Translation
Permanent Love
Absolutely no reproduction of this translation is allowed on other websites. This is for the exclusive use of Rumic Theater/Rumic World.
Page 1
Panel 1:
Kamimoto stands in an empty apartment, surrounded by boxes. He stares out at the mountains surrounding him while he smokes a cigarette.
Page 2
Panel 1:
A city in the mountains at night.
Voice on Telephone: Papa, have you gotten settled in?
Kamimoto: Uh, not really.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto sits on the mattress of his bed, opened boxes all over the floor.
Voice on Telephone: I feel bad about not being there to help you.
I’ve just been so busy…
Kamimoto: I know.
Panel 3:
A photo of Kamimoto’s wife and daughter, and the family dog.
Voice on Telephone: Its either the neighborhood meetings or the PTA.
Just so many things.
Kamimoto: Oh yeah. That’s fine. Fine.
Page 3
Panel 1:
Kamimoto presses the “end call” button on his cell phone. He looks tired.
Kamimoto Narration: I’ve been transferred and had to leave my family behind.
Unfortunately, my wife couldn’t come out to help me get relocated.
Panel 2:
The morning sun shines down on the mountain town Kamimoto now calls home.
Narration: And so, the next morning…
Television: And next in entertainment news…
Panel 3:
Kamimoto ties his necktie as he watches television.
Kamimoto: Hmm,
It’s different from the channel in
Television: We’re coming to you live from the
Panel 4:
A blurry crowd of people are shown on the television screen.
Person on TV: He’s such a cool guy.
Reporter on TV: Everyone’s here to catch a glimpse of the new star from
Panel 5:
The crowd on television becomes more visible as the reporter interviews a familiar looking woman.
Reporter: How about you, in the front, ma’am…
Kamimoto’s Wife: Hohohoho, well, I’ve been staying at the Narita hotel since yesterday…
Page 4
Panel 1:
A close-up of Kamimoto’s wife, laughing happily.
Reporter: I see, and what does your husband think about that?
Kamimoto’s Wife: Hohohohohohohohohoho, it’s a secret.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto stares at the screen sadly
Kamimoto Narration: My wife…
Kamimoto: …
Reporter: Oh, here he comes.
Crowd: KYAAA!
Panel 3:
A view of the city.
Kamimoto Narration: And so, this is how my lonely job transfer began.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto sits quietly at his desk staring at his computer screen.
Kamimoto Narration: After being alone for awhile, I began to feel like a bachelor again.
Kamimoto thinking: I’m getting old…
Panel 5:
The front of a small restaurant where Kamimoto goes for dinner.
Television: There was quite the line to see the celeb from
Page 5
Panel 1:
Kamimoto watches the TV from across the restaurant.
Voice on TV: Now this lady seems to be the biggest fan here, and she’s been standing here since last night…
Kamimoto: …
Panel 2:
Kamimoto’s wife smiling brightly on the TV screen.
Reporter: Ma’am, what does your husband think of all this?
Kamimoto’s Wife: Hohohohohohoho, he doesn’t know. It’s a secret.
Panel 3:
Kamimoto eyes the screen sadly.
Kamimoto narration: It was my wife.
Kamimoto’s thinking: That idiot…
Panel 4:
A blank panel.
Female voice: Would you mind changing the channel?
Panel 5:
A woman sits at the bar of the restaurant, the chef lifts the remote to change the channel.
Chef: Sure thing, you don’t like him?
Woman: Yeah.
Panel 6:
A close-up of the woman. She has short hair and is very pretty, with a beauty mark under her left eye.
Woman: I just don’t like his face.
Kamimoto narration: She’s gorgeous.
Panel 7:
Kamimoto stares at the woman from across the restaurant.
Kamimoto’s thinking: Hey, she doesn’t like him.
Hmm.
Page 6
Panel 1:
Kamimoto stands up and considers walking up to the woman from behind.
Kamimoto Narration: She was a regular at the restaurant.
Kamimoto’s thinking: I’d like to go over.
Chef: Welcome, c’mon in.
Panel 2:
The beautiful woman pours herself another drink as Kamimoto watches her, unnoticed.
Kamimoto Narration: I wonder what sort of woman she is…
She’s alone and taking her time with her dinner…
Panel 3:
Kamimoto moves to a table directly behind the woman.
Kamimoto’s thinking: She’s about…30?
She’s on her own, I guess.
Panel 4:
The woman leaves suddenly, without Kamimoto noticing.
Kamimoto’s thinking: Huh? Where’d she go?
Kamimoto Narration: From then on,
Panel 6:
Kamimoto lying on his bed, daydreaming happily.
Kamimoto Narration: I’d see her at the restaurant,
Kamimoto’s thinking: She had pike for dinner again.
She must really like pike.
Kamimoto Narration: She had become like honey to me, so sweet.
Page 7
Panel 1:
Kamimoto walks into the restaurant for dinner.
Kamimoto Narration: And then one day,
Chef: Hello there.
Kamimoto thinking: Wha, she’s already gone.
Panel 2:
A dark panel.
Kamimoto Narration: Maybe she’s never coming back.
Panel 3:
Kamimoto sits in a barber chair, getting his hair cut.
Kamimoto thinking: What should I do?
Sigh
Panel 4
Kamimoto leaves the barber shop sighing over his dilemma.
Kamimoto: Sigh
Barber: Thanks, come again.
Panel 5
Kamimoto looks at a salon across the street and sees the beautiful woman from the restaurant.
Woman: Thank you very much.
Kamimoto: !
Panel 6
A close-up of the pretty woman, with Kamimoto blushing excitedly.
Kamimoto thinking: Th-the girl…
Page 8
Panel 1:
Kamimoto watches as the woman turns to re-enter the salon.
Kamimoto thinking: She’s a hairdresser…hmm….
Panel 2:
The woman turns her head and sees Kamimoto.
Panel 3:
She smiles sweetly at Kamimoto before going inside.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto gets excited, his mouth hangs open with surprise..
Kamimoto thinking: She smiled!
At me!?
Panel 5:
Kamimoto slowly walks toward the salon across the street.
Kamimoto thinking: …she doesn’t have the hots for me, does she?
Panel 6:
Kamimoto continues toward the salon.
Kamimoto thinking: It’s just my imagination.
Right.
Panel 6:
The salon door closes behind Kamimoto as he enters the shop.
Voice: Hi, welcome.
Kamimoto: I’d like a p-perm, please.
Page 9
Panel 1:
Kamimoto sits in a barber chair as the beautiful woman stands behind him.
Kamimoto thinking: Argh, I’m such a moron…
Woman: Hmm.
Well, it doesn’t look like you need a hair cut.
Panel 2:
A close up of the woman’s face, looking down at Kamimoto.
Woman: Um, sir…
Pardon me for asking but,
Panel 3:
Kamimoto blushes and looks excited.
Woman: Haven’t I seen you at the restaurant?
Kamimoto thinking: S-She remembered me!?
Panel 4:
Kamimoto faces forward, still blushing as the woman begins to prepare to perm his hair.
Kamimoto: S-so, do you go there often?
Woman: I did, but I got tired of always going alone.
Panel 5:
The woman begins to prepare to tease Kamimoto’s hair.
Kamimoto: Oh… alone.
Woman: My husband passed away.
Panel 6:
Kamimoto frowns as the woman smiles and begins on his hair.
Kamimoto: Oh, sorry I brought it up.
Woman: Oh, it’s fine, that was ten years ago now.
Kamimoto narration: I was surprised by how open she was.
Page 10
Panel 1:
A voice in the shop calls to the woman and she leaves Kamimoto with curlers in his hair.
Voice: Suzuka, could you come here for a minute?
Suzuka: Sure.
Kamimoto narration: Her name’s Suzuka.
Panel 2:
Suzuka walks Kamimoto to the door and he leaves, clutching his hand to his chest in happiness. The sun shines down on his newly wavy hair.
Suzuka: Thanks so much.
Kamimoto thinking: Suzuka, Suzuka.
What a beautiful name.
Panel 3:
Suzuka cutting a woman’s hair as the woman reads a magazine.
Kamimoto narration: That’s really refreshing how she can be so open about her husband’s death.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto sits in his office, staring at the ceiling.
Kamimoto thinking: Nevertheless…
Why’d she stop coming to the restaurant?
Panel 3:
Kamimoto walks into the restaurant.
Kamimoto narration: I soon began to unravel the puzzle.
Voice: Hey there.
Panel 4:
Suzuka is sitting at the bar, and turns around to see Kamimoto enter.
Suzuka: Oh, Mr. Kamimoto.
Panel 5:
Kamimoto gets excited upon seeing Suzuka again.
Kamimoto thinking: Suzuka.
How does she know my name?
Panel 6:
Suzuka holds her hand up to her mouth, slightly embarrassed, as Kamimoto begins to blush.
Suzuka: Oh, I’m sorry…
I read your name off the business card you left at the salon.
That’s how I learned your name…
Kamimoto thinking: And she remembered it too.
Panel 7:
A boy sitting next to Suzuka turns to face her.
Boy: Mom…
I want some juice.
Panel 8:
Kamimoto looks stunned.
Kamimoto thinking: Mom?
Panel 9:
A blank panel.
Suzuka: I really need to get back to the salon.
But we’ve waited so long to live together again.
Page 11
Panel 1:
Kamimoto sits down at the bar next to Suzuka, her son sits on the opposite side of her.
Kamimoto thinking: So… she has a kid. That’s not unusual I guess.
Suzuka: He takes turns living with me and my parents.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto talks to Suzuka as she eats her dinner..
Kamimoto: Oh…
It must be tough, with you living alone.
Suzuka: Naah,
I’ve gotten used to it.
Panel 3:
Suzuka smiles brightly at Kamimoto.
Suzuka: My late husband was just an unemployed lush. He’d get into drunken fights with me.
He used to beat me black and blue.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto’s head moves back, surprised at Suzuka’ frank honesty.
Kamimoto: Wow… sounds rough.
Kamimoto thinking: Geez, that’s something alright.
Page 12
Panel 1:
Suzuka looks sad as she remembers the past. Kamimoto watches her as her son is busy playing his Gameboy.
Suzuka: I was deceived by his good looks.
He looked like that Korean celebrity.
Kamimoto: Ah.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto stares at Suzuka, realizing why she asked the chef to change the channel that night.
Kamimoto thinking: They looked alike.
Her husband was just some violent, drunken maniac.
Panel 3:
Suzuka in profile, looking sad.
Kamimoto thinking: What a shame.
Suzuka: You can’t judge a book by it’s cover.
It’s what’s inside that counts, y’know.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto pumps his fist with excitement.
Kamimoto thinking: Yes!
Somehow it’s all falling into place.
Panel 5:
Kamimoto walking down the street at night.
Narration: Several days later.
Kamimoto thinking: She hasn’t been at the restaurant lately.
Panel 5:
Kamimoto hears a voice and looks up.
Boy: You’re such a dummy Mom. Lemme alone!
Page 13
Panel 1:
Kamimoto is concerned as he sees Suzuka’s son running away from her.
Kamimoto thinking: Suzuka…
Suzuka: Wait, Sho.
Sho: I wanna go back to Grandma’s!
Panel 2:
Kamimoto hides behind a telephone poll to watch what’s happening.
Kamimoto thinking: Wh-what’s going on?
Panel 3:
Suzuka stares in silence, looking depressed.
Kamimoto thinking: Her voice…sounds so sad…
Panel 4:
Later that night at Kamimoto’s house he lays on his bed, smoking a cigarette.
Kamimoto thinking: I’m worried about her.
Panel 5:
Kamimoto sits up in bed and claps his hands together.
Kamimoto: That’s it!
Panel 6
The outside of Suzuka’s salon.
Narration: The next Sunday.
Voice: Hello, welcome.
Panel 7
Suzuka standing behind the counter Kamimoto in front of her.
Suzuka: What can I do for you today?
Kamimoto: How about a shampoo?
Page 14
Panel 1:
Suzuka scrubs washes Kamimoto’s hair as he wears a towel over his face..
Kamimoto thinking: Now what?
I want to ask what was going on but…
Panel 2:
Suzuka blow dries Kamimoto’s hair as he sits with a blank look on his face.
Kamimoto thinking: I have to be really careful.
She might hate me if I do.
Panel 3:
A profile shot of Kamimoto, looking despondent.
Kamimoto thinking: I mean…
Can I just go back to settling for seeing her face?
Panel 4:
Suzuka exhales, the frustration on her face is evident.
Suzuka: Sorry about being a little down in the dumps.
I got into a fight with my son the other night.
Panel 5:
Kamimoto sits in silence, as Suzuka continues to blow dry his hair.
Panel 6:
Seeing his opening, Kamimoto hesitantly asks Suzuka about the fight.
Kamimoto: I…I see…
What about?
Suzuka: He’s just being spoiled.
Panel 7:
A close-up of Suzuka’s face. She looks very concerned.
Suzuka: He asked me to come and see his soccer game.
To skip work.
Page 15
Panel 1
Kamimoto continues looking ahead as Suzuka bends to pick something up.
Kamimoto: …and you’re not going?
Suzuka: I can’t. It’s this afternoon.
Panel 2:
Suzuka looking depressed.
Kamimoto thinking: She looks so lonely…
She’d really like to go and watch, wouldn’t she?
Panel 3
A blank panel.
Kamimoto thinking: I can let her see it.
Panel 4:
An image of the sky, clouds float by.
Panel 5:
A group of boys play soccer on a field.
Panel 6:
Kamimoto sits on a hill with a deteremined look on his face. In his hand he holds a video camera, taping the game for Suzuka.
Kamimoto thinking: Suzuka, this is your son’s finest hour.
Page 16
Panel 1:
Kamimoto holds the video camera up as he watches the game.
Kamimoto thinking: I’ll tape it, and then give this to you.
I hope I can figure out this Handicam I just bought.
Panel 2:
Two boys rushing for the ball.
Kamimoto thinking: But…
Panel 3:
Two more boys waiting in front of a goal.
Kamimoto thinking: Where’s her son?
Panel 4:
Another boy dives for the ball and hits it away with his head.
Panel 5:
Three boys sit on the bench with an arrow pointing at Sho, Suzuka’s son.
Kamimoto thinking: Isn’t that him warming the bench?
Panel 6:
Kamimoto watches from the hill, slightly less enthusiastic.
Kamimoto thinking: Well… this is akward.
Panel 7:
A blank panel.
Kamimoto thinking: Would seeing that make her happy?
But…
Panel 7:
Kamimoto stares at the camera in his hand.
Kamimoto thinking: It’s not like she asked me, a total stranger, to…
Make this film for her…
Page 17
Panel 1:
A blank panel.
Kamimoto thinking: WILL SHE THINK I’M SOME KIND OF WEIRDO!?
Panel 2:
Kamimoto crawls away on his knees, hiding his face.
Kamimoto thinking: I’d better go home.
Panel 3:
The referee holds up a sign, calling in number 16, Sho. Sho runs onto the field.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto quickly turns around and begins videotaping again.
Kamimoto thinking: Oh, he’s in.
Panel 5:
A voice from behind Kamimoto calls out.
Suzuka: Do your best, Sho!
Panel 6:
Kamimoto turns around and panics as he sees Suzuka standing behind him.
Suzuka: Shooooooooooo!
Kamimoto thinking: Wha? It’s Suzuka!
Page 18
Panel 1:
Suzuka looks surprised to see Kamimoto.
Suzuka: Oh, Mr. Kamimoto.
What are you doing here!?
Panel 2:
Kamimoto sweats nervously as he searches for an anwser.
Kamimoto thinking: Suzuka…
You weren’t supposed to be here…
Panel 3:
On the field, a whistle blows and Sho has collapsed on the ground, holding his leg.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto and Suzuka look on with concern.
Suzuka: Sho…
Panel 5:
The sky above the town is getting darker as the sun sets.
Panel 6:
Kamimoto walks home with Sho on his back and Suzuka at his side.
Suzuka: My manager let me come after all.
Kamimoto: Oh…
Panel 7:
Kamimoto blushes as he carries Sho.
Suzuka: But I’m glad you came Mr. Kamimoto. You really helped us out.
Kamimoto: Well, I’m just glad I happened to be passing by.
Page 19
Panel 1:
Kamimoto grins, very pleased with Suzuka’s attention.
Kamimoto thinking: Someone actually…
Appreciates me!?
Panel 2:
Suzuka smiles at her son as her compliment makes Kamimoto’s heart burst out of his chest.
Suzuka: It’s nice huh, Sho?
It’s almost as if he were your father.
Panel 3:
Kamimoto begins to sweat.
Kamimoto thinking: Su…Suzuka…
That’s…
Panel 4:
Kamimoto attempting to get away from his wife and daughter who call out after him. Kamimoto has angel wings and is wrapped in chains.
Kamimoto thinking: If only…I didn’t have a family…
Narration: An angel with broken wings.
Panel 5:
Kamimoto rationalizes his situation and remembers his wife and daughter in another way: his wife holding up an image of the Korean pop-star, and his daughter ignoring him for her books.
Sign That Points to Wife: Pursuing someone else.
Sign That Points to Daughter: Rebelling.
Panel 6:
A shadow passes over Kamimoto’s face..
Kamimoto thinking: What the hell…
It’s okay…
Panel 7:
Sho yanks a hair out of Kamimoto’s head.
Kamimoto: Ouch.
Page 20
Panel 1:
Suzuka scolds Sho while Kamimoto looks very irritated at the boy’s revelation to his mother.
Suzuka: Hey, cut that out Sho.
Sho: It’s a gray hair.
Panel 2:
Sho studies the back of Kamimoto’s head as Kamimoto hides his face in shame.
Sho: He’s got a ton of ‘em.
Kamimoto: Hahaha… well, people my age y’know.
Panel 3:
Suzuka looks at Kamimoto apologetically.
Suzuka: You’re too young to start going gray.
Would you like me to dye it for you?
Panel 4:
Days later, Kamimoto leaves Suzuka’s salon, clasping his chest happily, his hair newly dyed.
Suzuka: Thanks again.
Kamimoto narration: So I dyed my hair.
Panel 5:
Kamimoto sitting in his room, holding a hand mirror and studying his new hair color.
Kamimoto: Hmm…
A perfect match.
Page 21
Panel 1:
Kamimoto’s cell phone begins to ring on his table..
Kamimoto: Huh?
Panel 2:
Kamimoto opens his phone and studies the screen.
Kamimoto: E-mail?
Kamimoto narration: It was from my wife.
Panel 3:
Kamimoto looks stunned as he reads the text message from his wife.
Text Message: I’m in Jejudo. (^o^) I’ll be back soon with lots of goodies from the event.
Kamimoto: Jejudo!?
She went to Jejudo in
Panel 4
Kamimoto scrolls the screen to read the rest of the text message.
Text Message: Of course, this is a secret, my husband doesn’t know. (^_^;)
Kamimoto: Eh…
Did she send it to the wrong person?
Panel 5
Kamimoto leans his head back on his bed and stares at the ceiling.
Kamimoto: Feh, stupid woman…
I’m not going to let it bother me.
Panel 6
Kamimoto continues to stare at the ceiling.
Kamimoto: I guess living here….
Has been good after all.
Page 22
Panel 1:
A wide shot of the town at night.
Kamimoto narration: And then came the fated night,
It all happened so suddenly.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto walks home from work, checking his watch.
Kamimoto thinking: It’s late.
I really need to get to the convenience store too.
Panel 3:
Suzuka runs down the stairs of an overpass.
Kamimoto thinking: Huh!?
Panel 4:
Suzuka is wearing a sick mask and is covered in sweat. She clutches a cell phone to her chest and looks panicked.
Kamimoto thinking: Suzuka!?
Panel 5:
Kamimoto rushes up to Suzuka.
Kamimoto: Suzuka, what’s wrong?
Suzuka: Mr. K-Kamimoto.
Panel 6:
Suzuka looks worried and begins to cough.
Suzuka: My son…
I can’t find Sho.
Panel 7:
Suzuka’s eyes roll back in her head and begins to collapse.
Page 23
Panel 1:
Kamimoto kneels in front of Suzuka.
Kamimoto: S-Suzuka!
Panel 2:
Kamimoto leans in, concerned as Suzuka continues to cough.
Kamimoto: You’re burning up!
Suzuka: I-I’m sorry.
Panel 3:
Suzuka looks up at Kamimoto.
Suzuka: I’m so relieved to…see your face, Mr. Kamimoto.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto looks gravely concerned.
Kamimoto thinking: Suzuka.
Panel 5:
Kamimoto helps Suzuka to her feet and walks with her back to his apartment.
Kamimoto: My place is just up ahead.
You can rest there…
Suzuka: I’m s-so sorry…
Panel 6:
Suzuka lies in Kamimoto’s bed, coughing.
Panel 7:
Kamimoto bangs on the closed door of the convenience store.
Kamimoto: Excuse meee!
Page 24
Panel 1:
Kamimoto rushes back with a bag from the store in his hand.
Kamimoto thinking: Hold on Suzuka.
I’ve got it right here…
Panel 2:
A dark panel.
Kamimoto thinking: If you want.
I’ll throw everything away just for you.
Panel 3:
Kamimoto looks down as his phone rings in his pocket.
Kamimoto: Huh!?
Panel 4:
Kamimoto looks irritated as he answers the phone.
Kamimoto thinking: Who could it be at this hour?
Kamimoto: Hello?
Panel 5:
A close-up of the cell phone.
Kamimoto narration: My wife.
Wife’s voice: Papa, it’s me.
Panel 6:
Kamimoto’s jaw drops and he begins to panic.
Wife’s voice: I’m in front of your apartment.
Page 25
Panel 1:
Kamimoto continues to walk toward his apartment, talking on the phone.
Kamimoto: Wh-what’re you talking about?
Wife’s voice: Why? Are you out somewhere?
Well, I’ll just go on in and wait for you then.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto’s jaw drops as his wife suddenly hangs up.
Kamimoto: Wait…
Panel 3:
Suzuka lying in Kamimoto’s bed.
Kamimoto thinking: Dammit, this is bad!
Suzuka’s in my room…
Panel 4:
Kamimoto’s wife screaming with tears in her eyes as she clutches a heart-shaped box with the Korean idol’s face on it.
Wife: Papa,
What’s going on here!?
Panel 5:
Kamimoto hugs Suzuka as she clings to him in bed. Kamimoto’s wife hunches forward, crying in disbelief.
Kamimoto: Shut up, can’t you see?
Wife: You’re horrible!
How can you just toss me aside like this!?
Page 26
Panel 1:
Kamimoto outside as the sunlight cascades down on him. Suzuka in his arms and Sho looking on adoringly at his side.
Kamimoto thinking: Suzuka, could it be that we’ve been given a second lease on life together!?
Suzuka: Oh, I’m so happy Mr. Kamimoto.
Sho: Dad!
Panel 2:
Kamimoto snaps himself out of his daydream and continues back to his apartment.
Kamimoto thinking: On the other hand…
Perhaps this is fate guiding me on.
Panel 3:
Kamimoto’s apartment building.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto stands in front of his apartment door, breathing hard.
Panel 5:
Kamimoto’s hand on the doorknob.
Kamimoto thinking: Here we go.
Page 27
Panel 1:
Mrs. Kamimoto is sitting at a table with Suzuka, Sho and another man. Everyone is smiling happily.
Wife: Welcome back, Papa.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto stands in the doorway, shocked by this odd scene.
Kamimoto thinking: Eh!?
They’re all smiling?
Panel 3:
Kamimoto stands in front of the man he’s never seen before, who looks quite a bit like a younger Kamimoto.
Kamimoto thinking: Who’s this guy?
Man: Thank you for helping Suzuka with all her problems.
Panel 4:
Suzuka smiling behind her sick mask.
Suzuka: I was feeling a little lonely, so I called my boyfriend.
When I told him the name of the apartment building, he came right over.
Page 28
Panel 1:
Kamimoto looks surprised and just stands there.
Kamimoto thinking: Huh!? I never heard about him.
Did she say boyfriend?
Panel 2:
Sho hugs his mother’s arm as she looks at him.
Suzuka: And then Sho showed up as well.
I was really surprised.
Sho: That’s because I called him since you had such a terrible cold, Mom.
Panel 3:
Kamimoto’s wife stares at the man intently as he looks on bashfully.
Wife: I’m so embarrassed…
You’re her boyfriend… You look just like him.
Suzuka: Oh, you mean that famous Korean guy, right?
Man: Oh, c’mon.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto’s wife waves her hand dismissively as Kamimoto frowns her way.
Wife: Well, the rumor was he made a secret visit to this area. That’s why I came.
But no such luck.
Suzuka: I see.
Kamimoto thinking: She’s not even going to pretend she came to see me.
Page 29
Panel 1:
Kamimoto’s wife looks to her husband as she indicates to the Suzuka and her boyfriend.
Wife: Papa, these two are getting married.
Suzuka & Man: Yup.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto, surrounded by darkness, musters a smile.
Panel 3:
Kamimoto sits down at the table with everyone else.
Kamimoto: I… I see. Congratulations.
Suzuka: Mmm.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto looks nervous as he engages the new couple in conversation.
Kamimoto: Oh yeah, he really does look a little like that Korean guy.
Kamimoto thinking: I thought she said she didn’t like him.
Panel 5:
Suzuka blushes nervously.
Suzuka: Eheheheheheh, with all the trauma from my husband before, I just wasn’t sure.
But I think I’m ready to take the plunge.
Page 30
Panel 1:
Suzuka begins to laugh happily and swats her fiancé’s chest.
Suzuka: It’s what’s on the inside that counts after all!
Kamimoto narration: Later on, we called a taxi to take them home.
Panel 2:
Suzuka, Sho and her fiancé stand outside Kamimoto’s apartment. Suzuka bows to Kamimoto. Kamimoto’s wife blushes as she stares at Suzuka’s fiancé.
Suzuka: Sorry to bother you.
Kamimoto narration: My wife was thrilled to meet someone who looked like her idol.
Panel 3:
The city at night.
Kamimoto narration: And so my sweet dream ended,
Without anyone being any wiser.
Panel 4:
Kamimoto’s wife closes the door and turns around frowning at her husband. Kamimoto begins to sweat.
Wife: So,
By the way, Papa.
Kamimoto: W-what?
Page 31
Panel 1:
Kamimoto’s wife scowls at her husband.
Wife: What is up with your hair?
Maybe you did that just to make me happy but,
You look nothing like him.
Panel 2:
Kamimoto looks confused..
Kamimoto thinking: Huh!?
Who!?
Panel 3
Kamimoto and his wife sit at the table, the entire apartment sparkles around them.
Kamimoto narration: My wife stayed and cleaned up the place.
Wife: What would you do without me.
Panel 4
A blank panel.
Kamimoto narration: I never saw Suzuka again after that.
I go to a different barber now.