Chapter 16 is the 16th chapter of Kodocha, as well as the first chapter of the fourth book.
Summary[]
Sana spends the night at Akito's house to escape the attention "My Daughter and I" has created. At the sleepover, Sana confides in Akito about a fear. Naozumi puts out a press release in an attempt to get publicity to leave Sana alone. And back at the Kurata household, they get a phone call from Sana's birth mother.
Plot[]
Sana, in Akito's embrace, thinks about how it's strange that she's so comforted by his presence. Ruining the moment, Akito notices Sana doesn't wear a bra. Sana is angry, while Akito insists he's just trying to take her mind off things. She turns on the TV, and they're speaking about her mom and the book, but it seems as though they weren't able to get any photos of Sana leaving with Akito on his bike, which is a relief for her. Akito offers that she can stay at his house while the media frenzy plays out, and Sana gets tired thinking of all the stress going on at home, and falls asleep on the couch.
Akito's dad calls Sana's mom to let her know Sana can stay the night, she agrees. After hanging up the phone, Rei apologizes to Misako for his outburst, and reminds her that Sana loves her. This transitions into an excerpt from "My Daughter and I" where Misako muses about how much the revelation of her being adopted must have affected Sana as a child.
At Akito's the Hayamas are discussing things while Sana sleeps. Natsumi doesn't know how to approach Sana, while their father insists to act the same, meanwhile Akito is stuck on how Sana has no resentment towards being abandoned, or care that people know now. Sana wakes up, and is caught up on the plan. Natsumi and she have fun looking through a family photo album, where Sana sees their mom and Akito as a baby. Akito interrupts, embarrassed, and Sana (who saw Akito has a mole on his side in the baby photo) mentions she has 3 moles in a line, but won't tell him where. Akito guesses (correctly) on her butt, and Sana gets embarrassed.
That night, both kids can't sleep, and find out the other has the same issue as they meet in the hallway. Sana invites herself into Akito's room, and she points out a secret message in the book (the fist letter/symbol of each chapter title being a message for Sana's birth mother to come forward). Sana speaks to this being the true goal of the book, and that the likelihood of them finding her being slim. Akito asks if Sana wants to meet her birth mom, but she answers by saying her mom (Misako) would like to meet her, but she only sort of does. Her true fear is that this whole thing is a ploy for Misako to give her back, and Sana spirals into crying thinking of this. Akito affirms that that won't happen, he won't let it happen, and Sana feels better by this. The two fall asleep on Akito's couch.
The next day, Akito wakes up to the sound of Sana already awake, watching a televised press release of Naozumi Kamura, coming forward with the fact he was abandoned at birth and raised at the Kamura School. Reporters note the similarity with Sana (the fact Sana was also there for a brief period of time) but Naozumi turns the attention back to himself, clearly trying to protect Sana.
Sana feels guilty that Naozumi is doing this to get attention away from her, but Akito reassures Sana that it's his own choice (which makes Sana feel better). Naozumi muses that Sana must be at Akito's house, and plays his trumpet to blow off steam (to the behest of his manager, who also didn't want the press conference).
At the Kurata residence, Rei remarks the reporters have thinned out thanks to Naozumi, and that Sana should be able to come home. At the same time, Shimura drops the bomb to Misako that Sana's birth mother is on the phone. Everyone thinks it's too soon, that it's a prank, but Misako still wants to see her. She calls Rei to go pick her up, and he's able to get passed the reporters by not wearing his usual suit and sunglasses. When he finds the woman who called, he's shocked that she looks like Sana, and finds out she's only 25. Back at home, with her in tow, Misako asks for proof that she's Sana's biological mother, and the woman mentions her baby having three moles in a line on her butt (shocking Misako, who invites her in). Rei calls the Hayama residence, and Sana answers. He tells her the news, and Sana is shocked.
Akito arrives home from school and Sana is freaking out, she tells Akito they need to run away before Rei comes. He tells her she can't run away from this, and Sana asks if he'll come with her. He agrees, and they ride in the car with Rei as the chapter comes to a close.
Characters[]
Author's Notes[]
Obana's Incoherent Babbling: "Ya-hoo! I'm so glad you picked up a book 4! Thank you! By the way, I know my name is Obana, but please don't call me "Oba-chan" – that means a middle-aged lady!! (and I'm starting to get there, you know!) Anyway, how are you guys? Thanks to all you fans, Kodocha has made it to Japanese television (in 1996)! I'm pretty calm about it, but my family is so excited. In fact, my moms celebrating right now! Thank you ❤"
All About Animation: "The Kodocha TV show is running on TV Tokyo now (in the early summer of 1996). Ribon magazine, who published the comic version of Kodocha, wrote a big article about it. (I'm glad you guys like the show so far!) I've been getting a lot of feedback on it, too. If you haven't seen it, try to check it out! I'm really happy with it! I'd love to tell you what happens, but since a lot of you haven't seen it, I don't want to spoil anything. I will tell you that the animated Sana is even more crazy than the original. She sings, dances, hops, jumps, rolls..."
Trivia[]
- This chapter was adapted into the episode Two Hungry People Playing Hide and Seek.