The cherry blossom is cascaded, surrounding me and my broken heart.
In the rain of dancing petals, I cried, always alone.
The gentle warmth of sun in the spring,
summer's light through the trees,
the bright glow of autumn through cloudy skies,
the morning sun on winter's snow…
No trace of light ever found its way to me.
Happiness felt like a cruelty,
always beyond my reach.
Every brief hope would vanish before my eyes.
It all felt so meaningless…
If this was the person I was destined to be, why was I born at all?
But everything changed when I met him.
EPISODE 1 THE MEETING
What is this?
It's bitter! You brewed it for too long!
I'm terribly sorry.
Your apology means nothing.
Miyo, how long do you intend to stay down there?
Go and re-brew it at once.
Yes, right away.
Excuse me.
Goodness! She can't even make tea properly.
She's a Saimori like me, so shouldn't she at least be embarrassed?
It's a wonder that incompetent girl shares any relation to you, Kaya.
Just like that wretched mother of hers.
Kanoko, please darling, don't blame me.
You're the one who made that woman give birth to her.
The past is dead and gone.
Why don't we let it stay that way?
Good morning to you, Mr. Tatsuishi.
To what do we owe the pleasure today?
I'm meeting with Shinichi to discuss a few things.
These are for the servants. Please enjoy.
Ah! We do always appreciate your generosity.
Of course! Now, pardon me.
I heard that Mr. Tatsuishi arrived a little bit ago.
I wonder if he's here to make marriage arrangements
for the young ladies?
Yes. It would make sense as both Miss Miyo and Miss Kaya are around that age.
And Miss Miyo is already 19 years old.
She is. But her Master isn't concerned, right?
It's sad, but Miss Miyo doesn't really count.
Why are your mouths moving instead of your hands?
I believe you're supposed to be doing the laundry.
Do you want to work or not?
-Uh, my apologies, madam. -My apologies, madam.
Ladies, can someone come to the living room?
Go on, our Madam is calling for you!
-Yes, ma'am, right away! -Yes, ma'am.
Koji… Oh!
Tending to the yard again, Miyo?
Your hard work shows.
Hello, Koji.
How are you?
Our fathers are having some important meeting today.
The plants you have here are so nice.
Thank you. We're happy to have you.
Yeah, um… I, I, uh…
I asked to join him because I was hoping we'd get to talk.
Hey, put your hand out.
What is it?
They're milk caramels. It's a chewy candy.
When I had them for the first time, they just melted in my mouth.
Mm!
I'm glad that you enjoy them as much as I do.
I got them from my big brother who knows all the trends.
It's just as good as you said.
If you ever want more, I can get you some whenever you want.
If it's something that makes you smile, it's a small price to pay.
Koji, I'm so grateful for you.
Moments like this, I dream of them going on forever.
I…
I want to save you from this place.
You're always saving me. Please don't worry.
It's hardly enough.
I'd like to… to help you however I can,
whatever it takes,
so that there's always a smile on your face.
You know…
Hey, Father.
I was hoping beyond hope that I could get a new kimono to wear for school.
Is that alright?
Ah, I suppose the new semester is starting soon?
Well, if that's the case, why don't you buy yourself two or three more then?
Oh! Wow! Really?
Thank you so much, Father!
My goodness, sweetheart.
You really do love spoiling your little girl, don't you?
The one I'm wearing now is getting all worn out.
Miyo.
Yes?
What do you normally do at around noon?
Oh…
That's the time I do my cleaning.
Alright.
The day after tomorrow at noon,
I would like for you to be ready and available. Yes?
Oh…
I will be. Yes.
Why bother with asking me at all?
I'm basically their servant.
I have no choice in the matter.
My father knows that there's no reason to tell me to be at our home tomorrow.
I am always here.
Mother? Where are you?
Hey, have you seen Mother anywhere?
Oh, let me think, she might be in the annex.
Will you two be going on an outing?
Yes. I'm getting a new kimono since school is starting soon.
Huh?
Well, would you look at that?
My dear elder sister, why don't you go wash your face?
It's disgusting!
On your face! You've got soot on your face.
Don't you dare try to welcome a guest into the house
with that mucky face of yours.
You're already enough of an embarrassment to our family.
I didn't mean to. I'm sorry.
Miyo…
He's here!
Good morning, Koji.
Your clothes… You decided to wear the Western-style today.
They look so dashing on you.
Hm.
Anyway, what's the occasion for your visit?
Uh, right…
It's just a discussion, uh, with your father.
My father?
Uh…
Here.
A souvenir snack.
Please share it with everyone else.
Thank you very much.
Well, um, I'll see you later.
Uh, Koji…
Why does it have to be this way?
Miss Miyo!
Master is calling for your attendance. You should hurry over there.
Huh?
He wants you in the drawing room at once.
Yes, right away.
The day after tomorrow at noon,
I would like for you to be ready and available. Yes?
It would be pointless to expect good…
…when I know it's going to be something bad.
Marriage arrangements with Koji…
I can't get my hopes up.
My head already knows that.
But…
It's Miyo. May I?
Come in.
Excuse me.
What's taking you so long?
Could you please just come in and sit already?
Let me be clear about our topic today.
Marriage arrangements with the Tatsuishis's
as well as our family's future.
We've decided to take in Koji.
He will be our son-in-law and our successor.
The new head of the Saimori's.
The daughter who will support Koji in marriage for our family's lineage…
will be Kaya.
I tried so hard to brace myself for this
and I still wasn't ready.
It hurts… so terribly.
Why do I continue to hope?
Why do I yearn to be accepted,
to exist as one of them?
All I want is a bit of peace.
Miyo, we're sending you away to be married.
You'll wed into the Kudo family.
You will become Kiyoka Kudo's wife.
K-Kudo?
Isn't that wonderful?
Just how lucky are you to get to marry the famous Mr. Kiyoka Kudo!
For someone with no redeeming qualities,
this arrangement is more than you deserve.
I'm so curious to see how many days you'll last in that man's house.
I guess we'll find out.
You will gather all of your belongings at once.
That said, you will be leaving first thing in the morning.
But, uh, Father--
That is all that concerns you.
If you heard what I said, then go get ready.
And don't cause a scene. You will not embarrass us.
Of course. Excuse me.
Well, then, Koji.
Let's plan the engagement ceremony…
The rain's not going to stop any time soon.
There goes any chance of putting the laundry up to dry.
Miyo…
Wait a minute!
Why does it have to be me?
Don't make me repeat myself.
You will marry into the Saimori's with Kaya as your wife.
How can I possibly accept all of that out of nowhere?
You say you want to save Miyo, yes?
This is how you must do it.
Shinichi and I have sorted everything.
She'll marry Kazushi.
And she'll be fine.
As you wanted, she'll be out of that home.
When you think about it, son,
isn't that what would be best for her life?
What about what she wants?
Why do I have to be the one who ends up with Kaya?
Everything has been decided for you.
Your only task is to obey silently for your family.
Understood?
My mother's cherry blossom tree…
I could always come here when I was sad or afraid.
It was the only comfort I had in this place.
But I won't be able to come here anymore.
Thank you for always loving me.
Goodbye, Mother.
Miyo.
Koji.
I'm so sorry.
I was totally worthless in the end.
I couldn't do anything for you.
Oh, Koji! Please don't apologize for this.
It isn't your fault.
It was luck. And mine just so happened to be bad.
Don't say that! It's not about luck!
It's alright.
I may find happiness with the family I marry into.
I'm not concerned one way or the other.
So you don't…
you really don't resent me for this?
How could I resent you?
I've distanced myself from any sort of feelings.
I only ever wanted to save you,
to spend all of our days happy together like when we were kids.
-I wanted us to be-- -Oh, Koji?
Kaya.
What are you two talking about?
I… It's nothing.
Then come inside.
Koji.
I'm grateful.
Thank you for everything.
Miss Miyo, may I open the door?
Yes, come in.
The Master said that he would like you to have this.
It's a new kimono for tomorrow for when you leave.
He said that you should arrive in this.
My father said that?
You're to wear it to your new home.
Please listen to me, Miss.
Kiyoka Kudo is rumored to be a ruthless, cold-hearted man.
He has already had fiancées and they all left him.
So be cautious, Miss.
I understand. Thank you for your concern.
There must be more.
Is that all you're taking?
All of the mementos from my mother were thrown out long ago.
I have nothing else to bring but this.
I see. This place hasn't been kind to you.
Take this. I hope it will help you with your journey tomorrow.
I'm sure it will.
Miss Miyo…
Take care and safe journey.
This kimono is so nice.
There's no way it would ever look good on someone like me.
That's it. I have no home to return to.
My whole world was here, and all of my memories…
Is this the right way?
Does the head of the Kudo family really live in this forest?
This is the house?
His home is more modest than I thought.
KUDO
Hello?
Just a moment.
What are we here for today?
Uh, nice to meet you. My name is Miyo Saimori.
I'm here because of the marriage arrangement
my family made with one Mr. Kiyoka Kudo.
Oh, it's Miss Saimori. I was wondering when you'd arrive!
You may call me Yurie. I am a servant in the Kudo home.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
I've heard some chatter about you.
Please come in and make yourself at home.
Uh, thank you very much.
The Young Master should be in the study.
You can settle in later, so why don't I take you to him right now.
It is a pleasure to meet you.
My name is Miyo Saimori.
Thank you for taking me into your home.
How long do you intend to stay that way?
I'm terribly sorry.
I didn't ask for an apology.
Well, then, please raise your head whenever you feel ready to.
Uh… oh, alright.
From the moment I saw him, I felt something shift.
What was once a dark space in my life
has a sliver of light, a flower…
so small, blossoming through the snow.
I'm Kiyoka Kudo, head of the Kudo's.
What a beautiful person!