Honey and Clover

At the beginning of summer, I planted some Perilla and basil. With the summer light they grew fast. But... with the typhoon, the tallest Perilla broke. After seeing the bent Perilla, my mother said...

"That's not going to get better, so break it off there..."

"...that way a new shoot will grow and so that new leaves will grow beautifully."

But I was hesitant about it. Since the small leaves on the twig were still healthy. Not changing at all from when it broke.

*At the fireworks parade...*

"Yamada, the Yukata looks good on you." Mayama said.

The Yukata looks good on you.

Just to hear those words... I did my hair, choose my kimono, and made a fuss while getting dressed. I even wore Geta that I'm not used to.

Getting excited... just listening to nothing other than your words. I put my hopes in it that maybe I could turn your heart just a little.

Why do I always end up dreaming?

Over and over again, without getting tired of it.

As if that's all I know.

After a few days, when I went out to my balcony, the bent twig had collapsed under its own weight and laid on the dirt.

Just like Mom had said.

The only thing to do with this was to break it off where it had bent. That's where I should have put an end to it and let a new sprout grow.

That was the only choice.

But still, I couldn't decide because I couldn't break this feeling.

I couldn't.

-Yamada, Ayumi
Episode 13, Honey and Clover.

I've always loved the lines from this anime. Even though they were not the exact words, since they were translated, they still make a big impact on how I feel... Even if I watch the episode over and over again, the same lines would always make me feel the very same feeling Ayumi felt. It never failed. And I guess... like Ayumi, I couldn't decide because I couldn't break this feeling. I know it sounds cheesy but it actually feels good to know that there are stories that can explain how one really feels. And it makes things a lot easier because finding the exact words will always be difficult...