It is stated A TRUE LOVE STORY. Watched it 3 times continuously, because the stupid system do not have the fast forward or pause button. So the 1st time i watched it from the middle part till ending, then 2nd time almost the end, and trying so hard to stay awake to watch the beginning for the 3rd time. This Japanese movie comes with english sub titles. So It's not so difficult to understand, just for some parts whereby they cut short the english sub titles, a plus point for somemore who knows a little japanese....hehe... So It's like, when the actors or actress are still shouting, the english version only got 1 word! Hahaha...or was it that what the japs are talking, eventually can only be explained in 1 word? In another word, they are talking redundantly? Hm.... As usual...beating around the bush...ahhhh..japanese culture~
A TRUE LOVE STORY
This story is about a 22yr old young computer engineer. He would wander in his nerdy gear in Akihabara(someplace like SIMLIM SQ). He was a nerd. Dressed like a nerd. Looks like a nerd. Ok, someone whom you will not strike a conversation with. If it rings a bell, back in poly days, try to remember Mr Bean... Somebody like him la, just that this computer engineer looks so much much better than Mr Bean. Toys and figuries were his passion.
Alright...so in this movie, they call him "Densha kun" meaning Mr Train man.
As usual, he was going home by densha aka train. And on this faithful day, he will be meeting the love of his life.
He was seated at a corner, and head bowing down as usual(wonder if all nerds do that?) At this moment, a girl was rushing for the train, but the train door shut. But then, it opened again and she boarded the train and seated at the opposite seats. Suddenly, there is this drunkerd,(did I spell it right?) Well, a stupid drunk la, common sight in Japan. Sometimes you can see them lying all around the stairways, the platform, they just sleep anywhere!! Blessed that I have not encounter, and I will not encounter such things...for I am blessed by Jesus!!!
Ok, back to my story, so there was this drunk late 40s man, he was verbally harassing the commuters. Firstly, 2 aunties, then he started banging people's head, and smashing someone's laptop, shouting like a mad man. Then he came close to the girl(named Hermes, you will know why in the later part.) She was reading a book, and the man snatched it away and started harassing her. In japan, it's rather shocking to experience that as well as in states, if it was me, I will stand up for myself! For when the man was doing that, everyone onboard just kept to themselves and minded their own business, sorry for me, I'd stand up for that person!! I will not sit back and not do anything. The offenders needed to be taught a lesson! I'm not trying to be a hero or rather a kaypo, but I just feels that we have to help one another.
Ok..ok..back to story... The drunk guy harassing Hermes, and "Densha kun" could not see it no more, and decided to stand up for her. He mumbled stop it. Knowing that it was not heard, he raised his voice a little, and louder and the drunk man shouted at him and pushed him. He askedif he wanted a fight. Lucky it ended fast cause the policemen got in the train just it time, if not that's the end of "densha kun". Why? Cause I think nerds can't fight, they don't fight violently, cause they are scared. It's always like this in shows, or movies, unless maybe they change their image, they might fight more like a man?
So after the incident, they ("densha kun", hermes, and the 2 aunties) were asked to take their statements. And the 2 aunties(really cannot make it) asked densha for his address or contact so they can send him something. Hermes did so too.
When Densha went back home, he logged online and told his online friends his encounter.
His story continues.....
The next day back home, he was surprised to find a gift on his bed. He opened it and found that it was a tea cup set. He told his online friends again. One girl asked him what brand was the tea set, he checked and it was HERMES. The girl told him, it was a very expensive gift, and unless the recipent is someone special, if not the sender will not send something so expensive. Another told him, to check for the sender's mobile number on the mailing paper. He did and found, his friend told him to call her to say thanks and asked her out for a dinner. He was all nervous...haha..butterflies in the stomach. He pushed the buttons and it was said that the other party could not be reached. He tried again and it went through. The first word and almost many words he used was 'Sumimasen' meaning I'm sorry....for almost most and nothing. Hermes agreed to meet him up for dinner.
Then his friends started giving him advice again. Firstly, he had to ditched his nerdy clothings. Get a jacket, long sleeve shirt, a pair of jeans and pointed shoes, or presentable one. Next, ditch the specs, go for contacts. Then a hair cut, not in barbershop but at least a top notched hair saloon. He did all that and he was transformed. Truly... appearences make a great difference. He looked really smart, neat and good! You could say, he was a young handsome chap. His friend also give him advice that if he did not know the restaurent, he should check it out first. He did, took pictures and all. By the time, he did all that... he was almost broke.
So they met. Had dinner. Chatted and that's it. Ok, about Hermes.. she was a.. i guess la, cause it was not stated in the movie. She was a early 30s high class OL. Speaks english and do have overseas trip. Or was she a secetary? Ah...whatever!
The scene showed that they are on their way to take the train home. 'Densha kun' was as usual nervous and was walking fast and the soft Hermes was trying hard to follow behind. He almost lost her in the crowd when a bunch of people passed them. And he thought he lost Hermes. But at that moment, Hermes grabbed his jacket and told him she got him, and she's not letting go. Sounds so sweet especially in Nihon-go(japanese langage). Before that she did tell him that her appointment was cancelled if not she would not have been able to meet him. That was the 1st outing. When his home, he called her for another date, saying that he will pay this time, but the girl was so so sweet saying she will only agree if they go dutch, she's so thoughtful. When his home, he told his friend about his outing again and they gave him advices.
The 2nd date, she brought a friend, another girlfren. She commented that she was the one who called off the appointment previously, so it was not an appointment with a guy. They went to a Italian restaurent, and came a dish, looks good. Seafood spagetti.With the big shelled prawn. The girlfriend said they will share it. Densha kun had no idea how to eat the prawn, well even me la, have no idea how to unshell it using fork and knife. He same la..not that i'm a nerd ok? I'm chinese, we use hand...taste nicer. (sucking all 5 fingers). He poked and he poked the prawn and it flew, landed on the table not far from his plate. Oops..was that embarassing! Same la, malu la, like you and me? If dropped or what or fly or even to another table, lagi malu!!! Hermes was sweet enough to tell him it's okay, and it's still edible. She shelled it for him and he reached out to take the shell plate instead of the meat plate. Haha...her girlfriend asked Densha kun if he's always like that? "Spaced out" He said sometimes, she asked not everytime meh? Haha...eh....man, blur then say blur la, no need paiseh ok?!
That was the second date.
The 3rd date, Hermes invited him to her place. He brought along his tea set as instructed and she brewed him a nice cuppa. The tea BENIOST, (the only company that is able to use the British royal tea leaves. agar something like that la.) They started talking. He asked where was her parents, she said that they are at their relatives, and won;t be returning soon. Densha kun was shy and nervous..oops.. a man and a girl alone in a room? Come on la..nothing happened!
The 4th date, he tried to impress her showing her a wine and telling her the facts about it when he had memorised it all. Ha...men..trying to impress...
They went to the Supa,"supermarket" he got his stuffs and Hermes asked him where he's taking her? He said it's a secret. A surprise..Oh..I love surprises..eh...who don love surprises? But most of the time I'm too smart for the surprises and it was not so much of a surprise, or sometimes i expect too much, and there was no surprise, of cause I was sad!
He brought her to a rented apartment, one just need to pay the time you spend there. Just a room and kitchen. No beds! He was about to confess to her about his feelings there. But...it didn't turn out right, the staff said that he must have the member's card to enter. He told her he had registered online and maybe the card had not arrived yet. And Japanese la, as usual by the book, no card no enter! He was explaning repeatedly, and the staff said NO. Hermes pulled him away and told him, it's alright, they can eat anywhere, he panicked. Now, he have plan. He tried calling his friend for help, but the area had no network. He started to get nervous again. He told Hermes to wait for him, and off he ran to the nearest internet cafe for help. He typed:"SOS, help me think of another place!" His friend scolded him that he should not leave his date all alone and he should go back to her. He relied on the internet again to look for another place, and at this time, Hermes was once again being harrassed by 3 hooligans. She walked away and tried to look for densha kun and she found him staring at the computer again. Well..girls get wrong impression you know. When his out, he told her he found another place, in Roppongi, abit far, but they could get a cab. Hermes commented that she had to pack for an overseas trip the next day, and she got to go. And she went off.. Poor densha kun...his effort wasted.
So that's why la, must communicate, very important to communicate. When a girl says it's fine with her, it's REALLY alright! MAN...Listen! And do not leave your date all alone!! Think about it and you will know why. Ask...don't keep quiet, don presume!
So that's the end for the 4th date.
He was waiting for Hermes to come back! He made markings on his calender and now he thought to himself, what he needed to do was to look out for a laptop for her, as she had said that they shall look for one together since densha kun had so much knowledge about it.
So his job while awaiting for Hermes to come back was to look for a suitable laptop for her. And on the day when she was back, he called her to surprise her, asked her if he could stop by to meet up with her. She told him she was busy for the moment and would call back later. He wanted to surprise her and he went to her work place to wait for her, carrying his informations on all the laptops he can find. Then, it started to rain. Stupid man, can go take shelter in the building across the road right anot? Rather wait in the rain for her to appear, same ma, cos it's the same office building she working! He was all drenched, and he tried his best to protect the notes...aiyo..movie la!! In real life, got such stupid people anot? But it was sweet la! He saw her, ran in handed her his notes and was so delighted in seeing her. She was shocked or was it surprised? Cause, she didn't expect, that is why it's called a surprise!! At this moment, I think was her boss and an ang mor appeared. The ang mor asked if everything was alright, she said everything was fine. She led him to a corner, and gave him her hanky to wipe dry. Hiyah~ 22yr old boy started crying. Booohooo..... He explained he must have been a nuisance to her, a bother. And right from the start he knows that it will not turn out well. Everything should not have started! They could never get together. Hey man, then why you initiate, from the beginning? Call her out for yet another date? Do so much for her? U no brains ah?
Hermes' heart was almost broken I guess, but as a 30 yr old woman, she of cause is more sensible. She asked him, if the time spent with her was not enjoyable, if he finds her a bother, if her look makes him sick, then he can choose to leave. Hm...woman is smart!
He cried again and left! Went back home, told his friend that he had no courage to confess to her, to tell her that he had good feelings for her. And all that had come out from his mouth were negatives remarks! His friend encouraged him once again to go for it! Cause if he succeed, he will be the 1st nerd to get a girlfriend after 22yrs!! He thought about it and decided he should try. He ran to her place, and found out that she was out looking for a laptop as told by her mum. He ran again to Akihabara to look for her. (He ran...wonder if all this places were near, definately NOT! Well movie la! You know, trying to tell you he tried his best to go for what he wanted, ja ne...I shall shoot one next time called "RUN...go for it!")
Akihabara was huge! He roamed from shops to shops in search of his love. But if it's all planned from above, you will definately find it one! He ran and ran and he fell, dropped his specs and face flat on the floor. At this moment, a girl helped him up, she was Hermes!!! See..God is great! He confessed it all to her. And Hermes too. She said she love him, and after she said that she felt that she loved him even more! She explained that she had feelings for him starting from the rescue on the train, his care for her, grabbing her hands to run when the red man is blinking. (If you watch this movie, these will be the flashbacks.) And the little post-it notes in the PC catalogue, that he explained everything so detailed and easy to understand. It's a whole pile alright! And she find them all so sweet, cause she had never had a boyfriend before too! And they kissed, fireworks started. Japanese movies are the same as Korean movies, comical and exergerated. So they were togther.
At the ending, it showed that they are taking the train again, and she dropped her ticket pass, he picked it up for her, a red one. And then it showed that in the past, when he was still he's nerdy self. A small school girl was leaning on his shoulders fast asleep. He felt awkward, but didn't dare to wake her up. He found a red ticket pass on the floor, and tried picking it up and threw it on the school girl's lap, and he hurried to alight. The little girl woke up and looked puzzled, she then returned the pass to the lady seated next to her. Guess what? She's Hermes...
So in actual fact, everything was planned! Right from the beginning!
And his internet friends......
There was this, who forbade to come out of his room, and would only locked himself up in his room to chat online and eat in his room,finally after this true story...stepped out, of his room! And outside. He got on the bus for the first time after don't no how many years. A girl sat beside him...(smile)
The 3 guys group, they dumped their ugly unmatched clothings and changed into the jacket, shirt combination, and they look smart!
I do have a friend known in primary school, and he have changed so much now. Attire do make a difference. He used to wear really thick specs that you can kill the ants under sunlight, and there will be rubber band tied onto it, maybe it broke or something. Now, he looks dashing! People change for the better. I think all should! I did too. For God blessed me with such a wonderful job, that he allows me to see so many things, the wisdom he gave. All the blessings he gave, I thank you Lord, Jesus...Thank you.~ Hallelujah!
