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This is the "Diary of Monet's Return, Who's Too Excited" updated every Friday. The other day, I was interviewed by the local newspaper, "Sanriku Shimpo," about "Monet's return to Kesennuma"! I just watch the drama and write my impressions, but I thought that things like that happen.
Let's take a look back at the week's broadcasts. Illustrations and text by Sayumi.
*From here on, spoilers from the 20th week broadcast will be included. If you haven't watched it yet, please return now.
September 9th (Monday) Under the same sky
Monet is coming back to Kesennuma! Even though they didn't say it explicitly, it felt like each member of the Nagaura family was savoring the happiness. And so, Monet puts an end to her work in Tokyo. At the same time, Riko is appointed as a news anchor in Sendai. "Well, I guess it just means we should all do our best," says Uchida, but he doesn't say it in a heavy, excited way, which made you feel the strong trust between Riko, Monet, and Uchida. The way the two of them simply say "See you" to Monet and return to work, and the fact that Asaoka is not there when they leave the company, made you feel like their good relationship will continue from now on. (The company isn't changing after all.)
Monet is about to move, and it is her last night with Sue-chan. If you have ever moved to Tokyo, Sue-chan's words today will have a strong impact on you. I am one of them. It's not that I don't feel guilty about Sue-chan's "Is this cold-hearted?". But the idea of "I have to go back because my hometown is in trouble" is a curse. Both Monet and Sue-chan clearly denied it. Returning to hometown, not returning, taking over the family business, not taking over, recovering, not recovering... I thought this scene clearly showed that this drama does not deny either, and furthermore, it does not say that either is better.
And the phrase "It's great to go back to your hometown" that we often say without thinking may imply that "people who don't go back are no good". When praising those who take over the family business or those who recover from hardship, have we left behind those who don't? Have we forgotten to make an effort to understand people in various positions by interpreting things in a way that is convenient for us? I felt like I was being confronted with these things once again...Gah! It wasn't even such a heavy scene! I thought about these things, but I was amazed at the grandmother's reincarnation and evolution. I simply thought, "Can she really grow this much?" If she's come this far, there may be another change.
Tuesday, September 9th is Hamarain!
On the day they left Shiomiyu, Natsu and Udagawa gave Monet a painting as a present. Although Udagawa was not seen until the end, it felt like they had a positive influence on each other.
And since the tornado the other day, Monet crosses the bridge over Kamejima again and says, "Welcome back, Monet!" Yes, it was her mother who said it! I was always wondering who would say it, but it was a much simpler scene than I thought... I wonder if they'll bring back the title. Anyway, both Monet and Grandma (the potted plant) say "Welcome back."
The first place Monet went to was the Sea Town Civic Plaza. Wow, the area around Kesennuma Port has really been renovated with new community spaces and shopping streets, and it really looks like this. From the perspective of the local residents, it seems so real!
There, he meets Yuto, who works at the city hall, and appears for the first time as Yuto's boss, the head of the "Tourism and Hamarain Division", Endo! He is played by our very own Koichi Yamadera! He is from Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture! His native Tohoku dialect is so refreshing. Also appearing for the first time is Mizuno Ichika, a university student volunteer. Since the disaster, so many young people like Mizuno have come to Kesennuma. I'm glad to see a character like this in the drama.
What interested me the most about today's episode was the line that Section Chief Endo said to Mone, "Why did you come back?" This is just my imagination, but for Section Chief Endo's generation, "going back to your hometown" may mean "your dreams being shattered." Nowadays, the spotlight is starting to shine on young people like Mizuno moving to rural areas, but Section Chief Endo's line made me feel that this drama will further delve into the differences in values between "rural and urban areas" and the generational gap.
In the end, Monet's first job was broadcasting weather forecasts on a community FM station. The background music she chose was "American Patrol." Do you remember it? This is a song Monet used to play with her childhood friends when she was a student. It was a start that felt like a new, positive step. By the way, the Kesennuma community FM station "Radio Kesennuma" isLetters CornerWe are collaborating with. Thank you for your support!
September 9 (Wednesday) Beautiful words
Monet, in his enthusiasm, gives too much detail to the weather forecast on the radio. The Kesennuma fish market, shops, harbor, and shipyards that are shown in the film are full of familiar sights and people!
However, Monet receives a complaint that "the weather forecast is broadcast in too much detail." It's a typical start for Monet, who is too enthusiastic and straightforward. Well, it's just getting started! The house drinking party, which was held like a reflection meeting, passed by happily and the topic turned to "What about Mi-chan and Ryo-chin?" I was also wondering about that. According to Yuto and Mitsuo, they have a "delicate" relationship. I see, it doesn't seem like they're dating after all.
Eventually, when Mitsuo and Yuto fall asleep, Ryo-chin, Mi-chan, and Mone start talking. Mone can't help but smile as she sees Ryo-chin and Mi-chan talking in a friendly atmosphere... but Ryo-chin, noticing the atmosphere, says something unexpected to Mone.
Wasn't she doing well in Tokyo? Wasn't she planning to marry that person? So why did she come back? Monet replies that she plans to marry Suganami-sensei someday. She didn't quit her job, she didn't lose anything, and it seems like things are going well. Ryochin may be thinking, "I was happy with you being someone from a different world, but I don't want you to come here." Ryochin then pushes Monet away, saying, "I'm sorry, that only sounds like nice words." Monet isn't at fault though...
Ryochin's family fell apart in the midst of his adolescence, but he has always been cheerful and considerate in public, and now I think he is finally able to tell me his true feelings. I wondered, "What's wrong with Ryochin?" but I finally feel like I've seen what Ryochin has been hiding. I can finally accept Ryochin's feelings. I'd like to think this is the first step.
September 9th (Thursday) Hard but fun
The party at home had become a little awkward, so the mother called it a day by saying, "Everyone, go home and sleep!" As the mother and grandmother said in the narration, rebuilding after the earthquake was not easy, with "there being another disaster, or never being able to return to the way things were." In fact, even though the news covered the topics of recovery and recovery, it seemed like the rest of the story was not getting any attention. Of course, it wasn't all bright and happy.
The scene changes and the head of Kesennuma Central Fisheries Cooperative, Ota Shigeru, comes to the community FM station where Monet works. The actor is Sugawara Daikichi, who is from Miyagi Prefecture, and this Shigeru... he's a real Kesennuma on-chan (uncle)... His intonation is perfect, and I can't help but think that he bought his hat and clothes in Kesennuma. Wow, I was surprised! It was wonderful! I'm satisfied if I can say that today.
Monet offers to help Shigero find out the abalone opening date, but is flatly refused. However, Monet shows tenacity by saying "I'll print it out and take it with me" even after being refused. This is very important. It is much better to print it out and go to see him than to email or call. This is a common thing in Kesennuma. There are times when you can't contact someone by phone for days, but when you go to see them, the conversation is over in one minute! Even if you're not Professor Suganami, you'd be impressed. Professor Suganami said, "It's hard to fill the time when you're not there, but it's interesting," but I think Monet thinks the "hardship" still wins... Let's do what we can, steadily and positively.
Finally, the radio show "Citizens' Time" returns! Takahashi-san, played by Sayaka Yamaguchi, and Section Chief Endo will be the hosts. Things are getting exciting!
October 10st (Friday) It's not easy
The citizen participation radio program ended happily, and Monet seemed to have grasped something, saying, "I came back because I wanted to see the happy faces of people close to me," and "Maybe this is what it means." However, after that, Monet noticed a certain prediction. It was that a strong wind would blow in the afternoon on the day of the autumn festival announced on the radio. Monet appealed for the festival to be postponed, but some festival staff members asked, "What will you do if the wind doesn't blow?" and opinions were divided. This was where Monet's skills came into play! By showing the data-based evidence and adding that the morning would probably be "abalone opening," the mood was changed to "If it's abalone opening, we'll be busy that day, so let's postpone the autumn festival." To be honest, I hadn't really understood the "Your Town Weather Forecaster Plan" until now, but it was a moment when I realized that weather forecasts can be used in many ways, such as predicting danger and providing information for daily life.
In the end, the weather turned out just as Monet predicted, and Takahashi gave Monet some abalone as thanks. The Nagaura family's grandfather was a fisherman, so I think they often gave and received seafood from others, so this must have made Monet very happy. Monet said, "This is expensive at the market," but I think abalone was something you get for free when she was on the island, so I imagine she realized its value after moving to Tokyo. She's grown up. And I thought the closeness of Takahashi, who held Monet's hand tightly and encouraged her, was very Kesennuma-like. This area was full of Kesennuma-like things.
At the end, Monet is told by Ichika, a university student volunteer, that she is going back to Tokyo. This is the answer she came to after thinking about what she could do as a person from outside, while hoping to be of some help. In fact, I think this is something that happens all the time. I am also an immigrant, so I can understand how she feels. There is no easy answer. I still don't really know. It's okay if you're not useful. It's good enough to just be there. Natsu said the same thing. But when you first move here, you're so eager to be useful that it's actually annoying when you hear things like that... It's not that easy!
That's it for this week. See you next week!
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A summary of the week will be updated on the Kesennuma Saite Kerain website on Friday.
The depiction of Kesennuma is so realistic! The children's accent, the young people moving in, the seafood we receive! Ah, but I've never received abalone... Fishermen can catch abalone, but people who aren't fishermen can't. Some people can receive abalone, and some can't. Of course...
We look forward to seeing you next week!
#I'm so excited for Welcome Back Mone
#WelcomeBackMone
#Daikichi Sugawara is
#He really looks like a Kesennuma native
#I'm waiting for your letters
#Monet painting
(Text and illustrations by Sayumi)
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