This movie actually knocked some tears out of me. Some.
Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru (Just, Loving You) is the story of a young freshman college student named Makoto. From the start you can see that he has some problems with being around people–he believes that the medicine he uses for a scratch on his torso smells, and so he shies away from many people. However, it’s all in his head because he went to his doctor, who claims that the medicine has no bad smell at all. In fact, the strong smell he believes is coming from him is probably coming from a factory that is close to the university he attends.
We first see Makoto on a New York MTA bus heading towards Manhattan. It’s around Christmas time and he seems to be talking to someone in the narration. Makoto seems excited about the visit, but before we see why he’s in New York in the first place, we go back a few years to when it all began.
So enough of that. The thing is that Makoto is skipping out on the opening ceremony that day. Upon walking, he sees that a young woman is standing with her arm raised, waiting to cross a busy street. No one is stopping, however, and yet she doesn’t give up. Makoto walks up to the young woman and points out that because the students who cross the street a little further ahead never let the cars pass through, none of the drivers passing by would stop. Instead, he tells her, cross the street a little further up, where the drivers were guaranteed to stop. The girl thanks him and explains that she is late for the ceremony Makoto is supposed be at. So, these two will be classmates. Makoto walks away and the girl continues to stand there with her arm raised. Makoto turns to look at her, wondering why she didn’t just take his advice, and she turns to look at him. She smiles and says, “Don’t worry, I just want to figure something out.” She says that she wants to see if there’s anyone who’s kind enough to stop for her. Makoto begins to go away but stops, takes out his camera, and takes a picture of the odd young woman with thick short hair and glasses, who’s still waiting for someone to let her cross.
We learn later on that this girl is Shizuru, and is in Makoto’s classes. She and Makoto quickly become friends, although you are able to see that Makoto is quite reluctant Shizuru explains to Makoto that the reason for her being so small and child-like is because she is lacking a growth hormone, and she even goes on to say that she has baby teeth in the back of her mouth.
Around this time Makoto has taken an interest in Miyuki, a beautiful girl in his class that is always surrounded by her friends. She seems to also acknowledge him and one day while sitting alone in the cafeteria waiting for Shizuru to arrive, Makoto is invited to Miyuki’s lunch table by Miyuki herself. Taking the chance to sit next to her, Makoto quickly switches tables, and a few moments later Shizuru arrives. After seeing that Makoto has somewhat ditched her, Shizuru sits by herself and her camera.
There is also a forest that Makoto discovers. It is somewhat forbidden, since there is a gate and a sign that says not to enter. The forest is actually very serene-looking, which I guess Makoto also likes, and so he decides to go there often. It’s not surprise when Shizuru follows him to the forest one day, where the two of them begin to take pictures. This reminds me of a hideout little kids have, where a group of friends meet and know that it is their own little secret. Well, Shizuru is careful not to grow up.
One day, after getting closer to Miyuki, Makoto brings her to the forest, which upsets Shizuru. She confronts Makoto, claiming that she thought the forest was only “their place”. She leaves in a huff, leaving Makoto alone.
It is the very next day when Shizuru walks up to Miyuki, who seems to be indulged in reading something, and asks if she can sit at her table (in the library). Miyuki, without looking up, agrees, and it’s only until Shizuru has sat down that she realizes who has joined her. So Miyuki tries to say something, but Shizuru merely pushes the book she’s reading up to her face and ignores her. Miyuki stops trying and instead goes back to reading or writing. Shizuru notices the necklace Miyuki’s wearing and suddenly yells out the name of it, and that’s how their friendship begins.
Makoto sees the two sitting outside soon afterwards. They are excitedly talking about the necklace and other stones when Makoto suddenly pulls Shizuru to the side, expressing his confusion. He asked why Shizuru was so happy with Miyuki now when just yesterday she was angry at her. Shizuru goes on to say that she wasn’t exactly mad at Miyuki, but I believe she was angry towards Makoto.
So the friendship begins. Shizuru soon begins to go over Makoto’s humble abode and the two spend their time taking pictures and producing them in the dark room Makoto has in his apartment. Soon enough, after claiming that she was involved in an argument with her father, Shizuru moves in with Makoto. Still knowing that he was in love with Miyuki, Shizuru tells Makoto that one day she will grow up and become beautiful. She’s upset at him (although I am not sure if she was just kidding) after he rejected her sexual advances (they were extremely mild, so no worries. It was actually more comical than explicit) and goes to sleep in the living room.
Let’s skip to the day when Shizuru asks Makoto for her birthday present. I think it’s her birthday, but I am not completely sure. Well, they are both in the forbidden forest with Shizuru’s camera. Makoto already knows what Shizuru wants–a kiss. So setting up the camera, Shizuru holds the device that allows her to take the picture in her hand while slowly kissing Makoto. The picture is taken and their first kiss is over.
And then Shizuru disappears.
We later find out that she is in New York. She has become a photographer and her pictures are going to be on display in a gallery in New York. The reason why Makoto was in New York was to meet up with Shizuru, but Miyuki (who also moved to New York because of her job) tells Makoto that Shizuru had to go to L.A. and although she really wanted to see him, it was inevitable. So a saddened Makoto decides to go out to New York and see the sights. He sees everything a tourist is supposed to see for the day and ends up having quite a lot of fun.
But then, later at night when Miyuki isn’t home yet, a call comes from Shizuru’s father. He leaves a message, telling her that he is thankful for everything she has done for his daughter, and that’s when Makoto, who is listening to the message, discovers a terrible truth.
I’m keeping tight-lipped about what the horrible truth was because then it will spoil the movie. If anyone wants to see it, you can see it at adc-distro.com. Unfortunately mysoju is down for some odd reason and that is where I first found the movie, but adc-distro also has the movie (along with many other dramas and movies mysoju had as well).
So you all have my word. This movie is pretty touching as you watch Makoto slowly come out of his shell while Shizuru grows up herself. It’s definitely touching and definitely on my top list of movies to watch!
