The 115th episode of the NHK Asadora drama series "Bakebake ," starring Akari Takaishi (NHK General, Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM, etc.), aired on March 13th, and viewers were moved to tears by Nishikiori's ( Ryo Yoshizawa) "final job."
Heaven (Tommy Bastow) wakes up in Matsue for the first time in a long time. However, he feels nothing when he hears the sounds that used to move him or sees the scenery that used to move him. It is Nishikori who speaks to Heaven, who is troubled by his own change. Nishikori calmly confronts Heaven with the "reality" of becoming Japanese, asking if he is really okay with being Japanese.
Nishikori delivered harsh words, saying, "Let me be honest. Right now, you... can no longer feel anything in this country. You can't write anything. You were living in an illusion. You were dreaming about Japan. But... you've now woken up from that dream."
He continued, "I'm sure you could have written 'A Record of My Stay in the Philippines' just as good as... no, even better than 'A Record of My Stay in Japan,' couldn't you? Didn't you yourself want to write something like that? Becoming Japanese means that all of those things become impossible. In other words... you can't write in Japan, and you can't write overseas either," and then declared in English, "As a writer, you're as good as dead. No, you are dead."
Heaven retorted, "Don't make fun of me, I can definitely write it," and rushed into the Hanada Inn, sat down at his desk, and began writing with single-minded focus. Toki watched him from behind the shoji screen when Nishikori came in and muttered, "I hope he can write it now... I egged him on. It's his last job as a literary assistant. That guy... he's such a handful."
Towards the end, Heaven's completed book, "From the Eastern Country," arrives at Nishikori's doorstep. Turning the page, he finds an English message that reads, "To cherish memories of the Izumo era. To Yuichi Nishikori," and Nishikori smiles happily. The story concludes with narration by the Snake and Frog (Asagaya Sisters), informing the audience that Nishikori passed away a few months later.
On social media, comments about Nishikori's "final work" included: "What dedication. What love," "I can't stop crying," "Their friendship is eternal," "They were the best buddies," "He was the best literary assistant," "He reignited Lefkada Heaven as a writer with the flame of his life that was about to die out and then left... It's too beautiful. I can't stop crying," "I'm so glad that Nishikori was played by Ryo Yoshizawa," and "It was the best ending... Wonderful..."
