"Kodomo no Omocha"
The rumor that I love you is true. Yes it is.
Whether you're awake or asleep…
You can't avoid it,
…so don't worry about it.
If I sneak into your heart by ridding you of that other love…
…is that a sin?
At sunset, when the children go home,
today's incident is burning love!
You can be sure of it!
7 O'Clock News!
Please, our relationship…
Ah, don't condemn me for a true kiss…
This town without fire…
Let's ignite it with our love!
Ah, don't live carelessly!
That's asking for too much!
I'm Kurata Sana, a 6th grader and TV personality.
Hayama Akito, my natural enemy and good friend.
My manager, chauffeur, and former boyfriend, Sagami Rei-kun.
The mysterious white bat straight man.
I'm Babbit.
My beloved Mama is a famous Aoki-award winning novelist.
"She's Here! Mother's Mother"
Here's your manuscript.
But there's still half a day until the deadline!
If you don't want it, I could burn it.
No, I want it!
What's come over you, Mama? This is unusual.
From now on, I'm trying to become an exemplary writer.
Onda, I know I've been quite a nuisance up until now.
S-Sensei, I'm touched!
Your words make all the trouble I've gone through up to now worthwhile!
Really?
Yes! And now, I'm going right back to the office!
Be careful.
Right!
—Skip! Skip! La-la-la-la…! —Wow. Mama, you sure have grown.
I'm touched as well.
It's just the cover.
—Huh? —Huh?
The manuscript inside it is from three years ago.
Onda is still quite the rookie, isn't he?
Sensei, you're such a scamp.
Now then, I think I'll treat myself to a little tub time,
and maybe sprinkle in some mineral bath salts.
Kusatsu is such a nice place…
Mama…
To be so carefree, after tricking someone like that…
Yes, coming!
Huh?
I am Kurata Shizuka.
Kurata Shizuka?
I am her second-in-charge, Katagiri Sanzo.
What's going on, Rei-kun?
Oh, Sana-chan, is that you?
Grandma!
Grandma?
In her first appearance!
W-w-wha…?
Incredible! This many hot spring manju buns?
You've grown so much! The last time I saw you, you were only this big.
That was the year of the Barcelona Olympics,
so it would have been four years ago.
I was in 2nd grade!
What is "Kurata Inn"?
I run a small inn among the Kusatsu hot springs
that has been in operation for 300 years.
That's ridiculously big!
Beginning with Mito-no-Goroko,
who stopped by during his travels while compiling the History of Japan,
there have been many prominent figures who have stayed at Kurata Inn
while passing through Kusatsu.
M-Mito-no-Goroko!?
Incredible…
To think that you were an acquaintance of Mito Komon!
That was back during the Edo period!
I heard that story once from Mama a long time ago.
Ah, this one is chunky-style!
In your case, you really did choose dumplings over flowers.
So did you, right?
Incidentally, where is Misako?
Grandma here would be scary to run into on the road at night.
"Misako-san is busy. Do not open!!" Flowers blossom even in the hot water…
—Why has Mother suddenly showed up here once again? —Yes… Yes… That's right…
—Don't tell me she still hasn't given up yet about that one matter. —I'm just saying, why now?
Yes…
This is Kusatsu Babbit, from the White Bat Kusatsu branch office.
This here is Kurata Inn, folks.
Look, once she has spoken, she won't listen to anyone anyhow.
It's been so long, why don't you just have a nice mother-daughter talk, Misako-san?
After all, you are the only daughter of the Kurata family.
Dad! How can you be so carefree, like it was someone else's business!?
No matter what anyone says, I am not going back to Kusatsu…
Are you listening to me, Dad!?
Father? Hello? Yoboseyo?
Here you are, sir.
Yes, I'm listening.
Please let your father have some time to relax without your mother around.
Okay, well, I've got eight more baths to clean, so I'm going to hang up now.
Oh, right, the buses left here about 6:30,
so they should be getting there right about now.
Okay, Misako-san, you take care now. Bye.
Dad! What do you mean, the buses have left!?
"Kurata Inn"
"Kurata Misako-sama Matchmaker Tour"
Okay, everyone, thank you for your patience.
—W-what's with the fleet of buses!? —We're going to be calling you in order now…
In any case, I have to get out of here!
Let's get zooming, Shooting Star!
Huh? Mother, long time no see. You're looking well.
Late into autumn, Mama finds herself frightened by Mama's own Mama.
Too many syllables.
"Matchmaking for Mama?"
Very well, will the first gentleman please enter?
First! Hailing from Kusatsu, in Gunma Prefecture, I am Okegawa Hachitaro.
This man is the Kusatsu Hot Spring Board Chairman's third son.
Misako-san, you often played with him when you were both children.
Hello.
So, what are your interests?
I do a little karaoke.
The next gentleman.
Coming! Hailing from Kusatsu, in Gunma Prefecture, I am Tadokoro Seiichi.
This is the Kusatsu Tourism Society President's second son.
See? He's just the sort of handsome man that you like, right?
Um, what sports are you good at?
I play a little ping pong.
The next gentleman.
Yes, hailing from Kusatsu, in Gunma Prefecture…
The next gentleman.
Yes, hailing from Kusatsu…
The next gentleman.
Y-yes, hailing from Kusat…
The next gentleman.
Yes, hailing from Kusatsu…
The next gentleman.
Yes, hailing from Kusatsu…
All of these men are local
to Kusatsu, aren't they, Mother?
I can see right through your little scheme to bring me back to Kusatsu.
Coincidence.
What's more, these are all
thin, wiggly, silly little men.
Isn't that the type of man you like? I mean, look at Kashima Ryosuke-san.
Lend me some money?
I was still immature at the time.
In a marriage, you see, Misako-san,
it doesn't matter if the husband is wiggly or silly, as long as the wife remains firm.
If anything, it's easier that way.
Huh? Me?
In any case, I absolutely refuse to have that type of man!
That's hot!
The next gentleman.
Oh, Onda!
Who is this man?
Sensei!
"Onda, you fool!! Heh heh heh heh" What kind of a trick is this!?
Would you please cut it out, already!?
There, there…
And who are you, eh!? What kind of attitude is that to be taking toward Madam Misako!?
Okay…
That guy is scary.
How terribly rude of me.
I was unaware that you were one of the Madam's business associates.
Y-yeah…
Forgive the belated introductions. I am Katagiri, second-in-charge at Kurata Inn.
He is a candidate to be the next head clerk at Kurata Inn.
Not at all. I am by no means up to it.
Head clerk, head clerk, head clerk-san,
the man who looks after the guests' needs.
Head clerk, head clerk, head clerk-san,
his post is the most important one there.
So does that mean that Mama's matchmaking session is over?
I had just forgotten about that! Don't go opening your big mouth!
Misako-san, you are the Kurata family's only child.
You are the only one who can take over Kurata Inn,
which has gone on for 300 years.
Mother, do you seriously think I am cut out to be the mistress of an inn?
"Kurata Inn" Welcome!
"Kurata Inn" Thank you for having us.
Hi! Come on in, come on in, come on in!
Yahoo!
Out of the way, out of the way!
If I were to take over Kurata Inn,
your precious 300-year history would be over in three days, Mother.
"Prospective fathers return home"
Aw, my phantom fathers are going home.
She was such a cute young lady.
Huh? Me?
Madam Misako.
A cute Sensei?
Mama was?
Please wait for me, Madam Misako! Madam!
—That is cute. —That's not cute.
Just as soon as she entered women's college, she fell prey to that beast.
There was one letter that arrived, saying she would not be returning to Kusatsu.
Afterward, she found a child who had been abandoned…
Abandoned child? You mean me?
Oh, that was a slip of the tongue. Please excuse me.
Don't worry, don't worry, it's the truth.
Everyone in Japan knows the story, after all.
Still, regardless of the details,
there is no mistake that Sana-chan is, in fact, Misako-sensei's daughter.
Yes.
—Things head off in another direction!! —I'm starting to want to go to the hot springs now…
With Misako-san's taste in husbands having changed, my strategy has failed.
Could the Madam just not wish to take over Kurata Inn?
I will not allow Kurata Inn to come to an end after my generation!
Yes, ma'am.
If Misako-san will not take over Kurata Inn, then who on earth will?
Does Grandma have something sneaky in mind?
I've only ever seen Grandma two other times before now, you know.
Oh, this one is white bean!
And the Kusatsu hot springs are fairly close by, too.
It's unusual for her not to come visit
her cute grandchild and daughter for four years.
Sana-chan's house is right around here,
while the Kusatsu hot springs are over here.
I guess that's still hard to tell, huh?
Unusual? I don't know.
After all, the inn must be busy during summer and winter vacations.
Besides, Mama and Grandma seem to be pretty crabby to each other.
Oh, but we get a New-Year's Card from Grandma every year.
If she were her blood granddaughter,
I'm sure she would come see her more frequently.
There's no way she'd fail to come see her for four years.
I feel bad for Sana-chan.
Well now, it appears that Mother has given up,
so let's have a big party tonight.
Shimura, call the liquor store and fish shop!
Right!
S-Sensei, our deadline is…
Yow-ow-ow-ow!
—My word, Onda, are you still here? —I'm going bald!
I'm surprised you could get under there. I have to give you credit.
—I feel sorry for Onda-san, too. —These are yummy.
Oh, these are the best!
Rei-kun still doesn't have any idea what's going on.
I've got a bad feeling, like something terrible is going to happen.
Lend me some money?
Welcome to our shop. May I take your order?
I'll have Spaghetti Vongole, heavy on the Tabasco,
a jumbo pirate salad, a fruit pawfait, and Milfie espresso, if you please.
I'll take a mild beef curry, a semisweet chocolate cake, taiyaki,
and a lowfat milk banana shake.
Okay, one moment please.
Thank you for waiting!
Wow, that looks delicious! You piled them awl into one stack for us?
So how are we supposed to eat that!?
Whose idea was it to bring them out like this!?
This is delicious!
There, you see?
That was last week's "Child's Toy". This is this week's.
You'll laugh at this week's! Just you watch, Grandma!
Aw, it hoits! I'm gonna die!
Me too.
Um, Noise-san, hurry up!
Hi, welcome, come on in!
Let me take your temperature.
Aren't these used to measure the temperature in the room and such?
Don't go contradicting the angel in white.
So, what seems to be the trouble?
That's what we came here to find out, you know!
Ah, is that right?
My tummy is rumbling, I have a splitting headache, and my throat is sore.
Could it be some kind of nasty disease?
Search me.
Huh? Soich me? You are the noise, aren't you?
No, I am…
…the cook, you see!
Hey, now…
That was great! Right? Right? Did you see that? Did you see that, Grandma?
That's the kind of work I've been doing lately.
Indeed, that was absolutely wonderful. I, Katagiri, am deeply impressed.
What, really?
This will work!
Katagiri!
Yes?
Something is about to start.
You're going to leave Kurata Inn to Sana-chan?
Are you sure about that, Mistress?
There is nobody else besides her. Make preparations at once!
As you wish.
What a cold grandmother she must be,
to watch Sana-chan's sketches and not even chuckle.
In that case, we'll challenge her to watch Sana-chan's commercial series next!
Rei-kun, what have you been mumbling to yourself about for the past few moments?
Sana-chan, this will show that straitlaced old lady…
Sana-chan…
Yes?
…that grandmother, that grandmother, that fine, fine grandmother of yours…
Rei-kun, you're just making it worse and worse.
Sana-chan, do you like working on TV?
Mm-hmm. At first, when Mama suggested it, I didn't think it was that great,
but lately, I think it has been getting a little more fun.
You have to stay smiling all the time.
Sana-chan, you're so cheerful,
I'm sure you must be a popular figure, well-liked by many people.
You bet she is!
Let me tell you, right now,
Sana-chan is loved on the lower end by babies and toddlers,
and at the upper end, by grandmothers and grandfathers,
Americans, Indians, and even aliens!
She is the number one personality sought after to do commercials!
If you will watch this video, I'm sure you will agree…
Grandma has completely forgotten what a wonderful little granddaughter she has.
Forgive me, okay?
Not at all. I'm not bothered one bit.
From now on, let's be closer with each other, okay, Sana-chan?
Before I go home to Kusatsu, I'd like to see the sights of Tokyo.
Will you show me around?
Mm-hmm, Grandma.
She really is… she really is a nice grandmother.
"Ruse" Grandma…
"Ruse" Ah, I want to go to the hot springs.
And over there is Tokyo Tower.
Come to think of it, where did Katagiri-san go?
I sent him on a bit of an errand.
Ah, I see.
What is he doing?
This is the TV studio where we do "Child's Toy". Isn't it huge?
Yes? I see. Understood.
Excuse me, Driver, there's someplace I'd like to go. Could I prevail upon you?
Sure!
We have been waiting for you.
Katagiri-san…
Hm? Who is that boy with the unusual aura coming off of him?
Allow me to introduce him. This is…
This!
This?
This!
This?
This is such a pleasure to meet you! I'm…
Tori!
Tori?
Tori!
Tori?
Tori… Tori-Tori-Tori-Tori…
Toriyama Noboru.
He is 14 years old.
—As it happens, —She's exactly, exactly how she looks on TV.
Toriyama-kun here is a big fan of Madam Sana.
I'm Sana!
I am Sana-chan's manager…
Well now, why don't we drink some tea and have ourselves a nice little chat?
Okay!
Okay.
Why does this seem so formal? It's almost as though this were-
"Matchmaking for Sana?" Matchmaking?
This is so wonderful!
Right now, the real Sana-chan is sitting right in front of me. I'm so bowled over!
Well, I'm very much obliterated that you are bowled over.
"Much obliged."
I-I make sure to v-videotape
and watch "Child's Toy" every week, without fail, Ma'am…
Who do you mean, "Ma'am"?
This is so wonderful!
T-the sketches that you and Zenjiro-san do are always so comical…
Toriyama-kun, you're fairly comical, yourself.
Really?
Mm-hmm. Look there…
Oh, no!
I have to do something… I have to do something…
The prestigious middle school that I go to in Kusatsu
uses the escalator system through high school and college,
and in the future, I would like to study hotel management.
Yeah, hotel studies? My grandma happens to run an inn in Kusatsu.
Isn't that a coincidence?
Coincidence? I-I don't think it's a coincidence.
If it were a coincidence, then…
We've been set up!
It's not "almost as though", that's precisely what this is!
It's true! Since she failed to find a match for you, Sensei,
now she's after Sana-chan!
A matchmaking meeting for Sana, huh? But why?
Could it be that she is scheming to leave Kurata Inn to Sana now?
That's what I would probably guess.
Yay! Lucky!
Let them proceed, let them proceed!
Now that you mention it, her personality is suited to being the mistress of an inn.
That's my mother's judgment for you! She's sharp! I approve!
You intend to sacrifice your own daughter, Sensei!?
What did Sana say? As long as Sana is okay with it, I'm okay with it.
And if you want, why don't you go along with Sana to Kusatsu
and serve as Kurata Inn's head clerk?
H-head clerk…?
I wonder if I'm fit to be a head clerk…
Hey, now…
This way, please. This way, please.
Mistress, the folks from the Babbit firm have arrived.
You have all shown up so early…
"Waaah! You've got it all wrong!" Mistress, that's The Godmother!
Oh, yeah.
Mistress, you just can't give up your "Child's Toy" ways!
It could work…
This week's Sana-chan.
You'll all have to excuse me.
There'll be a hundred kids!
Mm-hmm! It's better to have lots of brothers and sisters, huh?
It will be a lively family!
That would be best. Want to sing, Toriyama-kun?
What, now?
"Sana-chan sings" You're going to sing, right?
♪ A lively family is a fun family! ♪
♪ A fun family and a delightful family! ♪
♪ Delightful, thrilling, pleasant and warm! ♪
♪ Head clerk, head clerk, a fine head clerk! ♪
♪ Maintain dignity, treat the guests well! ♪
♪ That's what it takes to be a fine head clerk! ♪
Hey, aren't you adapting a little too quickly?
♪ Come now, let's just enjoy ourselves! ♪
♪ It's been entertaining and funny, thanks for coming! ♪
It would appear that those two are getting along well.
Yeah, what bliss!
Huh? Hey, if it isn't Hayama!
I don't get it.
Let's see, where is Hayama's Burutcha…
Nope, I guess it's this one.
S-Sana-chan, s-shut mine off!
This is Hayama Akito. He's in the same class as me.
I guess you could call him my good friend.
Good afternoon.
Did you just bow?
Wah! I missed it!
M-Mistress…
This boy…
I like the look in his eyes!
It seems like I've heard someone else say that somewhere…
Mama said it earlier!
You're Hayama-kun, are you? Do you like hot springs?
Not especially. I've never been.
W-who do you think you are!?
Don't you think it's rude to just come barging in here!?
Who are you?
I… I… I am Sana-chan's betrothed!
What!?
How do you like that? Give up?
Those eyes… aren't human…
Neither are yours!
Well, I've got karate. Thanks for the cake.
H-hey!
Hey, what's the big idea, eating cake and running like that?
Hayama-kun… he's a good boy, isn't he?
Huh? Him, a good boy?
You should take a boy like that and carefully manipulate him,
right in the palm of your hand,
and once he's grown up to be a good man, promote him to be your boyfriend.
Huh? Seems like I've heard those words before…
Mama said it earlier! She's her mother's daughter, all right.
Okay then, home with you, Toriyama!
Sana-chan! You are my whole life!
Don't say such an unpleasant thing!
To celebrate Grandma coming to see us for the first time in four years,
Cheers!
Sensei, thank you so much! Thanks to you, I've kept my job!
Have I ever once been late with one of my manuscripts?
Yes, you have, many times.
Here you go, help yourself to some food.
Wow, Shimura-san, that looks delicious!
Mother, at your age, perhaps you shouldn't have so much greasy food.
Mama went flying…
The Mistress… has been turned down by her only daughter, Misako-san,
to take over for her at Kurata Inn. I think she is now grasping at straws.
Is that why she set up a matchmaking meeting
for elementary school-aged Sana-chan?
Next year she will be in middle school, and before long, high school.
There is no guarantee that at some time,
she won't run into a devil like Kashima Ryosuke.
Lend me money?
Once that happens, it will be too late.
I wonder if that isn't what she was thinking.
I get it. There is some truth to that.
Are you going to take over Kurata Inn?
It does sound like it would be pretty fun, huh?
Well, a long-established hot springs inn,
where you are greeted by a popular former child star mistress.
If you were the mistress, there's no doubt that you would do great business.
I'll think about it.
I'm sure that Sana-chan will be successful in whatever field she goes into.
I will stay with Sana-chan for the rest of her life, after all.
How are you going to stay with her?
Here, you see, I've already started to study up on being a head clerk.
Huh? But Katagiri-san is going to be the head clerk, right?
Don't suddenly start looking at him as your rival!
I do think that will be much farther down the road, though.
Time has a way of passing you by all at once.
Mother, you are getting along in years yourself,
so if you make up too many crazy schemes, it's going to be bad for your health.
Okay, all together now…
Be sure to come by Kusatsu sometime!
Sana-chan, take care of Misako!
We will see you later!
Grandma, you take care, too!
Hello? Father?
Huh? She's coming home already? She should have stayed longer.
My nerves couldn't take it if she had. Father, take care of Mother for me.
"Back against the wall."
That's what you say about times like these.
In dire straits,
I've been waiting for an answer.
My confessions are worked out long in advance,
to always go along with the scenario.
My heart may be settled, but my mind is in a…
…panic!!
When my friends invite me by, suddenly,
he's there.
And our usual classroom…
…quick-changes into a merry-go-round…
…for two.
Although I've said nothing but wisecracks…
…up to now, just for today,
I'm going to be honest and sincere,
so BOY, take a look my way!
When my friends invite me by, suddenly,
he's there,
And our usual classroom…
…quick-changes into a merry-go-round…
…for two.
Hoy! In Sana-chan's next adventures…
Rei-kun suddenly gets into a car crash!
What's the matter with you, staring off somewhere else while you're driving?
Mm-hmm, I see, your girlfriend, Asako-san,
has to do her first kissing scene in a drama.
What's more, in the show, she's engaged to this guy, Kimuchi Takuya-kun.
It's no wonder you'd be spacing off. This is not good!
Next time on Kodomo no Omocha, Episode 30, the "Sagami, the Heartbroken Man" saga,
My Boyfriend Has To Grin and Bear It
It's been so long, and I'm looking forward to seeing Rei-kun look manly!