Viet Version

 
   

Part 1

Episodes

Debut Episode

 

Aya Kuramoto is a mute girl who's hometown is in Hokkaido. She's working as a nurse in a small clinic there assissting a young doctor from Tokyo, Shuichi Nagai. Aya is in love with the kind and compassionate Shuichi. At first, Shuichi is not confident in accepting her love but he finally confesses to her that he also love her before leaving for Tokyo. Shuichi promises that he'll come back to marry her immediately after he has settle the things in Tokyo.

 

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Shuichi's younger half brother, Takumi Nagai, is well-known to be a notorious playboy. He fails to gain the trust of his father and dislikes Shuichi because everybody thinks that Shuichi is much superior to him. Hence Takumi develops an inferiority towards Shuichi and his father and becomes very rebellious.

 

Unfortunately, Shuichi met with an accident in airport and fell down a flight of escalator when saving a woman. He is bleeding profusely and loses consciousness...

 
Episode 2

 

Aya waits for a week for Shuichi's return but he still doesn't return. Aya is worried and decides to go to Tokyo alone to find him. She is determined to find out what has happened.

 

In Tokyo, Aya failed to find Shuichi and comes to know Takumi instead by chance. Takumi brings her back to his father's hospital seeing that she has nowhere to go. There, Aya finally finds out that Shuichi is lying unconscious in the ICU. She befriends a young nurse there, Sonoko, and stays in her hostel room , visiting Shuichi every night.

 

One night, there's a hanging victim and Takumi is the only doctor free in the hospital. However, he is not confident in saving the patient because he deals with only pediatrics daily. Aya who happens to be there pushes him to save the patient and assists him in the process. They finally manage to bring the patient back to life after some time.

 

At the same time, Shuichi has regained consciouness but is suffering from amnesia. In order to stay at Shuichi's side, Aya requests Takumi to let her works in the hospital as an orderly while hoping for Shuichi to recover.

 
Episode 3

 

Takumi's father doesn't believe that Takumi can save a hanging patient without other doctor's help. Takumi is hurt badly and decides to move out to live alone. Aya helps him in moving house and takes care of his cat.

 

Shuichi is starting to recover very fast physically. However, he is breaking Aya's heart because the woman he saved is coming everyday to look after him. Shoko, the woman, likes Shuichi and offers to help him in his rehabilation. She even asks Aya to help her by telling her more about Shuichi. Aya is hurt badly by all this especially when Shuichi still fails to regain his memories.

 

At the same time, Takumi is beginning to like Aya. He asks her out for dinner after work one night. However, Aya did not turn up for the date because she wants to accompany Shuichi to take a walk outside the hospital. Takumi is very angry at Shuichi when he happens to see them on the streets. He confronts Shuichi the next day, but Aya tries to protect Shuichi from him. This makes Takumi angrier. Shuichi has brought a pair of star earrings for Aya as a token of appreciation for her care and Aya is overjoyed.

 

Episode 4

 

Shuichi is now working as an administrative staff in the hospital now. This is because he has lost the ability to be a doctor again due to the amnesia. He develops an inferior complex as everyone keeps thinking that it is a pity he cannot perform defty operations again. He is very upset and refuses Shoko when she confesses her love for him. Shuichi tells her not to use love so lightly when she does not even know about his past. Not only that, he also hurts Aya terribly when he tells her that "I don't need sympathy from a mute person.".

 

There is a young patient, Arai Yoshihiko, in the hospital who has a tumour in his brain. He creates a lot of trouble for the nurses by refusing to take his meals. One day, he even attempts to commit suicide. Luckily, Takumi manages to prevent him from doing so. Although the method Takumi uses is a bit provocative. Aya befriends Arai and even prepares dinner for him. On that night, Arai is having severe headaches and is in critical condition. Takumi whose suppose to be on duty is not in the hospital. Luckily, Shuichi performs an operation on Arai in time to relieve the pressure that is building up in his head. Has Shuichi regained his memory?!

 
Episode 5

 

Shuichi has regained his memory but only partially. He can only remember his childhood up and everything up till 2 years ago. The past two years are a void in time for him. He cannot remember Aya or Hokkaido. However, he finds a ticket to Tokyo from Hokkaido in his luggage when the accident takes place, hence he is determined to go to Hokkaido to find out what had happened to him these 2 years. Shoko offers to go along because she is anxious to find out whether Shuichi has a lover in Hokkaido. On the other hand, Aya is too upset that Shuichi still fails to remember her and cannot help crying.

 

Shuichi and Shoko go to Hokkaido and come to the clinic that Shuichi used to work in. Shuichi finds the clinic, the swing, the funeral grounds and the star-filled sky familiar but he just fails to remember anything and decides to take a walk. Just at this time, Shuichi's successor to the clinic comes back to the clinic and tell Shoko about Aya. However, being selfish, Shoko hides this from Shuichi and urges him to go back to Tokyo and forget about Hokkaido. Luckily, Shuichi remembers he is in love with a girl while looking at his book "Hoshi No Kinka"(Heaven's Coins).

 

At the same time, Takumi is feeling down and hopeless when he is reproached for his absence from duty and Shuichi's recovery. Aya tries to comfort him and tell him that he is not as useless as he thinks and should help in Arai's operation. Takumi is touched and he is really falling for Aya!

 

Meanwhile, the assisstant director, Komori and Miwa are planning to take over the hospital secretly.

 
Episode 6

 

Shuichi fainted in the last episode and Aya rode with him in the ambulance to the hospital. He fainted because a hematoma was found in his brain, this can also be the reason why he cannot have full recovery of his memory. Shoko lies to Shuichi that it is her who rode with him to the hospital and show him a couple's wedding photo, telling him that the girl in the photo is the girl he is dating in Hokkaido. After looking at the photo, Shuichi still fails to remember anything and says that as long as she looks happy, he'll be glad for her. Aya learns about this and calls Shoko a liar. Shoko's selfishness is revealed when she tells Aya that the truth Shuichi cannot remember her is because he does not love her and promises to marry her out of pity and sympathy only. Aya is terribly hurt but she replies that Shuichi will never love Shoko.

 

Miwa is assigned to be the surgeon Shuichi's operation. However, she is told by the assisstant director, Komori, to botch the operation. Miwa refuses to because she did not become a doctor to kill. On the hand, Takumi wants to leave the hospital and let Shuichi becomes the director. He volunteers to be the surgeon for Shuichi's operation before leaving Tokyo, hopefully with Aya. When Komori hears this he let Takumi be the in charge of the operation, very certain that he'll botch the operation.

 

When Takumi tells Shuichi that he is the doctor who's going to perform his operation, he discloses that he'll be leaving Tokyo hopefully with the girl she loves. Sonoko overhears this and visits Takumi house that night. She tells him that Aya will not leave with him because she is in love Shuichi. Takumi is shocked and devastated when he hears this. The next day(the day of the operation), Aya visits Takumi to give him encouragement. Takumi says that Aya knows who he is going to operate on and he can easily cut a nerve "accidentally" and the man she loves will die. Aya begs him not to kill Shuichi in sign language. However the furious and frustrated Takumi says he does not understand sign language and asks her to beg him and save the man she loves in her own voice. Aya just keep signing and Takumi throws her around the room angrily, scolding her that she is like the other women who uses him and that she hopes to marry Shuichi and becomes the director's wife. Miraculously, Aya says out the words "Please save Shuichi". Takumi is shocked and throws her a hankerchief, while walking out of the room.

 
Episode 7

 

Shuichi's operation is a success and Takumi declares that Aya is his toy and he is going to take everything away from Shuichi including the director's position and Aya. A depressed Takumi is back to his bad company and drinks non-stop. He meets a woman in a swimming pool and is asked to jump off the diving board by his friends who's trying to impress the girl. Takumi does as they say and the woman has to save him and gives him CPR. Meanwhile, Aya decides to return to Hokkaido after celebrating Arai's birthday with Shuichi. She feels that Shuichi will be happier with Shoko, and she will pray for his happiness in Hokkaido. Aya leaves a letter for Sonoko to bid farewell. Seeing the letter, Sonoko rushes to Shuichi and begs him to find Aya back. Shuichi learns about Aya's feelings for him but still doesn't know that she is his fiancee. He asks her to stay because she promises to celebrate Arai's next birthday with him and he, himself wants Aya to stay.

 

Arai is going to be operated by Shuichi's and Takumi's father, Seiichiro. He is a superb surgeon but has to leave the room halfway because he is not feeling well. He leaves it to Miwa to finish the job. However, Takumi volunteers to finsh the job instead. Just as Takumi goes off to prepare the suture, Miwa ordered by the assisstant director, Komori, sabotages the operation and shifts the blame on Takumi. She does it partly to revenge for her father who died in this hospital long ago because Seiichiro delayed his surgery as Miwa's mother couldn't afford it. Arai's blood pressure drops rapidly and Takumi is frozen with fear and shock.

 
Episode 8

 

Shuichi and Aya rush back for Arai's operation. Shuichi manages to bring him back to life but Arai remains in a comatose state. Takumi is in shock and does not know what has gone wrong. He turns to drinking and does not go to work, trying to run away from the problem. He even stays with the woman at the pool, Ayumi. He blames himself for botching the operation and his hands tremble non-stop since the day of the operation. Shuichi asks Aya to talk to Takumi. Aya looks him up in Ayumi's unit and takes him to Arai's parents. Takumi keeps bowing and apologises for his mistakes and Arai's father forgives him, telling him it's normal for humans to err, even doctors.

 

Shuichi is surprised at why he went after Aya to ask her to stay. He looks for Aya in Arai's room and wants to talk to her about her feelings for him. However, Aya avoids her feelings and tries to brush away the topic, telling him he already has Shoko. On the other hand, the hospital is facing great troubles because of the failed surgery. At the same time, Seiichiro's health is becoming worse and Shuichi is shocked to find out that he is actually suffering from liver cancer. With no other choices, Komori becomes the acting director while Seiichiro rests at home. However, Seiichiro asks the wife of his best friend, the president of Yuki Group to become the trustee of the hospital during his absence. To everyone's surprise, Shoko turns out to be Yuki's daughter. Coincidentally, Shoko was "engaged" to Shuichi by their fathers during their rounds of drinks. Shuichi is surprised at all this and both families agree to let them become engaged officially. Shuichi breaks this news to Aya and she congratulates him and wishes him best wishes. But she is crying when he left. On the night of their engagement, Aya burns the photo that she and Shuichi took during Arai's birthday.

 
Episode 9

 

Takumi continues staying with Ayumi and works as a waitor in Ayumi's club. Ayumi's friends are happy for her. They says Ayumi has not been able to fall in love with anyone ever since her boyfriend died on the way to their wedding. However, Sonoko visits Takumi at the club and tells him that Komori is the acting director now and he should go back to the hospital. Takumi is unmoved by all these until Sonoko mentions Shuichi's engagement to Shoko. This sets Takumi to some deep thinking. After some considering, he decides to leave Ayumi. Ayumi is very nervous and refuses tolet him go, saying that he is going back to another woman, Aya. Takumi confesses that he loves Aya but he says that he is not going back to the hospital or Aya. After saying that, he left leaving the now devastated Ayumi.

 

Komori finds out that Aya is Shuichi's girlfriend in Hokkaido and he sees this as an opportunity to spoil things between Shuichi and Shoko. He gives the files his subordinate find in Hokkaido to Shoko's mother, Takako to see and tells her that the girl is now working in the hospital. They calls Aya in for questioning and Sonoko is there to interpret. Aya denies anything intimate and Komori fails to convince Takako about Shuichi's relationship to Aya. Sonoko is shocked to find out that Aya is Shuichi's girlfriend in Hokkaido and threatens to tell Shuichi. However, Aya begs her not to and makes her promised never to tell Shuichi about it.

 

Arai's father visits him in the hospital and cannot bear to see his son in the vegetative state. He thinks that it is better for him to die off, ending his torments. He is about to turn off the machines that Arai depends on to live. just then, Aya comes in and stops him in time. She tells him that Arai is still alive because he is warm, but Mr. Arai says that Arai is afraid of darkness and he canoot bear to see him suffering. Mr. Arai refuses to listen to Aya. Luckily, Shuichi comes in just in time. Shuichi says that there's an operation that can save Arai from the vegetaive state but Mr. Arai refuses to let Arai to be cut up so many times. Shuichi turns to Arai and begs him to let him operate on him. Just then, tears roll out of Arai's eyes and Shichi takes this as a yes answer.

 

Sonoko cannot bear it anymore and tells Shuichi the truth. At first, Shuichi does not believe it but thinks about the probability since he does not remember the "girlfriend" in the photo Shoko shows him. When he goes to the nurse station to find Aya, he sees her collapsed on the ground with blood oozing out of her wound. Aya is attacked by Ayumi who is devastated and angry at Aya for "snatching" Takumi away from her!

 
Episode 10

 

Aya is in critical condition and is bleeding profusely. Shuichi quickly rushes her to the operation room. In the operation room, Aya's blood pressure drops rapidly and her life is in danger but Shuichi tells her to hold on. Just then, there is a power failure. When the backup generator is starting, Shuichi stares into the lights and his memory is triggered by it. The two void years flash back to him and he finally remembers Aya. Shuichi starts to recite the Grimm Brothers' Tales, Heaven's Coins, ending up in tears. This surprises Miwa who is also in the operation room.

 

Takumi is working in a construction site. He hears about Aya's news over the TV during his break. He rushes to the hospital immediately but is taken away by the police to question about Ayumi. The next day, Takumi returns to the hospital and sneaks Aya out of the hospital secretly. He puts her up in his friend, Katsumata's apartment. He tells her that it is all his fault and even if she will not forgive him, he will still take care of her until he sees her smile again. Shuichi is frantic when he learns that Aya is missing and tries to look for her. Meanwhile, Aya is recovering slowly. Again, Takumi tells her that he loves her even though she is deaf and mute. This time, Aya seems to have given up on Shuichi and is willing to accept Takumi. Shuichi finally knows the whereabouts of Aya from Katsumata and visits Takumi. He tells Takumi that he had promised to marry Aya in Hokkaido and he loves her. Takumi is very angry and beats Shuichi up. He threatens to kill Shuichi if he sees him again.

 

In Arai's room, Miwa finally confesses to Shuichi that she is the one responsible for the mistake during the operation, not Takumi. Shuichi writes a letter and requests Sonoko to hand the letter to Takumi. In his letter, he tells Takumi that Dr. Koizumi (Miwa) is the one who botches the operation, not him, so he should return to the hospital. He also says that he is willing to give up everything to be with Aya and he will explain to Shoko until she understands. He will wait for Aya in the Tokyo Tower at 8pm. If Aya refuses to turn up after reading the letter, he'll give her up. At first, Takumi does not want to show Aya the letter but eventually he still gives it to her after dinner. After reading the letter, Aya apologizes to Takumi in tears and says that she loves Shuichi. After signing that she leaves the apartment to wait for Shuichi. On the other hand, Shuichi visits Shoko's house and apologizes for not being able to marry her because he has chosen Aya over her. Shoko says that he will regret his decision. Shuichi says "Maybe so, but i'll still have to go to Aya now". Then he leaves the Yuki residence. On his way to Aya, Shuichi receives a call from Takako and is shocked to learn that Shoko had committed suicide.

 

At the Tokyo Tower look out place, Aya is still waiting for Shuichi......

 
Episode 11

 

Shuichi rushes to the hospital and stays with Shoko for the night. Aya returns to the hospital when Shuichi does not turn up at the Tokyo tower. Shoko's mother, Takako asks Aya to leave Shuichi so that Shoko and him can be together. However, Shuichi makes up his mind and promises Aya that he will keep the promise he made to her in Hokkaido. He wants to cancel his engagement to Shoko and marries Aya instead.

 

Meanwhile, Miwa visits Takumi in his apartment to beg him to return to the hospital. She admits that the mistake during Arai's operation was made by her. She even confesses that it is not a mistake but a deliberate move and the mastermind is the Assisstant Director, Dr. Komori. After hearing all these, Takumi decides to return to the hospital. Together, the 3 Nagais will operate on Yoshihiko Arai to bring him out of the vegetative state.

 

When all seem to end well, Shoko breaks the news to Shuichi that she is pregnant with his child! If he leaves her, it is not only her who has to live without him.

 

The Nagais operates on Arai as planned. Everything goes well at first, but Takumi's hand is trembling tremendously because of the previous botched operation. He runs out of the O.R and blames himself for being a coward. At this moment, Seiichiro suffers a relapse from his liver cancer and has to leave the O.R. Miwa discloses Seiichiro's illness to Takumi, hoping that he will go into the O.R. Takumi asks Aya to slap the cowardice out of him. After that, he enters the O.R and the operation is successful. However, Shuichi tells Aya that he has to marry Shoko because she is pregnant with his child. Aya is so upset that she runs out of the hospital into the rain and breaks up in tears.

 
Final Episode

 

Arai wakes up from his comatose state finally and calls out to Aya who is in the room. Aya stays in Arai's room all night after learning about Shoko's pregnancy. Takumi rushes to Yoshihiko's(Arai) room and tells Aya that he is calling her name. The other nurses are also overjoyed at this good news and rush to his room, congratulating him.

 

Back in Nagai's house, Seiichiro calls Dr. Komori to his room and tells him that since Arai is well again, then Komori cannot be the director as promised. He also tells Komori that he knows he is the mastermind behind Arai's botched operation. Not only that, his subordinate, Sano has betrayed him and tells Seiichiro that Komori has embezzled the hospital's money. Seiichiro orders him to resign and discontinue his practicing as a doctor or else he will hand him to the police.

 

Takako visits Aya and gives her a blank cheque for her to fill in any amount that she wants. However, Aya writes on the cheque " I loves Shuichi". Aya tells Takako that the two years she spends with Shuichi are her most cherished moments in her life and she cannot put a price on them. Just then, Takako receives a call from home that Shoko had gone to her gynaecologist alone, even though she had just visited him a few days ago. Takako is very worried and Aya rushes to tell Shuichi the news. Together, they rushes to the hospital to stop Shoko's abortion. Aya barges into the O.R. and pulls Shoko out. Shoko says that she intends to die after she had buried the baby but she cannot bring herself to kill her baby. She tells Aya, " As long as you are around, he'll never love us." and breaks into tears. After Aya lip-read those words, she walks away and leaves Shuichi and Shoko together.

 

Takumi's mother, Michiyo confronts Komori why he resigns from the hospital since he tells her that he is going to be the next director. Michiyo files for divorce because Komori will be the next director. Komori wants to part with her since he cannot be the director anymore. Just then, a young woman visits Komori to accompany him to the airport. Komori tells Michiyo that she has lost one thing in her pursue for status and wealth and that is YOUTH. Michiyo cannot take the blow and picks up the letter-opener and stabs Komori. Komori tries to pacify her but she refuses to be deceived again and pushes him out of the window.

 

Meanwhile, Seiichiro is dying and calls Takako to his deathbed. He thanks her for helping the hospital and apologizes for ignoring her feelings to him in their younger days. Just then, Takumi rushes in and Seiichiro asks Takako and Miwa to leave them alone. Seiichiro tells Takumi that he is as good a brain surgeon as Shuichi. He is exceptionally strict on him because he is more emotional than anyone and Seiichiro is afraid this will hinder him in becoming a good doctor or rather a good person. Takumi is all tears after hearing all these. Finally, Shuichi rushes back and he confesses to Seiichiro that he leaves the hospital 2 years ago because he is jealous that Seiichiro is going to let his natural son, Takumi to become the director. He cries to Seiichiro, "Abandoned at birth, it is you who brought me up as your own child." Seiichiro calls him "Silly boy! You are my child!". Seiichiro then asks him to call Miwa in. He tells her to continue practicing as a doctor and use her hands to save as many lives as possible so as to atone for what she did during Arai's operation. He tells her to witness his death as a doctor. Miwa lets out a cry and everybody rushes in to his deathbed, all in tears. Seiichiro then dies.

 

Takumi visits her mother in the prison and breaks the news to her that Seiichiro had died. Michiyo seems to be untouched by that. Miwa also visits Michiyo and tells her that the woman Seiichiro loved most is none other than Michiyo herself. Seiichiro does not know that she had been arrested at his final moments but has tell Miwa not to call Michiyo. This is because he feels that he should not let the woman he loved most watch him die. Michiyo lets out a cry of regret after realising how much her husband loves her.

 
************

 

On Shuichi's wedding day, Aya leaves a letter for Sonoko and decides to commit suicide at the beach Arai Yoshihiko promise to bring her to after he's well again.
 
"Please forgive me for leaving this letter. I intended to leave without a word, but couldn't do that to a good friend like you. I wanted you, no someone to know how I feel. That way, I could leave without regret and like the mermaid disappear into the sea froth."

 

I'm not leaving because I couldn't marry Shuichi. I only want happiness for the man I loved. Shoko shed tears when she told me, "As long as you are around, he'll never love us." Those words made me happy rather than sad. I was flattered that he still loved me. And at the same time, I resigned myself to giving him up. I loved Shuichi. Yet, under no circumstance can I take his baby's life. Even if it means I have to leave. Praying for Shuichi, Shoko and their baby's happiness, I'll disappear into the sea froth like a mermaid. With lots of memories and happiness in my heart, I'll turn into bubbles and disappear.

 

I'm neither lonely nor sad. Like the mermaid, I'll turn to froth, to sea water, to earth, to wind and into a star so I can watch over him forever. Forever......


 

 

Sonoko shows the letter to Arai Yoshihiko. Luckily, Yoshihiko deduces that Aya has gone to the beach he mentioned to her. Together, they set off to save Aya. Yoshihiko finds her in time and stops her from committing suicide. He tells Aya that it is her who taught him and everyone else how to live so she cannot die. Aya finally straightens her thoughts and the three of them embraced each other and cries their hearts out.

 

Aya decides to leave Tokyo and returns to Hokkaido. Takumi tells Shuichi that he'll stay in the hospital and solves every problems that comes his way. He asks Shuichi to go after Aya even if he has to hurt someone for once. He thinks that Shuichi should be true to himself. Shoko who is outside the room hears every words and rushes in to break the conversation. She tells Shuichi that she wants to tell him about the ultra-sound results but Shuichi tries to tell her that Aya is leaving. Disappointed, Shoko stops him in his sentence and says that she and the child will live together even if he's gone. She tells him to hurry or else Aya will be gone. Shuichi rushes to the airport and signs to Aya that he is able to keep his promise. He is returning with her and they will get married in Hokkaido. However, Aya refuses and signs to him that she does not want him to become like her parents who abandon her in Hokkaido. He should return to Shoko and his child. Before leaving, she wants him not to have any regrets meeting her for she is not regretful for meeting him. After that, she returns the button(from Shuichi's coat in Hokkaido) to Shuichi. When Shuichi gets ready to leave, he finds Shoko waiting for him outside. Together, they go home.

 

A year later, Aya is sitting on the swing outside the clinic in Hokkaido, looking at the stars. The new doctor is suppose to come on that day. Just then, a cat appears from nowhere. Takumi also appears in front of her. He tells Aya that many women (as many as the stars) tries to cling on him but he decides to be kind and extends Aya's deadline. But he says he is impatient so the deadline will only be extended to 100 years. Then he signs "I love you" and goes into the clinic. Aya smiles and follows him inside.

 

* May stars fall upon you *

 

 Part 2

Episode 1

"Two gentle but strong shinning stars"

 

One year has passed since the last episode of Hoshi no Kinka. Episode 1 starts off with Ayu and Takumi rushing to delivery a calf. Takumi has learned simple sign language and is able to communicate with Aya. Aya and Takumi's relationship has developed to the point where they seem inseparable.
Takumi tells and signs the story of Heaven's Coins to Aya with the aid of a picture book. Aya gets a kick out of it and smiles ever so sweetly.
Aya explains to Takumi that the girl in the story probably did not pick up the gold coins that fell from the sky. She wouldn't be happy if she did. She was in fact looking for one gentle yet bright shining star among the many other stars.
Takumi expresses his love by asking Aya if she could see the gentle yet bright shining star (love for her) in his eyes. Aya nods.
Main theme is played.
Aya and Takumi fly back to Tokyo to attend Sonoko's wedding.
Aya's uneasy now that's she's back in Tokyo. Memories of the Shuichi resurfaces.
Aya's catches Sonoko's bouquet of flowers. Sonoko wishes that Ayu marries Takumi.
Aya's uneasy again after seeing Shuichi in Sonoko's wedding dinner.
Takumi decides to cheer Aya up
and brings her to an amusment park.
The two seem inseparable again.
Shoko demands to know if Shuichi still loves Aya. Shuichi of course denys.
Takumi makes his move on Aya. He asks Aya to pick from 2 concealed boxes of roses. He tells her that if she picks the red rose, they should get engaged. But if she picks the white rose, then it meant that heaven did not agree to their marriage. She picks a red rose. While Takumi celebrates in the public fountain, Aya opens the other box to find that both boxes had red roses. Aya pretends to be angry with Takumi but later accepts the rose.
Takumi is overjoyed and apparently so is Aya.
Aya inadvertently meets up with Shuichi in an accident area, where they both save a child for the weakage.
Before departing, Shuichi asks if Aya was happy. Aya signs "yes". Aya asks the same of Shuichi and he replys positively.
Aya feels guilty after lying to Takumi that she was out with the other nurses.
Takumi spots Aya visiting the child who was saved from the accident. He suspects that Aya had lied to him.
On Shoko's request, the doctor risks Shoko's life to save her baby. Shoko dies from the operation.
Aya learns of Shoko's death.
Shoko's mother confronts Aya and blames her for Shoko's death (she slaps her! ARGH!! ).
Takumi and Aya return to the hospital to help Shuichi in his recovery over his wife's death. Shuichi blames himself for Shoko's death. Shoko could sense that he still has feelings for Aya.
Takumi gives Aya a ring as an engagement present. Aya is once again in conflict with her heart as she realises that she still loves Shuichi.
Aya cries. She doesn't know which star to choose.....
Now the sad story begins.....

Episode 2

"It was a mistake, two people in love, separated, why didn't we try harder to ..."

 

The scene from the end of the previous episode is shown. Aya starts to cry when Takumi tries to put the engagement ring on her finger.
Takumi is confused by Aya's reaction to the engagement proposal. The next day, He asks Miwa, why would a girl cry in such a situation. Miwa explores the possibilities. She suggests that the tears may have been tears of joy. Or such a person was afraid that the relationship wouldn't progress. Or there was "someone else" in her heart ...
Shuichi doesn't quite understand why he revealed to Aya that she was in his heart all along.
Aya discovers that she has left her wallet in her room when she tries to pay for her stuff. Shunmin shows up and pays for Aya.
Aya thanks Shunmin and promises to return him the money. Shunmin says its unnecessary. Aya then gives Shunmin her name and address. Shunmin lets out an evil smile as he watches Aya walk away.
Main Theme is played.
The doctors discuss the condition of Maki Nozomi (the girl involved in the accident in episode 1). Fragments still remain in her skull and a delicate operation should be done as soon as possible. The best person for the job would be Shuichi but the doctors wonder if he would be able to recover from his wife's death any time soon.
Aya visits Maki. Maki tells Aya about her boyfriend and then asks Aya if she has a boyfriend. Aya doesn't answer but her slightly embarrassed look gives away the fact that she may have one. (A.N. Noriko puts up a shy look and looks SO CUTE!)
On the rooftop, Takumi tells Aya that Maki needs an operation soon. He apologies that he wouldn't be able to return to Hokkaido for awhile because he has to look after the hospital now that Shuichi is away, and also about the ring which he has already sent for resizing. Aya apologizes for crying when Takumi gave her the ring. Takumi says he understands seeing that marriage is a big decision.
Aya is tidying Shuichi's room. She notices the missing button on Shuichi's coat and starts thinking about the past.
(A.N. In the second episode of the first series, we see the white button that broke off from Shuichi's coat. It was the only physical reminder of Shuichi after he left Hokkaido and she treasured it more than anything else.)
Aya recollects the scene where Shuichi tells her that she was always in his heart. She then recalls Takumi giving her the engagement ring.
Shunmin spills out his life story about how he had to struggle to survive after the death of his mother. "Even as a doctor, all I can do is weep when someone dies ... a number of patients have died before my eyes" he says, and he doesn't seem to be able to come to terms with these death. Takumi receives a call from the hospital and leaves. Miwa laughs. When Shunmin asks why is she laughing, Miwa replies "you casually say things you don't mean. You're like me."
Aya visits Shuichi. Takumi is at the hospital taking care of Maki. Aya makes porridge for Shuichi. She tells him that everyone is worried about him. Shuichi, still in his delusional state, asks if Aya is worried about him. Aya replies "I want you to be yourself again", so that Shuichi can operate on Maki. After a pause, Aya says to Shuichi, "let's forget what you said that day". Shuichi agrees saying that he wasn't thinking straight at that time, probably due to Shoko's death.
"but it wasn't a lie" he confesses. Aya tells him to stop. Shuichi continues, "It was a mistake, two people in love separated, why didn't we try harder to ..." <slap> Aya slaps Shuichi hard in the face and runs out of the apartment. Outside, Shunmin almost collides with Aya when she runs into the path of his motorcycle. Shunmin sees Aya's tears and tries to figure out what is going on.
The next morning, Keiko Kawamura shows up in Aya's bunk and introduces herself, in sign language, as Aya's new roommate. When asked if she knew sign language, Keiko reveals that she learned a little (sign language) from a deaf patient in her previous assignment. Meanwhile, Shuichi picks up his baby from the hospital.
Takumi asks Aya to go to Shuichi's place to help look after the baby. Aya is reluctant, and gives a lame excuse. Takumi gives up trying to persuade Aya to go to Shuichi's place.
Aya finds Maki in pain. She grabs Shunmin and pulls him in to help Maki. Shunmin casually walks away without helping. Just then, Miwa rushes in to Maki's aid. Aya confronts Shunmin and asks why didn't he help Maki who was in pain. Shunmin tells her that it was useless to do anything because Maki wouldn't live through an operation. Aya reminds him that it is his duty as a doctor to do his best for every patient.
(A.N. Shunmin turns philosophical. Basically he's saying that he hates the world.) "Are you saying all people are equal? Don't makes me laugh" Shunmin mocks her. He continues, "not every life is equally important" rich people are worth saving, poor ones are not. Pity in the name of kindness, people are kind to strangers because they pity them, because they are inferior, sometimes because they are stronger. "People are not kind, kindness is hypocrisy" he notes.
Aya tells him "you are a pitiful man, you have no compassion". Shuichi ends saying "there's something more important than compassion, it's hate". After the conversation, Shunmin is stunned to see Keiko working in the hospital and wonders why she is here.
That night, Shunmin and Miwa go on a date. Shunmin tells her they are alike. Miwa corrects him saying that she has changed after she met Seiichiro Nagai (Takumi's natural father). Takumi sneaks into Aya's room only to find Keiko, who mistakes him for a pervert. Takumi didn't know that Aya had decided to go to Shuichi's place after all.
At Shuichi's apartment, Aya lies to him saying that Takumi told her to visit and that she is going to marry Takumi. Shuichi doesn't believe what she says. Aya asks Shuichi to congratulate her.
Mrs. Yuki (Shoko's mother) arrives and discovers Aya. She asks Shuichi why was Aya there. Mrs. Yuki demands that Shuichi swear before his baby that not once did he think of Aya after he married Shoko. Shuichi is silent. Mrs. Yuki slaps Shuichi in anger. Aya intervenes and asks Mrs. Yuki to slap her.
"He was in my heart too" Aya painfully confesses. Mrs. Yuki takes the baby away saying that Shuichi has no right to be the baby's father.
Miwa wakes up after spending the night with Shunmin. Miwa hints that she was using Shunmin as a substitute for her crush on Seiichiro. Shunmin doesn't mind that she does. Shuichi returns to work. Keiko tells Aya that Takumi dropped by the night before and he mentioned that he was going to marry Aya. Keiko reveals that she was once supposed to get married but cancelled it because she couldn't lie to herself.
(A.N. In episode 1, Keiko was Shunmin's assistant when he delivered Shoko's baby. Shunmin raped Keiko to stop her from reporting the fact that Shunmin had placed Shoko's life in danger) Shunmin confronts Keiko and asks her why did she follow him. Keiko replies "I don't know why ... I'm so attracted to you" They kiss. (A.N. it may seem strange that Keiko is attracted to the person who raped her, but ... )
Mrs. Yuki decides to stop funding for the hospital. When Takumi asks why, Mrs. Yuki recaps what happened the night before at Shuichi's place. Takumi is in disbelief when Mrs. Yuki confirms that Aya had said that Shuichi was always in her heart.
Takumi meets up with Aya and tells her that Mrs. Yuki believes that Shuichi and Aya have something going on. That even separated, they were secretly talking to each other. Takumi suggests that they return to Hokkaido. Aya is disturbed. Silently she begins to cry.
"Aya, when I gave you the ring, you cried too. Are those the same tears too? ... Answer me !" Takumi shouts. Aya can't answer. Shuichi shows up and tries to stop Takumi but gets punched across the cheek.
Takumi screams at Shuichi "if you felt that way about her, why didn't you stop her from going back to Hokkaido ?!?" Then to Aya he painfully says, "I believed you ... Aya ... until I saw your tears ... I believed you !! ..."

Episode 3

"Love may turn to sympathy, but sympathy never turns to love"

 

Takumi repeats his words, "you two are despicable, I won't forgive, I'll never forgive you two!" He tells Aya, "I believed in you... ... Aya, until I saw your tears... I believed in you..." Takumi leaves. It starts to rain. Shunmin Yakami (the doctor who operated on Shoko in episode 1) shows up and shelters Aya under his umbrella.
Shunmin finds it amusing that the two brothers are both in love with a mute girl (Aya). Shunmin considers the possibility of using Aya in the future, to achieve his ultimate plan of taking over the hospital.
Main theme is played.
Takumi attends the welcome party for Keiko Kawamura (Aya's new roommate). He drowns his depression with alcohol. Keiko reveals that Aya has a fever and is resting at home. Takumi gets emotionally concerned. Keiko points out to Takumi that his emotions may be overwhelming Aya.
Shuichi asks Shoko's mother to return his son. She replies "I'll back the hospital if you give up the baby". She expresses his hate against Shuichi.
Keiko returns from the party. She asks Aya about her relationship with the two brothers. Aya says that she's confused. She doesn't understand why she revealed (in front of Shuichi and Shoko's mother in episode 2) that Shuichi has always been in her heart. "I have hurt Takumi's feelings" she signs. The story of the first series is retold.
Takumi is seen outside Aya's apartment. Although he's concerned about Aya, he decides not to visit her. Keiko asks Aya, "Do you love Takumi?" Aya replies "Yes, he's kind and..." Keiko tells Aya that Aya is imagining love. That Aya loves Takumi because she doesn't want to hurt his feelings. "That's not love, that's sympathy."
Keiko continues saying that sympathy covers one's heart like gold-plated objects. However, the gold "peels off when you're near your true love". "Love may turn to sympathy, but sympathy never turns to love".
Aya doesn't agree with Keiko. Keiko encourages Aya to tell Shuichi that she loves him. Aya is surprised that Keiko is so direct and emotional.
Takumi looks out of the window and sees ...
... Aya looking at Shuichi. Aya remembers the past.
Aya is obviously distracted as she thinks about what she's going to do.
2 victims from a motorcycle accident arrives at the hospital. The male victim dies but the female survives. After the operation, Aya tells Takumi that she needs to speak to him. Takumi, sensing that Aya may have made the decision to leave him, pushes the conversation to a later time.
Shunmin tells Keiko to continue with her advances to Takumi. Shunmin intends in using Keiko to control Takumi in the future. He again expresses his secret desire to take everything from the two brothers.
Keiko passes a note from Aya to Takumi saying that Aya will be waiting for Takumi. The note says 9 pm at the fountain (where Takumi had proposed to her in episode 1).
 Shuichi bums into Aya. He asks if she had been taking medicine for her fever. Their conversation is interrupted by Keiko who informs Shuichi that the female patient, Rika Sawai is conscious.
Takumi picks up the ring (which he gave to Aya at the end of episode 1) he had previously sent for resizing.
Aya arrives at the fountain.
Aya ponders on what she's going to say to Takumi. She looks at her watch and it says 9:07.
Takumi arrives at the fountain but changes his mind and leaves without meeting Aya.
Takumi goes to the bar and meets Keiko there. Takumi tells Keiko that when he arrived at the fountain, he was ready to break up with Aya. But the ring in his hand stopped him. The ring couldn't fit Aya the first time. But now that it has been resized, the ring may be able to fit Aya's finger. In the same way, the ring was telling him that he should try to win Aya's heart once again.
Shunmin meets Aya, who is still at the fountain. Shunmin tells Aya that she is being used by the two brothers. That she was just a toy for them to play with. Shunmin tries to befriend Aya.
Aya returns to the hospital. She visits the young girl (from episode 1). The young girl is sleeping. Shuichi sees the light in that room and checks it out. In their conversation, Shuichi tells Aya, "I have always hurt you, but you always put up with me". He then asks "I want to know how you honestly feel ... don't worry about what others think ... be honest with yourself ... I'll do exactly what you want ... it's the only thing I can do after all the pain I have put you through."
After some thought, Aya slowly says, "A year ago at the airport, I held back my feelings for you. I really wanted to be with you ... there wasn't a day (in Hokkaido) that I didn't think about you ... what made me happy was recalling that you had once loved me ... it made me sad that I couldn't forget you ... as sad as it was ... you ... Shuichi ... was in my heart" ... "I , I, (with real anguish) ... you, (Aya recalls the time she spent with Takumi) ... I cannot end up with you ... God won't allow it ... God is testing me ... He is whispering to me deep in my heart 'Aya what will you do? ... for happiness you can make someone unhappy, but there's one person you musn't hurt, you musn't make this person unhappy' ... when my feelings were hurt, when I was all alone, he always looked after me ... Takumi ... I cannot hurt Takumi's feelings. Takumi forsook everything to be with me even though he knew I had feelings only for you ... what does he see in me? ... no matter what, I must love Takumi ... even if Takumi says he doesn't love me anymore ... not you ... but your younger brother Takumi ... I must love Takumi." Shuichi is sadden and says "Aya, we're standing this close to each other yet we're worlds apart". Shuichi leaves. (A.N. this conversation is almost identical to what happened in the last episode of the first series)
The anguish is too much for Aya, she breaks down and cries silently. She stills loves Shuichi.

Episode 4

"I love her ... that is why I have to let her go"

 

Shuichi recalls what Aya said to him in the hospital room.
Aya tells Shuichi that she has chosen to be with Takumi. That she couldn't hurt Takumi. Takumi had sacrificed everything for her. He had left everything he had and followed her to Hokkaido.
Shuichi talks to Miwa on the rooftop. He tells her that he'll be leaving the hospital. He has decided to leave everything behind and return to Hokkaido. He asks Miwa to assist Takumi in the governing of the hospital.
Rika runs away from hospital. At that moment, Shunmin meets up with Aya and tells her that Shuichi has decided to leave the hospital and return to Hokkaido. Shunmin tells Aya that Shuichi will eventually discover that he doesn't really love her and that he'll dump her eventually.
Shuichi finds Rika and they talk about the loss of their love ones. (A.N. Rika is falling in love with Shuichi)
Shunmin tells Takumi about Shuichi's decision to leave for Hokkaido with Aya. Takumi is disturbed. The brothers decide that they need to talk.
Meanwhile, Aya is in her room thinking about the news that Shunmin had given her, that Shuichi was returning back to Hokkaido.
Aya picks up the book "Heaven's Coins".
The brothers are in the bar. Shuichi tells Takumi that he's forsaking everything and starting over. He will be returning to Hokkaido with Aya. Takumi breaks a bottle and threatens to hurt Shuichi's hand, saying "you're stealing what means the most to me" and suggests he takes one of Shuichi's finger in exchange for Aya. Shuichi doesn't put up a fight. Before leaving the bar in frustration, Takumi disowns Shuichi as his elder brother. Shuichi cries hearing this.
Takumi wakes up the next morning to find Keiko in the apartment. Keiko had taken care of Takumi the night before. In their conversation, Takumi brings up the fact that "adults cry, but not like children. Children cry because maybe they'll get what they want. Adults cry because they know they won't get what they want. That's why men shouldn't cry in front of women".
Shuichi meets with Aya. He asks her to return to Hokkaido with him. Again, Aya says that she can't hurt Takumi's feelings, that she must love him. Shuichi replies "but that isn't how you truly feel. We're about to make the same mistake we made a year ago, so you don't hurt another, you're lying to yourself, were you really happy? no matter what others say, no matter who I hurt, even if I offend God, Aya, as long as I'm with you, nothing else matters." Shuichi asks Aya again but Aya shakes her head saying no and apologizes. Shuichi tries to give Aya the plane ticket but she doesn't take it. Aya runs away.
Keiko gives Aya a message from Takumi. Keiko tells Aya to stop hurting Takumi and "set him free".
Shunmin is furious that Shuichi is so "casual" about leaving the hospital. Shunmin begins to conjure some sort of punishment for this "outrage".
Aya meets Takumi at the fountain. Takumi expresses conviction that he would die for Aya if needed but he just doesn't know how to get Aya's feelings back to him. He begs "please stay with me forever! you don't have to love me, hate me if you must, in spite of that I want you to stay with me".
Aya replies "I cannot betray you. I won't go anywhere, I'll stay with you forever".
Takumi asks Aya to swear. Slowly, she does. He puts the ring on her finger and hugs her. "your mine, mine, all mine, I'll never let you go".
The next day, Shoko's mother shows up while Shuichi is packing for his departure and tries to take the baby from Shuichi. Takumi unexpectedly shows up a few minutes later. Meanwhile, while Aya tends to Rika's hair, Rika realizes that Aya is Shuichi's love interest.
Takumi looks for Aya at the rooftop. He asks, "what are you doing here? you better get going or you wouldn't make it. Shuichi's waiting for you." He continues saying that the words she said the night before "are enough for me", that he'll survive on his own. "God wanted you and Shuichi together" he says.
Takumi continues, "Shuichi is the only one who can make you happy. I was happy anyway. the year I lived in Hokkaido. I was happy as if in a dream. It was a lifetime of happiness... return to Shuichi". Aya breaks down and cries. Takumi takes his own ring and gives it to Aya. Aya replies saying that she enjoyed the year she spent with Takumi.
Takumi sends Aya off to be with Shuichi. Crying as she leaves, he says to himself "this time ... don't get separated from Shuichi !!!"
Aya packs for the trip.
Miwa gives Takumi a message saying that the construction foreman of the new hospital wants to have a word with him at the top of the building (which is still under construction)..
Takumi enters the lift. It climbs to several stories, stops and then does a free fall.
Aya arrives at the airport. Aya smiles upon seeing Shuichi. Aya notices that Shuichi had taken the baby along.
Before going onto the escalator, the lift with Takumi in it hits the ground. Aya turns around as if she heard Takumi's scream.

Episode 5

"I'm sorry, I was punished ... because I left you alone to pursue my own happiness"

 

As Aya is about to leave, she "senses" that something had happened to Takumi. Shuichi receives a phone call from the hospital informing him of Takumi's accident.
Takumi is barely conscious but still alive. Shuichi and Aya rush to the hospital in a cab. With genuine concern on her face, Aya stares blankly into the night.
Opening theme song is played.
Shuichi enters the operating room and takes charge of the operation. Miwa tells Shuichi that Takumi has injury to his back and that his spinal cord is damaged. Shuichi is quite shaken but nevertheless operates skillfully on Takumi. During the operation, Shunmin suggests that maybe this incident wasn't an accident, but an attempted suicide.
Blood is needed for the operation and Aya volunteers to donate her blood. As she donates blood, Aya thinks about the last time she met Takumi (on the rooftop where Takumi told her to leave with Shuichi) and wondered if she should have left in the first place.
The operation is complete and Shuichi tells Aya that Takumi will live (but doesn't tell her that Takumi may be paralyzed for life). At that moment, Keiko confronts Shunmin and asks if he had sabotaged the lift that Takumi was in. Shunmin denies it. He suggests again that Takumi probably tried to kill himself.
Aya visits Takumi in the intensive care unit.
(A.N. This scene is mirrored from the first part series when Aya discovers Shuichi in the intensive care unit after learning of Shuichi's accident.)
At the board meeting, Shoko's mother announces that she's withdrawing financial support to the hospital unless Shuichi returns the baby. After Shoko's mother leaves, Miwa advises Shuichi to give up the baby. Shunmin meets up with Aya and reveals to her that Takumi is paralyzed from the waist down. Blaming her for the accident, he tells her "when a person like you tries too hard to obtain happiness, you always make someone unhappy ... always."
Takumi wakes up from his short coma and asks for Aya. Miwa stumbles upon a note from Shunmin's table. She suspects that Shunmin wrote the note to Takumi telling him to go to the lift in the new uncompleted hospital.
Aya asks Keiko if it was true that Takumi had regained consciousness. Before Aya could run to Takumi's room, Keiko stops Aya and tells her that Takumi may have tried to commit suicide.
Shuichi visits Takumi. Takumi denies the rumor that he had tried to kill himself. He asks Shuichi when will he regain his feelings to his legs. Shuichi lies and says in about 6 months.
After her shift, Aya visits Takumi. Takumi wakes up from his sleep and sees Aya looking at him. He tells Aya, "I thought an angel came to get me".
Aya then apologizes "I'm sorry, I was punished ... because I left you alone to pursue my own happiness".
Takumi replies saying that it was just an accident. Takumi pinches Aya's cheeks asking her to cheer up. (A.N. Noriko looks SO CUTE in this scene when Takumi pinches her cheeks with her eyes big open in surprise!) Takumi comforts Aya saying that he'll recover in no time to take his position as director, and when that time comes, no female would be able to resist him.
Rika is discharged from the hospital. Shuichi send her off. A chauffeur arrives to pick Rika. Shuichi realizes that Rika comes from a rich and influential family.
As arranged by themselves, Shuichi meets Aya in his office. Shuichi assures Aya that Takumi didn't try to commit suicide. Sadly he then breaks the news, that he cannot return to Hokkaido, ever again. It would be irresponsible of him to leave now. He has to take care of Takumi. He promises that things will be better and someday, they (Shuichi, Aya, and Takumi) would be happy again. Aya signs, "I believe you".
Keiko brings Takumi to the rooftop to catch some fresh air. Shuichi visits Takumi but he's not in his room. Shunmin enters the room and talks with Shuichi. He tells Shuichi that Takumi needs support in his condition, that he needs "someone who will love him regardless of his condition" ... "what he needs is love, from someone he truly loves". He suggests that Shuichi gives up Aya (to Takumi).
Takumi sends Keiko away to get come alcohol. Takumi moves his wheelchair to the fence surrounding the edge of the rooftop, and tries to stand with the help of the fence. Aya appears and silently watches him as he falls with each attempt. Takumi is frustrated. He asks Aya to tell him the truth, if he will ever walk again. Reluctantly, Aya tells him that he may never walk again.
It rains and Takumi begins to cry. Aya goes to him and hugs him tightly.
In her room, Aya is deep in thought. (A.N. There were no clues as to what Aya was thinking in this scene. Aya was probably blaming herself for Takumi's accident, and is thinking about how she can correct that.)
Aya picks up the ring that Takumi had given to her and holds it tightly in her hand. She silently cries.
Miwa confronts Shunmin about the note she found on his table and asks if he was responsible for Takumi's accident. Shunmin denies and says "he'll never do that to his younger brother".


Episode 6

"naked, you are beautiful .. if it snows, that'll be your wedding dress"

 

Recap of the previous episode where Takumi asks Aya if he would ever walk again. It was also revealed that Shunmin is actually Takumi's older brother.
Takumi has gone missing and Keiko desperately searches for him. Takumi has wondered to the side of a busy main road. At that moment, Aya is at Shuichi's home, babysitting the child.
Lovingly, Aya carries the child in her arms and feeds him.
Takumi looks up and the sky, contemplates, and slowly moves his wheelchair onto the road. A car is seen heading for Takumi.
Second verse of Main Theme is played.
At the last moment, Keiko pushes Takumi away from danger.
Shunmin continues his story to Miwa. His mother had a relationship with Mr. Nagai (Takumi's father). But Mr. Nagai got engaged and dumped Shunmin's mother. He reveals that Takumi and Shuichi are not natural brothers. Shunmin's mother fell ill and died later. Shunmin expresses his hate for Shuichi, who isn't related by blood but is still the director of the hospital.
Shuichi visits Takumi after the attempted suicide. Takumi tells Shuichi that he knows that he's paralyzed. He laments "wouldn't it be better if I were dead? I can't do anything for myself. Nothing at all, I'm living only to burden others". Shuichi says that he'll take care of Takumi. Takumi brushes off his offer saying that he doesn't want his sympathy. Shuichi asks "what can I do for you?" Takumi asks for Shuichi's legs in jest. Considering Shuichi's offer more carefully, Takumi asks "give Aya back to me. If Aya is by my side, I'll find some hope." "Please give Aya back to me!" Takumi begs. Keiko overhears the conversation.
Aya leaves Shuichi's home. On the way back, she stops outside a bridal shop and admires the wedding dress on display. Coincidentally, Aya spots Rika inside the shop. In her car, Rika tells Aya that a rumor in the hospital is saying that other than his late wife, Aya is the woman that Shuichi loves the most. The car drops Rika home. Rika tells the chaufuer to send Aya home.
Shunmin and Shuichi are at the bar. Shuichi tells Shunmin that he was right, that Takumi didn't want anything else but Aya. Shuichi said that he refused to give Aya to Takumi because "Aya isn't an object". If he had agreed, "Takumi would be ruined. Sympathy will take away his human dignity". Shunmin disagrees, "but his dignity as a surgeon has already been taken away ... isn't it more important to encourage him to live?" He continues saying that Aya may not be after Shuichi's love but something else. "I understand because I was born poor as well ... today is more important than tomorrow ... more than love, I wanted fortune I could see". Shuichi doesn't think that Aya is that kind of person. Shunmin cautions saying that Shuichi can't see into the depths of Aya's heart.
Aya returns home. Keiko tells Aya that Takumi had tried to commit suicide. Aya is worried but Keiko assures her that Takumi is fine. Keiko tells Aya that she overheard Takumi telling Shuichi that he wants nothing else but to have Aya back. Aya is quite surprised.
Shunmin visits Shoko's mother at her office. He lies about the operation he performed on Shoko (Shunmin delivered Shoko's baby in episode 1). Saying Shuichi had insisted that Shunmin deliver the baby at all cost even though Shoko's life was in danger.
Aya serves Takumi some food. Takumi tells her that he had said some mean things to Shuichi. Takumi reveals that Shuichi clearly said no when Takumi had asked for Aya.
During the board meeting, Shoko's mother enters unannounced. She says that she'll be trustee to the hospital under one condition. That Shuichi step down as director and that Miwa take over temporarily. The board members are forced to accept her condition.
Shunmin meets Aya. He tells her that Shuichi is going to be fired from his director position.
Shuichi talks a walk on the rooftop and meets Aya there. Aya asks if Shuichi had lost his post as director. Shuichi doesn't answer directly.
Instead he recites the story of Heaven's Coins to Aya. Shuichi assures Aya, "don't worry, even if I'm not director, even if I lose everything, I'll spend my life with you". Aya asks, "can I make up for everything you have lost? Like the naked girl, I don't have clothes to give you". Shuichi answers "naked, you are beautiful, if it snows that'll be your wedding dress ... I'll make stars fall upon you, that is also my wish". Shuichi hugs Aya. Aya quietly sheds a tear drop.
That night, while Shunmin and Miwa are in bed, Shuichi phones and asks Miwa if there was a still a post for him. Miwa replies saying a post could probably be created for him but as director, it is her decision that Shuichi should leave the hospital altogether. Shuichi is stunned.
Aya visits Rika.
Silently, Aya gives the ring (that Takumi had given to her as an engagement present for Shuichi and Aya) to Rika.
(A.N. not much is said in this scene. it will be explained later. Noriko looks HOT in her white cotton sweater! Incidentally, the title picture is taken from this scene.)
Takumi is discharged. Before leaving the hospital, he visits the little girl. He spots the Heaven's Coins book by her bed. Aya accompanies Takumi back to his apartment.
Takumi tells Aya that she shouldn't stay with him, he'll be fine on his own. He accepts the fact that the accident was his destiny and he'll get hurt and sad if he went against it. Aya says that the apartment brings back memories (A.N. in the first series, in the same apartment, Takumi had taken care of Aya after she was stabbed). Aya tells Takumi "now it's my turn, it's my destiny".
Takumi asks if Shuichi had told Aya to come. Aya tells him that she's not going back to Shuichi. That she's going to be with him and she'll make him happy. Takumi doesn't believe her and asks for proof. He throws the Heaven's Coins book and a lighter to Aya and tell her to burn the book (which was a memoir of Shuichi).
Slowly, Aya forces a smile, then frowns and lights the book. Takumi realizes what Aya had done and rushes to put out the fire. He then says "it's not that I doubted you, if you coming here strengthens the love between Shuichi and you, it will sadden me greatly ... I wouldn't mind dying ..."
Takumi hugs Aya. "Have you really come back to me?" he crys.
In the board meeting, Miwa is about to officially take over as director when Mr. Komiya enters. He announces that Sawai Shuzo, chairman of the Sawai Group, will take over as trustee to the hospital. Everyone is stunned at this revelation.
After the meeting, Shuichi thanks Rika for her help. Rika tells Shuichi that he should thank someone else. "Someone who loves you dearly." Rika then shows Shuichi the ring that Aya had given to her.
(A.N. the conversation in this scene is pretty confusing. Basically, Aya has decided to stay with Takumi because he needs her more. Because of this, Aya has to break off with Shuichi by telling him lies) Shuichi and Aya meet in a room. He asks where did she get the ring. He continues "why did you give away something so precious?" Aya replies that Rika didn't buy that ring. "She bought the love I had in you ... ... I don't love you anymore ... I want you to be director" Shuichi is shocked, "I'm prepared to forsake everything" Aya continues, "you are obligated to look after Takumi." Shuichi replies saying that he will, even if he wasn't director, he would elsewhere. Aya replies "that will lead to an ordinary life ... my family was poor, so they abandoned me, if we had money, I wouldn't have to lead a lonely life, I would have been happy ... I want money".
"That's a lie" Shuichi says. Aya then lies saying that she had received money from Shoko's mother to stop seeing Shuichi. She continues "I wanted to be Cinderella. Prince Charming could have been anyone ... you remain as director and give money to Takumi and I monthly, so that he and I can live happily together". Shuichi still doesn't believe this. Aya persists saying "you don't know how a deaf person feels ... hang on tight to the slightest happiness you find ... my heart isn't as pure as you think." Shuichi shouts "Enough!" He asks how much and write a check. He offers it to Aya.
In his heart he says "Aya wouldn't take money from me ... please don't take it ..." Slowly Aya reaches out and takes the check.
Shuichi is totally stunned (A.N. I myself was screaming in shock!) Aya quickly keeps the check. She leaves the room.
Aya is on the bench at a park. There, she once again breaks down into tears.
Aya returns to Takumi's apartment. Takumi welcomes her home. Aya forces a smile back to Takumi.

Episode 7

"very beautiful ... you're very beautiful, Aya"

 

Aya helps to clean Takumi with a towel. Takumi tells her that she doesn't have to do this. Aya replies, "it makes me happy when you smile".
Aya is at a recruitment office applying for a job. She pauses then writes "hearing impaired" in one of the columns. Aya has a tough time finding a job (A.N. probably due to the fact that she's hearing impaired). Aya takes shelter in a tunnel when it starts to rain. There, she notices a wounded puppy with a cut on the inside of its leg. Lovingly, she carries the puppy and comforts it with her warm smile. Main Theme is played.
Aya carries the puppy to a nearby pet hospital. She goes into a room and takes the initiative to treat the puppy's wound herself. The owner, impressed with Aya's diligence, offers Aya a job at the hospital. Aya tells him she's "unable to speak" but the owner replies "no problem, neither can animals!"
Aya packs up her things from her dorm room. Before leaving for Takumi's place, Keiko asks her, "Aya, don't you want to be happy?" Aya replies "everyone wants to be happy. Takumi and I ..." Keiko tells her "you'll end up hurting each other. You'll be miserable. It won't last." (A.N. Keiko is trying to stop Aya from moving in with Takumi because Keiko loves Takumi)
But Aya says "happiness begins the moment you want to be happy." "Can you forget about Shuichi?" Keiko probes further. Aya replies "it isn't necessary ... I love Takumi." With that, Aya moves out.
Miwa hands in her letter of resignation to Shuichi saying that she had betrayed him. Shuichi tears it up and asks her to stay, "I don't want anyone else to leave the Eiseikai my father built." Keiko reports to Shunmin telling him that Aya is working at a pet hospital by day,
and at Yoshihiko's restaurant by night (A.N. In the first series, Aya took care of Yoshihiko while he was a patient in the hospital). Shunmin is amused. He then asks Keiko "please teach me to sign something."
Takumi is in the kitchen learning how to bake a cake. He fails miserably in his attempts but keeps trying.
After her shift at Yoshihiko's restaurant, Aya stops by at a bridal shop and admires a particular wedding dress. Aya notices that the mannequin doesn't have shoes with her wedding dress. She feels that the dress isn't quite complete.
Rika and Shuichi are out on a date. Rika recounts her sad story about her boyfriend. She tells Shuichi that she wasn't in love her boyfriend, she just felt sorry for him. Rika continues saying that her parents gave her everything but put a restriction on love. "I'm a loveless mannequin in an expensive wedding gown." she cries.
Aya is at the pet hospital. She obviously loves working there. (A.N. doesn't Noriko adore puppies too? Damn.. want so bad to be a puppy :)
Miwa visits Takumi. Takumi asks her about her relationship with Shunmin. Miwa dismisses the rumor saying "I was attracted to him because I was lonely." Miwa executes Shunmin's plot by questioning Shuichi's integrity. (A.N. Shunmin has sent Miwa to Takumi's place to inject doubt and insecurity into Takumi's mind) Takumi defends Shuichi saying "no matter what anyone says, I trust my older brother." Miwa continues saying she saw Shuichi and Aya together talking intimately. She didn't understand what they were talking about but she saw Aya sign something. Miwa then signs what Shunmin had taught her.
Takumi is disturbed. When asked what the sign meant, Takumi lies saying it meant "looks like snow tomorrow."
Shunmin visits Aya at the restaurant. He asks Aya why she had to work there. Aya avoids the question. Shunmin tells her that Shuichi is engaged to Rika and looks for Aya's reaction. Aya is a little surprised but tries to hide her feelings. Shunmin laughs saying "I'm joking". Aya doesn't think it was funny and tries to chase Shunmin away. Shunmin pushes Aya and she falls to the ground. He stands up and before leaving he tells Aya, "you still have feelings for Shuichi... if you need money let me know... someday the hospital will be mine."
Takumi and Aya are at the park. Takumi asks Aya to come home early that night. When asked why, Takumi fakes it saying "because I'm lonely." Aya promises that she'll be home at nine.
Takumi tries to be cheerful but he is troubled by what Miwa had told him the night before.
Aya brings along the puppy and visits Maki at the hospital. Just outside, Rika is with Shuichi again. Rika tells Shuichi that she has a marriage meeting arranged by her parents, and that she would have to marry the guy if she went. "I like you" Rika confesses to Shuichi. "Before I'm engaged, I wanted to tell you... I like you."
Aya, who was just leaving, sees Rika express her love to Shuichi. Aya quickly hides away from sight. Searching for comfort, she hugs the puppy.
Shunmin visits Takumi. Shunmin tells Takumi that he should be director because he is related to the previous director (Seiichiro) by blood, whereas Shuichi isn't. Takumi doesn't believe this. Shunmin reveals that Seiichiro's first wife was sick and couldn't bear children. Takumi still refuses to believe Shunmin and says, even if this were true, he would still consider Shuichi as his older brother, what matters is that Aya is by his side. Shunmin then lies saying that Aya may not be coming home tonight, she got into a car with Shuichi and went somewhere.. Takumi laughs in disbelief. Shunmin delivers his last blow, saying that everyone in the hospital knows about Shuichi and Aya, everyone except for Takumi.
At the restaurant, Yoshihiko asks Aya to work overtime because a large group had made reservations later that night. Aya reluctantly agrees.
Takumi waits impatiently for Aya. He looks up at the time and it's 12:02. In frustration, he throws his watch. It hits the leg of the table and breaks into pieces.
Aya's shift at the restaurant is done. Before leaving, Yoshihiko gives Aya a birthday present. Aya had forgotten that it was her birthday. She eagerly opens the present and she smiles in delight when she sees the white pair of (wedding?) shoes. (A.N. yet another heart-melting moment. Noriko looks so CUTE when she smiles here). Hugging the present, Noriko rushes home. On the way back, she drops by the bridal shop. She takes the shoes, place them so that they reflect as if the mannequin is wearing them. Admiring the now complete wedding/Cinderella attire, Aya then steps into the shoes. The wedding dress' image superimposes on Aya, making her look like Cinderella in a white wedding dress.
Aya returns home. Takumi surprises her with the cake he had made for her, telling her how hard it was to practice without her knowing. Gratefully, Aya thanks him. She notices the watch on the floor and wonders why it was broken. She shows the present to Takumi. Thinking that the present was from Shuichi, Takumi scorns at the sight of the white shoes, "shoes... something I don't need." Takumi tells Aya to try the cake he had made. To Aya's horror, Takumi grabs a chunk of the cake with his bare hands, serves it on a plate and gives it to her. "Please eat it" He says. Aya, asks if something was wrong. "Eat it !" Takumi screams. Aya, still in shock, forces a smile and reaches for the cake.
Takumi flips the plate away and grabs Aya. He tries to take off Aya's clothes. Aya resists and tries to push herself away from Takumi. "What's the matter? can't have sex with Shuichi's little brother?" Takumi says mockingly, "don't worry, he's not my real brother. Shuichi was an abandoned child... an abandoned puppy like you." Aya struggles again and theyi both fall to the ground. Aya gets a cut on her left chin. Takumi in frustration, throws the white shoes away from him. Slowly, Aya picks them up, and leaves without putting any shoes on. Takumi starts to cry. Meanwhile, Shuichi is at the same bridal shop. Unknowingly, he admires the same wedding dress Aya had looked at earlier, and pictures Aya in that wedding dress.
Aya awakes after spending the night at Yoshihiko's restaurant. Takumi heads for the planetarium (A.N. a place where you pay to watch a projection of stars and planets in a dome shaped structure) While looking at the stars, he recalls the first date he had with Aya in the first series. Aya had sneaked Shuichi out from the hospital and brought him to this planetarium (A.N. Shuichi had lost his memory and was in the hospital recuperating). Seated nearby, Aya is also in the planetarium, looking at the stars. They are oblivious to each other's presence in the same planetarium.
Shunmin tells Keiko to go to Takumi's place, "He's groping for help in the dark of loneliness... from someone other than Aya." Keiko asks what had he done. Shunmin replies "just planted seeds... so flowers will bloom... the emotion after love... the flower named hate... the deeper love grows, the more jealous he gets... if he doesn't find out how she feels, he'll fall further into the depths of loneliness." Keiko says that she's going to Takumi not because Shunmin had told her to, but "I'm going to kill that flower of hatred."
Aya and Shuichi leave after the show. They almost bum into each other when Shuichi receives a phone call from Rika.
Shuichi meets Rika at the bridal shop. She asks him which wedding dress he would chose if he where her. Shuichi picks the dress that he had fancied earlier. Rika buys the dress. While the salesgirls take down the mannequin in the wedding dress, they bum its head against a table, causing a "cut" at the mannequin's left chin. Rika tells Shuichi that she didn't show up for the arranged marriage meeting, "I made up my mind, I'm going to marry you."
Keiko visits Takumi. She finds the place in a mess and starts to clean the place. After the planetarium, Aya heads for the departmental store. She is at the watch department looking for a watch.
She picks a watch and buys it. Takumi recalls the signs that Miwa showed him when she visited a few days ago. He signs it to Keiko. Keiko knows what it means, "I'll never forget you". Takumi laments "I was deceived, I lost everything, absolutely everything... even the slightest bit of happiness... I'm filled with hate, I love her so much, I hate her." Keiko comforts him, "you're not the only one who has loss everything... I was raped before... he took the little bit of happiness I was looking for." Takumi tells her, "then we're in similar situations." Keiko confesses that is why she's attracted to him. Meanwhile, Aya is again at the bridal shop and is surprised to find that the mannequin with the wedding gown is gone.
Aya returns to Takumi's apartment only to witness Takumi kissing Keiko.
Aya drops the watch and leaves. Takumi tells Keiko to let her go. Aya runs away in disbelieve.
Rika dresses up in the wedding dress she had bought. She shows herself to Shuichi. Shuichi is stunned and speechless. When asked what he thought, Shuichi lets out a faint smile and walks away. Rika calls out to Shuichi. He turns around and says "you're beautiful, very beautiful". Rika becomes a little confused. She unconsciously senses that Shuichi wasn't talking to her but to someone else. Aya is walking aimlessly on the streets. She stumbles upon the naked mannequin in a back alley. She notices the "cut" on the mannequin's left chin and feels her own scar. Aya takes off her own white shoes, put it on the mannequin's foot. She brings up the mannequin and makes it stand. (A.N. Kagami no Doresu is played. The first time the song is played during the show.)
Shuichi enters the elevator. He drops to the floor, and he signs and says at the same time "... very beautiful... you're very beautiful, Aya..."
It begins to snow. While crying, Aya repeats what Shuichi is signing. She signs to the mannequin telling "her" that she is beautiful. (A.N. remember in the previous episode, Shuichi tells Aya "naked, you are beautiful .. if it snows, that'll be your wedding dress".)

 

Episode 8

"I'm different, I'm deaf. It may be a hindrance in life but it doesn't stop me from living"

 

Aya is back at the Planetarium. Aya thinks about Takumi and recalls what had happened between them. Shuichi enters the Planetarium and takes a seat.  He too reflects upon the past. The show ends and Aya leaves the place. Shuichi notices Aya but decides not to approach her. He lets out a smile. Aya visits Mrs. Nagai (Takumi's mother) at the Kanto Women's Prison. Mrs. Nagai sees Aya and says "you came here to see me again". Aya smiles in reply. Main theme is played. Aya returns to Takumi's apartment. He asks her, "why did you come back?" Aya replies "I have nowhere to go." (A.N. Aya says this while swinging her shoulders and head sideways in a childish way. Kawaii !)
Shuichi secretly performs surgeries in another hospital for money (A.N. Shuichi is doing this to support Takumi and Aya financially. He can't use his director's pay because it is closely monitored). He exits after performing a surgery. Receiving money from the director there, Shuichi begs him not to reveal this to Eiseikai. Aya visits Mrs. Nagai again. Mrs. Nagai asks about Takumi. Aya lies saying that he's busy. Mrs. Nagai thinks that Takumi hasn't visited her because he hasn't forgiven her.
Keiko is at Takumi's apartment. She asks if Aya was back. Takumi says "how can you tell?" Keiko replies "everything is in its place ... admit it, you're happy that she's back." Takumi dismisses his feelings and expresses his love for Keiko. Aya arrives at Yoshihiko's restaurant for her shift. Aya sees Shunmin there and asks him what he wanted. When he asks Aya if she was going to drive him out, Aya replies saying that this isn't her restaurant. Rika inquire Shuichi on where he had been that afternoon. Shuichi tells her that he was at the planetarium. When Rika asks Shuichi to take her along the next time but Shuichi says "I want to go there alone". Meanwhile at the restaurant, Shunmin is observing Aya as she goes about her work. (A.N. His look resembles one of a high school kid having a crush on a girl) He leaves without saying a word.
It's just after midnight. Aya rushes home after work and starts to prepare food for Takumi. Takumi wakes up from the noise and throws a temper at Aya. When asked if he had eaten, Takumi tells her that Keiko had cooked him dinner and that it was delicious. He even asked Keiko to spend the night but unfortunately she didn't want to. Seemingly unaffected by Takumi's cruelty, Aya just smiles in return. She starts to massage Takumi's leg but he pushes her away telling her to let him to sleep. Aya respects his wishes and leaves him alone.
Aya is at the veterinary hospital. (A.N. while working in this scene, Noriko lets out a BIG smile! She's like beaming with happiness. Stunning) After work at the veterinary hospital, Aya visits Maki at Eiseikai. She finds Maki in pain and signals for help.
Maki's condition is stabilized in the intensive care unit. Aya asks Shuichi why doesn't he operate. Shuichi says that he would like to immediately but Maki's afraid of the operation. Maki wants Takumi to operate on her. Citing that her mental state is crucial, Shuichi believes that Takumi has to be the one to operate on Maki. Before Aya leaves, Shuichi asks if Aya had gone to the planetarium recently. Aya lies and says no. Shuichi is disappointed that Aya had lied to him. Aya leaves only to bum into Keiko.
On the rooftop, Keiko says to Aya "Takumi wants you to move out, if you're still in love with Dr. Shuichi ... yet he wants you near him ... he's miserable ... same with me ... he and I are alike, we both lost everything because of one incident ... don't worry, I'll look after him" Keiko mentions that she and Takumi will be looking for a new apartment to move into. Aya is sadden but chooses to remains silent.
Aya visits Mrs. Nagai in prison. Mrs. Nagai expresses her love for Takumi. She recalls her past and regrets the things that she had done. She laments "I couldn't do anything for him (Takumi) ... I can't apologize enough ... " She tells Aya about the first time she saw Takumi in his white coat and the pride she felt.
Aya says to Mrs. Nagai, "I don't know what my mother looks like ... I'm envious of Takumi, for having a mother who loves him as much as you do ... ... ... may I call you ... mother ... just once? ..."
With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Nagai asks "what ... is the sign ... for mother? ..." Aya signs it to her. Mrs. Nagai begs "show me again!"
Mrs. Nagai puts her hand on the glass. Aya, returns the gesture (A.N. Aya looks left and right as if in shock. She doesn't quite comprehend this new emotion. She no longer feels orphaned, she now has a mother!)
As if reunited after a long separation, Aya and her foster mother both shed tears of joy.
Shunmin and Miwa cuddle together. But Shunmin's mind is on Aya ...
Shuichi returns after secretly performing surgery at another hospital. Rika confronts Shuichi and asks what's going on. Shuichi reveals his secret. Rika offers him money but Shuichi rejects her saying that if he took money from her, the time he and Aya had spent in Hokkaido would amount to nothing.
Takumi pushes Aya away when she tries to massage his leg again. Aya tells Takumi that Maki is in the intensive care unit and that only Takumi can operate on her. Aya gives Takumi the white coat and begs him to operate. Takumi refuses saying, "how can I ! ... no way! ... I refuse to operate ... I'm not a doctor anymore!" In anger, he pushes Aya away yet again.
Mrs. Nagai is in her cell. Grimly, she starts to write a letter.
Aya visits at the prison again. The staff and Aya discover Mrs. Nagai's dead body. Mrs. Nagai had hung herself in her cell.
Takumi sees the white coat that Aya had left for him. In frustration, he tears the coat into sheds. Meanwhile at the prison, a staff passes Aya a letter, addressed to her from Mrs. Nagai. Shuichi arrives and the staff member passes him Mrs. Nagai's letter addressed to Takumi.
Keiko and Shunmin are at the bar. Shunmin spells out his plan to drive out the Sawai group and reinstate Yuki Takako as trustee to the hospital. Keiko points out that even if Mrs. Yuki was trustee, she may still allow Shuichi to remain as director for the sake of the baby. Shunmin reveals that the baby isn't Shuichi's. The baby was conceived through artificial insemination. Shoko (Shuichi's ex-wife) had begged Shunmin to make her pregnant because, as long as she was pregnant, Shuichi wouldn't leave her.
Shuichi asks if Takumi had been informed of his mother's death. But Aya had told the staff to keep this from Takumi. When asked why, Aya replies, "Takumi is still in darkness, if he falls farther into darkness, he won't be able to see light again ... I'll bring Takumi around ..." She asks Shuichi to keep Mrs. Nagai death from Takumi until she has the chance to bring Takumi out of his darkness.
Aya asks Shuichi to read the letter that she had received from Mrs. Nagai. In the letter, Mrs. Nagai thanked Aya for her visits, stated that it must torment Takumi that his mother is a murderer and that there was nothing else she could do for him except to committing suicide. Ending the letter, Mrs. Nagai expresses her only regret that she would not be able to see Aya in a wedding gown ... "after all you are my first daughter".
Shuichi realizes that Aya has been visiting Mrs. Nagai in Takumi's place all along. Shuichi expresses his confidence that Aya would eventually bring Takumi around. He then gives his blessing to Takumi and Aya, and hopes to see her "in a gown beaming with happiness".
With a smile, Aya replies, "I don't need a wedding gown ... the falling snow will be my gown... " A little surprised, Shuichi realizes that Aya had remembered his words. With shyness, Aya smiles.
Aya returns to Takumi's apartment and bums into Keiko just outside the apartment. Aya tells Keiko that she's taking Takumi to the hospital and she's going to make him operate. Aya attacks Keiko saying "if he stays with you, he'll deteriorate, he'll sink deeper into darkness". Keiko asks "what can you do for him? we are both the same".
Aya replies "no, I'm different, I'm deaf. It may be a hindrance in life but it doesn't stop me from living".
Aya tells Keiko that Takumi's mother had passed away. Although, Mrs. Nagai doesn't know of Takumi's condition, she would still have hoped more than anything else for Takumi to be a doctor in Eiseikai. That Aya was going to bring back the Takumi that Mrs. Nagai loved, the Takumi who looked good in a white coat.
(A.N. The emotional performance of Noriko here is stunning. There's so much feeling and expression in Noriko's eyes. Accompanied by Heaven's Coins 2 background music, I was just reduced to tears.)
Aya forcefully brings Takumi to the hospital. She brings him to see Maki in the intensive care unit. Once again, Aya begs Takumi to operate on Maki.
Takumi cries "I can't do it !! ... I can't !!!" Aya slaps him hard. Takumi screams again "I can't do it !! ... if I could ! ... I would !!... but I can't !! ... I can't even stand, how am I suppose to operate?!! ... I want to help her but I can't ! ..."
Aya realizes that she has failed in her attempt to bring Takumi around. Slowly, she goes to Takumi's side. Takumi, distressed and in shock, hugs her tight. Aya starts to cry ... for Takumi.

 

Episode 9

"Love, among all emotions is the most ridiculous"

 

Shuichi visits his father's grave. There he prays that his father would grant him this wish, "I want you to give Takumi my legs".
Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Takumi asks Aya if she had seen Shuichi lately. When Aya says no, Takumi calls her a liar. Takumi accuses her of seeing Shuichi behind his back. That Aya was here only because Shuichi had asked her to look after "poor Takumi".
Takumi says, "I'm sure of this, Aya, you don't love me ... Now or ever ... ... it's the same with me ... I don't love you". Aya is a little startled. She asks, "... really?" Takumi reaffirms "I really don't love you"
Turning away from Aya, Takumi says to himself, "I refuse to be your puppet". Aya is saddened by what Takumi has said to her. She tries to tell herself that Takumi was just in one of his moods again. But her eyes could not hide her sadness.
Shuichi prays earnestly, "... give everything I have to Takumi ..." (A.N. "everything" may have included Aya's love). Main theme is played.
Shuichi visits Takumi. Takumi scorns at him "why are you here? Aya isn't home yet". Takumi accuses Shuichi of pretending to give Aya to Takumi but at the same time seeing Aya and laughing behind Takumi's back. Shuichi replies to Takumi, "you're pathetic ... Aya is living for you ... You and I are different, I have a bad habit of keeping my emotions to myself, since I was a boy ... but you (Takumi) will open up to anyone and confront their feelings honestly and clearly. There were times when your honesty hurt me ... I envied the way you loved people ..." Tears emerge from Shuichi's eyes. Shuichi tells Takumi of their mother's death. Shunmin is at Yoshihiko's restaurant. While serving him, Aya tells him that he can't drink alone, and to drink with a duplicate of himself, "you have, but are unaware of a self that is kind". Shunmin replies, "then, there's another you who is full of hatred?" Aya, after some thought, says "... maybe so".
Shuichi continues, "mother hoped more than anyone that you'd be a doctor, she loved the man wearing the white coat ... that's why Aya was trying to return you to practice." Takumi shouts "what do you expect of me!?" Takumi tells Shuichi that he can't operate, because, probably due to some nerve damage, his hand trembles at times, that's why he can't operate. (A.N. I think that Takumi's hands tremble because he doesn't have the drive and confidence to be a surgeon at this point. He's still in darkness. Who says there's symbolism exists only in Shakespeare ! ) Before Shuichi leaves, Takumi asks him, "why didn't Aya tell me about mother?", Shuichi replies "... must you ask?"
Shuichi returns home and find Rika waiting outside his door. During their conversation, Rika says that she would like to be the mother of Shuichi's child. But Shuichi tells her "I won't get married for the sake of my son ... " that he plans to remain single for the rest of his life. Takumi tells Aya that Shuichi had told him of their mother's death. When asked how she died, Aya tells Takumi that his mother hung herself in her cell.
Aya get the letter (from Takumi's mother, addressed to Takumi) and gives it to Takumi. She leaves Takumi to cry alone.
The next morning, Takumi thanks Aya for visiting his mother in his place, "Shuichi cried ... because I didn't trust you ... I'm really .. really sorry ... please forgive me" Aya with teary eyes, smiles at Takumi and nods, yes. In a sudden burst of determination, Takumi tells Aya to bring him to the hospital, "I can't operate but I can put Maki's mind at ease".
Takumi and Aya visits Maki at the hospital. Shuichi tells Maki that Takumi will operate on her. Takumi then tries his best to cheer her up.
Aya goes to Shuichi's office. Shuichi gives her the monthly "allowance" check. He apologizes to Aya for telling Takumi about their mother's death. Aya tells Shuichi "perhaps you know him better than me, I didn't think that his mother's death will bring him around, but you knew". With hesitation, Shuichi tells Aya that Takumi had put up a brave act in front of Maki, the fact is, Takumi's hands tremble at times, thus Takumi can't operate. He cannot be a surgeon. Aya is in disbelief.
Takumi and Keiko meet outside the hospital. Takumi apologizes to Keiko for seeking comfort in Keiko when he was angry with Aya. Keiko is clearly disappointed.
That night, the hospital informs the doctors (Shuichi, Takumi, Shunmin, and Miwa) that Maki has disappeared from her room. They find Maki on the rooftop. There, Maki tells the staff that she doesn't want to go through the operation. She expresses her fear of the operation and of the possibility of death. She thought that Takumi can't operate. Therefore she picked Takumi as her surgeon with the intention of never undergoing the operation. Suddenly, Maki experiences pain in her head and slips into unconsciousness. Shuichi calls for Maki to be operated on immediately.
Shuichi starts the operation only to discover that the metal fragments in Maki's head were precariously positioned and that the chances of a successful operation are slim. Keiko comes in and informs the doctors that the hospital is expecting casualties from an accident. Shunmin volunteers to attend to these casualties.
Outside the operating room Takumi asks Shunmin about the progress of the operation. Shunmin tells Takumi about the seriousness of Maki's condition and that Shuichi is trying to decide whether or not to operate. Takumi understands that, for the sake of the hospital's reputation, Shuichi wouldn't usually operate unless there are 120% chances of success. Takumi recalls Maki's words to him. He looks at his hands. And then he decides, "Aya, please dress me in my surgical gown."
Takumi enters the operating room. He asks Shuichi to let him operate on Maki, saying that it would be cruel to let Maki live like this. Takumi takes a scalpel and to everyone's surprise, he stabs his right forearm (to stop it from trembling). His hand becomes stable. "As promised, I'll rescue you!" Takumi tells Maki. The operation begins.
Waiting for the casualties, Shunmin asks Keiko, "are you okay with it? ... Takumi ... he's fighting his way out of darkness, clinging to the silk thread of Aya Kuramoto. Takumi will climb out of darkness with Aya's help. There won't be any room for you, not even a crack." Shunmin suggests that Keiko take Takumi and disappear from Aya's life. Keiko wonders why he's saying this, she then confronts him "you love Aya". Shunmin laughs at her "silly" idea. Keiko continues, "Aya has what you've lost, the ability to adapt, to laugh and to cry with others... You despise yet the emotions fascinate you. The self that you lost, loves Aya."
The operation ends. Outside, Shuichi tells Aya that the operation was successful. That Takumi had faith in Maki's will to live, "he's stronger now, he came back, a stronger doctor." Aya thanks Shuichi for Takumi's comeback. But Shuichi says to Aya, "it was because you were here, you believed in and stood by Takumi, ... thank you ... really ... thank you." Shuichi then tells Aya to go to Takumi. Aya finds Takumi resting in the operating room. She sheds a tear of joy as they both celebrate the moment of triumph.
Takumi stays with Maki in the intensive care unit. Keiko enters and congratulates Takumi for the successful operation. She asks Takumi if he needed a chance of clothes. Takumi tells her that Aya had gone to get his clothes. Aya reaches the apartment. Hidden nearby, Shunmin watches Aya as she enters the building. Meanwhile, in Shuichi's office, Rika offers to drive Shuichi home. Shuichi accepts. When asked why she had cut her hair, Rika tells Shuichi that like him, she wants to remain single.
While Aya is packing Takumi's clothes, Shunmin enters the apartment. With a knife in his hand, he delirious says "love among all emotions is the most ridiculous... I don't posses it. If the silk thread dangles before my eyes, I'll sever it myself !" Shunmin slaps Aya hard on the face. Aya falls the ground in pain.
In the limousine, Rika gives Shuichi the ring she had bought from Aya saying that she doesn't need it anymore. Shuichi tells her that he'll give it back to both Takumi and Aya.
Shunmin slaps Aya. He slaps her a second time. Shunmin shouts, "I don't love you !! not a hypocrite like you !! ... I'd never love a woman like you !!!" Shunmin throws Aya to the ground. "I'll prove it" he says. Shunmin rips Aya's blouse open and starts to rape her. All Aya can do is scream ... ...
(A.N. after watching this, I was not a happy man. I felt like beating the crap out of Shunmin ... )

 

Episode 10

"how awful she must've felt taking my check ... fearless of me hating her, perhaps it was what she wanted ... for my sake."

 

The rape scene is played again. Shunmin comes in with a knife and begins to rape Aya. Aya screams and struggles to break free. She sees a broken glass that had fallen during the struggle. She grabs the glass and threatens to hurt Shunmin with the glass. Aya then breaks free from Shunmin. Shunmin just smiles and says "do it if you can".
After a moment of thought, Aya slowly lowers the glass. She looks blankly at Shunmin. Shunmin looks into Aya's eyes and stops smiling.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Shunmin says, almost in terror. He is terrified by Aya's glaze. He runs out of the apartment.
Still shaken, Aya falls to the ground.
Main theme is played.
The next morning, Aya puts on her scarf and heads for the hospital. (A.N. Boy! the white scarf and the wool sweater on Noriko just makes her look CUTE!) Takumi is still at Maki's bedside. Maki wakes from her sleep. She asks Takumi, "you saved me, didn't you?" With a smile, Takumi denys it.
As Takumi and Maki talk, Aya watches them from outside the room. She smiles and takes comfort in the fact that Maki is making a recovery and Takumi is in his white coat again. Tears start to show in her eyes. (A.N. I just can't describe it, she simply looks stunning here. Her eyes....)
Aya walks Takumi out. Takumi tells her, "Aya, you made me a doctor again ... Aya ... I owe this to you" Takumi shows Aya the hand sign for coins. Takumi continues, "what can I do for you? ... you've always given to me ... you smile bathed me like the sun, in happiness ... ... what do I give you?" Aya replies, "I don't need a thing, you, brought yourself around, that's enough for me ... what makes you happy, makes me happy, that's enough for me."
Shunmin and Keiko are on the rooftop of the hospital. Shunmin tells Keiko of what happened the night before, that he was somehow powerless to do anything to Aya. Keiko accuses Shunmin that he couldn't do anything because he is in love with Aya.
Referring to Aya, Shunmin recaps, "her eyes, her eyes were like a tiny mirror, the mirror accepted all anger, greed ... I was trembling with anger and then I was in a daze ... I was afraid, I saw myself self-destruct ... can you believe it? ... It's human to want it all, yet, there in her eyes, was a tiny mirror ... she resigned herself to her fate, gave up Shuichi, gave up her happiness, everything ... mirrored in her eyes was my happiness, she was going to accept that. (A.N. what Shunmin says here isn't important. He just doesn't believe that Aya is such a self-less person.)
Rika meets up with Aya. Rika hands Aya a check and asks her to write an amount. Rika expresses her intention to support Aya and Takumi because Shuichi is working too hard, performing surgery at other hospitals. Aya is surprised to hear that Shuichi has been doing side-jobs to support Takumi and her. Rika continues saying that Shuichi didn't want to accept money from Rika, because if he did, the time he spent with Aya in Hokkaido would amount to nothing.
Shuichi leaves after performing surgery in another hospital. There Shuichi meets Yoshihiko who reveals that Aya has been working at his restaurant during the night, and at the veterinary during the day, that Aya was working to support Takumi. Shuichi is surprised and wonders why was Aya working when she is getting money from Shuichi.
Shunmin executes another of his evil plans. He tells Miwa that there's another woman in his life. He reveals that Keiko is the other woman and that Keiko threatened to kill herself if Shunmin leaves her. Miwa, filled with hatred for Keiko, blindly says "I understand, I'll think of something."
Meanwhile, Shuichi secretly observes Aya working in Yoshihiko's restaurant.
Shuichi tries to figure out why Aya is working even though Shuichi is giving her checks every month. Referring to Aya, Shuichi mumbles "you've been lying to me..."
The next morning, Miwa goes to the rooftop. She slowly walks towards Keiko who is on the rooftop doing laundry. With hatred in her eyes, Miwa reaches into her coat pocket for something. Suddenly, Shuichi calls for Miwa from behind. Shuichi tells Miwa that he wants her to be assistant director of the hospital, saying that Miwa understood the vision of his father (Seiichiro Nagai).
Shuichi leaves. Miwa recalls her last moments with Seiichiro (in the first series of Heaven's Coins), and his words telling her to "save as many lives as possible". Miwa asks herself, "what was wrong with me?!?" and taking the scalpel out of her coat pocket, she breaks down and cries "I was about to use this scalpel to ..." (A.N. Seiichiro had told her to save lives, yet Miwa was about to take Keiko's life.)
Shunmin meets with Mrs. Yuki. Shunmin pressures Mrs. Yuki to do something about Shuichi. Mrs. Yuki assures Shunmin that she has something up her sleeves that will take care of Shuichi. Rika goes to Shuichi's office. She tells him about her meeting with Aya. Shuichi tells Rika, "she's not cashing the checks I gave her ... she lied to make me leave her ... she lied when she said she sold her love to you ... it was so Eiseikai would stay in my hands ... and for Takumi's sake, no ... so she could remove herself from all emotions ... she lied ... how awful she must've felt taking my check ... fearless of me hating her, perhaps it was what she wanted ... for my sake."
Rika tells Shuichi that since Aya's not cashing the checks, he doesn't need to do side-jobs anymore. Shuichi replies that "if Aya realizes that I know about her lie, she will disappear ... she'll disappear from my sight forever."
Keiko and Takumi are out on a stroll. Keiko asks Takumi about his plans. Takumi tells her that he plans to continue practicing but not at Eiseikai, that he's thinking of returning to Hokkaido. Keiko is shocked and disturbed (A.N. Keiko doesn't want Takumi to leave her). Takumi continues, "before I leave, there are things I need to do for Maki, and Shuichi ... and Aya." Keiko asks "together?" Takumi replies "yes, if possible, I'm not strong enough to live alone" (A.N. Keiko thinks that Takumi is going to return to Hokkaido with Aya. But Takumi, has decided to take Keiko back with him to Hokkaido. In his spirited mood, Takumi thought that he had told or implied to Keiko about it but he actually didn't. When Takumi replied "yes" to Keiko's question, he thought that Keiko was referring to them (Takumi and Keiko). But Keiko thought that Takumi was referring to Aya and Takumi.)
Shuichi meets up with Aya. Slowly he gives the check to Aya. He tries to hide the pain of knowing that Aya feels awful when taking a check from him. Aya slowly takes the check and she also tries to hide the pain of knowing that Shuichi has been working overtime to support Takumi and her. (A.N. Again, Noriko looks SO CUTE in her wool sweater! Just look!) Aya turns and slowly walks away.
Miwa meets with a friend of hers. He passes her an investigative report on Shunmin. Miwa reads the report and something surprises her. (A.N. Miwa had secretly asked her friend to find out about Shunmin's past)
Shunmin and another man talk in the dark. The other man gives Shunmin a briefcase full of money. Shunmin lets out a smile as he begins to execute yet another of his evil plans against Shuichi.
Rika calls Shuichi on the phone. She tells him that her father (Mr. Sawai) had collapsed after hearing that the Yuki group had bought over more than 30% of Sawai stocks. (A.N. Mrs. Yuki will now be the trustee for the hospital)
Mrs. Yuki addresses the doctors at the director's meeting. She threatens that she'll remove Shuichi from the director's position and give it to Shunmin, if Shuichi does not give up his son to her.
Takumi looks for Shuichi. At the rooftop, Takumi tells Shuichi, "I'm thinking of returning to Hokkaido and practice from the wheelchair, that is if I have an excellent nurse." Shuichi replies "I see ..." Takumi continues, "I'm sorry for taking Keiko during this nurse shortage." Shuichi is surprised that Takumi is referring to Keiko instead of Aya and asks why. Takumi continues saying that Keiko "fell in love with me after I became this way ... I've come to think that men and women are different. If a woman who loves him is by his side, a man will come to love her ... but women are different, women will continue loving the man they love, even if there's a man nearby who loves her dearly ... I held Aya back for the sake of my happiness and made you suffer ... but from my heart, I want you to be happy, and Aya too." Shuichi asks Takumi if he loves Keiko, Takumi says he isn't sure, "but she needs me and I need her ... we are brothers yet this is the first time I'm talking openly to you ... ... tell me how you feel honestly." Shuichi turns away and breaks down to cry, "Takumi please forgive me ... I never thought I'd ever say this to anyone ..." turning around Shuichi says with his fists clenched, "if I could, even if it's only for once ... I'd like to hold Aya tightly in my arms!" Takumi moves close to Shuichi, gives him the half-burnt Heaven's Coins book, and tells him "you fill in the burnt out parts ... wait at the Tokyo Tower, the spot where you and Aya were supposed to meet. (A.N. Shuichi and Aya were supposed to meet after Shuichi had regained his memory in the first series) I'll send Aya there later, let's stop the suffering ... we are not rivals for Aya's love! We're foremost, brothers!!" The two brothers embrace in tears. Takumi shouts, "please!! make Aya happy !!! Someday, let's get together beneath the star-filled sky!!"
Keiko and Takumi visit the new hospital under construction. Takumi tries to tell her even though their relationship wasn't true love, but it could develop into one. (A.N. here, Takumi doesn't state his intentions clearly, he is trying to ask Keiko to follow him back to Hokkaido. Keiko doesn't catch his drift and still thinks that he wants to leave with Aya for Hokkaido) Takumi tells Keiko that Aya will be there soon. When Keiko asks if Takumi was going to tell Aya about returning to Hokkaido, Takumi replies "yeah".
Shuichi arrives at the top of Tokyo Tower, only to be arrested by the police. Aya shows up at the construction site.
Keiko looks at Aya with hatred. Takumi tells Aya, "Aya, I'm going to return to Hokkaido, so you're ..." Keiko can't stand it anymore, "No! Please don't leave me !!" Keiko sees a vehicle coming. She lunges forward and pushes Aya into the path of the moving vehicle.
In horror, Takumi dives from his wheelchair and tries to save Aya. The vehicle manages to steer clear from Aya but crashes nearby. The huge glass piece that the vehicle was carrying shatters on the impact.
Aya looks up. The shattered glass pieces fall toward Aya's face and onto her eyes. Her vision turns to black and white and finally,

nothing.

 


 Episode 11

"I'll be by your side, the rest of my life ... until a star is reflected in your eyes,
until stars fall upon you, I will always love you."

 

Keiko screams "don't leave me!..." and pushes Aya into the path of an incoming van. The van avoids Aya but crashes to a stop. The glass panel on the van, breaks into pieces and they fall onto Aya's face.
In an ambulance, Takumi franticly administers painkillers on Aya, while they rush to Eiseikai. Takumi cries out, "Please hang in there, Aya!"
Meanwhile in the police station, Shuichi is questioned for his involvement in the hospital's bribery scandal. He is thinking about Aya but is oblivious to what had happened.
In the operation room, the surgeons prepare to remove glass pieces from Aya's eyes and repair her corneas.
The operation ends. The glass pieces have been removed but the extent of damage to Aya's eyes is still in question. Helpless to do anything more, Takumi slams his fist into the glass wall in frustration.
Shuichi is released from the police station after the questioning. Mrs. Yuki picks Shuichi up. In the car she asks Shuichi about what he had done and demanded that he took full responsibility for this scandal. Shuichi receives a phone call from Takumi and finds out about Aya's accident.
(A.N. It seems strange to me that they removed Aya's bandages so quickly after her operation, but just assume that some time has passed) Aya's bandages are removed by a surgeon. Shuichi and Takumi search in anticipation for any positive signs that Aya can still see. After examining her eyes, the surgeon shakes his head, "no reaction to light" he says. Aya is blind ...
(A.N. From this point onwards, Aya doesn't respond to anyone or anything. She just sits on her bed, motionless.) The brothers are sadden by the revelation. In Shuichi's office, Miwa tries to find another explanation for Aya's failure to react to light. But Shuichi knows, that Aya has "lost her sense of purpose, she wants to rest her exhausted soul, in a peaceful world, deaf and blind. She's sick and tired of everything. Aya is living yet, dead."
Referring to the latest police investigations on a possible sandal in the hospital, Shuichi wonders why "all this is happening". Miwa suspects Shunmin is somehow behind this, but she isn't sure enough to tell Shuichi about it.
Shuichi visits Aya. He asks if the wounds hurt. Aya doesn't react.
He tells her not to worry, that "in time I'll repair your damaged corneas. Not right away but someday for sure. Then you'll smile for me again. No need to hurry, I'll be patient too. You're by my side now." Shuichi holds Aya's hand tightly.
Keiko visits Takumi at his apartment. Takumi tells her that Aya may lose her sight, she's in darkness. In a dazed, Keiko replies, "No, I am, Aya tried to take you from me ... I don't understand why only Aya is loved. Why is it? If she isn't around, if she died, you'd be by my side. Before I knew it, I had shoved her. I didn't do wrong, I'd do it again if you leave me!"
Shuichi discusses Aya's status with her surgeon. He tells Shuichi that there is too much damage to Aya's eyes and that only a cornea transplant is Aya's only hope. But with 50,000 patients waiting, Aya has a long wait. Shuichi is disappointed.
Meanwhile, Shunmin visits Aya. He puts his hands on her (A.N. Get your dirty hands off of her!) and tells her "I'm the only one with the right to love you, and you're the only one with the right to love me. Those two grew up with silver spoons in their mouths, how can they understand our pain? Aya, I'm going to be director of Eiseikai, I'll give you anything you want. Anything, I'll do anything for your sake. I won't let anyone have you, no one at all!"
Shunmin hugs Aya and says, "Aya, my love, you're all mine."
The next day, at the director's meeting, Mrs. Yuki calls for Shuichi's resignation due to his alleged involvement in the sandal. Miwa protests. Shunmin is surprised that Miwa is defending Shuichi. Mrs. Yuki calls for Shunmin to be the new director of the hospital. The other board of directors vote in favor.
Takumi "drags" Keiko to Aya's room. Keiko asks "why did you bring me here?" Takumi replies, "Keiko, you have the wrong idea. I wanted to take you with me to Hokkaido, with your permission." Keiko says in disbelief "No way ... no way, you love Aya" "Yes, I love Aya" Takumi continues, "but it isn't me whom Aya needs, it's Shuichi. Don't you think there are two ways of showing love? Showering his girlfriend with all his love, like a kid with a crush on a girl. That was me. Then there was Shuichi. He showed his love for Aya by praying not for his happiness, but for hers. No, there are three ways. Like ours, by showing compassion for each other. You love me the way I am. I want to return your feelings." Keiko replies, "that isn't love, it's sympathy!" Takumi answers, "sometimes love begins with sympathy, groping in darkness, we found and clung to each other, didn't we climb out together? Let's trust each other, trust our love! ... I wanted to tell you that in front of Aya, that's why I called her to the construction site." Keiko is shocked, "I ... I was so afraid of losing you ... that's why I, ... call the police ..." Takumi replies, "I don't think that is what Aya wants, rather than angry, she's worried about you, concerned that your feelings are hurt, Aya is that kind of woman." Keiko goes to Aya and cries, "I'm sorry, Aya I'm so sorry ... ..."
Shuichi gives his child to Mrs. Yuki. He asks her to, "please look after him." Mrs. Yuki asks Shuichi if he was sure about his decision. Mrs. Yuki then reveals what she has been keeping to herself all along, "I wonder why ... Shoko's (Shuichi's ex-wife) uneasiness started far before Aya showed up. She was afraid of something. Something was making her very uneasy. Shuichi tells her, "Shoko said to me, 'I've sold my soul to the devil.' I understood what she meant, I knew all along."
(A.N. I think, Shoko thought that if she had Shuichi's child, Shuichi will never leave her. But I think that Shoko didn't get pregnant after that one night with Shuichi. But she knew that she must get pregnant, no matter what and how. Shoko was afraid of Shuichi leaving her.) Hesitantly, Mrs. Yuki asks "there's something I've been too afraid to ask, is he really yours?" Shuichi doesn't answer. He reaches to touch the baby and excuses himself.
Shunmin visits Aya again but is surprised to see that Aya isn't in her room. Miwa tells Shunmin that Aya is out with Shuichi.
Miwa stops Shunmin from leaving. She accuses him of framing Shuichi. Miwa shows Shunmin the investigative report on his past. "You're not Dr. Takumi's older brother, neither are you Nagai Seiichiro's son!" Miwa reveals. In furious rage, Shunmin slaps Miwa, "why did you have me investigated?! Yes, I framed Shuichi, using his name, I took the money." When asked whether he was responsible for Takumi's accident, Shunmin confesses, "yes, I did it all!". Shunmin punches Miwa unconscious. He shouts, "no one will stop me!"
Shuichi brings Aya to the planetarium. He holds Aya's hand and recalls, "Aya, do you remember the first time we met? The day I arrived at Mihorobetsu Clinic, you sat in the swing peering curiously at me. When you found out I was a doctor, you gave me the cold shoulder because you thought Dr. Morioka would be fired. In response to your attitude, Dr. Morioka laughed and said "she has a temper". I learned sign language so I could communicate with you. I cannot forget your surprised look the first time I signed to you. You were startled and stared at me. It was from then, we became friends. You patiently taught me how to sign. You signed stories to me about Mihorobetsu, about the swing Dr. Morioka bought you and about growing up without your parents. Back then we were like brother and sister. I wonder when I started looking at you as a woman. If I didn't think of you as a woman ... if I hadn't proposed, maybe you wouldn't have been hurt, gone through as much pain as you've been through ... Aya, tomorrow I'm ... ... nothing at all ... " Shuichi squeezes Aya's hand again.
Keiko reveals to Takumi that Shunmin was responsible for getting Shuichi into the hospital's scandal. Shunmin claims that he has the right to take it all from Shuichi, and that he wouldn't stop until he gets what he's after. Meanwhile, Shunmin has brought Miwa to her apartment. There, he fakes Miwa's suicide by slashing her wrist. Back at Takumi's apartment, Takumi asks Keiko, why did Shunmin want Eiseikai? Keiko replies, it wasn't only Eiseikai, Shunmin wants something more than Eiseikai now (Aya), he trusted, hated more than love, he'll do what it takes, to get what he wants.
Aya and Shuichi are walking. Tokyo Tower is just behind them. It starts to snow. Shuichi stops and asks Aya, "are you cold?" He removes his coat and puts it around Aya. As they begin to walk, Aya trips and the two fall together. Shuichi apologizes and asks if she's hurt. Instead of putting Aya's shoes back on, Shuichi takes off his own shoes. He comments about being barefoot reminds him of his childhood.
Shuichi holds Aya's hands. "Aya, even if you're like this, I'll be by your side the rest of my life, until a star is reflected in your eyes, until stars fall upon you, I will always love you, Aya ..." Shuichi starts to cry and says from the bottom of his heart, "Aya, I love you!" Tears drop onto Aya's hands.
Aya blinks ... and her hands move for the first time.
Shuichi is overjoyed. He hugs Aya in joy.
The main theme is played.
Back together again, Shuichi and Aya dance happily in the snow.
In Shuichi's apartment, Shuichi reaches for Aya's face.
Aya returns his love by reaching for Shuichi.
The "Heaven's Coins" book is in the same room.
Shuichi and Aya hold each other's hands.
They are finally "together".
Meanwhile, Shunmin has just returned from Miwa's place. He sits on his director's chair. He smiles and then looks at the report. The report reveals that "Yagami Toshiaki is Nagai Shuichi's real brother". (A.N. Shuichi was adopted by the Nagai family. Shunmin is actually Shuichi's real brother, not Takumi's) Shunmin burns the report.
The next morning, Shuichi dresses up and gets ready to leave. He puts a shirt on Aya's bare shoulders.
Shuichi tells Aya that he had asked Miwa to look after her.
As Shuichi is about to leave, he sees the shadow of Aya's hand, reflected on the wall. He turns around to look at what Aya is signing.
"I love you" Aya signs.
"I love you" Aya signs again.
With tears almost bursting from his eyes, Shuichi replies, "I love you too".
Outside, the police approach Shuichi and put him under arrest. Shuichi is driven away in the police car.
The Heaven's Coins book drops onto Aya's feet. Aya feels for it, picks it up, and holds it close to her heart.
Aya smiles.

 

Outside, Shuichi is arrested by the police.

Shunmin is in his office. A nurse informs him that Miwa had attempted suicide. Shunmin pretends to be worried and asks if she was alright. Miwa is still alive but unconscious. Shunmin is worried that Miwa may expose his deeds.

Takumi visits Aya. He puts Aya's hands over his and lets her feel his hand movements. Takumi asks "Aya, can you make out what I'm signing?". Aya nods a "yes". Takumi reveals to her that Shuichi was arrested by the police.
Aya is startled by the news and becomes anxious. Takumi comforts her "don't worry, he's innocent".
Aya calms down. She then asks for the time. Takumi tells her that it is "11 am". Aya replies, "strange ... it isn't night but I can see stars ... stars ... his stars ... which are about to fall from the sky."
Aya picks up the Heaven's Coins book and holds it close to her heart. Longing and waiting for Shuichi to return to her side.


Rika gives a ride to Takumi, who's visiting Miwa in the hospital. In their conversation, Rika reveals that she will be visiting Shuichi the following day. Takumi comments, "you are interesting, you love Shuichi, yet you're cool about it". Rika asks, "what do you mean?" Takumi continues, "you know you'll never have him (Shuichi) but you don't give up". Rika wonders, "perhaps, it was the way I was raised. It's not that I haven't been in love before, but ever since I was a girl, I was told my father will decide who I will marry. Instead of being disappointed later, I decided to treat a man so he would remember me. The person he cares for isn't always the one he marries. The most impressive memories are the fondest, even if I never end up with him..."
At the hospital, Takumi waits till Miwa awakes. He asks her "Why? ... why did you attempt suicide?!" Still weak from her injuries, she whispers softly. Takumi leans towards her. Takumi confirms "did you say white coat?" Slowly, Miwa nods.
At the meantime, a detective visits Shuichi at prison. The detective explains that he is a friend of Miwa and that she had instructed him to show Shuichi a report if she could not be contacted. The detective shows Shuichi an investigative report on Shuichi's past.
Back at the hospital, Takumi frantically searches for Miwa's white medical coat in a laundry basket.
He finds her coat and uncovers a cassette tape recorder.
Shunmin enters his director's office. He sees Takumi waiting for him and tells Takumi to keep the conversation short. Takumi plays the tape recorder he had found. It reveals the conversation Miwa and Shunmin had, where Shunmin confessed to framing Shuichi and hurting Takumi in the lift accident.
"You set it all up didn't you?" Takumi asks, "Framed my brother and rigged my accident?"
"That's a joke, give me the tape." Shunmin demands.
Takumi replies, "A joke? Pretty funny, I'll like other people to hear it ... for example the police."
Shunmin lunges at Takumi and struggles to get the tape. After throwing punches at Takumi, Shunmin manages to get the tape and starts to destroy it.
On the floor, Takumi casually cleans out the blood from his mouth, looks at his watch, then says "it's 4:00".
The taped conversation is replayed over the hospital's intercom.
"I dubbed it" Takumi reveals.
Turning to Shunmin, Takumi demands, "Who the hell are you? what did we do to you?"
Shunmin is too overwhelmed to answer. He leaves the room and runs away.
Back at Shuichi's apartment, Aya sits and waits anxiously for Shuichi. (A.N. Apparently, if the police finds that Shuichi is innocent, he would be released from his detention. Since Aya knows Shuichi is innocent, he should be coming back to her side pretty soon.) Keiko is preparing a meal in the kitchen. The telephone rings. (A.N. nothing is shown about this phone conversation but later, you can guess that Shunmin made this phone call to draw Keiko out of the apartment and away from Aya.)
Shuichi is released from police custody. (A.N. No definite reason is given for Shuichi's release. The police probably couldn't find any dirt on him so they had to release him) Rika is outside waiting for him. Shuichi asks about Miwa's condition. Rika tells him that Miwa is going to be ok, and that she has regained consciousness.
Shuichi's mobile phone rings. It's from Shunmin. "Congratulations on your acquittal" he says.
Meanwhile, a worried Keiko arrives at the hospital. Takumi is surprised to see her and asks her why she was at the hospital. Keiko tells him that she received a phone call saying that Takumi was attacked. She was worried about him.
Fearing the worst, Takumi asks, "Did you leave Aya alone?". Keiko nods. They immediately head for home.
Still on the phone, Shunmin tells Shuichi that he is at Shuichi's apartment. Shunmin pleads with Shuichi, "don't harm Aya!" Shunmin hangs up the phone.
Aya tries to run away but Shunmin catches up with her. He delivers a punch into Aya's stomach. Aya faints from the blow.
Keiko and Takumi are on the road. (A.N. Apparently, Shunmin also called Takumi instructing him to head for the highway) Shunmin calls Takumi on the handphone. Takumi tells Shunmin "as instructed, we're heading to the freeway ... you haven't harmed Aya, have you?" Shunmin simply replies, "come to Kasumigaura Yacht Harbor" and then hangs up.
Takumi calls Shuichi and tells him that they are heading for the Yacht Harbor. Shuichi and Rika, together with police escort, head for the harbor.
Referring to Shunmin, "I don't understand what he wants with Aya" Takumi says to himself. But Keiko knows. "Mirror" she says. "Shunmin said he saw a mirror ... in Aya's eyes ... a single mirror that warded off everything ... he had no past ... yes, he realized how foolish greed is ... but he had gone too far ... in the end he would lose everything ... a young child wants to be loved by his mother ... ... he loves her ... Shunmin loves Aya ... "
Keiko and Takumi reach the harbor before Shuichi does. Shunmin ambushes them from behind and knocks them unconscious.
Shuichi and Rika are on the road. Rika observes the anxious look on Shuichi's face. The look of concern and love for Aya. Shuichi reveals to Rika, "Shunmin is my older brother. I was abandoned at Eiseikai as an infant. Aware that my father was dead, Shunmin's ... my mother, abandoned me at birth"
"Seems my mother was an awful woman. According to the report, fond of booze and men, she beat Shunmin daily. Shunmin, who grew up unloved, heard that I existed. He imagined I would be worse off than him and came looking for me. However his younger brother was director of Eiseikai. How do you think he felt? Jealous rage ...."
Shunmin, Takumi, and Aya are on a small fishing boat.
Takumi tries to persuade Shunmin to surrender himself to the police. Delirious, Shunmin mumbles, "I want to sleep in this lake ... with Aya ... I wanted Shuichi to see this but will you relay what you see to my younger brother (Shuichi)?"
(A.N. Keiko is on another fishing boat. She is tied up and gagged. There is a phone next to her that is on. She is able to follow the conversation that is taking place)
"Leave Aya out of this !!" Takumi screams. "If you are going to kill Aya, kill me instead. Shunmin answers, "this woman will never be happy..." Takumi replies, "that isn't so". Shunmin continues, "she can't see a thing, how can she ever be happy?" Takumi says firmly, "she has Shuichi by her side" Shunmin wonders, "does she know that? how would she know?" Takumi affirms, "Aya knows, as long as Shuichi is by her side, as long as it's Shuichi, not you ... or me ..."
Shunmin shouts in frustration, "enough about Shuichi !! ... tell me how YOU feel ... if you plead for the life of the woman you love, I may reconsider.
After a long silence and painful deliberation (A.N. Takumi has already hidden his love for Aya deep in his heart. It is emotionally painful to relive that feeling again because he knows, he will never win Aya's love.), Takumi whispers, "I love Aya."

Keiko stops struggling.

She is stunned by Takumi's revelation.

Now, with more determination, Takumi affirms, "I love Aya". He says it yet again.

Shunmin smiles in devious delight. He draws out his handphone.
"Keiko, did you hear?! People are cruel !" Shunmin laughs.
Takumi realizes that he has been tricked. He lashes out at Shunmin in vain. Shunmin kicks Takumi in retaliation.
Meanwhile, Shuichi and Rika arrive at the harbor. They search the place and stumble on Keiko in a small fishing boat. Shuichi franticly asks, "where are they!?" Keiko, still in shock, doesn't respond. Then, from the phone beside Keiko, Shuichi hears the conversation between Shunmin and Takumi.

Shunmin reaches for Aya.
Takumi pleads, "stop ... please stop ..."
"Please, die with me" Shunmin beckons. Aya tries to get herself away from him. "Hitting me again? ... you're drunk ... there's no sense in living this way ... please die with me ... mother ..." Shunmin says, as he tries to grab hold of Aya.
In desperation, Takumi tries to move but his legs doesn't get him anywhere. He slams his fists onto his legs but they just wouldn't move. In frustration, Takumi screams, "STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Then, Takumi's ring (A.N. Takumi seems to have kept the ring, which was supposed to be his engagement present to Aya in episode 1, by his side all the time) falls out of his coat, and onto the boat's deck.
Takumi sees the ring ...
... the reminder of his love for Aya.
Takumi whispers, "Aya..."
He has to do something ... ANYTHING !
Takumi struggles.  Suddenly his legs momentarily twitch! Takumi can't believe it but he felt his legs move!
He summons all the determination that he can master.  "Argh... aargh... ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH !!" Takumi grunts.  Slow but surely, Takumi props himself up.
Shunmin stops, he turns and sees Takumi standing up. He is utterly stunned beyond disbelief.
In pure hatred for Shunmin, Takumi charges forward, wrestles with Shunmin.
Both men fall into the water.
In the water, Takumi gets a choke hold on Shunmin.  Shunmin tries to break free.   He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a knife. But before Shunmin can use his knife, he runs out of air. Shunmin loses consciousness and stops struggling.  Takumi releases Shunmin into the depths of the sea.
Takumi starts to free himself from his tied hands (A.N. Takumi's hands were tied with rope). The rope is untied and his hands are free, but Takumi himself has ran out of air.
Takumi looks up and sees Aya at the edge of the boat. With his last breath, Takumi reaches out to her,  "Aya... ..."
Takumi loses consciousness.

Episode 12

"I'll be with you forever, when you're suffering, when you're sad,
until death separates us, after many years together, I'll be by your side."

 

But as Takumi drowns, Shuichi is swimming nearby, searching for Takumi. (A.N. Nothing is said after this but Shuichi does find Takumi and rescues him just in time)
Shuichi visits Miwa in the hospital. In response to Miwa's question, Shuichi tells her that the police are combing the lake's bottom for Shunmin's body. Miwa regretfully says, "I'm sorry ...". Shuichi asks, "why are you apologizing?
Miwa continues, "I knew what Shunmin was up to. I suspected he was behind Takumi's accident. When I questioned him, he said that he wouldn't do such a thing to his younger brother. I once told Shunmin he reminded me of the former director (A.N. In the first series, Miwa was in love with Shuichi's father, Seiichiro Nagai, who was director at that time). Shunmin used my words ... I was lonely, that's why, I ...
... if I had said something earlier, before any of this happened..." Miwa wonders. Shuichi answers, "Father spared your life. Didn't he ask you to care for the patients at Eiseikai?" Miwa asks, "will your father Seiichiro, forgive me?"
Shuichi comforts her, "He died, loved by you, how can he blame you? He probably feels bad ... before a doctor, you rae foremost a woman". Hearing his, Miwa breaks down and cry. Shuichi smiles and looks on.
Takumi wakes up abruptly from his hospital bed, he shouts out "Aya!!" and involuntarily gasps for air.
He turns and sees Keiko by his bed. "Keiko ..." Takumi mumbles.
Keiko assures Takumi with a smile, "you're alive and so is Aya". (A.N. After Takumi's acknowledgment of his love for Aya, Keiko finally faces the reality that Takumi does love Aya and most likely no one else)
Mrs Yuki visits Shuichi at his office. "Takumi is doing well in rehabiliation." Mrs Yuki chats, but she soon gets to the point, "I came to talk about my grandson ...
"... you knew all along how Shoko felt but you didn't betray her desire to have a baby ... even if it was by artifical insemination (A.N. it is now revealed that Shoko had herself impregnated just to make Shuichi marry her.)
"I drove her to do it" Shuichi replies. Mrs Yuki ponders, "... maybe he's Yagami's (baby) ... ... no ... it doesn't matter ... I'll raise him as Shoko's baby."
Shuichi protests "But ..." Mrs Yuki interrupts "I want to end all of this, end the suffering ... end the hatred" Mrs Yuki nods and smiles. Shuichi is overjoyed. Mrs Yuki has forgiven him for Shoko's death.
Takumi is up on his feet. He is "re-learning" how to walk again.
Takumi bums into Rika.
She tells Takumi "I'm getting married, to a man my father selected ... Sawai is back in business ... we can re-purchase the stock Yuki bought us out of ..."
Takumi asks if she's doing it for her dad's company. Rika replies "I decided on my own. I'm taking my own fate in my hands." Takumi is happy for Rika. He asks if Shuichi knows about her marriage. Rika answers "I'll leave without seeing him."
Rika turns and picks up the wedding gown which she bought (in episode 7) and gives it to Takumi,
"Shuichi chose this gown ... chances are, it'll look better on Aya than on me." Takumi smiles and accepts Rika's gift to Shuichi and Aya.
Shuichi and Aya are together in the apartment.
By placing Aya's hands over his hands, Shuichi tells her,
"there were many detours along the way, but we're finally going to be together."
Aya nods and smiles.
Shuichi continues, "Someday, you'll see again, when we find a donor ... until then I'll be your eyes."
Aya replies, "even if I never see again, I can see you"
Shuichi says to her, "Aya ... I'll be a simple country doctor, not one at Eiseikai, thus I won't be able to shower you with many stars ... but you'll be able to hang on to one small star ... one small gold coin ..."
Aya smiles (A.N. very sweetly. This is another of my favorite scenes. This is a rare scene in series 2, where Aya is earnestly happy. With light shining down on her in this scene, she truly is an angel)
With all the love in her heart, Aya signs, "One is enough ... one rather than many ...
... One small star ... ... that emits ... ... a gentle ... ... but strong light ...
... I can see ... ... the star ... ... ... in your eyes ..."
Shuichi smiles from ear to ear and reaches out to feel Aya's hair.
Aya closes her eyes as she feels his touch.
(A.N. Did I mention that Aya is looks soooo sweet!?)
Shuichi promises, "I'll be with you forever, when you're suffering, when you're sad, until death separates us, after many years together, I'll be by your side." Unknown to both of them, Takumi is at the door. He smiles as he witnesses Shuichi's marriage proposal to Aya.
Aya is troubled by Shuichi's words "until death separates us". She turns serious and tells him, "if you die, so will I."
Shuichi is a little surprised at Aya's adverse reaction to his words and laughs, "let's drop this subject."
Aya realises that she overreacted and smiles in agreement.
As Shuichi speaks, Aya suddenly reaches out to feel Shuichi's lips.

Aya tells Shuichi,to continue speaking.
Shuichi resumes, "after we return to Hokkaido, I'll seat you on that swing ...
and as promised, recite the story to you beneath the star-laden sky."
Aya remembers all too clearly.
She beams a smile in pure delight.
Takumi smiles. He is happy for the two of them.
He decides not to interrupt Shuichi and Aya. He gently closes the door ...
... places the box containing the wedding gown on the door handle and the ring on top of the box, and leaves quietly.
Aya prepares for the wedding.
Yoshihiko (A.N. Aya's friend from the first series) visits. He rushes to Aya, does a chopping sign (A.N. Yoshihiko is working at his father's restaurant, and chopping/cooking food was probably what he did often) and asks if Aya knows who he is. Aya smiles and nods a "yes".
Aya lifts her wedding dress slightly, and shows Yoshihiko the shoes that he gave her. Yoshihiko is overjoyed, he says "Ah!.... you're wearing the shoes I gave you!! You're beautiful ..." Sonoko is the next person to visit.
She writes her name on Aya's hands
she places Aya's hands on her face and asks "know me?"
Aya smiles sweetly ...
... and nods.
(A.N. wow ... she's stunningly gorgeous and so darn cute!!)
Sonoko, almost in tears of joy, says to Aya, "Aya, you're very pretty ... you're finally marrying Dr. Shuichi ... as your best friend, I'm so happy for you ... The best of wishes."
Aya accepts her well wishes and says "thank you".
Shuichi and Takumi are at the hospital. They are about to leave for the wedding. Takumi tells Shuichi, "at last, you're finally going to marry Aya."
Shuichi nods but starts to apologise "I'm sorry, Yagami is my older brother..." (A.N. Shuichi is apologising on behalf of his real brother, Yagami, who had caused so much trouble to Takumi and everyone else)
Takumi smiles and says, "there's no need of you to apologise, besides your only brother is me! I thought I'd never stand again, we are doctors, we don't believe in miracles, in God, at times. But this time, medicine wasn't the answer." Shuichi tells Takumi, "look after Eiseikai"
Takumi gives a firm "yes". As they are about to leave, Shuichi realises that he had left the ring in his desk drawer.
Takumi tells Shuichi, "I'll go on ahead ... don't keep Aya waiting." As Shuichi is about to leave, Takumi calls out to him, "I didn't congratulate you yet ... Congratulations" Shuichi smiles and accepts it.
Shuichi finds the ring in his desk drawer.
But as he is about to leave, he is shocked to see Shunmin at the door.
Without warning, Shunmin lunges towards Shuichi ! ...
... and drives a dagger deep into Shuichi's stomach.
The sound of wedding bell rings. Shuichi realises what is happening. (A.N. Judging from the anguish of his face, although silent, he seems to cry out, "why ! why ! why does this have to happen ! when everything is falling into place, I'll now have to leave and break my promise to Aya !!!)
Shuichi grasps on the ring tightly ...
... as the dagger drives deeper into his stomach. Shuichi pushes Shunmin away from him and falls to the floor. He presses his hands over his wound. Just then, a nurse enteres the room. She screams in terror as she realises what had happened.
Back at the church, the main door opens and reveals an angelic bride.
Everyone in the church is in awe at Aya's beauty.
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Shuichi manages to catch a taxi to the church. (A.N. Instead of seeking treatment and risk dying on the operation table, Shuichi wants to see what he has wanted so very dearly. He wants to see Aya beautiful in a white wedding dress.)
His right hand presses on his wound and
His left hand cradles the wedding ring.
Everyone is waiting for Shuichi.
Shuichi finally arrives at the door. Miwa tells Aya that Shuichi is here.
As everyone claps, Shuichi staggers slowly towards Aya. He's breathing hard. The sound of clapping fades away as Shuichi slowly loses his senses.
Aya reaches out to Shuichi.
Shuichi stands in front of Aya. With what little breath he has, Shuichi says "Aya ... you're beautiful ... very beautiful ..."
Shuichi reaches out with his blood covered right hand for Aya's outstretched hand.
But just as he is about to reach Aya's hand, he stops.
Shuichi's vision,
starts to blur.
He falls to his knees. A silent cry for Aya. Shuichi falls face down onto the floor.
"Brother !!" Takumi cries out as he rushes to Shuichi's side.
Takumi sees the blood of his brother on the ground.
The wedding ring, by Shuichi's side.
Takumi looks up and sees Aya.
Aya is still oblivious to what has happened. Her outstretched hand still waiting for Shuichi.

 

Episode 12

"Sorrow Unimaginable"

 

Aya is rushed to the operation room. Keiko is by her side. Keiko explains to Aya, "they found an eye donor, it's sudden but Shuichi suggested the wedding be postponded until you can see again." When Aya asks for Shuichi, Keiko lies saying that he's meeting with the opthalmologist.
At the operating table, the head surgeon asks, "are we going through with this?"  Miwa affirms, "by Dr. Takumi's orders". The head surgeon proceeds with the cornea transplant.
Outside, Mrs Yuki arrives at the hospital. Family and friends of Shuichi are weeping outside.
Inside one of the hospital rooms, lay Shuichi's body.  A white cloth has been placed over his eyes.  Takumi looks over his brother.
Miwa enters the room quietly.  Softly, she informs Takumi that the operation on Aya was over.  Takumi doesn't react at all to the news.  Apparently, he's still under shock.  Miwa decides best to leave Takumi alone.  Slowly, she respectfully bows and leaves the room.
Takumi is in tears.  He cries over the loss of his brother.
A period of time passes. In a director's meeting, Takumi is unaminously appointed as Director of Eiseikai. Takumi remains motionless, seemingly caught up in his own thoughts.  Just then, a nurse enters the room and informs Takumi that they are about to remove Aya's bandages.  Takumi acknowledges her and leaves.
Takumi looks in anticipation as Aya's bandages are removed.
Aya focuses her eyes and smiles.   Takumi asks Aya if she could see him signing.  Aya smiles and nods.
Aya looks around her and wonders where Shuichi is.
She asks Takumi. 
Takumi pauses as he thinks of the best way to tell Aya the news.  He signs to her, "Shuichi, ... is near you."
Aya is puzzled. Takumi signs to her again. She ponders on what was said and stops smiling.

Aya remembers the "new eyes" that she received. She feels for them, and, imagines the worst! Afraid to ask, she slowly looks up at Takumi, with the  question in her eyes. Sadly, Takumi nods.
Aya is in shock and utter disbelief.   "NO! IT CAN'T BE !!" Aya thinks. She becomes hysterical.
Takumi begs, "Aya, ... you won't find him!" Takumi tries to restrain Aya but in a mad rage, she fights him off and runs out the door.
Aya arrives at Shuichi's apartment, only to find the place completely empty.
She enters all the rooms, hoping that something will dispel her worst fears.
The apartment is completely bare. Aya stumbles to the floor and cries. Alone.
Aya visits Shuichi's grave.

She feels the engraved words of Shuichi's name.

Aya feels the side of her face (near her eyes) and smiles but frowns. She can't believe it! Something so wonderful has happened - she has regained her eyesight. At the same time, her greatest unimaginable horror has happened! Shuichi is dead! What is she going to do! She fights back her tears. "I have to be strong" she thinks. But the will to survive, THE reason she was able to carry on in life, is no longer here. She finally realises that Shuichi is dead. With that Aya throws herself to Shuichi's grave, and with all the anguish in her heart and soul, she SCREAMS out loud...
(A.N. Noriko's scream was so heart-wrenching, so full of sorrow, it moved me so much, I couldn't help but start crying with her. You have to download this RealAudio clip of this scene and feel her pain.)(Animated GIF)
Takumi watches from a distance. He hears the sorrow in Aya's scream but what can he do?!?
"Why? ... why does this have to happen!..." Aya looks to Shuichi's grave for an answer. 
Takumi makes his way towards Aya. What can he do to comfort her?
Takumi tries his best. He lays his hand on Aya's shoulder. Aya brushes his hand away. "Leave me alone!" Aya feels.
Aya, stops, and slowly looks back at the person that touched her. Maybe... Maybe... just maybe, it was Shuichi ... But when she sees Takumi, she was brought back to the depths of cruel reality. To Takumi, she begs, "Why!!... Why!!.. why did this have to happen!" Takumi doesn't have an answer.
Aya falls back to Shuichi's grave engulfed in utter pain and sorrow.
Takumi pulls Aya to him.
He hugs her tightly.  He can only do so much.

 

Episode 12

"I'm not afraid of dying... I'm more afraid of living without him"

 

 

A nurse enter's Miwa's office. "Here are the results of Aya's post surgery physical" she says. 
Miwa continues her work as the nurse leaves. 
From the corner of her eye, Miwa catches a glimpse of the report and ...
... suddenly she stops and looks surprised! (A.N. the result of the report will be revealed later)
An extremely dazed looking Aya goes to Shuichi's cupboard.    
She takes out Shuichi's white medical coat,
and brings it close to her.
Looking at the name tag on the coat,
Aya sees Shuichi's face again.
She remembers the times...
Meanwhile,  Takumi is in his office.  He has the wedding ring of Shuichi and Aya in his hand. 
He stares at it and ponders back to Shuichi's last moments.

"Brother! Please hold on!" Takumi pleads.   Slowly, Shuichi turns to Takumi, with something in his hand, he reaches out to Takumi.  Takumi grabs Shuichi tightly.

Shuichi releases his hand.  Takumi looks into his hand and finds the wedding ring.  With his last breath, Shuichi tells Takumi, "please make Aya happy" 
While Takumi ponders on what he should do, there is a knock on the door.
Keiko enters the room. 
Takumi asks "you are really leaving?" Keiko smiles and nods.  Takumi acknowledges and says "take care"  Keiko in return says, "you too".  As Keiko turns around and walks towards the door.   Takumi starts to say "I..." (A.N. Takumi wanted to thank Keiko for  the help and support she had given him during his difficult times)
Keiko says "Please don't... your love for Aya enabled you to walk again.  I'm going to find a man I can truly love...
... Goodbye" Keiko smiles.  Takumi doesn't say anything but silently thanks her anyway.

Aya is at the planetarium.  (A.N.   Aya goes to the planetarium whenever she wants to be alone to think)  She has brought along Shuichi's white coat.  In a daze, smiling but with tears in her eyes, she starts to think about the past.  (A.N.   here, scenes from the past episodes are flashed as Aya recalls the past.)
Aya makes her way to the roof top of Eiseikai.   There's a slight drizzle.
In her hand is the storybook of Heaven's Coins.
Aya holds the book tightly.  Her face is motionless.
She has decided...  she closes her eyes and prepares to walk off the building.
Suddenly Takumi appears.  He got word that Aya was at the rooftop.  He rushes to Aya but he's stopped by the fence barricade.  He franticly bangs on the fence to catch Aya's attention.
Aya turns around slowly.  "Aya... what are you doing there?... 

... come home with me" Takumi pleads in distress.

Aya shakes her head.

She signs, " don't come near me... I promised him, when you die, I'll die too..."
Takumi argues, "Aya, that isn't what Shuichi wants!  Don't be stupid, nothing will come from you dying!"

Aya replies, "I'm not afraid of dying... I'm more afraid of living without him"
"Aya..." Takumi is at a loss for words.  He feels for Aya's pain.
Miwa appears from behind.  She frantically shouts "if you die!? what about your baby!? your baby with Shuichi!"
Takumi and Aya are both shocked beyond words as they digest this revelation.
Takumi recovers and quickly makes his way closer to Aya.  He realises that Aya now has a reason to live!
Miwa continues, "After your surgery, I gave you a physical, didn't I?  ...
The test result shows that you're pregnant!  A new life is growing inside of you!  Aya!"

Aya can't  believe it, she wants to jump and end all this sadness, but ... she is with child... what should she do?
Meanwhile, Takumi has moved close to Aya. 
He begins to plead with her, "Didn't you hear?  Shuichi isn't dead. Please..."  Takumi offers his hand.   "Aya, come this way, take hold of my hand."

Aya wants to end all this pain.  But she cannot possibly be so selfish and kill her child as well.  Aya bursts into tears, falls down, and resigns that she cannot take her life.  She has another life in her!   She has a reason to live!  Aya reaches out her hand and Takumi grabs it quickly.  He sighs with great relief.

 

Episode 12

"if you need me, I'll be there for you, riding on the wind, until the end of time"

 

 

(A.N. A short clip is shown where Miwa visits Shunmin at a mental hospital.  Apparently after stabbing Shuichi, Shunmin was caught, deemed mentally ill, and was sent to a mental hospital.  The doctor tells Miwa that Shunmin doesn't have any family to take care of him.  Miwa replies, "I'll come,  I'll come and visit him every week."   Despite what has happened, Miwa still loves Shunmin.)
A couple of days later, we see Takumi at the airport.  (A.N. Apparently Takumi was informed that Aya has booked a flight and is leaving for Hokkaido.  Takumi!!! stop Aya from leaving !! ^_^)
Takumi looks at the Shuichi's wedding ring and ponders on what he's about to do.
An unsuspecting Aya approaches.  Takumi sees her.

He puts the ring in his coat, stands up, and hides two boxes behind his back.
Aya is surprised to see Takumi !
Takumi asks, "were you going to leave without a word?"
Aya feels a slight guilt for not telling Takumi about her departure.
Takumi smiles.  He doesn't blame Aya.  Too many things has happened here.  It's time to return home to Hokkaido.  Only in Hokkaido, will she be able to sort out her feelings and recover from all that has happened.
Revealing what he has hidden behind his back, Takumi gives Aya 2 boxes wrapped in red ribbons. 
Takumi lets out a smile.  (A.N.   Takumi is supposedly playing the same trick that he did in episode 1) 
Takumi puts down the boxes on a chair.
Takumi begins, "there's a red rose in one box and a white rose in the other ...
... If it's red, just like the rays of the warm sun ...
... I'll love you again ...
... Marry me ..."
"I hate to think about it ...
...
... but if it's white ...
...I'll look out for you from a distance, like the wind cutting through white clouds.  These boxes are like pandora's boxes.  Don't worry I won't trick you this time. Please pick one."

Aya nods and smiles.  She puts down her bag down, and reaches out to pick the box on her right.
Takumi immediately pulls back the boxes.  He laughs because he's reacting exactly the same way as he did when they first played this game.  He asks "do you really want this box?"
Aya nods "yes" and Takumi gives her the box that she wanted.
Aya opens the box...
Takumi looks on, "red, red, red" he chants...
Aya opens the box to reveal a white rose!   Takumi groans, "its white..."
Aya looks up to Takumi...
Takumi bows his head down and helplessly falls to his knees...
He takes a deep positive breath, and looks up to Aya.   He asks, "Aya... you won't want to try that again?..." then quickly he says "no no... probably not..."  Takumi knows, fate has made its decision already.
Takumi looks at the time, its almost time for Aya's plane to leave.
Takumi stands up.
Takumi reaches into his coat and takes out the ring.  
He says, "let me slip this ring onto your finger, in place of my brother."  Aya lets out a slight smile.
Takumi takes Aya's hand and puts the ring on.
Takumi continues, "if you need me, I'll be there for you, ...
... riding on the wind, until the end of time."
Aya thanks Takumi for his kind words.   Takumi jokingly says, "don't thank me, I'm not an idol"  The two of them let out a laugh.
Aya tells Takumi, "I'll never forget you, ever"
Takumi teases, "am I unforgettable?"
Aya nods and says, "I have wonderful memories"
By now, both are already in tears.
At this time, Takumi hold back his feelings any longer, he chokes on his emotions and replies "...same here ... memories (he chokes in tears) ... of being  ... loved ... by you ..."
Aya signs again, "I'll never forget you"
Takumi, with all his heart,  tells her that he will never forget her as well.

Takumi tells Aya, "go on ... " as he bid his final goodbye.

Aya nods and slowly walks away.
Takumi painfully cries as he sees Aya leaves.   Everything in him is telling him to stop Aya but he knows that he cannot do that.

 


 Episode 12

"The star called Shuichi will love Aya forever"

 

 

12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Back in the director's office at Eiseikai, Takumi ponders over what has happened.
Miwa enters the room. 
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) "Why didn't you bring Aya back with you?" Miwa asks. "you had Shuichi's permission."
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Takumi answers, "Shuichi made stars fall upon Aya, that's why she went back to Hokkaido, to look for the stars in the place where they first met. 12-451.jpg (5978 bytes)
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) There's only one star that'll fall upon a woman.   How can I make a star fall upon Aya after Shuichi did?"
Miwa tells him, "you'll bestow your star upon the next woman you meet."     		12-451.jpg (5978 bytes)
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Takumi replies, "Stars aren't the only things that will fall, right?  there are lots of stars shining in the sky.  Like me, they can't fall.  12-451.jpg (5978 bytes)
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Sometimes there is something stronger than love.   Love may backfire someday.
Prayer.
Merely pray for her happiness.  		12-451.jpg (5978 bytes)
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) "Director..." Miwa whispers.
Takumi continues "The star called Shuichi will love Aya forever.  I'll pray, silly as it seems, forever."		 12-451.jpg (5978 bytes)
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) 12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Miwa smiles.  She bows slowly with respect.   Takumi has grown wiser and she now has a deeper respect for the new director.   The hospital will be in good hands.  Miwa takes her leave.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Takumi goes to the wine cabinet and reaches for three wine glasses.  He opens a bottle of red wine.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Pours the wine into the glasses.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) As he pours the wine into one glass, he whispers "Brother (Shuichi)", and as he pours into the next glass he whispers "Aya".
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) He sits down and looks at the glasses before him.   He suddenly decides, "I need a flower."
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) He reaches for the other box that was presented to Aya at the airport.  Unties the ribbon and opens the box.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) And we see a white rose!  (A.N. now we know that Takumi intentionally give Aya two boxes with white roses in them.)
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Takumi takes the rose and places it in the wine bottle.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) He smiles and admires the setup before him.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) He reaches for his own wine glass and gives a toast to Shuichi and Aya.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Takumi begins to recite the Heaven's Coins story.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) At that moment, we see Aya back in Hokkaido.  She is on the swing where Shuichi first told her the Heaven's Coins story.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) She seems to hear the story inside of her.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) She looks up into the sky and imagines that
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) Shuichi is repeating the story to her again.
12-451.jpg (5978 bytes) She listens attentively as if she is hearing to it for the first time.

12-451.jpg (5978 bytes)

12-451.jpg (5978 bytes)

12-451.jpg (5978 bytes)

 

The End

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoshi No Kinka

There was once a girl who was travelling

through the woods in winter during the night

As she came upon a child who is begging for food,

she gave her only slice of bread.

As she came upon a child who is shivering from coldness,

she took off her clothes and offered it

As she came upon more children freezing,

she gave them all her clothing and walk through the woods naked.

Looking up to the sky, the stars are twinking brightly..

then.. all of a sudden...

bli-bla bli-bla bli-bla bli-bla....

... the stars turn into gold coins and start showering the girl..

...and she lives in happiness forever ^_^


.


 

 

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