Original subtitles

Kushiyaki (Skewered Food)

I'm heading out first!

Thanks for the help!

Christmas, huh?

Oh, Hanabishi Kaoru!

What's up?

I'm heading home from work.

I see.

What about you?

I had a camera that's done getting fixed.

Oh, yeah!

Since we're here like this, how about dinner?

Eh?!

Come on, let's go!

I have pictures to show.

Sorry.

There's still something I have to do.

Eh, I see.

Next time.

Yeah, got it.

See you later.

There's no way I could eat out on this.

I somehow managed to make it into college, though.

But, the real world is tough.

But, when I left the Hanabishi household, I was prepared.

All right.

Ouch.

W-What?

A i Y o r i A o s h i

A i Y o r i A o s h i

—Enishi—

—Enishi—

—Enishi—

I'm tired.

Um...

Hello?

Hello?

Who are you, coming in one's home out of the blue!

I'm sorry to have surprised you.

I'm Santa.

I dropped a...

Huh?

But, I locked the door before...

Yes, which is why I came in like this.

Are you all right?

To introduce myself again, my name is Santa Claus.

And well...

Due to my carelessness earlier, I dropped my pendant.

Looking at her again, she's cute.

Ah, um, are you listening?

Y-Yeah.

Your pendant, right?

Is this it?

Yes.

Thank you very much.

I am unable to return home without this.

so I was very troubled.

I'd better put it away so I won't lose it again.

There.

Um...

What's your name?

Hanabishi Kaoru.

So you're Kaoru-san.

Kaoru-san, I'd like to thank you somehow.

Eh, you don't have to.

I do.

If I don't make sure to do this, I won't be satisfied.

No, it's okay.

What Kaoru-san wants is...

Even if she says she's Santa, all of the sudden,

I wonder if she's human.

She's warm and soft.

She's so cute...

If I could spend Christmas with someone this cute...

S-S-S-S-Sorry.

I-I never even considered that.

Eh, did you find something out?

Y-Yes.

I-If you are fine with me, then Christmas together...

S-Such a thing...

was in mind, though.

B-But this is the first time I've ever done this.

So I don't know what to do.

Oh, yeah.

I still haven't gotten your name.

Eh!

Well, it's Santa.

No, not that, I mean your name.

I don't have a name.

Santa is known as Santa, after all.

Ah, that's right.

But it's kind of hard to call you that.

In that case, please call me whatever you wish, Kaoru-san.

Really? Then...

Then, how about Aoi-chan?

Aoi.

It's a nice name.

Is it someone's name?

Yeah.

A childhood friend's.

We used to play when we were little.

Oh.

Could it be that she's your first love?

Eh!

I wonder.

That's it, isn't it?

I don't really know.

After all, we met when we were little.

I don't know what she's doing these days at all.

Is that so.

Ah, you might meet her again.

Eh?!

If you believe it, though.

Believe?

The presents that we Santas give to children are not objects.

We let them see pleasant and happy times in their dreams.

Dreams.

Most children forget them when they wake up, though.

Their joy, even if it's only for an instant, is our joy.

I see.

So please, Kaoru-san, please remember the pleasant times or someone you want to see.

Someone I want to see! I see, so thinking of them.

Yes.

What?

A cake?

That's right, Kaoru.

Today is Christmas, after all.

Come now, let's eat it together, Kaoru.

Mom!

Mom, Mom, Mom!

Oh my, Kaoru, you're such a baby.

That's no good.

Boys shouldn't cry.

I wonder what kind of dream Kaoru-san is having?

Tears?

He should be having an enjoyable dream.

I wonder why he's crying?

Huh? I...

Oh, yeah.

I came home from work and went straight to sleep.

That was a weird dream.

Oh, good morning.

Ah, g-g-g-good morning.

You're acting surprised.

Do you remember who I am?

Y-Yeah, Aoi the Santa.

Breakfast is ready.

So it wasn't a dream?

A Christmas cake and a turkey.

I'm sorry.

I'm a Santa, so only this...

Tamaya Amusement Park

Wow, everyone looks like they're having fun.

Y-Yeah, they do.

It feels like I'll be happy.

Really.

What's wrong, Kaoru-san?

No, that is...

See, Aoi-chan's... um...

Do you mean this?

Yeah, I was wondering why no one thinks it's strange, you know?

That's because they don't believe in Santa Claus.

Eh?!

People who don't believe can't see me.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh no, please don't apologize.

After all, you can definitely see me, right?

Ah, hold on a moment.

Hey, where are you walk- Ah!

I'm sorry.

Are you okay?

Y-Yes.

I'm sorry too for running into you.

Ojou-sama!

Saionji, where did you go?

I ended up looking for you!

Forgive me.

Well, let's go.

Yes, Ojou-sama.

So that girl can see you too, Aoi-chan?

Yes.

Are you okay, Aoi-chan?

Y-Yes, I'm fine.

I'm not fine, am I?

Is this your first time skating?

Yes, it's my first time.

I see.

Sorry, are you all right?

Y-Yeah, I'm fine.

Ouch!

Oh, no!

Are you okay?

It hurts.

The hurting, the hurting...

Fly away!

Wow, it stopped hurting!

Thank you, Santa-san!

You're very welcome.

Chika-chan!

What happened?

I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

Putting you through all this trouble, Santa-san.

Thank you!

Bye-bye!

Take care!

There are quite a few people who can see you.

No!

You're mistaken!

I'm in a contract meeting now.

I'm not playing!

Amusement park?

There's no way I'd be doing that!

What are you talking about? Honestly!

I had fun.

Me, too.

Thank goodness.

It's snow.

You're right.

Pretty.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I was just thinking if it is all right for me to have such a pleasant memory?

Eh!

Delivering good time to many people on Christmas is my job. Yet...

Isn't it all right for you to enjoy yourself once in a while?

But...

Hey, in thanks for today, I want to give you a present.

Eh?!

A present?

Yeah, what do you want?

What do you want me to do?

Eh... um, well...

I'm sorry.

I've never thought of that before.

So, I can't think of anything.

Aoi-chan.

I'm sorry.

Aoi-chan has to go back, right?

But if we could stay together like this forever...

Kaoru-san.

Eh!

I've never had such an enjoyable Christmas.

Thank you very much.

So you're going back, after all?

Yes.

I'm Santa Claus, after all!

It's the time.

Okay.

We have to let the children have pleasant dreams this year, too.

Please let them have good dreams this year, too.

I see.

That's why Kaoru-san was...

When people remember the most pleasant times of their lives,

their eyes fill with tears.

Aoi-chan.

Kaoru-san.

I've thought of a present.

I will pray.

That someday, you'll be able to meet the real Aoi-san.

I will be praying.

Kaoru-san.

Actually, I wanted to be just your...

Huh?

It feels like I've been asleep for a long time.

Whoa, I'd better hurry and get to my part-time job!

Huh? This is...

Oh no, work, work!

Merry Christmas.

Ai Yori Aoshi

Enishi

Produced by

AIAO Project