Only Yesterday Page #6

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We don't even know

how Toshio feels.

One look at him and it's obvious.

Don't dismiss it before

we've asked her.

Taeko!

Let her be.

See what you did.

You can't rush these things.

I don't think I was wrong.

I'd never even thought

of being a farmer's wife.

I was strangely moved,...

...even imagining it

might be possible.

If only I could've replied:

" I'd love to... " like in a movie.

But I couldn't.

Suddenly my love of the country,

and my play-farming,...

...seemed so phony.

Declaring my love for country life...

...based on a ten-day vacation,

now felt so embarrassing.

Then with no warning...

...everyone seeing right through me.

It was unbearable.

I ain't shaking hands with you.

That shirt he wore today...

What about it?

Tanaka's old shirt.

Don't tell anyone.

When it's his turn to feed the ducks,

he takes the bread home.

Did you see his hands?

Glad he's not sitting next to me.

Poor Taeko.

Have him switch places.

He should sit with the boys.

Right Taeko?

I don't mind.

You shouldn't talk like that.

You don't mind?

Don't be a goody-goody.

Don't you dare tell anyone

what we said.

I'll beat you up!

Don't go!

What are you doing out here?

Nothing. Taking a walk.

You're getting wet. Quick, get in.

A little souvenir.

Some of Mom's pickles.

Please don't go back yet.

Why not?

Just drive... anywhere.

Something wrong?

I knew a boy named Abe.

He came from another school.

He sat next to me.

He once said,

" I ain't shaking hands with you."

His family was poor.

He never had sports gear.

Always picking his nose

or wiping it on his sleeve.

And if I complained or

even dared frown at him,...

...he'd threaten to hit me.

I hated it. I longed for

the end of the term,...

...so we could change seats.

I hated holding hands

in dance class,...

...hated having to lend him

my homework.

The girls gossiped

and called him names.

But I wouldn't join in.

I thought it was terrible

to talk behind his back.

But one day...

He was transferred in

the middle of the term.

The teacher made us all

shake hands and say goodbye.

A feeling of disgust swept the room.

His hands were filthy.

Walking around,

shaking hands with us,...

...he looked so nervous.

Back at his own desk,

only I was left.

When I held out my hand he said,

" I ain't shaking hands with you."

" I ain't shaking hands with you."

I hated him the most.

He knew that.

That's why he didn't shake my hand.

What happened at the farmhouse?

Ever since I was little...

I just pretend to be nice.

Nothing's changed.

You're strange, today.

Not the usual you.

I don't know what happened, but...

It's nothing to do with that.

I'm sorry.

I just feel bad about what happened.

I think that boy was stupid.

Maybe he didn't shake your hand

because he liked you.

No, he liked the class president.

He was always acting tough with me.

Hands in pockets, spitting,

swearing, swaggering along,

...showing off.

Exactly.

I know how he feels.

When I was little,...

...I used to bully the girl I liked.

That's not it.

He shook hands with everyone but me.

There's the problem.

Girls never understand how boys feel.

As if you know...

Let me guess, then...

He wasn't that tough.

He couldn't bully any boys.

He had no friends.

You sat next to him, an easy target.

He needed you to be tough with.

No way he wanted

to shake hands with everyone.

He could only prove how

tough he was with you.

Don't be filthy!

I felt so guilty and so sorry for him...

...that I began copying him.

Too late though, huh?

I couldn't take back...

...the pain I caused him.

It's stopped raining.

Oh, yes.

The moon's out.

Sometimes at night

you see raccoons here.

Shall we go back?

They must be worried about me.

This'll be the talk of the town.

I'm sorry. You've been so kind.

I wonder what happened

at the house, though?

Please, for my sake,

don't ask anyone.

Shall I play that music?

I began to think of

my feelings for him,...

...and of his feelings for me,

for the very first time.

How come he seemed to sort out

my mixed-up thoughts?

How come I let him get so close?

Somehow he seemed older than me.

He was the one I wanted

to shake hands with.

Just shake hands?

What was this feeling?

My mind raced as I sat beside him.

Have you got everything?

Yes, I'm fine.

We'll see you in the winter.

I'll do my farming homework.

What about skiing?

That just takes practice.

Consider what I said, Taeko.

What's that?

What?

That's our secret.

Something was strange yesterday.

Sorry. Next time I'll be fine,

I'll leave the ten-year-old me at home.

Wait for me!

Take care, Naoko.

Goodbye.

Some say love, it is a river

that drowns the tender reed.

Some say love, it is a razor

that leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say love, it is a hunger,

an endless aching need.

I say love, it is a flower,

and you its only seed.

It's the heart, afraid of breaking,

that never learns to dance.

It's the dream, afraid of waking,

that never takes a chance.

It's the one who won't be taken,

who cannot seem to give.

And the soul, afraid of dying,

that never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely

and the road has been too long,

And you think that love is only

for the lucky and the strong,

Just remember in the winter

far beneath the bitter snows,

Lies the seed,

that with the sun's love,

in the spring becomes the rose.

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