Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle Episode 13: The Left-Ear Promise

Saku Chitose steps into the school office, a seemingly routine errand. He spots Asuka Nishino with her father and Nishino Sensei, but the atmosphere is heavy. Asuka's Father, with an air of absolute authority, declares her future: public university, civil servant. It is a decision, not a discussion. Saku, unable to bear Asuka's crushed expression, bursts forth with a demand for explanation, disrupting the controlled scene.

Saku's intervention is met with dismissal from Nishino Sensei, but Asuka's Father, intrigued by the school's baseball star, allows him to stay. The father then launches into a cold, pragmatic dissection of 'dreams,' arguing against the folly of pursuing an editor's career when the odds are so stacked. He questions Saku's ability to take responsibility for Asuka's potential unhappiness. Nishino Sensei, Saku's former mentor, appears to agree with the father, leaving Saku feeling defeated.

In the aftermath, Asuka apologizes for the trouble, and Saku admits his impulsive nature. He tries to rationalize Asuka's Father's stance, acknowledging he is not a bad person, just misguided. Asuka sadly agrees, even confessing her own self-reproach for feeling the same way, wishing she could be as strong as Saku. The weight of her father's 'logic' settles heavily upon them.

Asuka, standing, delivers a melancholic farewell to Saku, stating that 'the sunset-colored wind' is blowing, carrying away their shared past. She feels his 'reflection is too bright' for her current, compromised self, and that she cannot show him her true self anymore if she gives up on her dreams. She expresses bittersweet nostalgia for their time together, then extends her hand, implying a final parting. Saku, after a moment, takes her hand, not as a goodbye, but as a promise.

Later, over fast food, Saku confides in Kenta about the earlier confrontation. He muses on how parents, and even teachers like Nishino Sensei, often see their children as 'troublesome,' believing they know what is best. Saku grapples with the burden of a teacher who witnesses endless failures, but concludes that one should never give up on dreams, even with risks. He is resolute in his promise to Asuka, vowing to make his chosen future a success.

The next morning, Asuka encounters Saku at the shoe lockers, where Nanase has just been playfully teasing him. Asuka, visibly annoyed and jealous, berates Saku for flirting with another girl when she expected him to be waiting. She expresses her frustration that she can no longer imagine being his senpai, calling him an 'Old Man' and confessing that she 'hates this.' Her anger quickly turns into a fierce determination to 'talk properly' with him, overwhelming Saku.

Later, Saku shares dinner with Nanase at his apartment. She casually discusses her independent parents who support her freedom, a stark contrast to Asuka's situation. Nanase's easygoing nature and self-sufficiency highlight the different paths young people can take and the varying levels of parental influence. They decide to watch a movie, enjoying a lighthearted evening.

The next day, Asuka surprises Saku by appearing at his door with groceries, declaring she has come to have dinner with him. Her playful suggestion of 'eating him up' quickly gives way to a domestic scene where she cooks for him. As the evening progresses, they grow closer, sharing a movie. Asuka eventually falls asleep on Saku's shoulder, and he tenderly kisses her forehead. She awakens, and with a mischievous smile, suggests they spend the night together. Despite Saku's momentary fluster, they embrace, their intertwined hands sealing their deeper connection.