Chapter 17 is the 17th chapter of Kodocha, as well as the second chapter of the fourth book.
Summary[]
Everyone meets Sana's birth mother, and has questions for her. Sana meets her younger half sister, and tells her birth mother she doesn't want to see her again since she already has a wonderful mother. The hubbub about the book has died down enough for Sana to start going to school again, and she feels closer to Akito after going through everything.
Plot[]
Sana worries in the car about meeting her birth mom (Keiko), meanwhile at home, Misako berates Keiko for abandoning Sana, slapping her across the face. Sana arrives, and when she sees her, she's shocked at how much they look alike.
Sana brings a light tone to the conversation (shocking everyone), when Keiko tells the group she had Sana at only 14, Sana understands and says she's glad she abandoned her, and doesn't blame her for it, both because the circumstances make sense - and also because she loves her life as it is. Sana asks about her birth father, but Keiko says he died years ago, and that he was her own uncle. She'd gotten close to him after her mom was absent for most of her life, and she kept the pregnancy a secret, having Sana in a bathtub alone.
Sana changes the topic, bringing things to a more lighthearted place, asking if her birthday is truly her birthday, as Misako gave Sana her name because the date (March 7th, read as San-gatsu (March) Nanoka (Seventh), therefore taking the first two letters from each to form "Sana"). She mentions that if she had been born of the 6th instead (Muika) her name would have been Sam instead, and the idea of this makes Akito laugh (shocking Sana who has never seen this happen). Keiko wants to laugh at the absurdity of the situation, but holds it in thinking it's not her place. Regardless, she confirms it was the 7th, to Sana's joy.
Sana notices Keiko has a wedding ring, and apologizes when she mentions she has a daughter, meanwhile Sana is elated to learn she has a 3 year old half sister. Keiko is confused (and relieved), and cries in reaction to Sana's response.
Rei tells Misako that Sana is going to be meeting with Keiko on Sunday (to meet her half sister) and Misako insists it's up to Sana. Meanwhile, Sana asks Akito if he could come along too, and he says sure if he can also bring along Tsuyoshi (who has been worried about Sana). Sana calls him and catches him up to speed, thinks on how she's thankful for what Naozumi did for her. Sana worries her mom (Misako) is avoiding her.
At the park on Sunday, the plan is for the group to meet with Mariko (Sana's half sister), and pretend it's unplanned, and that they're strangers who happen to bump into her (meanwhile Mariko, who knows Sana from television, will be pumped to hang out with the group). This plan goes off without a hitch, though Sana thinks about how she doesn't have any sisterly feelings towards Mariko.
Mariko falls asleep after the long day, and Keiko asks if Sana would ever want to live with her. Sana declines, saying that she can't see her as her mother, and she doesn't want to see her again. But, she's very thankful that she gave birth to her, because she loves her friends, and her family. Keiko and Sana both cry. As Akito and Tsuyoshi look on, they muse that if Sana were acting, the crying would be a lot prettier.
Back at home, Sana bluntly explains how Keiko asked Sana to live with her, but she turned her down, saying she only needs the one mother she already has. Misako is relieved, and apologizes to Sana, saying this was too much to put on her. She explains that all this time, she did this because she was scared Sana's birth mom would show up, and try to take Sana away, so she wanted to find her first, so she could tell her firmly, that Sana is her daughter. Sana starts crying, realizing her mom has been going through the same fears she has all along, and asks if she can stay with her forever. Misako agrees emphatically and they embrace.
Sana is able to go back to school, but is still approached by some reporters (to whom she says it's old news). Sana muses about how great her life is as she jokes with Akito about her name being Sam (to Tsuyoshi's confusion).
Characters[]
Author's Notes[]
About a Finished Comic Book: "I drew a self-contained comic called Cat's Island! I've been planning to put out a book that would collect a couple of short stories, but I couldn't do it 'cause I needed one last story and I just wasn't able to get it. But finally in the spring I finished the last story (Cat's Island)!! So now it can finally come out (hee-hee)! The book has Cat;s Island, 4 Seats from the Back by the Window and Unreal Man. (3 pieces like Sazae-san!) Now that I think about it, Ayuko and Ishiuchi (the characters from 4 Seats) are a lot like Sana and Akito. It's about a funny and cheerful girl and an indifferent boy. I like all three of the stories. If you get the chance, check them out!"
About Hating Work: "I really do love drawing Kodocha. I want to get across my joy to you, so I usually try to write about happy stuff. But when my schedule gets too tight, I get sick of it sometimes. It's just like how you might get tired of work and school although you don't really dislike it. Making something is not just about having fun and feeling joy. So, I fight my stress. You probably do the exact same thing!
But sometimes, I just can't win the fight! Whenever I get like this, I make trouble for many people. I'm sorry..."
Trivia[]
- This chapter was adapted into the episode Daughter Cries, Mother Cries.