Nanako Dojima

Oh, ummm...
Big bro...

> Nanako is fidgeting.

Well, ummm... Ummm...

> Nanako looks embarrassed...

Okay! Ummm... well...

> Nanako looks relieved.

Are you an only child?

So you're just like me.
Oh, but I have you now, so...

> Nanako is smiling cheerfully...

Hmmm... Then do you have...
a little sister?

Oh... You do have one.

> Nanako looks disappointed.

So you're all Nanako's...

> Nanako smiled happily...

Little sister...
*giggle*

> Nanako looks very happy...

A while ago, Daddy told me...
That our family won't get any bigger...
But now I have a big brother!

> Nanako beams at you with a smile
that covers her entire face...
> Through that smile, you feel your
relationship has grown deeper...

Let's talk, big bro!
Umm... I wanna hear about your school!

> Nanako has begged you to talk to her...

> You decided to talk about
various things.

> It has gotten late, so you put Nanako
to bed and went to your room.

Umm, you know the photo you found
before?
I gave it back to Dad.
He looked happy and smiled at me.
Big bro... I love my Dad.

So I think he's the real one.
...He's my real Dad.

> Nanako is smiling cheerfully...

I think so too!

> Nanako is smiling cheerfully...

Huh? Oh, uh, I love you too!

> Nanako is panicking...

Dad didn't forget about how we used to
pick flowers at Samegawa.
He smiled at me and said "You
remember, too?"
Dad loves Mom.
...I feel sorry for him, losing
someone he loves.

Yeah! I won't go anywhere!

> Nanako smiles vigorously...

That's what Dad said, too.
He said, "She's inside of me."
...I don't really get what he said,
but I know what he meant.

> A gentle, mature smile crosses
Nanako's face...

I have Dad, though.
...Oh, I see. Dad also has me!

> Nanako is smiling happily...

I'm glad to be Dad's daughter!

> Nanako is smiling so happily...
> Through that smile, you feel your
relationship has grown even deeper...

...It's your turn to talk!

> It's just about Nanako's bedtime...
> What will you do...?

Yay!

> Nanako looks happy.
> You decided to talk for just a
little while longer.

What, already?

> Nanako is pouting...

Yay!
Then, uh, I know! Let's play cards!

> Nanako looks really happy.
> You decide to play some cards
with her.

> It's getting late, so you put Nanako
to bed and went to your own room.

> You decided to talk to Nanako about
life and death...

I see... This is hard...
But I get it! Thank you, big bro!

> Nanako is nodding her head cheerfully.

Well... There was a funeral on TV, and
a bunch of people were... crying.

> Nanako looks down sadly...

Well, ummm... Oh, there is!

> Nanako's eyes are gleaming...

What happens to a person...
when they die?

They disappear?
...Hmmm.

> It seems that Nanako didn't really
understand your answer.

So, it is true. Mommy went to heaven.

> Nanako is smiling happily...

Hmmm, I see. Even you don't know.

> Nanako looks like she understands...

Oh, yeah, I saw this on the news:
"Robbery at the post office."
......
Why do bad people do bad things?

They have no choice?
...I feel sorry for them.

> Nanako looks sad.

They think bad things are fun?
...I don't get it.

> Nanako seems to have a hard time
comprehending this.

I see... You're not a bad person, so
I guess you wouldn't know.

> Nanako looks relieved.

But if there were no bad people, Dad
would be home more...
Last year, there weren't many crimes,
so Dad was here a lot.
He used to pick me up from kindergarten...
......
Are bad people more important to Dad
than I am?

It is!
Arresting bad people is more important
to him than being with me...

> Nanako is holding back tears.

Then... Is everyone else more important
to him than me...?

> Nanako looks sad...

...I don't get it.

> Nanako is thinking.

......

> It seems that Nanako is bearing her
sadness stoically...
> You feel that you understand a bit
of Nanako's loneliness...

...Let's talk about something else,
big bro.

> You decided to talk about something
different with the lonely-looking Nanako...

> It's getting late, so you put Nanako
to bed and went to your own room.

But if there were no bad people, Dad
would be home more...
When I was in kindergarten, there weren't
many crimes, so Dad was home a lot.
He used to pick me up all the time...
......
Are bad people more important to Dad
than I am?

> Nanako is pacing back and forth
restlessly...

Dad's late again today...

Hello, Dojima residence.
Dad!
Huh... Really!?
Okay... Okay, I understand.

Dad's coming home now.
I need to get dinner ready.

> Nanako is in high spirits.

We're out of pickled radish...
Dad'll be disappointed.

But... He only likes the ones from Junes.
...Oh, then, I'll go too!

> Nanako seems excited.

Really?
Thanks, big bro!!

> Nanako looks really happy.

Mm...
But Dad's going to be home for once.
I want him to have what he likes...

> Nanako stares up at you with a bright
and determined look.
> ...You decide to go shopping
with Nanako.

*giggle* We're going shopping together!

> Nanako looks happy...
> You feel Nanako's affection for you,
and that your relationship with her
has grown deeper...

Let's go, big bro!!

> You went to Junes with Nanako.

> A while later, at the house...

I'm back.

Dad! Welcome home!

Where did you go at this time of night?

Oh, uhh... Junes...

Didn't I tell you not to go outside
this late?

B-But, you were coming home... so I...

No matter what your reason was, rules
are rules. You promised me, remember?

......

> Nanako looks sad...

...Why are you apologizing?
You didn't do anything wrong!
I-I... didn't do... any...thing...

> Nanako looks ready to cry...

It's no use!
Dad doesn't listen! Every time...
He's always like this!!

> Nanako looks ready to cry...

Big bro...

> Nanako looks relieved.
Nanako
...It's not my fault? Then why is
Dad angry...?
Why won't he listen...?

Dad's stupid...!
Stupid, stupid!

Nanako! How dare you call your father
stupid!!

> You explained to Dojima why you went
with Nanako to Junes...

Pickled radish... for me...?
...Is that so?
......

But I still can't allow kids to be
walking around this late at night.
You know how dangerous it's been lately.
You shouldn't be wandering around out
there at night either!

> Dojima yelled at you, too...
> You decided to go back to your room.

But I still can't allow kids to be
walking around this late at night.
You shouldn't be wandering around out
there at night either!

> You decided to watch TV with Nanako.
> It's a documentary about a young man
searching for his real father...
> ......
> Nanako is staring into the TV.

Real... father...

What do they mean by "real"?

Blood? Related...?
I don't get it...

> Nanako seems confused...

Oh, okay... Then you're my real
big brother.

> Nanako looks really happy...

And Dad's my real father!
......

But I don't think Dad really loves me...

I see... Then you're my real
big brother.
Because you're always home every day...

> Nanako looks happy...

But Dad...
......

Maybe...
......
Maybe I'm not "real" to him?
Daddy doesn't come home because I'm
not his "real" daughter?

...No.

> It looks like Nanako has stopped
worrying...

B-But! Dad's not here...

> Nanako doesn't seem to be satisfied
with that answer.

Hmm...

> Nanako seems a bit relieved...

Mom...
Why'd she leave me?
...When Mom was still here, we all
went out together...
We picked flowers at Samegawa...

> Nanako talked some about her
memories...
> You understood Nanako's true feelings
a little better.

Hey... Big bro...

> It's about Nanako's bedtime...

Yay!
Ummmm... Ummmm... Then, let's play
the word game!

> Nanako looks happy.

Then we'll start with...
"w" from "word!" W... W...
Worm!

> You played a word game with Nanako.

That's just what Dad would say....

> Nanako looks sad...

Okay!
Umm, well, today, I woke up...

> Nanako looks like she is having fun
telling you about her day.

> It's getting late, so you put Nanako
to bed and went to your own room.

> What should you do...?

Umm... Don't tell Dad, but...

> Nanako looks like she's about
to cry...

Ummm... Ummm...

> Nanako looks nervous.

O-Okay...

> Nanako nods and begins talking...

They handed this out at school.
They said to give it to our parents...

> The paper Nanako gave you has the
following written on it:
> "Parent Survey Regarding Scheduling
Of Parent-Teacher Interviews"

They said to have our parents write
down when they can visit the school...
......
But Dad's always working, so...
He can't come, huh?

Really?

> Nanako looks relieved...

...What should I do? If I don't hand in
this paper, my teacher will get mad...
But...

> Nanako doesn't know what to do...

Really?
Thanks, big bro!

> Nanako looks relieved...

...I'll give this to Dad.
I'll ask him to come...

I'm glad I asked you!

> You can feel Nanako's trust for you.
> You feel that your relationship with
Nanako has grown deeper...

He'll come, right?
...Since he's my "real" Dad.
Big bro, did you have "Parent-Teacher
Interviews" too?
Were you nervous?

> You talked about different things
with Nanako...

> It's getting late, so you put Nanako
to bed and went to your own room.

...I'm home.

Oh, welcome back!
Um, Dad...!

Later, Nanako...

B-But, this paper...

"Scheduling of Parent-Teacher
Interviews"?

A survey, huh...?

......
Fine.
It's fine...
It's fine, okay!?

You don't have to write anything!
You don't have to come!
It's just another case to you, right?
It's more work, isn't it?
Bad people and everyone else are more
important to you than me, huh!?

You're not "real"...

You're not my "real" Dad!

Na-Nanako! Wait!

What's gotten into her...?

Yeah... Yeah, you're right. Now's not the
time to stand around asking questions.

> Dojima nods strongly.

Y-You're right, she's just being
rebellious...
......
No. I can't leave her alone!

I'll go check Junes. ,
you look around the shopping district!
I'm counting on you!

> You need to find Nanako...

> Nanako is nowhere to be found...

Hey, !

I ran into Dojima-san at Junes, and he
told me what happened.

You coulda just asked!

We got a call from Yosuke-kun.
I'm sure if we all look, we'll find her.

Hey, do you know what kinda places
she might've gone?

> A place where Nanako would go...

> You recall that Nanako said her family
used to go to Samegawa when her mother
was still alive...

> You told your friends about
Samegawa...

Samegawa...?
Alright. , you head
straight there. That's our best bet.
The rest of us'll split up and look
around. If anyone finds anything,
give the others a ring, okay?

> Central shopping district...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

, did you find Nanako!?

Dammit... Where is she...?

Nanako!

......

Could you... talk to her?

I'm not her "real father," huh...?

... You should go pick
her up.
She'll listen to you...

No, it is...
You're her "family"...
Much more than I am.

You're the "family" she trusts most
right now...

...Sorry about this.

As long as Nanako is okay... I'm fine.
...Please.

Big bro...

...I came with Mom.

> Nanako looks lonely...

...Yeah.

> Nanako looks like she's about to cry.

...Liar.

> Nanako looks like she's about to cry.

> You told Nanako that her father was
the one who found her...

......
He was looking for me...?

Did Dad say anything about the river?

Did he forget about Mom...?
He never talks about her...
I wanna see Mom...

> Nanako is struggling not to cry...
> Through Nanako's fierce resolve, you
feel that your relationship with her
has grown deeper...

Dad must've forgotten Mom.
There aren't any pictures of her at home.
He probably threw them all away...

Is he going to throw me away, too...?

...I'm going home.
Let's go home together.

> You called your friends and told
them that Nanako was safe...
> You returned home with Nanako.

> You handed the paper and photo to
Nanako.
> Nanako looks at the paper on the
table...

It says "Anytime... I'll try," on it.

So... he can come anytime?

I see... *giggle*

And this is... a photo?
Oh, this is...
Mom...
This little baby in the middle...
That's me...
Dad's smiling...
......
Why did Dad stop smiling...?

Dad's... lonely...?
I see... So that's it...

> Nanako has realized something.

Dad won't smile because I'm lonely...?
I see... So that's it...

> Nanako has realized something.

After Mom died, I was lonely, but...
I'm not the only one who's sad that
Mom's not here any more...
Dad... He was lonely, too...
I'm sorry, Dad.

> Nanako looks more mature, somehow...
> You feel that your relationship with
Nanako has grown deeper...

Thank you, big bro.
...Will Dad ever smile like this again?

> Nanako stares at the photo...

> It's getting late, so you put Nanako
to bed and went to your own room.

Um... I lost the paper I was supposed
to return to school...
What should I do...? The teacher will
yell at me.

Thank you, big bro.

> Nanako seems ready to cry with
distress...
> You decide to search the house.

My teacher's scary...

> Nanako seems ready to cry...
> ...You decided to search around the
house anyway.

> The papers Dojima is always going
through are here...
> ......?
> A paper titled "Parent Survey
Regarding Scheduling of Parent-Teacher
Interviews" was hidden among them...
> The word "Anytime" has been written
in the "Day Requested" box...
> Is this the paper Nanako was
looking for...?
> ...?
> There's something else hidden in
the papers.
> It seems to be a photo...
> You decide to show it to Nanako.

I got a phone call from Dad.
He's coming home.

Let's make dinner together, big bro!
There's a lot to do today!

> Nanako is more cheerful than usual.

I bought a bunch of dishes, pickled
radish, and veggies at Junes!

Big bro, can you make a salad?

Right, then. You can be the salad-maker!
And I'll be the, umm...
The eggs sunny-side-up-maker!

> Nanako looks really happy.

Right, then. You can be the salad-maker!
And I'll be the, umm...
The eggs sunny-side-up-maker!

> Nanako looks really happy.

But... It's dinnertime right now.

> Nanako looks at you, puzzled...

We have to start eating our vegetables
from now on.
A well-balanced diet is important!

> Nanako confidently repeats this as if
she'd heard it from somewhere else.

...My teacher said that families help
each other.

After Mom died, Dad and me have
both been lonely, but...

But I have Dad!
And I need to do my best so Dad doesn't
feel lonely either!

You're my family, too, so...
Let's work hard together!

I won't! I'm not a little kid!

> Nanako holds her head high.

Yeah!

> Nanako looks really happy.

You just have to be you!

> Nanako smiles cheerfully...

Oh, yeah...
I'm giving this to you!

> You obtained .
> It has Nanako and her parents in it...

Dad made extra copies.
You're family too, so you should have
a family picture.
Let's get a picture of you and me and
Dad all together one day!

*giggle*
I love you, big bro!

> You feel a warm sense of love from
Nanako...
> You can feel a tight bond between
yourself and Nanako...

We need to hurry or Dad'll be home
before we're done!

> You prepared dinner with Nanako.

I'm home.

Dad! Welcome home!

Y-Yeah.

I made dinner with big bro today!
We made salad and, um, um, a bunch
of other stuff!

I see... Good work, Nanako.

Go wash your hands! Hurry, sit down!

She's really cheerful.

I'm sure it's thanks to you.

Dad, big bro, hurry, hurry!

I got it, I got it. Let's eat, then.

> The three of you sat around the table
and enjoyed each other's company...

You look a lot more mature now...
We've only been together for about a year,
but kids grow up surprisingly fast.

......

Nanako...
Do you remember what we promised?

......

Take care of yourself, big bro.
Don't get sick.

I want to thank you, too...

Why are you apologizing...?
......

Yup...

Don't look so sad, Nanako.
We're all family, remember? It doesn't
matter if we're apart.

We can go see him when I get a vacation.
Then we can talk about everything that's
happened since we last saw each other,
right?

...Yeah.

Will you remember me?

It's a promise...

No! I won't!
......
I won't forget...

Aaah... Come on, don't cry...

I'm not crying!

Oh well...
I guess all kids end up being pushed
around by their parents. Same goes
for you, ...

... It wasn't all that long,
all things considered, but I did enjoy
your time here with us.
I really do think of you as a part of
my family.
I'm surprised my sister's kid would
turn out to be such an upstanding
young man... Haha...
......

Give Nanako a call sometime when you
have a spare moment.
And... you're welcome to come visit us
anytime. I'll leave your room just like
it is.
This is your second home, you know.

> You feel a solid bond between Dojima,
Nanako, and yourself...

When I grow up, I want to marry you,
big bro...

Hahaha! You're a stud, .

Sure, Nanako, if he's still available
by the time you're an adult.

But that will be a long time, won't it,
? ...Right?

> Dojima smiles, but he's looking
straight into your eyes and doesn't
seem to be joking...

By the way, have you said goodbye to
everyone yet?
You still have a lot of time today.
Why don't you go around Inaba and
see everyone who'll miss you?
Besides, I don't think you've really
had the whole "peaceful small town"
experience while you were here.
......
Now that I think about it... That case
began shortly after you arrived, and
it finally ended a few months ago.
Basically, it all happened while you
were here in Inaba... I guess it was
just a quirk of fate.
......
Anyway, you should get going.
We'll be going home, too.