[SASAE HIKARI, BOOK SIGNING]
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Thank you.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Sir?
Choi Hong.
You know her, right?
Yes.
Yes, I know her.
Could we, talk for a minute?
Okay.
I'm sorry,
but can we take a short break?
Sure.
Let's take a break for ten minutes.
Okay. Sure.
How may I help you?
Please...
Stay away from Hong.
She's my fiancée.
There must be some...
misunderstanding.
Misunderstanding?
There is nothing going on
between Hong and I.
It's...
just this book.
It talks about her.
Indeed.
I cannot stand this book.
You are being a hypocrite.
It's disgusting to me.
No matter why you wrote this book
it doesn't matter anymore.
Please...
Stay away from my Hong.
I'm going to propose to her tonight.
Would you do me a favor?
Please...
Promise me...
That...
You'll never make her...
Feel alone.
Is that it?
It's such an easy one.
I see.
I'm sorry.
But I should get going.
It was such an easy thing to do.
So, why didn't I...
know it back then?
Hong...
She continued to run every single day.
Even on the day we broke up.
Here's your beer.
I'll put them here.
Let me take these for you.
I can't remember exactly when it was,
but as our relationship started to fall apart,
she started to run for much longer
and went much farther, too.
Put it down here, please.
Can you sign for the delivery?
Just here.
The Inokashira Fireworks Festival will be kicking off
in the middle of summer this year.
Last year, the Inokashira Fireworks Festival
was a resounding success...
[THE 50TH INOKASHIRA FIREWORKS FESTIVAL]
One day,
I asked her why she ran so hard.
- I'll take these, please. - She said,
"No reason," and not much else.
We are now here at the Inokashira Fireworks Festival.
Hailed as the longest fireworks festival,
it has been around 20 minutes
since the fireworks have started.
It wasn't a real answer,
but I stopped asking.
I was scared to find out the reason.
- What's the meaning of this? - You're being annoying.
- About what? - I told you just now. Period.
- Huh? - Just do it yourself then.
I won't accept this.
You just dismiss whatever I say.
I've already made up my mind to move out.
When my mom left me as a kid, she asked me a question.
"Do you want to live with your dad,
or do you want to live with me?"
With you, Mom!
It didn't take very long for me to answer.
But I guess
that wasn't the answer she wanted.
We have to look out for each other from now on. All right?
I'm counting on you, kid.
I had regretted it for so long.
I should've
just kept my mouth shut when she asked.
I realized
that what I say doesn't really change anything.
Sometimes, in life,
it was better just to hold my tongue.
Thanks to my mom,
I learned a valuable lesson at such a young age.
[IS UNFULFILLED LOVE STILL LOVE?]
[WHAT COMES AFTER LOVE]
Who was that earlier?
Do you know him?
Yeah.
He's a friend of a friend.
Shall we go for a drink at the hotel later?
Tonight?
- I don't think-- - I know.
You have plans with the publishers.
I have other plans, too.
Let's meet up afterward.
I'll wait.
Okay.
Beni.
Did you get home safely?
You've been gone for a month already.
But you know what?
I'm still stuck on the day that you left.
I keep asking myself
why I couldn't understand how lonely you were.
I regret it so much.
I shouldn't have left you alone like that.
I shouldn't have
let you leave like that.
I used to think
that we were together the whole time,
but you were by yourself for so long.
But...
I'll put aside the regrets for now.
I'm going to take some advice
from the poems that you left me.
[SKY, WIND, STARS, AND POETRY]
I'm going to start
walking down the path I was meant to be following.
If I continue down that path,
I feel like
I might see you at the end of it.
Mr. Sasae.
Thank you very much for today.
You did great today, Mr. Sasae.
Thank you for your assistance.
- Are you coming to the get-together tonight? - Yes.
Where's Kanna?
Oh, she had other plans and had to leave early.
Oh, I see.
Should we get back to the office, then?
- Okay. - Sure.
Shall we get back to the office?
[WHAT COMES AFTER LOVE]
Where were you? Aren't you on the clock?
Oh, I...
Something came up, so I asked for some personal time.
- Did I miss anything? - Something huge.
Was there an emergency call?
No, not that.
I got a huge surprise for you for your wedding.
"Huge"?
What's with the mystery?
Don't pass out when I tell you.
I won't, so just tell me.
- Come on, I need to head to the ER. - The director gave me the go-ahead.
About what?
The training program in the States.
"Training program"?
Isn't that great? You owe me one now.
Hold on.
- You should've told me before... - Oh, come on.
Why would I ruin the surprise and miss that look on your face?
Do you know how hard it was to get you accepted?
I was chasing after the director and begging him to get you in.
That was all for you!
I need to talk to Hong about this.
I'm sure she'll be happy. It's a great opportunity.
She'll be a professor's wife when you're done,
and it'll be nice to travel around in Seattle, too.
- Do you think so? - You bet.
Trust me.
My wife absolutely loved it.
I'll tell the director that you're on board.
No, wait.
I'm sorry, but can I let you know by the end of the day?
I should really talk about it with Hong first.
Sure.
You should get her approval.
Call me later.
Okay.
[HONG]
Cash or card, ma'am?
Card, please.
- Here you go. Thank you. - Thank you.
[HONG]
♪ No matter how hard I try ♪
♪ To comfort your weary heart ♪
♪ We speak of different dreams ♪
Have they also had
heartbreaking relationships and breakups?
Do they also look at their calendars one day,
realize it is the birthday of the ones they used to love,
and be left in a daze?
♪ When I have ♪
♪ The peace to fill ♪
♪ Your empty heart ♪
♪ I hope my poor love ♪
♪ Will stay in your heart ♪
Mr. Sasae.
It's nice to meet you.
I'm Choi Han, the president of Sodam Books.
Thank you very much for making your way over to Korea.
Nice to meet you, too.
Thank you for inviting me.
Why don't we have some tea in my office?
Please follow me.
You must be busy in Japan as well.
I really appreciate you giving us the time to promote your work in Korea.
Thank you very much.
It's a pleasure to be here.
Thanks to your help,
the book signing event went well today.
Is this
your first time in Korea?
It is.
It took me so long to visit somewhere so close by.
We're close but also far at the same time.
Your Japanese is very good, Mr. Choi.
Right.
I was an overseas student in Japan,
and I also worked there for about five years
as a foreign correspondent for a newspaper company.
You were there for quite a while.
Maybe that was the reason
why I was very impressed by your work.
Thank you.
As I read through your book,
I came across a thought in my mind.
I wondered if love ever had an ending.
There's definitely a beginning,
but I don't ever remember seeing an ending.
That was what I thought
your work was trying to convey.
Right.
It seems I've become wordy in my old age.
My daughter tells me
that I'm going through a mid-life crisis.
Enjoy your tea.
Thank you.
Take a look around upstairs.
You can say hello to our employees.
Honestly, there's not much to look at.
I look forward to working with you.
"I look forward to working with you."
- Thank you, sir. - Likewise, Mr. Sasae.
Everyone here is a fan of your work.
- Oh, right. The autographs! - You're so handsome.
"You're so handsome."
Since you're here, could we also get some autographs?
"Could we also get some autographs?"
Of course.
Please.
Should I do it here?
Yes, please. Take a seat.
All right.
Thank you, and sorry for the trouble.
Don't mention it.
[SPRING BLOSSOMS CALL BACK TO THE SNOWFLAKES OF WINTER]
Are you done, Mr. Sasae?
No, not yet.
By the way...
Is Ms. Choi Hong here?
She's working out of the office right now.
After you are done,
we'll all go to the restaurant together.
Okay. That sounds good.
The autograph...
Oh, I see.
- I'll give it a shot after dinner. - Sure.
Are you coming back from Mr. Han's office?
Yes.
You know we're having dinner with Mr. Sasae, right?
I already had plans with Min Jun, so...
I see.
You should at least drop by
and tell Min Jun that you'll be a bit late.
- I'll call him and ask. - Okay.
I'm going in Mr. Lee's car. I'll see you later.
[WHAT COMES AFTER LOVE]
Hey, Mr. Yoon. Are you okay to talk?
Yes, Ms. Choi. What is it?
I need to ask you a favor.
That's right.
Is Harmonica Yokocho by Kichijoji Station
still a popular spot?
Have you been to Harmonica Yokocho?
No.
My daughter lived in Kichijoji
when she was studying in Japan.
I remember hearing about it from her then.
I see.
She's currently working at Sodam Books as well.
Do you remember the interpreter
who came to meet you at the airport?
That was my daughter.
Yes.
I've heard a lot about her.
Hey, you're here.
Take my seat, Ms. Choi.
Thank you.
We should bring out the cake now that she's here.
Okay.
We just need the candles.
Why did you have to wait?
We just couldn't start without you.
All right, then.
Shall we?
- ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪ - ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
- ♪ Happy birthday, Mr. Sasae ♪ - ♪ Happy birthday, Mr. Sasae ♪
- ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪ - ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
- Happy birthday! - Happy birthday!
Mr. Sasae.
Many happy returns on your birthday.
Thank you very much, everyone.
Go ahead and blow them out.
Thank you.
I really like Mont Blanc cakes.
Oh, right.
Ms. Choi's picked it out for you.
I see.
Excuse me, Mr. Sasae.
Can I ask you a question as a fan?
She would like to ask you a question.
Of course.
What happened between you and the woman
who was the model for the female lead?
"What happened between you and the woman
who was the model for the female lead?"
The story had a happy ending...
but it wasn't the case in real life.
I failed to see that she was lonely,
so she left for Korea
without saying a word.
Hey, Rock. It's me.
Is something wrong?
Why wouldn't you pick up your phone?
Sorry. It's raining, so I was bringing in the laundry.
This is so bad. What's going to happen to us?
Why? What's going on?
What are we going to do, Hong?
I think Dad's publishing company went out of business.
What?
I only just heard from Mom earlier.
Dad apparently filed for bankruptcy yesterday.
What?
Bankruptcy?
I'm so scared, Hong.
I couldn't get a hold of Dad all day,
and Mom...
[BENI]
What am I doing here?
Beni.
You're still up?
Yes.
I was waiting for you.
Today...
One of our star writers
suddenly passed away.
Sure.
There's always a reason with you, Jungo.
And those reasons are more important than me to you.
I actually knew him personally.
I even had drinks at his house once.
You could have given me a call, at least.
I couldn't help it. It was so hectic today.
We wouldn't stop getting calls from the press.
Everyone else went to the funeral.
I was all by myself at the office.
That doesn't mean you can't call me.
Beni...
It's not like I was out having fun.
Can't you just say that you're sorry?
Is it so hard to apologize?
Do you even know how I feel right now?
Can't you give me some attention, too?
Why does it always have to be about you?
You could have just apologized.
No one will get mad at you for saying it.
Why is it so hard for you to say that?
- Beni... - What?
Am I wrong?
You know it's true.
You don't even care about me anymore.
How I'm doing these days
or what's been bothering me.
You have no idea, Jungo.
I only just got back from work.
That doesn't mean you can break our promise!
Don't you remember we promised to talk over dinner tonight?
What's the point of making promises?
You might as well do nothing but work.
Why make promises you can't keep?
Why am I the only one who gets worried?
Why do I always have to wait?
This isn't easy for me, either!
Do you think I like living like this?
We see each other at home, anyway.
When you're busy,
promises can't always be kept.
Why can't you be a bit more understanding?
So...
Are you saying...
that it's all my fault?
Come on. That's not what I--
Please!
Can you please just say you're sorry?
Do you know why this is so hard for me?
You always turn me into a bad person when I deserve an apology.
It's your fault, Jungo!
You were the one who neglected me and left me alone.
How many times do I need to tell you not to leave me by myself?
I'm in a foreign country, and I'm all alone without you.
Why do you leave me by myself and make me feel lonely?
Do you know
what I heard today?
Did something happen back home?
You know what?
Jungo.
I think
you and I should break up.
- Beni... - I can't...
take it anymore.
I can't...
live like this anymore.
If you failed to understand her loneliness...
doesn't that mean that your love for has changed?
No.
My love has never changed.
I'm sorry, but you'll have to excuse me.
I have to be somewhere.
You're leaving already?
I'm already late for it.
I'm sorry.
Mr. Sasae.
I look forward to working with you at Sodam Books.
Hey.
Sorry. Did you have to wait long?
My dad was insisting that I stop by the get-together.
Don't worry about it. Did you eat?
No.
What should we get?
How about some shrimp? It's your favorite.
Or scallops?
Sure.
I'm good with anything you like.
Did something happen at work?
No. I'm just not craving anything.
Okay, then.
I'll just order what looks good.
Okay.
This is nice.
It's nice to get out once in a while.
You must be tired these days.
Especially with work and the wedding preparations.
I wasn't that busy.
And even if I was, it's nowhere as bad as resident doctors.
Listen.
I have some good news.
Good news?
I got accepted.
The training program in the states.
Seriously?
Yes.
Hong.
Will you come with me to a new place
and start a new life together?
It's a little late, but this is my proposal.
I'm sorry I haven't done it sooner.
And for making excuses for being shy.
Will you marry me?
- Min Jun... - Hong.
You're all that I need.
I promise you.
I'll never make you feel lonely.
Wherever we are,
and whenever it may be,
I promise.
I'll never leave you by yourself.
Are you...
Here.
Don't cry, Hong. Why...
I didn't think it would be that moving.
I'm sorry.
Min Jun...
I don't know what's wrong with me.
I don't mean to be like this.
I'm really sorry.
But I'm not so sure.
I was sure that I got over it.
Is that why...
you went to the signing event today?
I was there, too.
Because I was anxious.
If...
I told you how I felt about you
before you went to Japan...
Would things be different for us now?
Min Jun.
Even if we were dating...
before I met him,
or even if we were married
with three children...
My heart would drop
the moment I see him, just like it did now.
When he leaves,
and you leave me,
I'll be all by myself again.
But I can't lie to you just because I'm scared of being lonely.
Because I genuinely like you.
Because you like me?
Because you genuinely like me?
I didn't know that word...
could sound so cruel.
I'm sorry, Min Jun. I have to go.
I don't know why I suddenly started to cry.
The moment Min Jun proposed...
I suddenly thought that I had to fend for myself.
Actually, it wasn't just a thought.
It was more of a realization.
And all of a sudden,
I was reminded of the look on Jungo's face.
Our love was beautiful
because we were reckless and naive.
Our love had come to an end
without a moment to say goodbye.
And his face was grimaced in pain
because of our love.
[MR. YOON]
Hi, Ms. Choi.
Mr. Yoon.
Are you still having dinner?
No, Mr. Sasae seemed tired, so we wrapped up earlier than we expected.
- I just drove him to his hotel. - I see.
Thank you for your hard work today.
Have a good night.
Yes, Ms. Choi. Have a good night.
Excuse me.
Can you tell me which room Mr. Sasae Hikari is staying in?
I'm sorry, ma'am.
We can't disclose the room numbers of our guests.
Right. Of course.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
Excuse me, ma'am.
I can't tell you his room number,
but I think he went to the bar on the first floor earlier.
Thank you.