Nakata Sae: Story Arc

Episode 10: Nakata Sae – Part 2: Wish

Maybe his name is Billy

Sae is with Tsukasa going through the tasks of preparing for the Founder’s festival. Sae is a bit distracted, looking at the clock, which Tsukasa questions. In the canteen, Junichi eats his lunch alone, as he can’t help Sae and hear her call him instructor. Later, Junichi sits outside and drinks a panda cocoa; Sae’s favourite drink. Sae happens to walk passed and he waves, but she doesn’t notice him as she is busy talking. Junichi returns home, Miya greets him; highlighting that he is back earlier than usual. She realises that Sae is busy with festival work that he is unable to spend time with her. Junichi heads up to his room and lies down on his bed. The narrator goes on, which annoys Junichi. He watches a video of Sae on his camcorder and realises he has that and perks up. The next day, he leaves early and goes to see Sae. He tells her that he would film her for a documentary, as it would be a good reference. She agrees and calls him director, which excites him and gets her to call him director again. He starts filming Sae thoughts on becoming president of the committee, when Tsukasa walks in. Sae explains to her what they are doing. Tsukasa thinks it is a good idea, but asks Junichi not to film her too much. Tsukasa goes through with Sae on a things, but Sae hasn’t got round to it. Tsukasa tells her not to worry as she has plenty of time and leaves. Junichi looks over to see a troubled Sae.

She wants Sake

It is lunchtime and Masayoshi offers to sit with Junichi for lunch. Suddenly, Miya burst into the room and shouts to Junichi that Sae is in trouble. Junichi leaps out of his seat and runs down the corridor. He enters the nurse’s office to find Sae asleep. Sae is sleep talking and screams. Miya comes in and accuses him of doing things to Sae. Sae wakes up and tells them that she was up late last night and decided to take a nap at the lunch break. Junichi looks at Miya and questions her overreaction.  He then wonders what Sae was dreaming about and asks her. However, Sae blushes and becomes sheepish. Later, Sae goes over the food ingredients needed with Maya. Maya is happy with the arrangements and also offers to check with the tea club on the sweet sake. Junichi is filming them and is happy with the results. Junichi continues to film the preparations with Sae; with Tsukasa sliding out of shot. Ten days before the festival and there is a problem. Sae is told by the drama club that they need an increase in budget as they won’t have enough to get costumes. Sae goes to Maya and explains the situation, Maya tells her that they would try and sort something out. Sae leaves and Junichi meets her. Sae doubts her choice of becoming the president as she has been making mistakes. Junichi is about to reply when Sae is called away. Upon leaving, she thanks him for caring.

Told you; drunk again!!!

Junichi sighs as Tsukasa walks up to him. He then asks to talk to her. Outside she tells him that last year; she too had difficulty when she was in charge. Tsukasa tells Junichi that she should rely on others for help and not to do things by herself. Tsukasa adds that he should go and tell her; she tells him that she jealous that Sae has someone to support her. With determination, Junichi thanks Tsukasa and leaves. After school, Junichi goes to meet Sae and tells her that he has something to show. Sae watches the filming he has done screening her working hard. He then tells her to tell him if she runs into difficulty and he would try and support her. He asks her if there is anything he can do. She replies that he can continue filming her and watch her closely; he agrees. Sae then notices a different video playing and Junichi jumps to turn it off. The next day, Sae meets with the drama club member and tells her that they rented the costumes from the shop and adds that if it isn’t enough she would offer to make more dresses. Sae continues to work hard as Junichi films her. The day of the festival arrives and Sae gives the opening address. The festival begins and everything goes smoothly; with Maya getting drunk on the sake, again.

A happy family

Later, Sae directs the students participating in the best couples contest to the stage. Miya and Ai are participating, dressed up as cats. Ai wonders why they participating when Masayoshi moves pass them, clutching a giant fish and happily voices that he would win this time. Miya then gets tickled by Sae, with a puzzled Ai looking on. They then exit the room and head to the stage, leaving Sae by herself. She sits down and notices Junichi has been filming her. She apologizes for not talking to him as she had been busy. She tells him to wait, goes to her bag and give Junichi a present. Junichi feels guilty as he hasn’t got her anything yet. He asks her what she would like as a present. She thinks and then tells him she wants a kiss. Junichi goes up to her and they kiss. She asks for a little more and they kiss again. Eight years later, Sae is pregnant, holding hands with her daughter, watching Inago Mask on stage, whilst Junichi is filming them. Sae feels the baby kick, Junichi and their daughter listen to the baby, wondering if the baby is cheering for Inago Mask as well. Sae is happy to be with Junichi and her family, as her wish she made at the shrine has come true.

This was probably the best arc by far and I really enjoyed it more than the other story arcs. The one that was disappointing was Rihoko’s arc, which I feel that it didn’t really end properly, I mean it took 6 episodes before she finally confessed her feelings, whilst the others had already confessed by the 4th episode (N.B. 1st Season each story arc was 4 episodes long; 2nd season is  2 episodes, making 6). What makes me like this story is that we get a “years later” bit and this one shows that Junichi and Sae have children; one daughter and another on the way, just like Tsukasa’s arc, but they only had one daughter and making Tsukasa have short hair was a bit odd. Anyway, it was pretty smart of Junichi to film Sae as he would be able to be close to Sae and have a valid reason. However, Miya’s over-dramatics caused a lot of confusion and it got a little annoying. So the final arc is Haruka’s, it is quite odd thought really as we already know that last season, we had a “future-bit” of Haruka (if you didn’t, why are watching season 2 without season 1?) and they are married. So what is going to happen with the bit in between with this story arc?