Your hair is messy (17)
Naoki travels to a parallel universe where Kotoko doesn't love him. (2013 Japanese TV series)
34
There is no doubt that Kotoko and Irie have entered into a long-lasting cold war again. Kotoko knows that she spoke too harshly. Although there was nothing wrong with what she said, the way she expressed it might be too straightforward and sharp, which inadvertently hurt Irie, which is understandable.
Although she understood, Kotoko still didn't want to find Irie to reconcile.
To put it bluntly, wasn't her harsh words towards Irie just how Irie treated her on a daily basis? Irie did whatever he wanted, said whatever he wanted, and hadn't spoken without thinking many times, and he hadn't even once apologized.
So Kotoko didn't plan to apologize to him. Anyway, the cold war period with Irie was equivalent to her liberation period. Until Irie officially went to Kobe, she hoped to maintain the status quo.
In fact, a long time ago, Kotoko had thought about working in another place after graduation, mainly because she wanted to leave Irie's family. She always believed that by increasing the distance between her and Irie, perhaps a little hazy beauty could be created, and there was no need to see each other too closely.
But in the end she gave up. Irie was not worth her leaving Tokyo, and Irie's mother would definitely be sad. Every time she tentatively mentioned to Irie's mother that she wanted to move out with her father, Irie's mother would be sad. Once she was sad, Kotoko had no choice.
So when Kotoko suddenly learned that night that Irie was moving out of home and going to work and live somewhere else, she was not as calm as she seemed. She was very happy.
Kotoko has always been at a disadvantage in relationships because her love interest is the great Naoki Irie, who is considered by everyone to be great. If she mentions some things, she will be criticized by everyone, but through Irie's mouth, the nature of the matter is different. In short, she doesn't want to be the bad guy who disappoints the whole family. It's really great that Irie can take the initiative to play the good guy.
Now Irie is preparing to go to Kobe, and Kotoko can finally put her mind at ease. She is also comforted by her friends. They all say that Irie has gone too far. Even if Kotoko is usually heartless to the point of being cold-blooded, she can't just abandon her girlfriend. It feels like a sign of a breakup. Poor Kotoko.
Cold-blooded and pitiful, Kotoko put on a mournful expression, but inwardly she was secretly delighted: Breaking up? There's such a good thing?
She rejoiced alone for a while, then saw the notes that Irie had prepared for her on the table. The sudden feeling of being touched hit her in an instant, and Kotoko couldn't help but think: Yes, I am really cold-blooded.
Kotoko was in a state of deep conflict. She felt she had let Irie down, and her conscience was filled with guilt. But what good was that? She still wouldn't go to Kobe, and she didn't feel like trying to make peace today. Maybe she'd be in the mood to try to appease him tomorrow.
So tomorrow and tomorrow went on, and there were so many tomorrows, until Irie was about to officially graduate, but Kotoko still ignored him.
During the cold war between the two, the person who was most worried and busy was definitely Irie's mother. Afterwards, she put herself in Kotoko's shoes and agreed with her decision. No little girl would be willing to leave her hometown and go to a new place to suffer all over again, especially to suffer with Naoki who doesn't know how to take care of others. It would be a real hardship.
Irie's mother hopes that Irie can also understand Kotoko's feelings. As Kotoko said, she unconditionally supports Irie's decision, so why can't Irie support her in return?
Irie didn't want to discuss this with his mother because he couldn't explain it clearly.
Was Kotoko's excess only reflected in her reluctance to accompany him to Kobe? Of course not. She also repeatedly excluded him from her life plans, and her indifference to him, and Sano Hidekazu!
Irie was wearing a vague green hat, and was scolded by his girlfriend. He was cold for a long time. You can imagine how he felt. He couldn't listen to anything and wanted to leave Tokyo as soon as possible to calm his brain that was on the verge of exploding.
Irie's mother couldn't persuade her son, so she had to bother Kotoko. She could see that Naoki was madly infatuated with Kotoko, even to an abnormal degree, while Kotoko just wanted to have an ordinary relationship, so the two of them were always out of sync.
Irie's mother doesn't want Kotoko to sacrifice herself to accommodate anyone, but wants to ask her not to give up on Naoki just like that. Once Naoki leaves, they won't be able to meet again in the short term. An unsolvable knot in the heart is like cancer cells, and there's no guarantee that one day it will spread to an irreversible point.
Could we try to communicate again? If Kotoko is willing to patiently explain it again, if it is Kotoko, Naoki should be able to listen.
Looking at Irie's mother's expectant eyes, Kotoko nodded: "Okay, I'll go talk to Irie-kun again."
She agreed so readily that Irie's mother couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat. Kotoko rarely refused her requests and was always her caring little angel.
"Kotoko and her brother seem to have some sort of misunderstanding going on. This fight wasn't entirely about work, was it? It would be great if we could take this opportunity to talk it out."
Kotoko was confused. In her opinion, this time the quarrel between her and Irie was entirely because of work. What else was there to talk about?
Seeing her clueless expression, Irie's mother thought she was just being overly suspicious. To avoid putting unnecessary pressure on Kotoko, she quickly explained, "My brother must be just being bad-tempered and fussing over trivial matters."
Kotoko said it didn't matter, no matter what the reason was for Irie to be angry, she would not argue with Irie just for the sake of Irie's mother.
"No, no, no, Kotoko, you don't have to consider my feelings. Relationships are a matter between the two of you, you just need to say what's on your mind."
Kotoko continued to nod in agreement, but what she was thinking was far more terrifying than Irie's mother could imagine. She couldn't tell Irie, and their feelings had never been just between the two of them.
Besides, Qinzi thought silently: Of course I have to consider your feelings.
Aunt, mother.
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Kotoko's ice-breaking plan was to have a calm talk with Irie on the day she officially graduated, but she had classes that day, so she had to come later. She hoped that her friends in the nursing department could help her save a seat at the medical school graduation ceremony.
"...What classes do you have?"
"It's that lecture by Professor XX! Marina and I signed up for it together. Although the content has little to do with nursing, listening to the opinions of such a wise person should be able to inspire me for my future."
"...But Marina took a leave of absence for Funatsu."
"She invites hers, I go to mine, there's no conflict."
The fellows in the nursing department were stunned. "Do you know what you're saying? What will Irie think of you?"
Kotoko was baffled. Hadn't Irie also gone out for a meeting on the day of her hat-wearing ceremony? She had been so tolerant of his absence. Now, it was simply Irie's first day, and she was following his example by being the fifteenth. What else could Irie have thought?
"Kotoko, you're really holding a grudge. I told you Irie would get in trouble if he didn't come to your hat-wearing ceremony."
"You misunderstood. I wouldn't blame Irie-kun for such a small matter. Conversely, he can't blame me for being late. Otherwise, he would be too strict with me. It's too unfair, right? It's not like I won't come!"
"Professor xx's lecture isn't that important."
"How can you say it's unimportant? Professor XX's lecture spot is very hard to come by, and she's retiring soon. There might not even be another chance. Are you sure you want to take a leave?"
Marina was a little overwhelmed when her name was suddenly called. She didn't know how to tell Kotoko that Professor xx's lecture was just "maybe" not going to happen again, but Funatsu's graduation ceremony would "definitely" not happen again. Moreover, even without Professor xx, there was still Professor YY. There was always no shortage of smart people in the world. Marina never thought that a mere lecture could compete with Funatsu, whom she liked.
But Kotoko's ideas about love are extremely different from those of ordinary people. Marina can't understand her, and the same goes for the nursing department. They all feel something is wrong.
"The problem is, Kotoko, you're planning to make peace. If you keep this attitude... you might just add fuel to the fire. What if, we mean what if, Irie gets even angrier..."
Kotoko continued to wonder from what angle Irie could possibly be angry. But she quickly realized it was a profound subject. She'd pondered it before and couldn't figure it out, so why torture herself now? The answer wasn't important. It hadn't been important for a long time.
"If Irie gets even angrier, there's nothing I can do." Kotoko said in a light and casual tone, "Then, let him be."
35
Kotoko is worthy of being the most ruthless person in Dounan. She said that she would not come to attend Irie's graduation ceremony on time. Despite being dissuaded by many forces, she still did not forget her original intention. She said she would not come and she did not come. Even the medical department's graduation ceremony ended smoothly, and she was not seen arriving late.
Marina originally came to congratulate Funatsu on his graduation, but when she was sitting in the audience, her mind was full of thoughts that after she was able to move freely, she had to take Funatsu away as soon as possible, so that he would not look so smug that he would be hated and beaten by Irie.
The other people in the nursing department were equally confused. A few days ago, they had been a little angry with Irie, wondering how he could leave Kotoko to work in another city. But now they couldn't help but feel pity for Irie.
Not to mention the sad-looking mother and father of Irie in the audience. Mother Irie, who loves taking photos, didn't press the shutter many times the whole time. She used all her energy to look around, looking for Kotoko, but unfortunately, she didn't see Kotoko until she left the school.
Irie, who was deeply sympathized by everyone, was the calmest one. He went on stage to speak as if nothing had happened, accepting everyone's applause and gazes, even though they didn't include the person he cared about the most.
Facing Funatsu's display of affection and Marina who was always on guard against him, Irie did not make any aggressive remarks or actions. He watched calmly and calmly accepted the happiness that others had but he did not.
After everyone left, he sat alone in the auditorium, waiting for a long, long time, and finally Kotoko showed up.
Kotoko arrived later than she had expected, but she still came.
Irie didn't stay in the auditorium to wait for her, so he wasn't surprised by her arrival. He continued to look ahead, but in fact, his eyes couldn't hold anything, and his heart was blank, with nothing in it.
Kotoko tiptoed over, and seeing that he didn't get "even angrier" as his friends had said, she plucked up the courage to sit next to him.
"Um, Irie-kun, I have to apologize first. I didn't mean to be late. I rushed here as soon as Professor XX's lecture ended, but the lecture venue is too far away from the school. I didn't get enough rest last night, so I fell asleep in the car, and after getting off, I got lost..."
Kotoko swallowed hard and tried to save face, "It would have been more convenient for me to go straight home, but I thought Irie-kun might still be waiting for me, so I took several buses and finally managed to get here..."
Irie laughed: "So, should I thank you?"
Kotoko hurriedly told him he was welcome, but a question welled up in her mind. She'd come all this way to see him, shouldn't Irie be grateful? So, was she supposed to deserve it, having to attend a ceremony completely unrelated to her and get so dizzy from all the traffic?
She said you're welcome, but she was being polite. Irie couldn't really be rude, right? Isn't this the most basic social etiquette? A genius like him doesn't understand this?
But no matter how confused she is, Kotoko will still forgive Irie. After all, she has another purpose for this trip, which is to seek peace.
Kotoko told Irie that when he went to Kobe, she would call him every now and then, and would go to see him in person during the long holidays. Even if they could not meet, she would still think of Irie, study hard, take good care of herself and Irie's family, so that he could have no worries.
After listening to her, Irie asked her a completely irrelevant question: "Do you believe in time travel?"
Qinzi didn't believe it.
"I used to believe it," Irie said. "I was a firm believer in time travel. But today, as I stood on stage and spoke, I suddenly realized that there might be other explanations besides time travel. For example, maybe the world we live in now is just a dream. If I knew the answer, I wouldn't want to be a doctor so much."
Kotoko's brain translated the enigmatic words she had received from Irie, and came up with the simplest and clearest summary: "I want to study time travel and no longer want to be a doctor."
She didn't care which profession Irie chose; she simply supported him. However, Kotoko suspected that Irie's question might stem from his desire to travel through time.
So where does Irie want to travel back to? Before he fell in love with her, or before he knew her?
Pain is a two-way street. If possible, Kotoko would rather have never met Irie. Irie might have similar thoughts at this moment. They finally got on the same page in a strange direction.
However, there is no if, what has happened cannot be changed, regrets cannot be made up for, and wrong choices will cause people to fall into long-term pain. This is the heaviest lesson that time has taught Qinzi.
Moreover, traveling through time and space is not necessarily a good thing. There is a certain order between heaven and earth, and those who break the rules are destined to be retaliated by the rules.
All Kotoko can do is try her best to manage her current life. She knows that she is not handling it well enough, but there is no other way. She must consider herself first before she will have the energy to consider others.
Because Irie shifted all his focus to time travel, the process of Kotoko reconciling with him was relatively smooth. They still didn't talk much, but they didn't argue with each other anymore. Even someone as slow-witted as Kotoko could feel that the distance between them had widened again. The peace in front of them was just an illusion, used to cover up the fact that they were strangers.
Kotoko guessed that it wouldn't be long before Irie-kun would dump her, and rumors would spread all over the school again, but it didn't matter, this was the last time.
An ordinary girl, never worthy of the genius Irie-kun, unexpectedly finds favor with the God of Love. Ultimately, she's abandoned by the deity. At the stroke of midnight, the prince remains the same proud prince, and the false Cinderella princess reveals her true self, returning to her ordinary life. Isn't this exactly the ending the audience, who have long been indignant on behalf of the prince, longed to see? Kotoko, in a sense, has fulfilled her mission.
However, Kotoko, who was mentally prepared, did not receive the breakup notice from Irie, just as Irie did not give up his job as a doctor to study the time travel he had mentioned. He went to Kobe alone without leaving a single word for Kotoko.
Irie felt that it was meaningless. On the day of the graduation ceremony, he imagined countless reasons why Kotoko didn't show up, like she was sulking with him, like he didn't attend Kotoko's hat-wearing ceremony last time and she was angry and vindictive and planned to retaliate. But the real reason Kotoko was late was because the way back was too far and she accidentally fell asleep, which had nothing to do with Irie.
Irie always tries hard to find traces of himself in Kotoko's life, but fails again and again. He hates Sano for taking away Kotoko's past, so he clings to Kotoko in front of him. He must have Kotoko to make up for the missing part of his life.
However, Qinzi neither loved him nor hated him. She just treated him as a piece of insignificant air and didn't take him seriously.
Irie had nothing to say to Kotoko like this. There was no point in saying anything anyway. Irie agreed that it was time for their relationship to end, but he was unwilling to accept it.
Even if Irie gave up becoming a doctor and studied time travel, the possibility of him returning to his original time and space in his lifetime was so small that it was negligible. He had traveled through time and space by accident, like a clown, and what did he get?
Why? Why was he the only one suffering? He would also become Kotoko's curse, following her like a shadow throughout her life.
tbc
Irie is also gradually turning evil, almost turning from love to hate for B-Kotoko. But how can he really turn evil? It's so boring to keep falling into despair. It's more interesting to give him some hope and then crush it.
So let’s have something a little more emotional in the next chapter.
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