A confession a day keeps the doctor away.

By now, I’m getting used to Nanase’s love declarations. I actually look forward to the different ways she ekes out a confession at the most improbable and embarrassing situations. It also dawns upon me that the better title for this dorama is “The Incurable Case of Love.” (Thanks for this info, @Welmaris!) She’s lovesick, and no matter what happens, her illness is terminal, that is, till death claims her.

But what about Tendo? How does he feel about Nanase’s declaration? To me, Tendo’s feelings are the same as his sister’s. Remember when his sister Ryuko told her young boyfriend that she fell for him because he told her directly that he liked her? (This took place in Episode 10, but we all blitzed through all the episodes.)

Well, the brother and sister are similar in taste.

He gives us a glimpse of how he really feels about Nanase chasing him when he gives Ryuko a relationship advice. In this episode, he tells her to give the guy a call, instead of waiting for the phone to ring. She demurs because she’s already taken the first step, and to take another step is “against the rules of a classy lady.”

He responds, “Who cares about that these days?”

(He looks good too with those fuddy-duddy glasses.)

His answer tells me that he doesn’t mind the woman taking the lead. And I think this is a departure from his earlier outlook. Back in Episode 1, he found Nanase’s behavior outrageous and gross. But at the team dinner, he realizes, like Koichi and the rest, that Nanase’s public admission actually takes guts.

In a culture that emphasizes conformity and collectivism, Nanase’s willingness to stand up and lay it on the line is pretty remarkable. That’s what makes Nanase a warrior-like.
She’s unlike Ryuko who hides behind etiquette to go after what she wants.

Personally, I find it endearing when she struggles to say what she wants, then comes out swinging, and after that, reverts to her shy self. To me, this character is atypical of the young women I’m surrounded with. Most young women I encounter are outspoken.

An aside: Starting in preschool, there’s a show-and-tell session in class. Kids bring a toy to talk about to their classmate and teacher. And everybody takes turn talking about their favorite toy. This is done to get kids used to speaking in front of an audience even from a young age. American primary school education is big on oral presentations. And students are encouraged to speak up in class. It can be stressful to shy students, but it’s also helpful to get them accustomed bit-by-bit to public speaking. That’s why a big component for me when assessing the confidence of a young woman (or man) is her ability to think on the go and express herself.

Hence, when I watch Nanase hesitate to express wishes and demands – just like in the medical review of the Tsuruoka – I thought it was well-done. Both the writer, and the actress did a good job of showing a young woman who naturally feels intimidated in the company of her superiors, and who speaks hesitantly at first, but becomes more secure and determined because she believes this is the right thing to do for her patient. After she gets the approval, she reverts to her cheerful and excited self. The writer doesn’t overplay her transformation because it wouldn’t be realistic.

But still, we can see that her experience with the medical review has given her confidence, especially when she snaps back at Tendo at the wedding.

Nanase: Thank goodness.

Tendo looks down at her then does a double take (lol) when he sees her crying. Good acting there! Tendo’s face reminds me of my husband’s face whenever he sees me cooing at babies (i.e., fear that I might want grandchildren).

Nanase: Tsuruoka finally smiled! (sobbing) Thank god! A mere 10 minutes. But 10 minutes of the best time of her life. This 10 minute is so priceless.
Tendo: What the heck?

lol. He thinks that she’s being too sentimental. She speaks as if this was the last 10 minutes of Tsuruoka’s life, and they both know that they’re doing this so Tsuruoka will regain her will to live.

Nanase: (raising her voice) Is there anyone in the world who wouldn’t cry seeing that? You really are a devil!

I believe this is the first time she expresses her frustration with him. She used to make concessions for his stoicism, but she wasn’t having none of it that day. The old Nanase wouldn’t, and couldn’t have reproved him.

Nanase: (continuing) I’m soo happy.
Tendo: (turning away and smiling)

The contrast between their expressions is so beautiful!

Nanase’s smile makes the viewers want to smile back at her. Tendo’s smile, on the other hand, makes the viewers want to ???? (fill in the blank yourself. I’m tired of the word, “swoon”).

But I think viewers have learn to understand Tendo’s facial expressions when he walks away from her.

Like here, after he observed her with Kanda. I said it’s because he’s concerned that she’s getting too close to a single patient.

and here, after he heard her say that she’s happy. To me, he smiles furtively because he doesn’t want her to see.

This harks back to their conversation in the last episode.

To this moment —

Nanase: You too, Doctor. I won’t tell you to overcome it, but after you lost someone special to you, you’ve worked so hard, to the point everyone calls you the devil. You can’t keep a scowl on forever. So I’ll make you smile again.

Nanase: (continuing) I don’t care if it’s a wry smile, or a faint smile or a high-pitched laughter. They’re all good. As long as you’re happy, I will be happy happy happy.

Nanase promised to make him smile. Since she was intoxicated when she said it, she wouldn’t remember anything about it. Moreover, she wouldn’t know that she’s accomplished her drunken wish. She calls him a devil because of his outward indifference, when in fact he’s been attentive to her emotions in this episode.

Which brings me to the story arc in this episode.

I said that Episode 2 was about the rice cooker, Episode 3 was about “Operation: Cream Puff” and now Episode 3 is about three wishes or “Happy. Happy. Happy.”

We often think that Nanase is attentive to Tendo and that she’s the one who cares more about his feelings. In this episode, however, I say that it’s Tendo who pays more attention to Nanase.

The morning after her drunk-as-a-skunk incident, she looks embarrassed when they meet in the hallway. She apologizes right away. He on the other hand, remains silent. I think he’s readjusting his reaction to match hers. Depending on whether or not she remembers their conversation, he’ll respond accordingly.

If you watch his eyes, he blinks. He recalls what she said last night about making him “happy happy happy.” The flashback means that it’s in the forefront of his mind. It made an impression on him. He then says, “I hate drunk women,” and walks away.

To me, his remark can be interpreted in two ways:

One, he dislikes drunk women because they make a nuisance of themselves. This interpretation is the common one. However, if everything was that simple, then he didn’t need to recall her wish to make him “happy happy happy.” It would suffice to recall carrying her on his back as they walked home. She was bothersome then.

Two, he dislikes drunken women because they make promises that they can’t remember when they sober up. He “hates” her, in particular, because she made his poor heart flutter with her words.

For me, her apology annoys him because she doesn’t even remember their conversation. As a gentleman, he can’t ever bring it up because it will embarrass her. But there’s a sense of unfairness here: she gets to wipe it from her mind and start over with a clean slate. Whereas he was being sincere about mentoring her and was nonplussed at her wish to make him happy.

That’s why he’s a bit sulky later that evening when Nanase and Koichi comes over his house. They’re discussing Nanase’s stalker with Ryuku. He looks up when he hears about the stalker, but instead of taking it seriously, he’s back to insulting Nanase.

Nanase: There’s no harm done. Maybe some nice person just wants to cheer me on from the shadows.
Ryuku: And I’m saying that’s a stalker.
Tendo: In that case, he’s got strange tastes.

Nanase: What are you trying to say?
Tendo: Is there really someone who would specifically make a pass at you?
Nanase: (protesting) Yes, there is! Even someone like me can have a stalker or two!
Ryuku: You don’t want there to be!

Meaning, are you crazy? Why would you brag about having a stalker? Ryuku is trying to stop their cat-and-mouse fight.

Nanase: You’re right…. yes.
Koichi: Well, how does this sound? I’ll be your guard for the time being. And try to go to and from work with you as much as possible.

And Koichi’s suggestion gets Tendo’s attention. Operation: Cream Puff, right?

Nanase: Huh?
Ryuku: You’re right. It’ll be too late if we wait for something to happen. (meaning they have to be proactively take care of Nanase) Yes. Okay, you do it, Koji.
Koichi: It’s Koichi.
Nanase: (confiding in him) She also calls me Nanako.

When seen from the back, from Tendo’s location, Nanase and Koichi look friendly with each other. Tendo has his eyes on them the whole time, following their conversation closely.

Ryuku: For now, act like a couple with her.
Koichi: A couple?

Tendo sits up straight then.

Nanase: With Kisugi-sensei? (note: they’re on first name basis)
Ryuku: Yes.

Remember: Tendo can’t see Nanase’s facial expression, only the back of her head. He can’t see that Nanase’s face that says she doesn’t want this.

Ryuku: Or will you do it, Kairi?
Tendo: What?

He’s caught off-guard. He looks at Nanase and she looks back at him. Without words, they’re communicating with each other.

And because he hesitates, Ryuku takes it that he doesn’t want to.

Ryuku: Ok, it’s all set, Koji.
Koichi: Okay, I’ll pick you up in the morning then.

Nanase looks back once more at Tendo. It’s clear that she wishes Tendo to speak up and say, “No, Kisugi, I’ll do it myself.” She wants him to step in like he did when she had a fever. But he just looks back at her.

hahaha. And we know why he doesn’t speak up, right? I told you already: he hates drunk women, especially ONE particular drunk lady who reneged on her promise. So he ignores her silent plea, and sips his drink.

THAT, in turn, riles up Nanase so she accepts Koichi’s offer. With much alacrity.

Nanase: Kisugi-sensei, please look after me.
Koichi: Yes.

He smiles at her then looks oddly at Tendo (lol. There was lots of looks exchanged in this scene!) He knows that something’s wrong. And Nanase’s unhappy.

Fortunately, Koichi sees through Tendo’s pretend indifference. He knows that Tendo’s jealous when he wrongfully accuses them of being late.

So to get back at Tendo, Koichi smoothly tells Nanase to follow him to attend to a patient together. Tendo knows Koichi got the upper hand here.

This move surprises Dr. Rokuru, who asks, “Huh? Since when is Sakura-san on Team Kisugi?” But Tendo evades answering.

Again, we know that Koichi’s move is like rubbing salt into Tendo’s wound. Remember, on the night of Nanase’s drunkenness, Tendo promised to mentor her.

Tendo: I’ll teach you. I wouldn’t say this to someone with no potential. You’ll definitely be a valuable asset. So be confident. Even if you find an obstacle in your way, learn to overcome it.

So after he gives his word to teach her, she totally forgets about the whole thing, and switches over to Team Kisugi on top of that.

So that’s Nanase’s first wish.

But she isn’t the only one in this episode who has a wish. The patient Tsuruoka also has a wish. She says, “I…I don’t have much time left, do I? My last wish…The very last thing…I wish for is to see my daughter.”

Tendo sees them, and remembers how important last wishes are to extremely ill patients. He understands why Nanase wants to fulfill Tsuruoka’s dying wish – or at least he thinks he does.

Nanase: I want her to see her daughter so she can find a reason to live. I want her to think about her future once she’s cured. I promise I won’t let that be her last day. I may not be much of a nurse, a new hire about as useful as a boulder (lol, she uses Tendo’s word for her), but rather than saying “no,” “can’t,” and “sorry,” I say, “we can!” That’s how we can convince her to not give up and to try the surgery and find a reason to live. I will prepare a secure method of transportation and collect the necessary emergency equipment. Therefore, please approve this request.
Tendo: I’ll go. I’ll take that day off to go with her. I’ll also take the responsibility to review the plan. So, in case there’s an emergency on the day, please be ready to receive her.

Although Nanase’s speech is convincing enough, Tendo’s support is the game changer. He enables Tsuruoka’s wish to attend her daughter’s wedding come true, (and in effect Nanase’s wish, too) when he offers his assistance in front of the committee.

And this puts into context Nanase’s smile here when she sees him waiting by the car.

Of course, she’s grateful because he’s there to help her and Tsuruoka. But at some unconscious level, she’s happy because she senses (rightly) that he’s doing this as a favor for her as well. He’s granting her “wish.”

Curiously enough, Tendo ALSO senses her happiness, because he brings her down to earth with his stern, “We’re not doing this for fun. Focus!”

It also puts into context his smile here:

I said earlier that he smiles because he sees that she’s happy.  There’s self-satisfaction in that smile. He knows he made her happy because he granted her wish to bring Tsuruoka to her daughter’s wedding. He granted her a wish.

It kinda makes up for him ignoring her wish to walk with her to ward off the stalker.

And now, here’s the third wish of Nanase to make her “happy happy happy.”

It’s Nanase’s “death” wish. lol. I was laughing at this scene because it’s so melodramatic.

Nanase: Doctor.
Tendo: Don’t talk.
Nanase: Dr. Tendo.
Tendo: You’re bleeding more than I expected. Do you feel nauseous?
Nanase: No. Doctor. Thank you for coming for me. I’m sorry. I know tomorrow morning you have an operation first thing.
Tendo: Don’t worry about that.
Nanase: Now, I understand what Tsuruoka-san was saying. When she thought it was over, the thing she really wished for…
Tendo: Be quiet!
Nanase: Just like today. I want to go out with you. If possible. Like boyfriend and girlfriend. Holding hands. Going on dates. Kissing.

His reaction:

My reaction:

Tendo: That’s enough.
Nanase: I know that there’s someone you care about. And that someone like me will never reach you but I love you. I’ll say it again. I’ll say it hundreds of time. Doctor. I really love you.

Tendo: Oi, Sakura.
Nanase: I wanted to stay with you longer.
Tendo: Hey. Hey.
Nanase: Doctor.
Tendo: Hang in there. We’ll be there soon!

Tendo’s stress level:

Tendo: I get it. If you get through this, I’ll grant any of your wishes! I’ll kiss you or take you on a date or whatever.

lol. He remembers the “kiss” part.

Tendo: So Sakura…
Nanase: (closes her eyes)
Tendo: Hey! Sakura!

Didn’t Koichi say that he never saw Tendo emotional again after the death of his ex-girlfriend? This face is Instagram-able.

Then, when I watched it for the second time, I laughed even harder because I understood why she was so darn melodramatic: she was channeling her patient Tsuruoka! After all that talk of deathbed wishes, and the hyped-up emotions of the wedding, she was bound to assimilate the mood, and imagine herself to be dying, too.

What amuses me all the more is that Tendo fell for it, and panicked.

He must feel like a complete ass as he walks home with Nanase. He thought she lost consciousness (that is, died) when all she did was fall asleep. He must be mortified that he lost his composure and started shouting for her in front of the EMT.

That’s why he’s in such a foul and unforgiving mood when he walks back home with Nanase.

Nanase: (grumbling) Why do I feel like I was treated kind of sloppily?

hahaha. She doesn’t understand why she didn’t get more royal treatment at the hospital ER. It’s because she didn’t die. Tendo is upset with himself that he overreacted to her drowsiness JUST LIKE he overreacted when she was drunk.

Nanase: I hit my head and that much blood came out, but there wasn’t really any careful treatment of hospital admission.

Tendo is ignoring her. lol. Compare his composure here to his lack of composure earlier.

Chill.

Fear.

Tendo: Of course not, idiot.
Nanase: It’s echoing in my head! (meaning, his shouting makes her head hurt).
Tendo: It better, you idiot!

Remember: he’s mad with himself.

Nanase: Why are you so angry?
Tendo: If you suddenly stop responding, of course, I’d think you’re losing consciousness. But you were actually just falling asleep.

Again, he’s really mad with himself here for going panicking.

Nanase: I’m sorry. I haven’t been getting enough sleep.
Tendo: And the wound on your head only needed two stitches.

That’s why he’s angry. He was panicked over nothing. He probably wishes she needed 10000 stitches on her head.

Nanase: It only needed two?! I thought it would be more.
Tendo: You just have energetic blood.
Nanase: Uhmmm…Doctor. (he glances at her) I might have just imagined this since I hit my head. But you said something in the ambulance, didn’t you? That if I got through this, you’d grant any of my wishes.
Tendo: You were imagining it.

He suddenly picks up his pace, and leaves her behind. This is a flight-or-fight psychological response to stress. He chooses flight.

Nanase: You said it, Doctor. I’m sure you did! (pause) I think…
Tendo: (he waits to hear what she’s about to say)
Nanase: I thought it was the end. So I did my best to tell you how I feel.

lol. In her mind, she was doing a tragic deathbed confession.

Nanase: I think…(pause again) I’m starting to remember now! (chases him) I’m sure you said you’d kiss me or take me on a date or whatever.

She runs in front of him to block his path.

Nanase: You’ll need to keep your promise.
Tendo: (just stares at her)

lol. This is delicious because she was the one who forgot her promise to do anything to make him smile and be “happy happy happy,” and now she’s reminding him to keep his promise. He always intended to carry through with his promise to her.

Really, Tendo is a sweetheart for not bringing it up.

Tendo: I told you I never made such a promise. (sidestepping her)
Nanase: (blocking him again) Doctor! Japanese men don’t go back on their word, do they?

Tendo’s exasperated. He looks away. He’s been through this already. They’ve made promises which she forgot since she was drunk. He steps up to her. For a second, it seems as if he’s going to tell her something momentous.

Tendo: Idiot. (he walks away)
Nanase: (doubt setting) Huh? Did I imagine it after all? Maybe it’s because I hit my head. (turns around to follow him)
Tendo: (kisses her) This is for treatment.

And he grants her wish.

In her mind, this is the first wish he’s granted her when in fact, he’s answered two already. One was helping her bring Tsuruoka to her daughter’s wedding, and the other one was protecting her against her stalker. See that? Although he didn’t offer to walk with her to and from the hospital, when she needed to be rescued from her stalker, he ran to her side and protected her.

Thus, the story comes full circle again. In the beginning of the episode, Nanase couldn’t remember a single thing of her drunk talk, and Tendo chose to let it go. But that frustrated him, and in his frustration, he ignored her silent plea to guard her against her stalker. At the ending of the episode, Nanase could only vaguely remember their conversation because she was concussed. Tendo was sorely tempted to ignore her questions because he was mortified by his overreaction. But he learned from his previous mistake, and he came back to grant her not-so-silent request.

Next up. Ep 5.