumu has made her decision, therefore she should not cry. Hazumu becomes wishy-washy, and begins to profusely apologize. Tomari tells her to stop apologizing; Tomari will be fine. Hazumu made her decision on her own, Tomari can live with that.

The bike crashed right near the 55 gallon drums where Tomari always goes to sit upon, think, and meditate. Tomari tells Hazumu that she, Hazumu, will always be in her heart. This is the place in the river where there are rocks that allow someone to cross without getting wet. Tomari recalls back to the time when they were children. Hazumu crossed the river on the rocks to prove that they could be Tomari's groom and marry her. That Hazumu will always be in Tomari's mind. No one can take that precious memory away. However, Tomari overdoes it with the memories of the two of them as children making the promise to marry one another, this making Hazumu regret her decision. Hazumu bursts into a fresh set of tears, again crying uncontrollably. Tomari tells Hazumu to just go. But Hazumu won't. She only stands there, crying. Finally, Tomari greatly insults Hazumu, telling her to 'be a real man'. That does it. Hazumu goes to leave, as sunset approaches.

But seeing her actually leaving is too much for Tomari. She now begins to cry uncontrollably. As Hazumu is walking past the rusty drums, Tomari breaks down, and screams her name toward her. Tomari begs her not to leave. Hazumu returns to Tomari, now kneeling on the ground by the river's edge. They both kneel and hug one another for a long time. Eventually they stand, and still hugging one another, share one last bittersweet kiss !

" Yasuna is waiting for you. ", softly intones Tomari, as she turns to go.

Tomari crosses the river on the rocks, without looking back. When she is on the other side, the memories of when Hazumu as a child, crossing the river, and she telling him for that effort, she will someday be his bride, continue to assail her mind and emotions without mercy. A very broken and dejected Tomari tries to catch her breath. After a while, she turns to look across the river at the rusty drums. Hazumu has gone ! There is no way that Hazumu would ever come back to her now. Ayuki, on the bridge, has been seeing the whole drama play out right before her eyes. She now comes down to check on Tomari. But Tomari is suddenly sour and defiant, saying that she needs no help. So it is Ayuki who cries her heart out, for the both of them, all the while hugging Tomari. From a distance, behind a chain link fence, Yasuna is also watching the drama play out.

Yasuna eventually leaves, and finds her way towards the Kashima train station, where she will board a train to take her to grandmother's town. She can see backgrounds and signs clearly, but the people and certain objects are all gray and fuzzy. She is now at a crosswalk. The sun has set, with only the city lights providing illumination. The traffic stops, allowing the crowd of people, including Yasuna, to cross the street. Halfway through the crosswalk, a young woman going in the opposite direction accidentally bumps into Yasuna, knocking Yasuna's handbag to the street pavement. The woman gives the handbag back to Yasuna, but Yasuna can't see her or what she looks like. Yasuna then becomes disoriented, but makes it to the other side of the street.

" YASUNA ! ", a familiar voice cries out to her !

From the fog of grayness, a fuzzy, yellow figure is seen crossing the street against the light. Dodging cars and trucks, the figure comes up to Yasuna. Although she can't see clearly who it is, it's probably Hazumu ! Looking like a yellow ghost, Hazumu tells her not to be frightened or scared; she only wants Yasuna to honor her request---to stay by her side for the rest of their lives !

" You're lying ! ", is all that Yasuna can think to say to the yellow figure.

" I'm not lying ! I have decided to say by your side, Yasuna ! ", explains Hazumu. A long silence ensues, with Hazumu putting her hands on Yasuna's shoulders.

" Can I trust you ? ", Yasuna meekly asks ?

Hazumu now fervently hugs Yasuna, saying that she really, truly loves her. The two girls stay locked in their silent, romantic, passionate embrace for quite a long time. Gradually, the gray fog lifts from Yasuna's vision. Hazumu is now clearly seen, and not just as a yellow ghost, but as a real human girl.

" Yasuna-chan ? ", questions Hazumu !

The gray fog is gone, and people and objects are now becoming clear to see by Yasuna, in full color, to boot !

" I can see ! I can see the world !!! ", exclaims Yasuna !

The two lovers stay in their embrace, as they repeat each other's name to one another over and over, as romantic couples often do, doing so with passionate tenderness.

An observer has been watching the whole drama this evening from their spaceship hovering just above the city. The Alien Being begins to review to themselves the lessons in human nature that he has learned during his stay on EarthHeartfelt feelings that seek to comfort someone. Hearts that provide tender loving care for others.....genuine love. It's difficult to talk about love, as love can't be seen with the naked eye. (A sad Jan Puu joins the Alien Being, standing right next to him as he speaks.) Sometimes, love will create pain and make one feel alienated from each other. It can even be used to hurt another. But they (humans) still seek out love. That's what they live for ! Love covers the whole range of human emotions. (Yasuna and Hazumu now catch sight of the spaceship in the night sky. So does Tomari and Ayuki, Asuta, Hazumu's Mom and Dad, Namiko, standing on the balcony of her apartment, and holding a picture of Sora.) In order to experience all those emotions, humans seek out the love within.....and try to live a full life. When it's time for humans on Earth to make the decision about love......I hope you don't make the same mistakes we made. No matter how difficult or painful life may be, it cannot go on without the power of love !

And with that, the spaceship goes into hyper-drive, and disappears from sight. Suddenly, is seems as if it has begun to snow. But the snow is actually little points of light, bright photons of light. The points of light are actually the tears of Jan Puu, as she cries her heart out, because she is leaving Hazumu, and all her human friends behind. Jan Puu tells the Alien Being that Hazumu was her First Love !!! But you're just an 'A.I.', comments the Alien Being---Love is really something ! "Goodby, Sister-Brother ! ", exclaims Jan Puu as the spaceship travels out of range and into deep space.

The points of light seem to have an unusual effect on the humans, on the groups of friends watching the display. All seem to be overcome with feelings of love for one another. Hazumu and Yasuna are still locked in their lover's embrace, looking up at the sky.

" So pretty ......... ", barely whispers Hazumu.

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That autumn brings the first day of the new school year. Hazumu is at the breakfast table, eating, and ready to leave for school. Yasuna is at her home, saying goodby to her parents, grabbing a slice of toast, and leaving for school. Things have returned to normal, with everyone once again good friends with the others. Tomari, Ayuki, and Asuta are waiting for Hazumu to come outside, so that they can walk to school together. But Hazumu realizes that she forgot something ! It's so breezy, after all. So Ayuki correctly guesses that she forgot to put on her panties ! With her pleated mini-skirt covering all and not showing anything, nonetheless, it is so embarrassing to Hazumu. Asuta surmises the same thing and goes nuts.

In the classroom, Hazumu meets Yasuna, and holding hands with her, both go out to the rooftop garden to begin harvesting the produce. The friends spend lunch together in happy companionship. Later that afternoon, Hazumu checks to see that the two butterbur plants are well, and still growing side-by-side next to one another. Yasuna joins Hazumu, and with both lovers romantically and passionately holding hands, walk together on their way home.

( THE END---of the Anime Version of the story)

Episode Lookback and Commentary
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