The Last Conversation
Chiaki my boy! There's no need to be so shocked. Two years ago my doctor and I had a bet about which would go first, my liver or my lungs. He owes me 10,000 yen. It's too bad I won't get to spend that.
I'm sorry to call in such a way. I just thought there were some things that we should clear up before... you know. First, you must promise that every time you look at a dirty magazine, you will think of me.
Oi, that's kind of weird.
In every dirty centerfold, you will find a piece of my soul.
Be serious, old man!
Hai, hai. Then second, promise to find happiness and not end up like I have. As it turns out, music kept me living as I knew it would, but to have music be the only thing that made me feel alive... Now I feel that is a bit sad. There are things that I wish I had done when I was young. I don't mean you need to go out and do everything that comes to mind, of course, but think with your heart instead of your head. You have a good one, boy. Use it and live a complete life.
Old man…
Last, I want you to know that after all this time, you are not only a student to me. You were a friend, a son, someone who I experienced great music with. Never forget the music, Chiaki. Let as many people hear it as you can, because what more can we do besides that?
…
So you'll be getting a check for 10,000 yen. I deeply encourage you to spend it on my favorite magazines. But if not that, buy our Nodame some beautiful flowers. And don't take all the credit for that either!
Speaking of, I'd like to speak with her now, please. Goodbye, Chiaki. We will meet again, somehow, some time. Don't be too sad.
Milch?! Are you ok, Milch? Does anything hurt?
Nodame-chan! Don't worry about me. This is nothing.
But... aren't you dying?
It isn't painful at all. Ill go peacefully, but before that I have to ask you to take care of Chiaki for me. He won't admit it, but he's going to be very sad about my death. I'm like a father figure to him.
A strange thing to say about yourself.
It's true! If I were a beautiful girl like Nodame, he'd fall head over heels in love with me!
Even stranger!
Haha! I'm going to miss Nodame-chan in heaven.
Nodame will miss Milch too. She already does.
Thank you, Nodame-chan. You have always been a good friend to me. So will you promise me?
Of course Nodame promises.
I'm glad. I'm also hoping you won't give up on piano. You said your dream was to be a school teacher, didn't you, some time ago? Has your dream changed since then?
It has. Nodame wants to perform and entertain.
So you are facing music truthfully. I'm happy about that. And when the day comes where you will perform on stage with Chiaki, I will be watching from above.
Milch, how did you...
You are not the only one with this goal, Nodame. Remember that. I really want to call Mina as well, so I'm going to say goodbye now. Nodame, goodbye.
End Call
Goodbye, Milch...
Fin
I think that even if he were about to go, Strezemann would still have those silly moments with Nodame. And that Chiaki wouldn't have much to say to Strezemann that he didn't already know.
