Episode 40 :
こい の ひきがわ－ 分岐んてん
("The Brink of
Love's Withdrawal- Parting of Ways")
Tsukushi is standing on a
bridge overlooking a stream at school. Looking out at the water, she remembers
the events of the other day, when Doumyouji had grabbed Shigeru and run from the
hotel. Tsukushi then thinks about Rui and her date with him. Is she still in
love with him? She takes out the toy Rui had bought her on their date and looks
ready to toss it out onto the water when Shigeru shows up, calling Tsukushi's
name. Shigeru wants to take Tsukushi shopping. Shigeru has to go out with
Doumyouji and needs a cute outfit. Tsukushi is obviously less than thrilled,
Shigeru reminds Tsukushi that they are collaborating together.
At an expensive store, Tsukushi watches as Shigeru tries on
one expensive outfit after another. Tsukushi sees an outfit she likes, but is
shocked at how much it costs. After shopping, Tsukushi and Shigeru stop for tea.
Shigeru talks happily and says something about Tsukushi getting a cool guy.
Tsukushi thinks that Shigeru is a real lady, and she just can't hate her, she is
very nice. After tea, Shigeru has her servants pack all of her bags into their
car. Tsukushi looks on with a glum expression. Then Shigeru hands Tsukushi a
package and says it is a gift. Startled, Tsukushi sees that it is the very same
expensive outfit she had admired at the store. Tsukushi tries to refuse the
gift, but Shigeru insists. She happily waves good bye to Tsukushi. Tsukushi is
walking home with her package, wondering what to do about it. As she approaches
her house, she runs into Doumyouji who is waiting for her.
Tsukushi starts to turn the other way, but Doumyouji stops
her. They talk, but don't seem to agree. Tsukushi reminds him that he grabbed
Shigeru, not her, and ran from the hotel. Doumyouji seems to try to defend
himself about this. Tsukushi says something about Doumyouji and his fiance, and
them suiting each other. Doumyouji doesn't like what she says because he
suddenly lashes out and slaps Tsukushi across the face. Tsukushi grabs her cheek
and stares at Doumyouji. Doumyouji just stands there and stares at Tsukushi, and
then looks at his hand. Tsukushi takes a couple of steps away from him. They
stare at each other in silence. Rain begins to fall. Doumyouji turns around and
walks away.
At Doumyouji's mansion, Akira, Soujirou, and Rui are waiting
in Rui's room, talking about the situation. Doumyouji walks home in the rain,
wandering through the city. Because of the rain, his hair has become straight,
and hangs down along his face (Cute!). When Doumyouji arrives home, he trudges
up stairs, dripping water all over the place. He enters his room to find the
guys there. They all jump up at the sight of him and ask why he was walking in
the rain, why he didn't take a car. Doumyouji doesn't answer them. Ignoring
Akira's offer of a towel, Doumyouji goes into his bedroom and sits on the bed.
He holds out his hand and stares at it. Laying back on the bed, Doumyouji causes
a wet spot to form around as the water runs off his dripping body. He holds up
the hand that had hit Tsukushi and continues to look at it, remembering when he
hit her. Then he brings his legs up and curls up on the bed in a sort of fetal
position. He shifts again, and his face is pressed against the mattress. He
looks so wet and forlorn! One of the most touching expressions I have seen on
Doumyouji's face.
Tsukushi is also out in the rain. She is sitting on a park
swing, rocking slowly back and forth, holding her bright red cheek. She
remembers what Doumyouji, and thinks about what she said.
Tsukushi is at work, lost in thought. Yuki startles her out
of her thoughts, causing Tsukushi to drop the money she was holding. Tsukushi
can't stop thinking about Doumyouji and Shigeru. Then she sees Shigeru walk by
the shop with Akira and Soujirou. Amazed to see them together, Tsukushi excuses
herself from Yuki and runs out of the store calling Shigeru's name. Shigeru is
happy to see Tsukushi, as are Akira and Soujirou, though not for the same
reasons as Shigeru. Tsukushi asks what Shigeru is doing with the two guys, and
she says they are on a date. Tsukushi says a date with these two guys? Shigeru
says yes, and then rattles off a list of all the things they have been doing.
They went for tea, window shopping, to an amusement park, etc. Looking at Akira
and Soujirou, Tsukushi notices they look somewhat ill. Soujirou walks up to
Tsukushi, puts his arms around her and begs her to help him. He looks sick.
Akira holds his hand to his forehead and groans about riding the jet coaster.
They have been run ragged by Shigeru. Shigeru talks about her day with the guys
and manages to knock their pride (a huge cement block labeled ‘Pride' falls on
them) as well as call them boring (another cement block falls, this one labeled
‘Tsumanai', ‘boring'). Then she announces that she has to go, but bids Tsukushi
and the guys a happy goodbye and runs off. Sitting there on the ground, Akira
and Soujirou look rather pathetic. A little while later, Tsukushi, Akira, and
Soujirou are sitting at a food shop, talking about Shigeru. Soujirou thinks she
is a demonic monster. Akira doesn't look that thrilled about her either. They
all have a long conversation about Doumyouji, Shigeru, and herself, Tsukushi
says something about her being poor. They ask Tsukushi about the situation, and
Tsukushi manages to seem unconcerned. However her eyes begin to tear up.
Soujirou tells her not to cry, after all, he'll play with her (this coming from
the playboy of course) This makes her feel better.
Tsukushi is walking home when she finds Shigeru crouched out
in front of her house. When she looks up, Tsukushi can see tears in Shigeru's
eyes. Shigeru runs to Tsukushi, crying. Tsukushi wants to know what is wrong.
Shigeru says that Doumyouji has asked to be with her/hang out/associate/ with
her (basically be his woman, similar to what Rui said to Tsukushi way back
when). Tsukushi is shocked, to say the least. Shigeru is happy, but she can't
stop crying. Tsukushi just holds Shigeru and thinks to herself,
'congratulations'.
Toys used in the episode: Tsukushi holds the toy Rui bought
her on their date while thinking about him. She is about to throw it away but is
stopped when Shigeru arrives.
