Episode 11 :
あい は おおそら の かなた へ
("Love Flies High Over the Clouds")
Tsukushi is thinking about Rui
and Shizuka's relationship. She comments on how Shizuka is special to Rui, and
how Rui is special to Tsukushi. She wants herself to be special to Rui as well.
Walking at school, Tsukushi encounters Doumyouji, who looks upset. He seems to
be waiting for her to say something. He asks her if she has anything to say to
him, and she replies with a few insults, which make him even more irritated. He
asks her if she remembers what she did to him at Shizuka's party. He reminds her
that she puked all over his Armani suit. Tsukushi is embarrassed that she forgot
such an important occasion.
Some girls walk by, and Doumyouji and Tsukushi overhear them
talking about how now that Shizuka is gone, Rui is fair game. Doumyouji accuses
Tsukushi of feeling the same way, and she realizes that he is right, she had
been thinking just like those girls.
Later on, Tsukushi runs into Shizuka on campus. Tsukushi begs
Shizuka not to go back to France, for Rui's sake. She says Shizuka can study law
here. Shizuka smiles sadly at Tsukushi, but says that although she really likes
everyone here, she must go. Shizuka wants to look back on her life with no
regrets. Shizuka leaves.
Watching Shizuka go, Tsukushi is startled by Rui, who had
overheard their entire conversation. Rui is very angry at Tsukushi for
interfering in his business. He yells at her to leave, and she does. Walking
away, Tsukushi finds an elementary school park, and stares at it. Urara-sensei
is there as well, and speaks to Tsukushi about painful memories.
At the airport, Nishikado, Akira, Doumyouji, Tsukushi, and
Kazuya are all there to see Shizuka off. Everyone has noticed the
absence of Rui, and try to get a hold of him on the phone, but can't reach him.
Tsukushi is upset that Rui isn't there. Doumyouji has a present for Shizuka, a
funny surprise that he shows to Kazuya first. Tsukushi just stands there feeling
depressed about Rui. Doumyouji notices Tsukushi's depression and asks her what
is wrong. Tsukushi asks Doumyouji if he has ever loved someone. Doumyouji thinks
that Tsukushi doesn't know anything. Tsukushi asks him if it is considerate to
repress yourself for someone you love. Doumyouji says it isn't. Tsukushi is
surprised at the wisdom of Doumyouji's words, and tells him that he may be a
smart person. Doumyouji is mad that she is only just now figuring that out.
The time has come for Shizuka to go to France. With a sad
goodbye to everyone, she gets on the plane and leaves. As soon as Shizuka's
plane takes off, Rui makes his appearance. Everyone angrily demands where he has
been, and Rui says that he has been at the airport the whole time, watching from
behind a pillar. Tsukushi is upset with Rui and yells at him to go to Shizuka if
he loves her. She yells at him to be a man. Rui then holds up an airplane ticket
and says that he already has booked a ticket for the next flight to France. Rui
thanks Tsukushi for making him realize his feelings, and he kisses her on the
head. Then Rui boards his plane and leaves for France after Shizuka.
Outside the airport, Doumyouji, Kazuya, Nishikado, Akira, and
Tsukushi are all watching the planes take off and land. Doumyouji is gloating to
Akira and Nishikado about being right that Tsukushi didn't like Rui, otherwise
she wouldn't have urged him to go to France. Tsukuhsi sadly watches the planes
go, and records 'Bye Bye, Hanazawa Rui' into her voice recorder. Doumyouji
approaches Tsukushi and they watch the planes together for a minute. Then he
asks her out on a date. Just as he asks her, a plane is taking off, so Tsukushi
cannot hear him. Doumyouji says to never mind, they will talk about it later.
Toys used in the episode: Tsukushi uses the voice memo to
talk about Rui liking Shizuka, and then again later to say good-bye to him.
