Chapter 44 is the 44th chapter of Kodocha, the fourth chapter of the ninth book in the Tankōbon Release, and the first chapter of the seventh book in the Kanzenban and Bunkoban releases.
Summary[]
Akito's dad drops the bomb that his job is transferring him to Los Angeles, so their whole family will be moving. Sana has a strong reaction that surprises even her.
Plot[]
Akito and Natsumi interrogate their dad about why he insists they all together move to Los Angeles, and try and get out of it. He's firm about his decision though.
The next day, Sana has several acting jobs. Rei is worried Sana will be stressed, but Sana is too busy being happy about Akito. Rei notices this and is relieved. Sana has a job with Naozumi and Rina, Rina brings up My Daughter and I, and Sana starts reminiscing about her childhood. She realizes that she doesn't remember being six and seven very well and is troubled, but redirects her thoughts to having fun with Akito and goes back to being cheerful.
Over the New Year's season, Sana is very busy with work, and Akito hasn't had the opportunity to tell her about his move yet. He's found out further details that they may live there for as long as 2 to 3 years. Finally, they're able to get together with Aya and Tsuyoshi. He tells them the news before Sana arrives, and tells them he expects that Sana will take the news of him moving well. When Sana ever arrives and hears the news, she cuts away from the group to hide in the ladies room and process the information. After she's in there for a suspiciously long time, Akito goes to check on her. Sana pleads with him to not go, and surprises her own self for having such a strong reaction. Akito assures her that he'll ask his dad if he can stay. On the way home, Tsuyoshi teases him for being so incorrect in assuming how she react.
When Sana arrives home, her mom gets worried seeing her expression.
Akito asks his dad if he can stay, and his dad is firm in saying no. In a flashback, we see Akito, getting set up to live with relatives while his dad moves to Los Angeles. Internally the young Akito wishes he wouldn't go, feeling like he's abandoning him. His dad nowadays thinks about how it's better that they're all going together this time.
Later that night, Sana calls Akito and he tells her that he tried his best to convince his dad, but was unable to, Sana angrily hangs up with him, and again is surprised by her own reaction. She goes to sleep.
The next day Sana goes to a photo shoot, and they ask her to smile and she's confused about it given she feels she is. Everyone looks at her shocked. Rei (who is confused) and she come home early, with Sana being upset that the photo shoot was canceled. Her mom, meanwhile, finds the circumstances familiar, being reminded of the cut chapter of My Daughter and I.
Characters[]
Author's Notes[]
CONTINUED...: "Let me tell you about the days before I was ever published... I won Rbbon magazine's Newcomer Manga Award, but I didn't get any offers to do anything right away... And since I don't have any confidence, I gave up right away and went to work at a department store. But then, Momoko Sakura called me up and offered me the job as one of her assistants. She kept encouraging me to keep at it, and kept telling me that I would write and draw my own stories someday. She told me that practically every day! I have to be honest, if I hadn't spent that time working for her, I would never have made it. I am so deeply grateful to her!! From the time I won the newcomer award to when I first got published...was about a year. During that time I came up with a lot of ideas...and I came up with so many, ever since then I've just been remaking all the ideas I came up with while I was waiting to start my career... To be continued..."
CONTINUED... "I even came up with the basic idea for Kodocha back then. (Except...my main character was in high school...and the characters who became Sana and Akito were brother and sister...and Akito was a foreigner at first...so you can see I changed it a lot. But still, it was the seed that grew into Kodocha.) When I look back, I think it was a good thing that I didn't start working right away. That year was a really great experience for me. I think that everything really has worked out for the best for me...I think I am lucky! But before I started writing and drawing I was always so unlucky... Maybe doing comics has balanced my yin and yang? Anyway, like I was saying... I was so surprised to win this award... When I originally planned it, Kodocha was supposed to only about eight books. (The animated series even ended already.) I bet I would have just let the story peter out. (I know, I have no discipline...) But getting this award was like having fireworks lit underneath me!"
Trivia[]
- This chapter was never adapted in the anime.