Original subtitles

Sakura...

Sakura!

What?

You can hear me even if I don't shout, right?

Hey, you quit the soccer team?

Yeah.

We're forming a futsal group.

Want to join us as a support player?

Futsal. Want to join us?

Oh.

Sorry.

I see. Forget it, then. Sorry we asked.

See you.

Whatever.

He seems hard to get along with anyway.

Lower your volume.

He can hear you.

Stop for a moment.

No wearing of earphones on the road.

What?

Stop listening to music.

Take off your earphones.

Those are hearing aids.

Hearing aids?

Sorry, I thought they're earphones.

Sorry about it.

Accidents can happen if you put on earphones.

I'm sorry.

But be all the more careful, since you can't hear well.

[silent - Episode 6]

[Recruitment Seminar for the Hearing-Impaired]

[You're here for the recruitment seminar?]

[Seminar?]

[Nana! How are you?]

[I'm doing fine.]

Was studying overseas fun?

[I thoroughly enjoyed myself.]

Well...

[I'll contact you again.]

[Let's have a meal together next time.]

[Alright. See you!]

Sorry, I'm good.

It's nothing.

[It's nothing.]

[You looked like you wanted to talk.]

[Say something.]

Well...

Are you a university student?

How do you...

listen at your lectures?

[I take videos of my lectures.]

Oh, I see.

I attend them without any assisting tools.

any assisting tools.

[You can hear?]

I often couldn't really hear...

but I pretended I could,

and got away with that.

But...

I gradually can't do that anymore.

[What about asking a friend to help you take notes?]

I don't have any friends.

After learning about my hearing condition,

I have since cut off ties

with everyone I know.

I'm sorry.

Sorry for saying such depressing stuff.

Sorry.

[I'm listening.]

After I started using the hearing aids,

I was warned to not put on earphones

during lectures.

My classmates would

suddenly call out to me

in a loud voice

near my ears.

I didn't do anything wrong whatsoever,

but I kept saying "I'm sorry, I'm sorry".

Apologizing became a habit,

as if,

I'm the one in the wrong.

It became that kind of feeling.

I entered university through sports recommendation.

I convinced my parents that I would be fine,

and stubbornly came over to Tokyo.

But in the end,

I couldn't stay in the club anymore.

I gradually couldn't hear a lot of things, but...

"He doesn't listen to instructions."

"He doesn't know how to play as a team."

Those...

were the things I could hear.

Even if I can confide in whoever is willing to listen,

they'll give a sorrowful look,

and keep nodding as if they understand,

and just

recommend

some organization

or insurance plan

to me, that's all.

I don't want all that.

I just...

want someone to lend a listening ear.

Just quietly

listening

to what I say.

It's just that it's hard for me...

to put it in words

about how scared I am.

[I won't say anything, so it's alright.]

[I can quietly lend you a listening ear.]

[I can't hear anything ever since I was born.]

[But, I'm happy.]

[A world without sound, is not a sad world.]

[Ever since I was born, it's not as if I've been forever unhappy.]

[There were times when I was sad, but I had lots of happy times too.]

[It's the same for any hearing-abled or hearing-impaired person.]

[It's the same for you too.]

[The same.]

The same?

Indeed...She just quietly listened to what I wanted to say.

And she taught me how to continue...

living my life quietly.

[What's your name?] [Sou Sakura.] [I'm Nana Momono.]

[She's Mio.]

[A friend when we studied at the school for the hearing-impaired.]

[He only knows some sign language at the moment,]

[so do it slowly, okay?]

[What would you like?]

[Black tea, please.]

[Don't worry.]

[More friends who are hearing-impaired will be joining us.]

[You mentioned you don't have any friends, so Nana is worried about you.]

[What's wrong?]

[I didn't know that more people will be coming.]

[I'm sorry.]

[I felt it would be better for you to make some friends.]

[Friends who are hearing-impaired?]

[You don't like it?]

[Why?]

[I can still hear anyway.]

[So you're telling me not to lump you together with us?]

[I guess you're right.]

[Sorry for being selfish.]

She told me we're all the same,

and made me feel safe,

yet I conveniently

drew the line, as if I'm different from her.

The me who could hear, couldn't forget that.

[You received a farewell invitation. It states that Mr. Koga has resigned.]

I distanced myself

from people who can hear,

and people who can't.

[I'm not going. Just throw it away.]

I was afraid to approach them.

But...now that I've approached her,

I felt that I didn't want to leave her ever again.

Hey. What is this in sign language?

[Okonomiyaki.]

Okonomiyaki?

[There's a movie that I want to watch. Let's go watch together!]

[Voice Call]

[Sou Sakura]

What's wrong?

[Nana Momono]

[Please answer on my behalf.]

On the phone?

[I'm worried something may have happened.]

Hello?

I'm answering on behalf of Sakura.

Can you hear me?

Are you alright?

Sakura is worried that something might have happened.

She hung up.

[Someone replied?]

There was no response.

[Sorry! I wanted to do a video call, but pressed the wrong button! Haha...]

She wanted to do a video call.

[Oh, right. This person is also hearing-impaired.]

No wonder.

[She's a little clumsy,]

[and often leaves her backpack unzipped.]

Is that so?

Is she a colleague at work?

[She's a friend.]

A friend.

[She is the only friend I made ever since after high school.]

Is she really just a friend?

No, it's nothing.

- Tsumu-mu... - Yes?

Is your boyfriend an office worker from Tokyo?

Aoba's boyfriend is a big shot.

He probably earns lots of money.

I'm not asking you.

Shoo... get back to work.

If you can convert to a permanent staff,

there's no saying which branch you'll be assigned to.

You must give him a proper heads-up, alright?

Especially if you're planning to live together or get married.

Erm...We've broken up.

What?

I was dumped...

in the most gentle way possible.

How's Aoba?

Who, me?

I'm good, as you can see.

Tsumugi... Is she doing well?

Yup. She's well.

She sleeps well, and eats well too.

I see.

Thanks, Minato.

What, for breaking up with her?

At that time, my sis was really like the living dead.

Around three years ago?

That was my fault.

"In any case, I have to work", was what she said.

She wasn't looking at her surroundings, or herself.

Except...in this narrow field of vision of hers,

you came in.

Thanks man, Minato.

For entering her line of sight.

Really...you're thanking me just for entering?

I didn't do anything, though.

There's no need for you to do anything.

As long as the person you like

enters your line of sight at the right place

and right time.

Tsumugi owes it to those three years.

[Are you free tomorrow? Let's go out and eat.]

[Thanks for waiting.]

Your treat today, alright?

You're grateful to me, aren't you?

Yakiniku (grilled meat) is not all that expensive.

What shall we eat?

Let's see...

Ooh, the skirt steak looks delicious.

It's first class.

[You seem to be doing well.]

Yes, I am.

I'm the one who dumped her.

Oh, right.

The lady you were with the last time...

is she really just a friend?

Is that so?

She's quite the beauty, and it was only the two of you.

So I was wondering whether you two are really just friends.

[She's the only friend whom I meet up with.]

Huh? Then what about me?

What about me, huh?

The two of us are meeting right now, you know?

That lady... did she ask you about Aoba?

Like, "what kind of person is she"?

How did you reply her?

[Direct.]

Direct?

She looks at people directly in the eyes. Her personality is, too.

Ah... Yeah. I totally get it.

How about that lady? What kind of person is she?

[She was born without hearing.]

[We met in university, and she taught me how to sign.]

When being asked what kind of a person someone is,

I heard that if it's someone we like,

we'll talk about what we like about that person.

If it's a person we dislike, we talk about what we dislike.

If it's an acquaintance we neither like nor dislike,

we'll normally explain our relationship with them,

or talk about their profile.

Like what you're doing now.

Well... it may not be totally accurate, though.

[You've become a little mean.]

That's because I want to look cool.

Hello.

Aoba... how are you?

I'm fine, thank you.

I'm basically fine, as always.

Is Minato fine as well?

So you do know him, after all?

Sorry. I don't plan to hide it any longer.

Yes, I do. Sorry.

The bar that we frequent alone for drinks, is the same place.

So, the two of us often end up drinking together.

I see.

It seemed he had been happy.

He had been happy?

These three years,

Minato seemed to be very happy.

Is that so?

To be honest, I too...

was really happy during these three years.

Because I happened to be working in this job,

I also heard a little from Minato.

About that classmate of yours and Minato's.

The one whom you're learning sign language for.

Yes, that's right.

It's that person whom I often tell you about.

What kind of person is he?

What kind of person?

Let's see...

He'll tell me words that I like.

Have you returned to your parents' place lately?

Things aren't going too well with them?

Hey, Dad.

Can you help me carry the cardboard boxes out from Sou's room?

- Cardboard boxes? - Yeah, the CDs.

Tomorrow's the day for non-combustible waste.

Huh? Did he say to throw them away?

No, he didn't.

Don't you think we should confirm with Sou first?

Do we need to take the trouble to ask him?

The next time he comes back,

he probably wouldn't like it when he sees them.

- I'll take them then. - What?

I'll carry them to my room.

Moe... Sou isn't interested in stuff that require listening, right?

I don't think he left them there so he could listen to them.

Alright...

Knock, knock.

I guess this is all of it, right?

Huh? Thanks. Is it okay for you to help me?

Mom won't be angry?

If she knows, she will.

That's the same as cheating on her.

Dad has never cheated on your mom before.

Really?

Thanks for waiting.

What is it?

[You really look at people directly in the eyes.]

What do you mean by that?

Hey.

I want to ask you something.

[What's up?]

Remember the person who called you the other day?

Your friend?

What sort of person are they?

[They're someone very important to me.]

[That's why I plan to earnestly confront them.]

[Sou Sakura : Do you have some time tomorrow?]

[It's been a while since you invited me out, Sou.]

[I have something I want to tell you.]

[I've been meeting up with someone recently.]

[You mean the girl who picked up your earphone, right?]

[Isn't her boyfriend your friend?]

[Not the smartest move. It'll only escalate into a fight.]

[They broke up.]

[Really now.]

[So your ex-girlfriend]

[and your old friend]

[broke up, because they reunited with you.]

[I feel bad for them.]

[Nana, I've always brushed aside your feelings. But -]

[You'll only trouble her.]

[She's only treating you kindly, because she pities you.]

[At 18 you became deaf, ]

[and let's say at 23, you fall for a girl who was born deaf.]

[I believe that's the better scenario for you.]

["What sort of music did you listen to in high school?"]

["Uh-huh. Yeah, that's a good one."]

["Too bad we can't listen to their new song."]

["Going deaf sure was terrifying, wasn't it?]

["Even so, meeting you has given me the strength to live on."]

[Find someone you can have that sort of conversation with.]

[What's wrong?]

[Can't understand my signing?]

[Want to write instead?]

[That girl won't ever understand how you, a deaf person, feels.]

[Nana, you're one to talk.]

[You say you won't ever understanding those with hearing]

[because you're deaf.]

[That love never worked out because of it.]

[So what?]

[So,]

[you won't ever understand myself either.]

[After all, I'm neither of hearing, nor was I born deaf.]

[You're right.]

[You, me, that girl...]

[None of us will understand one another.]

[Sign Language Classes]

[Sign Language Family]

Yes?

What's the matter?

[Nice to meet you.]

[My name is Nana Momono.]

[Do you have a moment to talk?]

Choose a drink.

I'll order

for the both of us.

[Thank you.]

Alright.

Excuse me.

Yes?

May we have a Latte, and an Americano, hot please?

Coming right up.

[You're quite good at signing.]

I've got a ways to go.

[You take lessons at the nearby signing class, right?]

Yes.

[Does Sou teach you signing as well?]

He does.

Since I'm still

pretty bad at this,

he often

corrects my mistakes.

Um...

[I taught Sou how to sign.]

I know,

I heard a bit about you.

He said you two met

as university students,

and that you

taught him how to sign.

[It feels like a present I gave, was re-gifted to another.]

Huh?

[Like the present I gave a loved one, was rewrapped and passed along.]

[What does Sou's voice sound like?]

His voice?

[You've heard it before, haven't you?]

[What is his voice like?]

[Have you ever called him before?]

Called him...

Yes, I have.

Back in high school.

[That's nice.]

[I envy you.]

[Sometimes I dream]

[about calling the person I love,]

[and conversing while holding hands.]

[Though it's something I long for,]

[that dream will never come true]

[even if my love comes to fruition.]

[Having said that, it seems my love won't be fulfilled anyways.]

A mole's swimming.

- You're right. - There's another one.

There's so many of them!

- Oh yeah! - Hey!

You're bothering the older kids who are reading. [Look.]

Keep your voices down in the library, okay?

[They're getting scolded for talking.]

[The library is a place for quiet after all.]

[No one will scold us for talking.]

[Yeah, it's on the quiet side.]

[Maybe I'll go teach those kids sign language.]

[What's up?]

[Lately, we've used no writing to communicate.]

[True, we only speak in sign now.]

[That was my goal.]

[Your goal?]

[My goal for learning sign language]

[was to converse with you, solely in sign.]

[You still suck though.]

[It's fine, so long as you understand.]

♫ A frozen heart must have a cause ♫

♫ and I'll take up that position for yours ♫

♫ I only aggravated your haughty ♫

♫ wrong impression ♫

♫ And for that, I'm sorry ♫

♫ So ♫

♫ keep on smiling ♫

♫ Your positivity burns, so dastardly bright ♫

♫ and I soon realized the cruelty of the cold ♫

♫ I'm sure what I wish to give you ♫ ♫ is something a bit more cooling and warm ♫

[Sorry, I called because you were far away.] ♫ Though it's no lip service ♫

♫ It's something both unwavering and doubtless ♫ ♫ It warms the inner, most deepest parts of my chest ♫

[What's wrong?] ♫ I can hope ♫

♫ but no matter how much I search my heart ♫ ♫ I can't find anything like it ♫

♫ I want to say it but I can't ♫ ♫ such absurdities ♫

♫ Pop up here and there right now ♫

♫ Every single move ♫

♫ Of this cowardly me ♫

♫ Words are like snowflakes ♫

♫ Though I want to gift them to you ♫

♫ they only crumble, melt, and disappear ♫

♫ the crazier I become about you ♫

♫ But the words I choose ♫

♫ are entrusted with the emotions I feel ♫

♫ I can't give up ♫

♫ on moving you ♫

♫ Rather than speak it, I'll wait until my love reaches you ♫

[Nana was crying]

[No need to reject me.]

[I only pretended to love you.]

I have the essay at home. Want to come read it?

[Sure, I think I'll go.]