""Based on a true story"" "Papa!" "Darling, the wind's great today." "Bye-bye, Papa." "See you again." "Bye, Papa. 'Til next time." "Bye, darling." "This isn't the story's end... but its beginning." "The story of the day... my parents get to meet again." ""Life:" "Tears in Heaven"" "It's a complete con." "It wasn't supposed to be like this." "Did you say something?" "Some pro-windsurfer." "You're just a dreamer." "Tour of the world's surf spots?" "Wild goose chase, more like..." "Listen, if you prefer life in some office... you wouldn't meet the people, experience the cultures we do..." "You only live to race." "No holidays, no Christmas..." "We never even had a proper wedding." "It's downright fraud." "You're the fraud." "Supposedly a great cook but all we eat is fried egg." "Because we can't afford to buy meat." "Experiment with veggies, then." "I do." "It's no use." "There's nothing around here." "We're doomed." "We'll starve to death." "My dad is a wind-rider." "If surfers are wave-riders, windsurfers ride the wind." "He says they ride the sky as high as the wind goes, soaring to their hearts' content." ""With direction of travel perpendicular to the z axis,"" ""the reduction of the submerged board area..."" ""thus affects water resistance relative to board speed."" "No idea what it means." "We just do what feels good, eh?" "Hiroko, water?" "Don't have any." "Hiroko, you're amazing." "Most pros' girlfriends quit after a while." "Fed up for lack of cash or free-time." "Natsuki, you spend 6 months a year on the road?" "300 days." "Including travel, it's 365 days." "A total surfing maniac." "Stop it." "You're as bad, Shinoda..." "Right, he's just the same." "Not at all." "I just hop over to Hawaii when I feel like it." "I'm amazed you stick with him." "How do you keep it up?" "Pro in name only, he paid his own way on the competition circuit." "Prize money was a pittance..." "not that he won any." "They were always dirt poor." "Hiroko, get a pen." "Pen and paper..." "I've got a great race plan." "It's foolproof." "If it's overcast, stay tight in to shore..." "Papa battled on with complete faith in himself." "Natsuki, you can do it, darling." "Natsuki, you can do it." "But the bar was set very high." "Without rival in Japan, on the world stage, he struggled." "Our power's cut off." "How about our water..." "Thank god for that..." "Welcome home." "You haven't pay me rent for 6 months." "I'm sorry." "He will have a race next week, so we can pay you." "But he had to win before make that money, right?" "Yes, he will win." "Come on, you know what?" "What he is doing is having a fun, it's not a job." "He will win." "Get out." "Come on." "Let's go." "It's not a camping area!" "Why not take a break?" "I'll do one more round." "You've been competing back to back, recently." "If I lose the next race, I'll quit." "I'll try one more round." ""World Cup in Australia"" "It was the world championship." "Papa made it to the final round." "Hey, Natsuki!" "Mr. Todo, nice to see you." "How have you been?" "Mr. Todo fathered the sport in Japan and was its first ever pro." "He was my Papa's teacher." "Good luck out there." "I'll try but I'm exhausted." " We'll be cheering." " Thank you." "How's your form?" "Aiming for the world's top slot." "Same as ever." "I always envied your spontaneity." ""Spontaneity"..." "is that a good thing?" "You're both doing well, Hiroko." "Camping and motels?" "That's a tough life." "I'm worried about Natsuki's health." "He puts on a brave face but he's not sleeping." "I'm more worried about you." "I'm tougher than I look." "My husband and I always wonder how you put up with it." "I think of it as tough love." "It's tough but it's love." "I want to support his dream." "Maybe it's something to do with being abandoned." "By your father?" "He left me in the middle of the city." "The first time I met Natsuki... he said he'd never let go of my hand." "The very first time?" "Sounds kind of sappy now but..." "Not at all." "I'm going to nail it tomorrow." "No matter how windy," "I'll use my 280 board and 29 or 33cm fins." "With 6 or 6.5 sails, I'll be perfectly rigged." "I'm ready for any conditions." "I've just got to keep pressure on the other guys." "Sounds so formulaic." "I was hoping to see your spontaneity in action." "Don't over-think things." "You're not the calculating type." "Don't think..." "feel the wind and the waves." "Rely on your spontaneity to fight." "Let the final game begin!" "And there goes the start of the final heat." "The wind is 25 to 30 knots from the inside shore." "Very sunny but very windy condition." "On the first position is US-34 Mike," "Good luck!" "Third Kathy Robinson, fourth US-3 Kenny Prittchard." "And the only Japanese competitor on the 7th place is..." "J-1 Natsuki Iijima." "It's a very condition, but once you catch the wind you'll be in a good spot." "Oh, looks like Kazuki is catching a fresh wind!" "Will he get to the 5th?" "Oh my god!" "He's past in." "Oh my goodness he's in 4th place!" "And now its Mike," "Dior, Robinson, Kazuki, and Kenny." "Natsuki is in a real good spot now." "Had an interview with Natsuki before the race." "And he really have his heart into this race." "And now, Mike in lead, group is going into the second part." "It's quite even on the tough spot, in the pre-heat, coming into the finals." "Oh, Dior and Robinson got a crash." "Mike leads, Kenny on second, and Natsuki on third." "Standings, US 34 Mike, behind him second and third, Kenny and J1 Natsuki." "Go, Natsuki, go!" "Natsuki is heading to Mike." "And now, Mike gets to the third part." "Last year's world cup champion, Briney "Don" Graft." "And Natsuki is getting close to Kenny now." "Passing the third part." "Now, there goes Kenny and Natsuki." "Oh Natsuki is starting to go inline," "Oh, oh he gets it!" "He gets to get in second." "With the heat almost finish the question is can he reach Mike?" "It's really serious, ladies and gentlemen." "Natsuki trying to get more speed, before Mike get to the finish." "He's got to catch more wind." "Now coming to the fourth part," "There goes Mike US-34, followed by J-1 Natsuki." "Mike getting more speed, Natsuki trying to go after Mike!" "He's getting more speed, I mean he's reaching Mike!" "Crushing waves, it's Mike and Natsuki." "Natsuki has reached Mike, Oh!" "Yo!" "Samurai!" "Check it out right behind the lead, as they reach the final mark!" "And Mike still trying to catch wind." "Can he catch more wind!" "Pulling back, pulling back," "It's Mike and Natsuki almost sharing lead." "Oh my god!" "Oh my god!" "Natsuki's catching more wind." "Oh my god!" "Toe to toe." "Wait a minute!" "Wait a minute!" "I can't believe it!" "Natsuki!" "Yes, Natsuki passed Mike!" "Natsuki leads as they reach the final stretch!" "Can he do it?" "Can he do it?" "It's Mike and Natsuki." "Oh my goodness!" "Can you see?" "Can you see?" "Can you see, who will win?" "I don't believe it..." "Can it be?" "The first in Australian games!" "Natsuki Iijima is the champion." "He's number one." "He did it, he did it." "I made it." "Papa made it to the winner's podium at last." "Remember the first time we met?" "I decided to marry you the next week." "No way." "It only took me 3 days." "What took you?" "Thank you for everything." "You'll stick with me, right?" "Provided you don't let go of my hand." "I promise." "This one's hand, too." "I've got my hands full." "What?" "Never someone to plan ahead... he had four kids in quick succession." "A baby brother, guys." "And continued to win." ""Samurai Iijima"" ""Natsuki Iijima, a first for Japan"" ""Iijima's daring win"" ""Iijima"" "Go ahead, kids." "He bought a big house for us all." "Big smiles everyone." "Hang-loose." "Happy birthday, Konatsu." "Happy birthday, Sis'." "Okay, open your eyes..." "A bicycle..." "You wanted one, right?" "Thank you Papa." "Thanks everyone." " Konatsu." " You can do it, Sis'." "She's got it." "Keep at it." "I should go." "Papa's off." "Let's say goodbye." "Sorry, Konatsu." "I'm going." "Good luck." "We'll be cheering." "Papa!" "When do you get back?" "Next week, I guess." "The week after is parents' day at school..." "I have to be in Europe." "Ask Mom..." "But I'll bring presents, okay?" "He was always away competing worldwide... and was hardly ever home." "Mom, that's dangerous." "Go back inside." "I'll help you." "Look after the boys." "I'll be right there." "Mom, are you okay?" "It's all right." "Just a black-out, nothing to worry about." "Konatsu, get a candle." "From the kitchen, quick." "Mommy's here, don't worry." "Don't worry." "Don't be scared, Mommy's here." "Mommy's here, it's okay." "I'm home." "Big storm by the look of it." "The Caribbean was gorgeous." "Hey, Konatsu." "Don't shut the door." "Who are you?" "Nobody answered the phone, so I jumped on the first plane." "Where's Mom?" "Please don't just barge in." "Konatsu." "What happened?" "I fell off a ladder." "Are you okay?" "I'm fine." "It's nothing serious." "Papa, welcome home!" "Were you scared?" "Not at all." "Did you get hurt?" "No, I'm okay." "I brought presents." "Tamaki, let's go see." "Let's play with them." "Come on, Tamaki." "Let's go outside." "I got the perfect board for you." "Let's go out tomorrow." "I hate windsurfing." "What the heck?" "Just 'cause I missed a hurricane?" "On parents' day... you were the only father not there." "Tough luck, I was competing." "In her school play... do you know what role she had?" "In the sport's day race do you know her result?" "That's what it's about." "Anyway, how was the race?" "I'm not on good form these days." "Were you really competing?" "Your name... it's not on the list." "I didn't see it in the Oregon race last month." "Tell me where and who." "You think I'm fooling around?" "Not necessarily." "But I know you're not winning." "It's so pathetic." "Why not tell me the truth?" "Don't just run away." "I'm not running away." "My Papa, the champion" "Konatsu." "Konatsu." "Hi, Bob, did you see Konatsu?" "Yes, I just saw her riding her bike to the park on the hill." "Thanks." "Konatsu." "Konatsu." "Konatsu." "Come down." "You must be starving." "I'm sorry." "Let's go home." "I'm staying like this until you come down." "Really, she's not there?" "Okay, sorry to bother you." "Lower your hand, please." "I promised your mom." "Come to me, Konatsu." "Come on." "Papa..." "Papa..." "They took him to a nearby hospital." "But somehow he had to go to Japan for more tests." "Scanning underway." "Long time, no see." "Are you well?" "I'm good." "I heard you had some tests." "News travels quick." "I'm waiting on the results." "It's 'cause you don't look after yourself." "You still on the World Cup circuit?" "But doing no good these days." "I feel like I reached my limit." "But I keep hanging on." "All things come to an end." "That's just natural." "One of these days, let's ride the waves together." "I'm talking about "Jaws"." "It was our promise." "When we retire, we try to ride the monster." "Those are 60 foot waves, you know." "I'll head over there in November." "Be ready to wait as long as it takes 'til "Jaws" breaks." "Great!" "Let's do it." "Thank you." "When's Papa coming back?" "When?" "Don't know." "Thank you." "Why go all the way back to Japan for the tests?" "It's not just his lungs, his liver too, so we wanted a thorough check up." "Mommy, congratulations." "Congratulations." "What's the occasion?" "Mother's Day." "Thank you." "That's so sweet." "Did you make it together?" "I'm so happy." "It's lovely." "Does it suit me?" " One for you, too." " Really?" " It's Papa." " Papa's calling." "Is it him, I wonder?" "A Mother's Day message, I bet." "What does it say?" "Show us..." "What does it say?" "I have to tell you something." "Brace yourself and read on." "They found a softball-sized tumor on my liver." "I'll call you when I know more." "Show me." "What did he write?" " What's Papa doing?" " Show me." " Hurry!" " Show me." "The tumor is a liver cell cancer." ""Epithelioid Angiosarcoma" to be exact." "It's extremely rare." "Is it curable?" "Let's operate then choose a treatment..." "Is it curable?" "Let's make it so." "It's so weird... why me?" "I'm in good shape." "Never got sick as a kid." "Don't worry." "We'll beat it." "Operations are successful these days." "Exactly." "So don't worry." "You're the worrier." "Not at all." "Konatsu, lend a hand." "Wipe the dishes." "Why do I have to come back to Japan?" "Papa explained it, right?" "But why?" "He's got cancer in his tummy and they'll take it out." "What's cancer?" "It's like a big pimple." "A pimple?" "I had a pimple up here." "I remember." "But I knew full well cancer was nothing like a pimple." "Papa's tired out..." "Not a breath of wind..." "Excision of the liver's left lobe, everyone." "Let's start." "Scalpel." "Suction." "More light." "Gauze." "Kelly forceps." "More suction." "Blood pressure 80." "Pulse 80." "Blood loss?" "Suction 800cc." "Gauze 400." "Cusa suction." "Don't tug on the tumor." " Look..." " 130 stitches!" "Amazing, huh?" "Wow." "Did they get the pimple out?" "Most of it." "It was a big op." "You look great." "Should be fine, right?" "It's me, after all." "Listen to him..." "Tamaki, come here." "You want to go to Papa?" "I'm glad your husband didn't see me like this." "He wanted to come." "Said he'd have a laugh." "How are things?" "Out-patient chemo, then we'll see how it goes." "You'll go bald?" "Tough luck." "Not with liver treatment." "Are these fan letters?" "I wrote about the operation on my website." "I'm a popular guy." "Konatsu." "Konatsu." "Bon appétit!" "What do you want, Tamaki?" "Meat, meat..." "Meat?" "Meat and tofu, too..." "It's good." "Your cooking's the best." "It's brown rice." "For your constipation." "It'll come out easy now." " Me, too." " And me!" "Don't talk about that here." "What about returning to Hawaii when you got home?" "Konatsu." "The operation's done, why not recover over there?" "It's a different system." "Our insurance won't work in Hawaii." "Sorry." "I'll do my best to get well and we'll all head back." "Hooray, back to Hawaii." "But he didn't keep his promise." "During the next year... he had 2 more major operations... and 17 visits to hospital." "3 months at the most." "Meaning..." "Mr. Iijima's illness is in the terminal phase." "It means there's nothing further we can do." "But he battled through all that hard treatment..." "Which I'm sure was effective in delaying its progress." "Is there nothing left to try?" "Transplants or something?" "Regretfully, no..." "Please spend the remaining time... in an agreeable manner for the patient." "3 months." "Sorry I'm late." "It's dark in here." "So gloomy." "No more chemo injections, right?" "You can come home." "Great, huh?" "Let's go." "I can stand." " I'm home." " Welcome home." "I bought your favorite melon." "Want some?" "I hate melon." "Here's your latest mail." "You didn't update the site, did you?" "Everyone's worried about you." "You're tired." "Go lie down." "Good night." "Are you okay?" "Am I really going to die?" "Don't be so silly." "It's completely black." "If I hold up my hand like this," "the ends of my fingers go black." "From then on, he stopped talking." "Papa, lunchtime." "He's like a bug." "Hey, Mr. Bug..." "Natsuki, let's have lunch." "We'll start first." "Let's go!" "Eat..." "Eat..." "It's eggs over rice, today." "A recluse?" "Doctor says it's a panic disorder." "The anxiety has disrupted his emotional stability." "He's so cheerful on the outside but inside he's not so brave." "I just can't help him in any way." "I don't know what to do." "Just be there for him." "Without you, he'd have been face down in the gutter long ago." "Hiroko..." "Are you okay for money?" "For now, yes." "Since we sold the house." "Okay." "Let's attack Aunty!" "You're getting so strong." "Let's play chase." "Come on..." "Run, Tamaki!" "Natsuki?" "What's wrong?" "What is it?" "Natsuki!" " I can hear something?" " Hear what?" "What's wrong?" "Natsuki!" "Natsuki..." "Natsuki..." "Natsuki!" "Don't laugh!" "Stop laughing." "Stop it." "Hello?" "Oh, hi there..." "Natsuki." "Are you awake?" "You won't want to hear this but..." "Mr. Todo has died." "It was acute leukemia." "I'm sorry to bring you bad news." "But he had something he wanted to tell you." "You were in his thoughts 'til the end." ""How's my spontaneous surfer doing?"" ""He's a chicken at heart so I worry about him."" ""Rely on your spontaneity to fight."" "Natsuki?" "Natsuki?" "Natsuki?" "Wait!" "Natsuki." "Natsuki!" "Are you okay?" "Natsuki, snap out of it." "Natsuki." "Natsuki." "Konatsu, you made it." "Where's mother?" "Thank you for coming." "It must be hard." "I should apologize." "Natsuki can't make it." "Who'd think he'd leave so soon?" "These darn windsurfers are no good." "Get a grip on yourself." "Who was boasting she was tough?" "You've got to stay strong." "For Natsuki... for the children..." "Mrs. Todo." "Hey..." "Will Papa end up as smoke?" "No, he won't." "We won't let him." "Do you take this woman as your wife... as long as you both shall live?" "I do." "Do you take this man as your husband as long as..." "This takes me back." "You look beautiful." "Your Papa's cool, too." "Such lovebirds..." "We were together all the time." "Only apart when we went to the bathroom." "We were poor, argued constantly but we were so happy." "After you were born he started to travel but I never stopped supporting him." "No matter how far away he was..." "I always felt we were together." "Happy birthday!" "Always together..." "On our wedding day, he made me a promise." "Come what may, he'd never let go of our hands." "No way would he let us go." "That's why you and I have to... hold his hand so tight, now." "You and I, we'll take care of him." "We're going." "Come on." "Natsuki, you're coming." "Natsuki..." "Don't be self-indulgent." "You're coming, you have to." "We're leaving." "Why bring me here?" "Look at that." "Konatsu." ""I'm gonna show Papa"." ""Just as soon as I can stand"." "Shinoda teaches and she practices every single day." "You're not the only one struggling." "You're not on your own." "I'm here." "Konatsu's here." "Hiro and Goro, too." "Tamaki's with you." "Konatsu." "Konatsu." "Konatsu." "Are you okay, Konatsu?" "Don't die." "Papa, please don't die." "I'm going to get good... really good." "So don't die." "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "Everything's okay now." "I'm staying by your side." "I'll always be with you." "Papa..." ""Todo Family Tomb"" "I'm sorry I didn't come to your funeral." "I'm something of a chicken." "He knows that." "He didn't leave any kind of written will." "No last words, nothing." "But somehow I feel we're closer." "Closer than before." "Like he's looking over me." "Natsuki." "He said he'd see you again." ""See you." "I'll be waiting there."" "Okay." ""Rely on spontaneity, fight the race, not the wind."" "Mr. Todo always told me that." "If I think too hard, I mess it all up." "I can't go against nature, can I?" "I should trust the breeze and live life to the full." "How long do I have?" "They doubt you'll make it past the winter." "Is that right?" "If winter is the problem let's go where there isn't one." "Let's go back to our non-winter world." "So he refused further treatment... and we went back to Hawaii." "He said it wasn't the end... but the beginning of a new challenge." "Not for him alone;" "one we'd meet together." "It's amazing." "You seem much better now we're here." "We're on "island time" now." "The disease is taking its time, too." "That's well put." "You're updating the website every day." "Since so many people wrote to me..." ""Keep up the fight, Natsuki."" ""Waiting to see you surf again."" ""Thanks for the inspiration."" "This is from a boy with cancer." ""I've learned to love the sky, the clouds and the wind." ""Every day is such fun now."" "This girl was bullied in middle school." "My "Pimple Fighting Diary"" "made her ashamed to think of suicide." "It seems my words really give some people hope." "When I used to windsurf... all I thought about was winning." "Without windsurfing, I figured my life was worth nothing." "Now I know differently." "It makes me so happy." "In which case, I must keep writing every single day for the sake of others." "That's the secret to your good spirits." "Maybe I've developed a "Tropical Island Writing Cure"." "Don't overdo it." "Have a break." "One more letter." "But..." "One more letter." "Nothing's changed." "When you used to practice, you'd always go out one more time." "Papa was living life to the full, so as not to waste a minute..." "a single second." "Hurry, you'll be late." "Get your stuff." "Okay, let's go." "Say goodbye to Papa." "See you later." "Have a good day." "Wait here a minute." "What's wrong?" "Nothing." "Just wait, okay?" "What's up?" "You'll be late." "I'll see you later." "Great." "Perfect day for windsurfing." "We're home." "Welcome back." " Show us, Nick." " Nick?" "Our name for the pimple." "You want to see it?" "We do." "Show us, quick." "Be nice to him." "He's got bigger." "Told you." ""Told you"?" "He's got kind of cute, recently." "He's given me so much." "He has?" "Hiro, want to arm-wrestle?" "No way, you're too weak." " I am, huh?" " Definitely." "Okay, Tamaki then." "I can still beat you." "Me, too, then." "That's enough." "Time for his check up." "We're all going together." "Come on." "Get ready." "Here we go, 3... 2... 1..." "Happy Birthday." "Natsuki, Happy Birthday." "He's still with us." "He must be tough." "You forget your own birthday?" "Yeah but... why..." "They're all here for you." "Papa." "I'm too old for surprises." "Don't make me cry." "I'm looking forward to seeing you all surf." "What are you talking about?" "Is it really okay?" "Succeed or not, it's what you want, right?" "Okay." "Is he okay?" "He's fine." "You're like a beginner!" "Papa's a beginner." "He's going to do it." "Papa." "Papa, you are great." "Thanks." "It's beautiful." "It really is." "Hiroko..." "Thank you for everything." "You know..." "I'm kind of looking forward to going to heaven." "Will it be windy up there?" "Are you okay?" "For money..." "That's hardly likely, is it?" "But better off than our pauper goose chase days." "Better to struggle when the kids are still young." "We had fun, didn't we?" "We sure did." "Thank you, Hiroko." "I'm having fun now, too." "Being here by your side, keeping you clean, massaging you 'til my hands go numb..." "You're strange." "Don't leave me without saying goodbye, okay?" "When you go, say goodbye to me." "Wherever I go," "I won't let go of this hand." "The wind's picked up nicely." "Food's ready." "Sit down you two." "Come on, let's eat." "Bon appétit." "Goro, manners?" "Bon appétit." "Sorry for the wait." "Boys, you'll be late, let's go." "See you later." "Natsuki..." "It's amazing... we heard from that publisher." "They want to publish your essays." "I said not to let them blow about." ""Dear Hiroko,"" "I told you to say goodbye." "Dear Hiroko," "How come there are so many tears?" "When I think of leaving you all" "I can't believe I have so many tears to shed." "But I'm sure heaven is sunny with a great breeze blowing." "So with no reason to be sad, maybe it's best to be rid of them now." "I'll go on ahead and check it out." "Then I'll keep watch over you from up there." "So, please don't cry." "Rather, look up to the sky and smile." "Papa, see you." "I do so love to see your smiling faces." "Dear Hiroko..." "I'm a real chicken at heart." "How I wanted to run before each race." "When the wind blew I got such butterflies." "Honestly, I was petrified of dying." "But somehow..." "I'm glad I became ill." "I realized I wasn't on my own." "Your fried eggs every day..." "Konatsu's cheeky smile..." "Hiro and Goro's constant noise and energy..." "Tamaki's sleepy morning face... the wind sighing through the palms, blowing into our apartment... the light... everyday stuff I took for granted gave me the will to fight." "Thank you so much." "Hiroko... take care of them for me." "But don't overdo it." "You know you get short-tempered sometimes." "Make sure you support each other." "Two hands are always better than one." "During our "wild goose chase" days things were hard but fun." "Arguing as we go, I'd love to travel the seas again." "You know..." "I love you." "You mean the whole world to me." "Doesn't this feel great?" "Mama, rainbow, rainbow." "Is Papa over there?" "Maybe..." "Lucky, Papa." "It's huge." "Lucky, Papa..." "It's big." "I'll wait patiently for the day you come join me." "And when that day comes," "I'll propose to you all over again." "Let's keep holding hands, okay?" "So you'll find your way here." "Dear Hiroko, see you again in heaven." "You shouldn't do that." "Let go of me, please." "No way I'll let you go." "There's a rip-tide." "If you're swept out you won't come back." "Hey!" "Thank you for telling me." ""Dedicated to the memory of windsurfer, Natsuki Minima""