366 Days

I recently watched a Japanese drama and in typical Japanese drama it was complicated and a bit confusing at first but then ultimately heart wrenching. 

‘Minato, a high school boy, meets Miu, a junior at the same high school. They click over music and start dating.’ But as always, life takes several turns. Health truly is wealth. 

It was a movie about first loves. A movie of following your dreams: 

“Remember what you said when you joined us. You were saved by music. You wanted to produce music so you could save people. Don’t you think she is still waiting for your music?”

It’s a movie about friendship and loyalty. A movie about fatherhood. A movie of sickness, sadness and pain: “When mom died, nothing mattered to me anymore. I didn’t want to think about school or the future. I couldn’t enjoy anything. Food had no taste.” 

Ultimately it is a movie of sacrifice. When Minato discovers he has leukemia, despite all of their joy together, he dumps Miu to spare her pain. “If I stayed with her, i’d get in the way of her dreams. I couldn’t let myself do that…..Because she meant so much to me, I want her to be happy.” A very Japanese thing to do. How sad because of what their life could have been. 

It is to me, mainly a movie of closure and saying goodbye. 

“It’s hectic but I live without regrets. Meeting you brought me so much. The scent of flowers. Our happiness was beyond belief. The pain of losing your love. I see it all as treasure you gave me. You gave me sunshine. I’m so happy that I met you. I hope the choices you made bring you happiness forever. Thank you.”

Leaving a first deep love is lasting and it stays with you forever. Remember it with fondness as many people never experience it. “Don’t forget what you loved.”