Japanese Drama Review 23 - Hanayori Dango Episode 1 - Deceit Divides

Tsukasa is informed his three bullies did ‘not take care of’ Makino. He clearly wants her gone. As the phone call ends he sits down. His mother enters the room and we hear the close of a business transaction – she is ruthless.

She addresses Tsukasa, ‘Oh, you’re here’.

He responds, ‘after 6 months of not seeing your son, this is the greeting that he gets’.

Two sentences and we are introduced to their relationship. We then view mother and son seated at a long dining table - far apart. She is dissatisfied with their meal and callously dismisses the chef. Tsukasa continues to finish his meal. The scene quickly changes and we’re presented with a stark contrast in values, and in dining. We see Makino and family seated for their evening meal.

‘Wow! It’s fried chicken skin,’ her father says.

Her brother responds, ‘I’m digging in.’

We observe a joyous and sweet interaction between father and son. They delight in and savor the meal presented to them. Makino seated with them, listens and observes – she responds with an anguished heart, ‘stop it. I know it’s not fun when you have to pinch pennies. It’s annoying. I think it’s useless, saving money just to have me go to Eitoku’.

Her family are startled at her outburst. They do not understand. But, how can they? Makino has not discussed with them the reality of Eitoku. They do not know of the events of the past few days. Whereas Tsukasa and his mother are alienated due to her schedule, lack of interest, and deliberate distancing from her son, Makino is distanced from her parents through her own choosing. She may be seated in close proximity to them, and live in confined quarters, but they are not as close as they believe they are. Deceit divides. Makino has been deceitful.

I can understand Makino not wanting to hurt her parents through informing them of the events at Eitoku – but we must fault her for their ongoing choice of keeping her there when she does not discuss with them the realities of school bullying – and the attack on her. As we previously discussed – they should have been the first to know! Maybe Makino is confused too – maybe she has not told them of the bullying because she wants to continue at Eitoku with the hope of the long term advantage it may could bring to her life?

This family needs counsel. What issues would you address? And, which family member would you counsel first – Makino, her parents, or all present in the counseling?

And what about Tsukasa? How would you reach out to him now that you know of the poverty in his family relationships? Does knowing this change your thoughts about him? Why, and why not?

• Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28).

• Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

• Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand (Proverbs 19:20-21).

• We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified (Romans 8:28-30).

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