Japanese Drama Review 20 - Hanayori Dango Episode 1 - Makino's Hiding Place

Makino’s distressing moment in the stairwell has not left my thoughts. I did not like to see her in such deep turmoil. Her heart is in anguish, her mind cannot comprehend the events that have led to this moment. Then she learns her hiding place – the only one where she can vent is not where she alone goes to hide. She has been found out – her identity further exposed. I can only imagine the thoughts that must rush through her mind as she discovers much of her time in the stairwell – her utterances – have been heard by an F4. What will the consequences be?

She is told to stop, to stop being noisy. And to ‘stop relieving your stress here. I’m sorry but this fire escape is my area. I like it here. So, I don’t want you disturbing me.’ As I listened to the words I realized they were not aggressive nor were they angry or accusative. Makino had unintentionally intruded into another’s hiding place. At this moment she does not realize the full implication of what this moment reveals – an F4 hides. He prefers to withdraw from the activities and realities of Eitoku – hiding in the stairwell to read. Obviously, his reasons for retreating from involvement are different from Makino’s. However, the need to retreat and be alone, to be separated from his group – the F4’s, as well as involvement with Eitoko students, is surprising.

Again, we are presented with a good opportunity to talk about life and experiences with Makino. This time we are given a situation that not only calls for ways and means we can equip Makino to respond well, but we are presented with the reality of another’s life. With someone we would have considered an enemy – someone she needs to be wary of and exercise caution in any interaction she may have with them. We now have something new to consider. Why is he alone? What are the realities in his life that have caused him to frequent the stairwell? What is he escaping?

It is time to counsel Makino to consider him differently – not to embrace him as a friend, but consider the reasons he too needs to escape. What are they? Furthermore, Makino can learn from this that no trial is uncommon to mankind – the rich as well as the poor have a commonality – no one is spared from the dilemmas of life. Wealth, and privilege does not remove hurt, heartache, trials, and struggles. Wealth can bring more isolation in difficulties, it can breed loneliness.

How would you counsel a young woman to respond in a similar situation? What would be the wise thing to do?

• What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23).

• As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind (Ecclesiastes 5:15-16)?

• No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

• What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul (Matthew 16:26)?

#hiding #fear #escape