The fourth episode of the NHK Asadora drama series "Kaze,Kaoru " (NHK General, Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM, etc.), starring Ai Mikami and Juri Kosaka , aired on April 2nd, and the shocking ending drew cries of anguish from viewers.
In the fourth episode, it is revealed that Shin'emon ( Kazuki Kitamura), who suddenly collapses, is infected with cholera. Shin'emon asks to be taken to an isolation hospital, but Rin (Mikami) refuses. Shin'emon locks himself in the barn as if to isolate himself, telling Rin, "Don't come in! If you do, I'll cut you down!"
Meanwhile, Mitsu (Mizuki Mizuno) and Yasu (Miharu Hayasaka), who have returned from Tokyo, find that the village has been sealed off and they cannot go home. Mitsu is stunned when Nakamura (Takashi Kobayashi), a former retainer of the Ichinose family, tells her that Shin'emon has contracted cholera and that Rin is nursing him.
Rin tries to cheer up Shin'emon by bringing him water and clothes and singing songs, but soon she becomes uneasy when the sounds stop and tries to go into the barn. Shin'emon says to Rin, "I finally understand... It's a good thing... I didn't commit seppuku back then..." and then, "Even though I'm dying... I want to feel the wind on my cheek... It seems I still want to live. Committing seppuku is only acceptable in the age of the samurai. From now on... even if people call me pathetic... I must live. Understand? Live, Rin."
Rin cried, "No! I don't want to be without my father!" Shin'emon told her, "You can surely...create a gentle breeze..." and then collapsed, saying, "I'll rest for a little while..." Rin went into the barn and called out, "Father!" but there was no response. She grasped Shin'emon's hand, which was still warm, and Rin burst into tears, "It's warm... I made another mistake... I made another mistake..."
On social media, comments included: "This is way too soon...", "I had a bad feeling about this, but it's too soon for the father to be gone", "Did he really die?", "I can't help but cry this morning", "The law that good fathers pass away early has been put into effect...", "What?! It's only episode 4...", "Dad, just 4 days into the series...? They're merciless from the very first week", and "This is such a huge shock."
