Taiyo Wa Shizumanai

Episode Two

Ever since Teruko's funeral, regardless of the numerous telephone calls that Nao had made to Shoei Sogo Hospital. He was always given the same reply that Minami sensei was not around. Vexed, Nao shouted at the hospital's staffs, asking them to stop treating him like a fool, and to stop this nonsense of directing him to different departments whenever he made a call to them. Before Nao hung up, he instructed him to inform Estushi that he had called. Throughout the entire conversation, Yuko and Yuna were at the kitchen looking sadly at Nao.

Noa next went into the okonomiyaki store and found to his dismay that Shiro was laying drunk at the table counter. It seems that Shiro had taken to drinking, to forget about Teruko's death. Fearing that Shiro might get a cold from sleeping there, he and Yuko assited Shiro back to his room. After a while, Nao received a telephone call from Estushi, asking them to come to the hospital.

Upon reaching Shoei Sogo hospital, Shiro and his family were surprised to be greeted by two security guards, who were informed that someone might come to the hospital to create trouble. Just then, Estushi came out from his office, and informed the security guards that they were the family members of his deceased patient. After which he led them to the waiting room for guests. Once inside, Estushi asked Shiro and his family if they had made a mistake regarding the scapel. He explained that he wouldn't take it ito heart if they did make a mistake, and all they had to do was to give him a sincere apology for their mistake.

Estushi further explained that it was very common for people to burn the deceased favourite book or pen along with the body, and that there might be a possibilty that it might be the same for Teruko's case. Annoyed, Yuko asked Nao to show Estushi the scapel which he had brought along. Laughing off aside what Yuko, Etsushi added that they were being unreasonable because they might be making the whole incident up. Just as Yuko were about to argue with Estushi, Shiro interrupted by asking Estushi to explain in details the cause for Teruko's death.

Estushi felt that it was not necessary as he had already explained the cause to them before. But Shiro was persistent and Estushi finally gave in and told them to wait while he get the medical report of Teruko's. But before Estushi went out, he asked Shiro if he had been drinking and was that the reason he had the guts to come to the hospital.

They waited for hours but Estushi did not return to the waiting room. Right at that moment, all of them believed that hospitals were a place for saving people, and that there are definitely no wrong in whatever doctors say or do. Yuko spoke up and asked Nao what will they do if what Estushi had said about the scapel, was true. But Nao was still insistent that the scapel found, belonged to the hospital. After which Shiro spoke up and told them that after Estushi had explained the cause of Teruko's death, he will only want the staffs of the hospital to go and give their respects at Teruko's altar, to give their respect to her. He felt that the doctors had did their best and for Teruko's sake, they should believe it, and leave it that way.

Just then, Shiro and his family were surprised to see Keizo entering the room instead of Estushi. Keizo informed them that he had already contacted their lawyers, so that was why it took so long for someone to see to them. Shiro was very surprised to hear that and Keizo continued by telling them that since they were here to demand for compensation from the hospital, in regards to Teruko's death. It was therefore essential that lawyers are informed about the matter. Shocked, Shiro told Keizo that they had no intention of asking for any compensation from the hospital and that they were mistaken. Nao also stepped forward and told Keizo that money was not the issue.

But Keizo refluked them by giving them an illustration about how a hawker will be forced to close down his store if someone reported, having found a strand of hair in his/her ramen. He is impiling if the hospital will supper the same fate as the hawker if Shiro continues to imply that the hospital caused the death of Teruko. Dazed, Shiro asked where Estushi was and why he wasn't there. But Keizo told Shiro that Estushi couldn't be there becasue he had to attend to an emergency operation, and that he had heard from Estushi that Shiro had been drinking before coming to the hospital.

Furious at what he was hearing, Shiro grabbed Keizo by his shoulder and asked him what kind of game he was playing as well as what kind of people did they think Shiro and his family were. Yuko tried to pull Shiro away, but was unsuccessful. Shiro continued to shout at Keizo and rebuked him for comparing a bowl of ramen with the life of Teruko. With that, he let go of Keizo and Yuna's hand before staggering out of the room, with Yuko chasing after him.

Before Nao was about to step out of the room, Keizo told him to rely to Shiro that he will not let the matter rest if such incident ever happened again. Nao turned around and asked Keizo who he was and what right he had in saying all these stuffs to them. It was then that Nao learned learned that Keizo was the head of the hospital. Keizo also told Nao that even though he has not seen Teruko's medical report, he has the responsibilty to Estushi who is his subordinate.

Facing Keizo, Nao implored Keizo to listen carefully to what he had to say. Nao explained to Keizo that Shiro do not normally drink. In the past, Shiro got injured when he was working as a construction worker. So, he tries to refrain from drinking because whenever he drinks, his wounds will worsen. And that it was the hospital's fault that Shiro has taken to drinking again. Taking the scapel out of his pocket, Nao showed it to Keizo and asked if it belonged to the hospital. Keizo took it and gave it back to Nao after giving it a glance. Nao continued by asking if Keizo believed what he had just said. But Keizo told Nao that the scapel could hardly be considered an envidence against the hospital and that he believes whatever Estushi had told him. With that, Keizo stepped out of the room.

Nao tried to stop Keizo from leaving, and was in turn rebuked by Keizo for being ungrateful to Estushi for doing his best for Teruko, since the hospital had no obligation to Teruko who was bought into the hospital without any identification. Furious, Nao grabbed Keizo by his shoulder and insisted that it was a fact that the hospital scapel was found among Teruko's ashes. But before Nao could continue, he was pulled away by two security guards.

Back at the Masaki's residence, Nao was reminicising about the past. About how Teruko would prepare breakfast for them, with Yuna by her side. While nagging at him to hurry up, else he would be late for school. Right at that moment, Nao feels that with Teruko around, can he really experience the warmth of a family.

Meanwhile, Setsu has just arrived at her office and found her colleague sleeping on the sofa. Lighting up a cigeratte, she opened the window and to her astonishment, found Nao looking up at her. In her office, she learned that Nao intends to employ her as his lawyer and help him prove that the scapel was from Shoei Sogo hospital and was the one that Estushi had used during the opertion on Teruko. Curious, Setsu asked Nao what good will it do if he finds out the truth. Nao told her that he just wanted to prove that what he had said was the truth.

Just then, Setsu's male colleague woke up and asked Setsu to accept Nao's case since Nao had already come in person to ask her, and that it would be rude of her to decline Nao. Turning to Nao, he asked Nao to trust Setsu and to leave everything to her. Before leaving, Nao instructed Setsu, not to disclose anything to Shiro, because he was sure that Shiro would forbade him to employ a lawyer. Setsu learned that Shiro did not want to find out the truth about Teruko's death. For Teruko's sake, Shiro wanted to believe that Estushi had did his best. Then, Setsu's colleague took a camera and passed it to Setsu, asking her to take a photograph of the scapel. On his way back, Nao looked back and found Setsu's colleague at him, waving at him. Grateful for his help, Nao gave him a bow.

Nao went to the kendo club and his friends were all very delighted to see him back. Nao even defeated Koota, who told him that he was about to look for Nao because he has not seen Nao for a long time. All of his friends were glad to see that he is fine right now, and dragged him to the centre of the changing room. Nao was puzzled when they asked him if he had forgotten something of importance. ^O^.........the date with Ami and her friends!!!

Nao gave Ami a call, with his friends eavesdropping by his side. Ami told Nao that it will be fine and that she will be bringing her friends along on their next outing. Ami told Nao that she had taken to call Nao several times, since learning about Teruko's death. But she did not do so, because she did not know what to say to Nao. Nao told her that it is alright and hung up his cellphone when his friends started fooling around, wanting to speak to Ami.

Walking happily out of her room, Ami asked Akiko if it would be alright if she went out and get some new clothes the day after. Curious, Akiko asked Ami what was the occasion and learned that Nao had given Ami a call and that they will be out for gathering with her friends. Akiko also found through Ami that Teruko had died from stress and overwork. It seems that Keizo was already back home, Akiko went up to him and took his jacket, while Ami prepared the salad for dinner. As Keizo had overheard them talking, he asked Akiko who were talking about. When Akiko told him that the mother of Ami's friend had died from stress, did he realise that Ami was acquainted with Nao.

Back at the Masaki's residence, just as Yuna had completed a drawing of Teruko, she glanced towards the burned scapel on Teruko's altar. Her attention was disrupted when Yuko asked her to come to the dinner room for dinner. Yuko told Yuna that they will not be waiting for Nao since he would be late from his kendo practice. Yuna refused to sit down and told Yuko that she wanted to eat the curry rice that Teruko had often made for them in the past, and started crying after that.

Meanwhile, Setsu was busy in her office, studying up on his medical journeys and she seemed to be engrossed with the photograph of the scapel found among Teruko's ashes.

The next morning, Yuko went to Nao's room and told him to come back for dinner as she will be making curry rice. Nao was doubtful that Yuko knows how to cook it, but Yuko assure him that she can. Curious over why Nao was dressing up, Yuko asked him if he was going out for a date. Nao denied that, and told her that he was going for a kendo's club's gathering with his friends.

At the amusement park, Nao, Ami and their friends were enjoying themselves tremendously. It seems that Ami's friends got along very with Nao's friends, and everyone was paired up. Ami was very happy when Nao gave her a yellow duckie soft toy which he had won in a game, and hugged it tightly to her chest. Just as Ami was having a lot of fun, Nao told her that they can leave now since that his mission was accomplished and that he will send her off to the train station. :O( .........Nao only invited Ami out so that she can introduce her friends to his friends.

Surprised, Ami asked Nao if he was serious on going back. Nao nodded his head and told Ami that the yellow duckie was very ugly and did not match the clothes that she was wearing. Annoyed, Ami told Nao that it was up to her to decide if the yellow duckie was ugly, and hugged it tightly, she told Nao that she liked it very much. Laughing, Nao told her not his his words to heart. Next, Ami told Nao that since it was a gift from him to her, and that no one else has it but her. But Nao told her that it was only a soft toy which can be found anywhere.

Sulking, Ami told Nao that from the moment that he had gave her the yellow duckie, she had already considered it to be priceless and one of a kind. She also told Nao that he did not understand how a girl feels. Knowing that he has upset Ami, Nao apologised to her. Ami told Nao to forget about it and told him that he can leave now while she goes back on her own. Taking her words seriously, Nao said good-bye to her before walking off. Shocked that Nao was really going off on his own, Ami shouted "Sayonara" several times to Nao before they parted ways :P.

Upon reaching home, Nao grumbled to Yuko that he did not have a easy time, buying the curry powder. He started to aske Yuko who had came to the house when he saw Yuko claering away some cups. When told by Yuko that the administrative head of Shoei Sogo hospital had came to pay his respects to Teruko, Nao walked to Teruko's altar and found the burned scapel missing. Rushing out of the house, Nao saw Shiro bowing to the administrative head of Sheoi Sogo hospital. Running towards Shiro, Nao asked what was in the envelope that Shiro was holding. Taking the envelope from Shiro, Nao found that it contained a lot of money. Nao learned that the money was given by the hospital as a sign of sympathy towards them.

Throwing the money onto the ground, Nao asked Shiro if he had given the scapel to the administration head in exchange for the money. Nao was shocked when Shiro took the scapel out of his pocket and threw it to a nearby field. Shiro told Nao that everything was already settled and that he can use the money and take the family out for a big feast.

Shiro also explained to Nao that the hospital had no intention of admiting that the scapel belonged to them. Hence, there was no point in pursuing the matter because he knew that they would get hurt in the process. Just as Shiro was about to walk off, Nao stopped him and informed Shiro that he had already employed Setsu as their lawyer and implored Shiro to accompany him there on the next visit. Shiro refused and told Nao that they do not have the financial ability to do that and told Nao that he should let it matter rest so that they can carry on their life.

That night, Nao made curry rice for dinner, though the curry was uncomparable to the ones made by Teruko's. Everyone ate it all up, without saying a word throughout dinner. When Nao was washing up the dishes, Yuna came up to him and thanked Nao for his curry, and told Nao that it was very delicious before helping Yuka in clearing the table. At that moment, Nao wondered if they could really carry on their lives.

After a while, Setsu rang Nao up. Nao asked her how much she was charging him for the services. Setsu did not answer Nao as she was engrossed with some papers. Fearing that she might reject his case, Nao told her that he has the money and that he was only interested to know how much was it. But Setsu did not answer his question, and instead told Nao to come to her office because she has some leads about the scapel.

At Setsu's office, Setsu showed Nao some brochures of surgical instruments commonly used by hopsital. It seems that the burned scapel found among Teruko's ashes, was indeed a surgical instrument. Setsu told Nao that it would be hard for Shoei Sogo hospital to deny that they caused Teruko's death if they are found possessing them. Setsu asked Nao to meet her after school so that they can go and have a talk with Estushi.

As Ami was having some gastric problem, she went to Shoei Sogo hospital. There, Ami overheard some nurses gosipping about the trouble that Estushi was in. So, she asked Keizo about the matter when he drove her back. Keizo evaded the matter, telling Ami that it was just a small matter. Instead, he asked her if Nao was her boyfriend and when did they started seeing each other. Ami brushed off the matter by telling Keizo that they were just ordinary friends.

Just then, Ami asked Keizo to stop the car, and told him that she can get back home on her own. Ami had saw Nao at the field. She went up to Nao and asked him what was he doing and learned that he was looking for something. Ami offered to help Nao to look for it but was refused by Nao who grumbled that she was being noisy for asking too much questions. Unoffended, Ami started looking among the bushes. After a while, Nao told Ami that it was difficult to look for the scapel, plus the fact it was burnt and stored in a plastic bag. It was then that Ami found out about the scapel incident. Determined to help Nao find it, Ami continued with her search. By chance, she found it and was about to hand it over to Nao, when she heard Nao telling her that the scapel will be used as an envidence against Shoei Sogo hospital.

Ami became dazed when she heard that it was the hospital that Keizo was working in, and did not say a word to Nao. Turning around, Nao took the scapel away from Ami, telling her excitely that it was the scapel. Nao asked Ami what was wrong with her when he sees her motionless. He then learns from Ami that she had to leave school early that day because she was having some gastic problems. Chiding her for not telling him, Nao offered to send Ami back home. But Ami refused his offer by telling him that she was alright and that she can get a cab by the road. Beside, Nao also has to rush over to the hospital. Apologetic, Nao thanked Ami before rushing off to meet Setsu. Leaving Ami standing alone on the field.

At Shoei Sogo hospital, Nao and Setsu were waiting for Estushi, when he arrived at the waiting room. He told them that there was actually no reason for them to come to the hospital since the matter between the hospital and Nao's family has been settled. Setsu was surprised to hear but did not made any comment. Estushi told them since they were here, he would listen to what they have to say. But they would have to hurry up because he has a lot of patients waiting for him. Nao told Estushi that Setsu had already certified that the scapel found, was a surgical instrument. Next, Setsu informed Estushi that the main purpose of their visit was to warn him that if the incident about the scapel was made known to the public. Investigation will definitely be initiated.

Estushi replied that Nao and his family can chose not disclose the matter but the hospital has to give them some money in compensation. Nao was shocked when Setsu said yes. Angrily, he stood up and told them that he was only there because he wants to the truth to Teruko's death. Setsu had a shock when Estushi told her that the hospital had already paid Shiro. Just then, the administrative head whom Nao had saw with Shiro, entered the room. It was then that Setsu found out that Shiro had accepted the hospital's money.

Chasing after Setsu who had stalked off, Nao apologised to her about not disclosing the matter to her. Setsu told Nao that he must be mistaken about the issue of the scapel. Even if the scapel was found to belong to Shoei Sogo hospital, still they will not be able to find out the truth to Teruko's death. Setsu knows that Nao feels that Estushi is responsible to Teruko's death but what can they prove since that Teruko was already dead by the time they reached the hospital. Till now, the only one person that knows the truth is Estushi but he will not be likely to disclose the truth to Nao or anyone.

Setsu explained to Nao that if a doctor says that they had did their best in a surgery, no one will contradict them. Instead, anyone with no medical knowledge would even be grateful to them. Wasn't it a fact that Nao and his family were grateful to Estushi before the scapel was found. Setsu further explained to Nao that without concrete envidences, they would need medical knowledge, status as well as money to do that. But what can a high school student like Nao do, since that he had no money in the first place. Lighting up a cigarette, Setsu apologised to Nao, and told him that accepting the money was actually not a bad thing. Furthermore, have Nao ever wondered if the dead Teruko would Nao want to fight against Shoei Sogo hospital, knowing that he will get hurt. Hearing what he could endure, Nao walked off in silence.

Back at the Masaki's residence, Shiro was drunk again and had to be carried to his room. After that, Nao thought about the past when Yuko, Yuna and him, had saved their allowances, in order to get Teruko's a Mothers Day gift. In the end, they bought her some carnations as well as a 980 yen sandals. Teruko was very happy with their gifts and that sandals became her favourite, wearing them everywhere she went, greeting everyone with that warm smile of hers.

The next day, Setsu was coming out of a courtroom and was surprised to find Nao waiting for her. Nao implored Setsu to help him out for one more time and learned from her that shehad lost the present case and the other party with money had won. Nao told Setsu he hopes that she will aid him in beating his opponents even though he lacks the money, status, and is only a normal high school student. Pleading with her, he implored her to lead him to the road of victory. Nao also told her that he would pay her through his allowances, no matter how long it will take, even if it means his entire life.

But Setsu told Nao that she will introduce another lawyer to him. Nao refused and told her that he only wants her to help him. When asked by Setsu on why he was insistent on her, Nao told her that it was because that she knew Teruko. Setsu then told told that all she knew of Teruko was her name and what she look like, other than that, she knew nothing about Teruko. Desperated, Nao told Setsu that Teruko knew her, since that she had mentioned earlier that Teruko had always greeted her in the morning whenever she brought the dog out for a walk.

Furthermore, Nao told Setsu that even his family and him did not have much money, they were always happy and fortunate. So, even if a large sum of money is placed in front of them, it will not bring Teruko back to them. Right now, all he wants is to know the truth and nothing else matters. Having heard what Nao had said, Setsu, asked him if he wasn't afraid of knowing how the hospital treated Teruko and how she died. Nao replied by saying that he was more afraid of closing his eyes, without knowing how she died. Nao bowed sincerely to Setsu and pleaded her to help his family and him, looking on Teruko's sake.