What?
A miniseries?
The story you wrote for last week's issue
seems to have gotten some pretty good reviews.
Really?
Surprisingly.
I need you to flesh out that story
so we can turn it into a three-part series,
or maybe a long-term series.
No way.
This is a turning point, Karino.
Right. Uh…
Sorry. I need to go.
I get it. I try to avoid setting our meetings for weekday afternoons.
Sorry about that.
Don't worry about it. Thanks for your help.
Your schedule is about to get very crowded from here on out.
Will you be able to balance work and Kotaro?
Yeah. I think I can handle it.
I'll simply make time for both.
Hmm. I believe that.
Hey, Kotaro! Time to go!
I'm here to take you home!
Um, hi! May I ask who you are?
Oh, of course. Silly me.
Name's Nitta. I'm a friend of Shin Karino.
I'm here to pick up Kotaro.
Wanna see my ID? I promise I'm not a creeper.
If that's settled, you ready to go, Kotaro?
One moment.
To be sure you are who you say you are,
please describe Sir Karino.
Hmm. He's precocious.
Shin's just about as lazy as he looks.
Aye. 'Tis true.
Wait. That's it?
Let's go. Shin's busy, so it's just you and me.
Understandable.
Please pardon me while I retrieve my hat and shoes, my lady.
Could you give this to Mr. Karino?
He already knows that the show is coming up,
but a little reminder never hurts.
Kindergarten showcase?
This is coming up.
Dear lady, are you among Sir Karino's ex-girlfriends?
Yep. I'll be staying here a few days while I sort out some life stuff.
Interesting]
Please allow me to introduce myself.
I am Kotaro Sato.
I'm Nitta Akane. Nice to meet you.
Huh? Nitta, I thought you said you were going out shopping?
Yeah. I lied.
I picked up Kotaro at kindergarten.
I know you're busy, so--
And what about you?
It's not safe to leave school with a person you've never met.
She professed to know you.
And you believed her without proof?
Anyway…
Nitta, did his teacher give you a bulletin or anything for me?
Nope. Not a thing.
THREE DAYS EARLIER
Long time no see.
Nitta? W-what are you doing here?
Had another fight with my boyfriend,
so I need a place to crash at.
You don't mind if I stay her for a few days, right?
What? How long do you expect to--
Oh, hey! Manga! Are you writing again?
That's so great for you.
I thought you stopped drawing. You said you were over it.
Yeah. I was.
I was pretty down on myself back then.
Have a late night?
Yeah. Later than usual.
If I do a good job, they may even turn the piece into a full series.
That's great! You're finall getting your shot!
I know.
Make yourself at home, okay? I've gotta head out for a bit.
Anything I can do to help? I don't mind pitching in.
And that seems like the least I can do.
No. Thanks. I gotta go pick him up.
Him, who?
STRAIGHT FROM THE GARDEN! FRESH VEGETABLES
This is a bad idea.
For the time being, I'm gonna be the one walking you to school every day
and picking you up after.
Hmm?
Look. The truth is Shin's working really hard to meet his editor's deadline.
He's been up all night working, he's totally exhausted,
but there's still so much left for him to do.
Add to that having to get you to and from school,
take you to the store and the bathhouse?
There's no way he can get it all done.
So, it'll be just you and me for now. All right?
Hey. I'm back.
Where'd you go?
Has he thought of me as a burden this whole time?
We'll get even stronger!
Aye!
He said we'd get stronger together.
Was that just a lie?
Have I been a burden to Sir Karino?
I will no longer go with you to the bathhouse.
What? Why not?
From this moment on, you do not need to walk me to school,
or to the store, or anywhere at all.
What's up with you?
-Kotaro, you coming? -Hmm?
Shouldn't you be working?
Don't you have a lot more writing to do before your deadline?
I got Kotaro. Don't worry about it.
You didn't have to come.
You know you don't have time for this kind of stuff.
This stuff?
I'm just saying, it's a big project
and your manga career is on the line.
You don't think Kotaro understands that?
It all makes sense now.
Did you say something to him?
Not that much.
Look. I'm not changing my regular routine.
-Dear lady. -What's up, kid?
I assume Sir Karino was working late again last night?
Yeah. Last night was another all-nighter.
That would be the reason for the zombie-like state he is in.
Shin?
What? What are you doing here?
This is what I do every day.
Oh, come on. Stop being so stubborn.
-Isn't your deadline tonight? -Say what you want. I'm coming.
Is it because of the kindergarten showcase?
No way he's coming.
Shin, do you remember what day today is?
You mean my manga deadline?
Anything else?
No. Nothing.
Uh, hey!
Almost time for the kid's show.
All right. I'm going out for a bit.
Have fun.
Welcome, parents, to the Kindergarten Showcase.
All right, class. Just like we practiced, okay?
Okay!
Kotaro looks so sad.
Shin?
That's my boy.
You came? I thought you'd forgotten about it.
Please. I wouldn't miss this for the world.
So you were lying.
Well, that makes two of us.
He seemed to perk up for a minute.
Well, what about your manuscript?
I'll work on it later.
I've gotten a lot done in the past few nights, so I'm on-track.
Don't worry about it.
You're just a neighbor, you know?
Not his parent. It's not your job to look after Kotaro.
I know it is not my job.
So then maybe you shouldn't get so involved in his life, then.
You know, a kid is a lot of responsibility.
Regardless, I can at least be here for him.
Look around.
Every other kid here has a parent to watch over them
and record these little moments.
Yeah.
And these moments, they're proof of our life.
Proof we really lived.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe I'm not responsible enough to take care of him.
And who knows?
Tomorrow everything could change and he could be gone.
So, I've decided I wanna be there for these little moments.
At least for now.
And you'd sacrifice your career for him?
You know, if it weren't for him,
I wouldn't be this determined to succeed with my manga.
Because failing would mean letting him down.
And then he'd think it was his fault.
Oh, I guess I was wrong.
I want to apologize.
I had it wrong this whole time.
You're the one inspiring Shin to become a more responsible person.
And you are the one who motivated him to be a better artist.
He needs you, Kotaro.
So, how about you guys make up?
No time like the present.
Lay off. You're the one who started this.
SHIMIZU APARTMENTS
Huh? What are you doing? You moonwalking?
But of course.
I must always lift you up.
Shin can be pretty unreliable, but try to take care of him.
Aye!
What is going on with you two?
Tamamori, this is incredible!
We'd love to sell your shirts in our store.
I'm flattered, but I've already been approached
by a high-end department store.
Hmm?
Yeah. Can I help you?
Hmm?
Are you lost or something?
Your shirt, that is a lot of stars.
Oh, this old thing?
It's all the rage.
Of course, the clothes I design are way cooler than most.
Hey. You should take better care of your clothes.
Go home and have your mom wash that.
Better yet, take it to the dry cleaners.
Nope! Can't do that.
Fashion emergency!
Arms up.
Just this once I'll wash it for you.
You poor sweater.
Uh, thank you, kind sir.
Since when am I a cleaning service?
And why did that kid ring my bell anyway?
It's a new design for a t-shirt.
It's cool, right?
Could you tell me what these letters spell out?
G-O-D.
You get it? It spells "God."
A perfect design!
Totally god-like.
-It is corny. -What? I…
No. It's not.
It is quite sad how corny it is.
What about it is corny?
Uh…
You again?
How did you manage to stain your shirt again?
This type of stain should be handwashed with soap,
then put into the washer.
Make sure your mom knows too. Yeah?
Here. I'll show you.
Huh?
Well, what do you think?
Pretty cool in real-life, right?
It is still corny, sir.
I don't get what's corny about it!
So he just comes over to your house by himself?
Yep.
He's been showing up every day for, like, three weeks now.
You again!
I told you before to stop ringing my doorbell!
Sir Tamamori, where have you been?
Huh? Oh.
I'm moving at the end of the week,
so I needed to get some cardboard boxes.
You're moving away from here?
Guess I'm not special.
You've been out here ringing everyone's doorbell now haven't you?
You really shouldn't do that.
You're bothering everyone.
Oh, hey. The shirt!
I nailed it this time.
Even you'll have to agree that the design looks cool.
The sample should be here tomorrow. You wanna check it out?
I bet it's corny.
Hey!
-Tamamori. -Hmm?
He doesn't seem to be ringing your doorbell as a prank.
Huh?
He looks lonely. I don't think he has any friends.
If I had to guess, I'd say his parents leave him alone a lot.
Huh? What?
I knew a kid like that when I was in elementary school.
His parents left him home alone all the time.
He started coming to my house and staying till it got dark.
Kids can get pretty lonely by themselves.
TYPICAL ACTS OF NEGLECTED CHILDREN RING STRANGER DOORBELLS
You're bothering everyone.
Check it out!
My masterpiece has finally arrived!
I was going to sell these shirts in stores,
but I think you need them more.
These are brand-new.
I won't be here to help wash your clothes anymore,
so try to keep them clean, okay?
It's just like the one you drew.
Only I could pull off a design like this one.
Thank you.
I'm sorry if I bothered you by ringing your doorbell all the time.
Go on.
You keep ringing all the doorbells of as many houses as you can find.
Hmm?
Not everyone will be happy about it.
and some people might not answer at all,
but don't worry about them.
You keep at it.
Keep ringing doorbells until you find what you're looking for.
You, take care.
Hey. I've been meaning to ask you.
You wear that shirt, like, every day.
Do you like it that much?
Oh, this? Indeed. It is corny, right?
I know, but I like it.
Really?
Oh man!
Leave it to me to wake up sick on my first solo route!
All right. This is the last delivery.
Unit 203.
Oh! Good morning!
You, sir, are from Asagao Newspaper, correct?
A pleasure to meet you. I am Kotaro Sato.
Uh, hi there! Thank you for your subscription.
I have been waiting.
I was afeared something happened to you on your way over.
Yeah. Sorry about that.
It's been kind of a rough morning.
That's a lot of newspapers.
How many did you subscribe to?
Five, all tolled.
By the way, Sir Delivery Man,
I do hope your rough morning has improved.
Uh, yeah. It's fine! Thank you for asking!
Oh, what a respectful kid.
His parents must have taught him well.
Right on time today.
Oh. Guess he hasn't come to collect them all yet?
Can't believe he gets so many.
Wait. All these papers get delivered to
"Kotaro Sato."
Huh. The subscriptions are under the kid's name?
ASAGAO NEWSPAPER
Mr. Yokoi, do you remember who signed the contract
for Unit 203 at the Shimizu Apartments?
Did it happen to be signed by a kid named Kotaro Sato?
Yeah.
I remember thinking it was a little strange
he didn't live with his parents.
What?
Kotaro is so nice.
I bet someone talked him into subscribing to that many papers.
I remember thinking it was a little strange
he didn't live with his parents.
Sorry I'm a little late today.
I couldn't sleep. My brain was going a mile a minute.
I am glad you are safe.
He's so nice!
Kotaro, was there someone who made you buy these?
You don't have to get five newspapers.
I can get you out of the contract.
I have no desire to cancel them.
Huh?
It is imperative that I receive a new paper each and every day.
Do you really need that many papers?
May I ask a favor of you?
If you happen to notice two or more days go by,
and you see papers piling up,
I ask that you check on me.
I do not wish to burden you, sir,
but I live on my own.
Um…
Yeah.
I can do that.
Good morrow.
Morning.
Did you finish reading the papers?
Indeed.
I found no trace of my mother or my father's names written anywhere.
Oh, yeah? Well, that's good.
Aye.
Nothing grievous to report according to the newspapers this week.
It appears that my mother and father are safe.
I'm reporting live from outside the shopping arcade.
Normally, you'd expect an arcade to have a bustling atmosphere…
…but the Konomi Station Shopping arcade
is a quiet area filled with kind people.
There's even a flower shop just down the street.
Hey. What's up?
Uh, Sir Karino, I must ask you a question.
Do you happen to know how to get to Konomi Station?
Uh,
it's been a while, but yeah, I do.
Do you need to go?
Aye.
I believe I have been there before,
but I cannot recall the exact location.
I had planned to go there myself--
How many times have I told you not to travel alone?
Tell me. I'll go with you.
Yes, sir.
It is settled. We shall leave on the morrow!
Sure. Sounds good to me.
You're a liar.
What are you talking about?
Yesterday we agreed we would leave "on the morrow."
You're a liar.
Give me a break. I wasn't lying.
You see me rushing around to get dressed, right?
It's not like I meant to sleep in.
You do know that I am more than capable of traveling on my own.
Yeah? Well, it's a good thing you didn't
because I looked up the place you wanted to go.
It's so far you probably couldn't find it by yourself.
Now quit whining. I'm just looking out for you.
You say that and yet you still slept in.
You, Sir Neighbor, are a liar.
Come on. Don't be like that.
You really gotta stop doubting me.
Haven't lied to you yet. Why start now?
And besides,
lying just really isn't my cup of tea anyway.
So you can just quit worrying about it already.
Got it?
Next time I'm going to set all of the clocks in your house
two hours ahead.
Don't do that. That's… that's mean.
ENTRY PROHIBITED
Konomi Station,
blue roof, lots of trees.
Huh.
Well, this isn't very much to go on, is it?
Where is it we're trying to go, anyway?
The flower shop.
You wanna buy flowers?
They are a sidequest.
The final destination of this journey
should be relatively close to the flower shop.
A cemetery? So is this--
Aye.
Do you know the location?
I have been here before.
My mother brought me one time.
Though I will admit, the memory is fuzzy.
WAMIYA FAMILY GRAVE
It has been far too long since I was able to visit
the final resting place of my mother's parents.
I wanted to pay my respects.
Oh. So this is his grandparents' grave.
Hey, Kotaro. Were you really close to your grandma and grandpa?
I never had the pleasure of knowing them
as they passed away before I was born.
One day I would like to ask my mother all about them.
Makes sense.
One day, huh?
Well, I hope he's able to, eventually.
All right. Firstly, I shall clean the grave.
Great. Is it okay if I help?
I would appreciate that.
Pardon, Mr. and Mrs. Wamiya.
I will start cleaning the lower sections.
So Wamiya, was that your mother's maiden name?
Aye. 'Tis true.
My mother was born "Sayori Wamiya."
Her name looks like this.
Beautiful, isn't it?
Yeah. That's a really beautiful name.
Sayori Wamiya.
Then Sato must be his dad's last name.
Hmm?
Sir Karino, how long are you planning to stand in that spot?
Huh?
Cleaning is complete. Flowers and incense have been offered.
You should also pay respects to this side of the grave.
That doesn't really matter, right?
I'm still paying my respects from over here.
Besides, this is about you.
I am not moving.
I do not like it.
For you, sir, are disrupting my concentration.
I am absolutely not moving.
Well, then don't look at me.
I cannot help it if you are right in front of me.
Well, too bad.
There is no way I can let him see this.
I don't know exactly what happened,
but what I do know
is that his mother
is already gone.
Sir Grandpa, Lady Grandma,
I have been quite well since I last visited.
Please keep watching over me.
Perhaps, if
my mother comes to visit you,
you could tell her that I am doing excellently.
That I have a good, healthy life.
Watch your step there. Okay?
Okay!
-Sir Karino? -Yeah?
Will I
be able to see my mother again one day?
I…
I have to do this.
Even if it means you'll hate me for it someday.
Sir Karino?
I am going to lie.
Of course.
Indeed.
Sir Karino, you are a man of your word!
So, if you tell me that there is a chance,
then I shall believe it is true!
For I know you would never lie to me!
Yeah. That's right.
Hey.
The next time you go visit your grandparents,
promise me you'll let me come with you again. Okay?
I will honor your request,
but why do you want to come?
One reason is to make sure
he doesn't see his mom's name on that grave.
But there's another reason.
To tell his mom about how he's doing,
and share all the stories of him growing up.
Hmm?
Look. Maybe I have my own respects that I'd like to pay there as well.
I still do not understand, but that is fine!
You shall accompany me there as my loyal subject!
Aye, my lord.
Oh, hey! You're back!
Very well met, Sir Tamaru.
And you as well, Lady Takei.
Uh, yeah. And you too.
Well, somebody's in a good mood, huh, Kotaro?
Aye. As of now, Sir Karino is officially my loyal subject.
Wait. Hold on.
So Kotaro is now in charge of Karino?
Uh, no. You can just disregard all of this nonsense.
Yeah. That sounds about right for Karino.
Consider it a true honor,
since you are my first loyal subject.
Well, you do follow him around the most.
What? Why is everybody ganging up on me?
'Tis your fault. You did sleep in.
Come on. Do we have to keep going back to that?
Kotaro!
Loyal subjects should never oversleep.
Understood?
Hmm. stood?