Itazura
Na Kiss Episode 9
The Goodbye Kiss
Kotoko and Shige
apologise to the Irie family for causing Naoki to
miss the Todai entrance exam. Machiko reassures them
that it is alright and remarks that Naoki did it for
the sake of the woman he loves (Kotoko). However,
Naoki tries to defend himself. Although Ki is rather
disappointed that Naoki did not go to Todai, he tells
Naoki to make a comeback next year. Naoki walks away
as if troubled by something.
The next day at school,
Kin-chan's friends bring Kotoko to the notice board.
There is a poster put up there talking about Naoki's
absence from the Todai entrance exam and that the
reason is because of Kotoko. Reiko comes to confront
Kotoko and drags her to the 'A' classroom. The whole
'A' class start to bully Kotoko when Kin-chan and the
rest of the 'F' class barge in to help Kotoko. Kin-chan
hits Watanabe and Reiko start to slap Kotoko. Kotoko
retalliates and the situation gets out of control.
The two classes start to fight it out. Naoki sees
what happens and is shocked.
The students from both
the 'A' and 'F' class are covered in bruises and look
a dismal sight. Kanhara-sensei and Izumi-sensei then
get into a debate about who initiated the fight.
Kotoko comes to look
for Naoki and tells him not to worry about her
injuries. Naoki says that he doesn't care and says
that he did not go for the Todai entrance because it
was his decision. It has nothing to do with Kotoko.
Naoki tells Kotoko that he plans to be a doctor and
Kotoko is happy that Naoki has found his aspiration.
Kotoko starts to imagine her being a nurse and Naoki
being a doctor. Junko and Satomi tell Kotoko that
even if Naoki has decided to be a doctor, there is no
way that Kotoko can get close to him. Kotoko smiles
slyly, having something up her sleeve.
Naoki informs his
family about his going to Saint Tonan University to
study medicine. Ki is disappointed that Naoki isn't
going to take over the family business but Yuki
promises his dad that he will take over in future.
Kotoko tells them that she has decided to be a nurse
and Naoki is rather uneasy upon hearing that.
Kotoko starts to work
very hard for the exams. Naoki asks her if she is
serious about being a nurse because he is worried
about the patients if Kotoko really becomes a nurse.
Kotoko says that she is confident of doing everything
as long as Naoki is by her side. Naoki tells her to
work hard and Kotoko is elated by Naoki's
encouragement.
Kanhara-sensei shows
Kotoko a brochure on Akita's First Hospital Affliated
Nursing School. Since only that school will allow
Kotoko to study nursing, this would mean that Kotoko
would have to go to Akita and leave Naoki. Kotoko is
saddened by this when the headmaster comes to thank
her for causing Naoki and Reiko to go to Saint Tonan's
University to study medicine together. This is a
double blow for Kotoko who is looking forward to
studying in the same university as Naoki.
Kotoko ponders over
whether to go to Akita since this means that she has
to leave Naoki. However, at the thought of Naoki's
encouragement and the fact that she will be able to
assist Naoki in his future career, Kotoko decides to
buck up and work hard for the entrance exams.
Kotoko finally makes
it to the nursing school in Akita. Machiko doesn't
want Naoki to be separated from Kotoko and wants him
to make Kotoko stay behind. However, Naoki refuses to
do so and congratulates Kotoko. Kotoko thinks that
Naoki is really happy for her but in actual fact, he
is feeling relieved about Kotoko's impending
departure from the Irie family. This makes Kotoko
extremely sad.
Junko and Satomi are
not optimistic about Kotoko's relationship with Naoki
since she is going to Akita. Moreover, Reiko who is
much better than Kotoko in various areas will be
attending the same university as Naoki. Kotoko is
confident that she will be together with Naoki one
day. Junko and Satomi can't help feeling that Kotoko
is so great. Kin-chan rushes into the class and
pleads with Kotoko to go on a date with him.
Kotoko and Kin-chan go
on a date at the amusement park. Kin-chan is so
grateful to Kotoko for going out with him but she
thinks that he is exaggerating things. When they ride
on the roller-coaster, Kin-chan proposes to Kotoko
but she doesn't hear it. As a result of the ride, Kin-chan
throws up so Kotoko goes to get some water for him. A
gay then approaches Kin-chan and kisses him
forcefully, After that ordeal, Kin-chan asks to kiss
Kotoko but she pushes him away. Kin-chan tells Kotoko
that if he is Naoki, Kotoko will let him kiss her.
Kotoko apologises to Kin-chan because she will only
love Naoki in this lifetime. Even though Kin-chan
loves her very much, Kotoko will still love Naoki.
Kin-chan is very upset with Kotoko's decision.
On the graduation day,
Naoki is again the representative making the speech
for the Year 3s. Kotoko remembers all the fond
memories with Naoki while looking at Naoki onstage.
Kotoko is still daydreaming when she is called
onstage to receive the graduation certificates on
behalf of her class from the headmaster. When she
sees Naoki sitting in the front row, Kotoko loses her
balance and falls off the stage. The certificates are
thrown all over and Naoki helps Kotoko to pick them
up. The whole hall erupts into laughter at this. Kin-chan
rushes over and stops Naoki from helping Kotoko. He
tells Kotoko that he will wait patiently for the day
when Kotoko is willing to give up Naoki. Kotoko is
exasperated by this.
During the 'F' class
farewell party, Kotoko, Junko and Satomi pledge to
remain friends forever. They can't bear to part with
Kotoko who is going to Akita. Kotoko tells them that
her love for Naoki will never change even if she is
going to Akita.
Naoki is mobbed by
girls who try to get hold of the buttons on his
uniform. Even Reiko and Kotoko fight over Naoki's
buttons. At long last, Kotoko manages to get hold of
Naoki's button but the result is unbearable to be
seen. Reiko mocks Kotoko for not being able to stay
with Naoki. Seeing the both of them together, Kotoko's
heart is aching.
On the eve of Kotoko's
departure, Shige gives her some sour plums and
preserved vegetables to bring to Akita. Kotoko is
very touched and promises to work hard.
Machiko cannot bear to
part with Kotoko and is on the verge of tears. Yuki
tells Kotoko not to come back anymore. Nevertheless,
Kotoko tells Yuki that she will feel uneasy without
hearing Yuki's sarcastic remarks. Kotoko feels like
crying when she says goodbye to Naoki.
Machiko forces Naoki
to send Kotoko to the train station. On the way,
Kotoko tells Naoki that she will not lose to him and
become a good nurse. Kotoko also wants Naoki to grant
her a request that is to smile at her. When Kotoko
crosses the train junction, she turns back waiting to
see Naoki's smile. However, Naoki walks away without
granting her request. Kotoko is crying as she watches
Naoki walking away...
Two years later,
winter.
Naoki is now studying
medicine in Saint Tonan University. One day while in
school, he feels that there is something weird around
him but he can't place his finger on what it is.
Reiko comes along and they walk away. Actually,
Kotoko is back for her internship as a nurse. She
also goes to visit Shige and Kin-chan.
Kotoko comes to the
university again to look for Naoki. To her surprise,
she finds that Kanhara-sensei and Izumi-sensei who
used to be loggerheads are now married. They are also
behaving very intimately. When they find that Kotoko
is hiding behind them, they get the shock out of
their lives.
Kotoko is working in
Saint Tonan University Hospital during her internship.
She is carrying urine samples but accidentally bumps
into Naoki, spilling everything on him. Naoki is
surprised and exasperated at Kotoko's actions.
Kotoko goes to have
dinner with the Irie family and Reiko is also present.
When Kotoko tries to pour wine for Ki, Reiko stops
her, saying that Ki only drinks two glasses for the
sake of his health. Kotoko wants to make tea for Ki
but discovers that the arrangement of things in the
kitchen has changed and Reiko knows everything at her
fingertips. In Kotoko's haste, she breaks a few
plates. They fight over picking up the broken pieces
and end up cutting themselves. Naoki immediately
tends to Reiko's injury, leaving Kotoko alone. Kotoko
has an even bigger cut than Reiko but Naoki doesn't
care about her. Kotoko tries to conceal her sadness
when Reiko means more to Naoki than her.
Kotoko is happy that
Naoki has become more cheerful than before and wants
to go back to Akita to complete her studies. Shige
notices that Kotoko has matured and asks her to work
hard.
Kotoko goes to the
Irie residence to bid Machiko, Naoki and Yuki goodbye.
Machiko reminds Naoki that Kotoko has changed him to
a cheerful guy and this is what she likes about Naoki
now. Therefore, if Kotoko is going back to Akita, she
may never come back to Naoki again. Instead of
chasing after Kotoko, Naoki goes back to his room,
much to the exasperation of Machiko.
In his room, Naoki
tries to get some peace but Kotoko's voice keeps
ringing in his mind. Naoki runs out to stop Kotoko
from leaving but he cannot find her. Just when Naoki
thinks that all is lost, Kotoko suddenly appears in
front of Naoki. Naoki hugs Kotoko close to him and
tells her to stay by his side. They then kiss with
much passion. Machiko and Yuki who has followed Naoki
see everything and Machiko is happy that her
prediction about Naoki and Kotoko being together has
come true. Meanwhile, the two lovers scold each other
for being fools and all ends well...
-Erin Lee
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