And with that, 5 Centimeters per Second ended.
The bittersweet ending left many viewers reflecting even as they walked out of the theater.
The moment Jishu and Mingli turned to look at each other wasn't just about physical distance—it symbolized the separation of their life paths. The train tore their gazes apart, but it also brought the reality of their lives gently into focus.
What did Jishu's final smile mean?
Was it acceptance?
Xu Juan wiped her eyes, sighing deeply as she left the theater alone, wandering the street on her way home.
As she walked, memories stirred—the little park she used to play in with her childhood friend, the slide they would race down together.
Something compelled her to visit that park.
But as she reached it, she realized someone had been following her.
Was it a bad person?
She instinctively tightened her grip on her bag and slipped her hand into her pocket, then quickly turned around to confront whoever was behind her.
As she did, the person trailing her looked up. Their eyes met, and memories flashed through her mind like scenes in a movie.
"Juan?"
"Guangliang?"
At that moment, they recognized each other. It was her childhood friend!
They stood in silence for a long time.
Finally, Guangliang scratched his head, avoiding her gaze, and said, "How about…we take a walk together?"
"Sure," Xu Juan replied, nodding.
…
White Day—a day for lovers that, despite the "white," was filled with the pink glow of romance.
Many couples headed to theaters for a movie date, holding hands, sharing kisses, and maybe even going to a hotel afterward, checking how sturdy the beds were.
But on this day, Porter fans were reminded of just how he could break their hearts.
5 Centimeters per Second had come out, boldly defying convention. While every other romance seemed to ensure a happy ending for the leads, the Porter delivered a hauntingly beautiful story of love that was never meant to be.
Everyone who walked out of the theater felt a strange weight on their hearts, and many felt as if their stomachs hurt.
These mixed emotions settled into a single thought:
Damn it!
Porter, how could you do this?
The guys especially, devastated by the story's ending, seethed with anger.
Everyone had thought Porter had softened, given he hadn't done a tearjerker in ages. But no—the guy with the "innocent" face was back to his old tricks.
No way would they let him off the hook!
People whipped out their phones, opened Porter's Weibo page, and without hesitation, started typing.
Hundreds, then thousands, then tens of thousands of comments flooded in, all railing against Porter.
"Porter, you're the biggest troll ever! I was so moved by Jishu's effort—why couldn't you give him a happy ending? Do I really come to the movies to see something this realistic?"
"Exactly! My girlfriend and I were having a great Valentine's Day date—until you ruined it!"
"I knew Porter's style, so I came in prepared for sadness, but I still ended up sobbing. Seriously, Porter, how can you create something so cruel?"
"Now that I think about it, both Chengtian and Jishu are so tragic! They're both reaching for something they'll never get. But at least Jishu's smile at the end suggests he's come to terms with it. I hope he finds peace, maybe even gets back together with his girlfriend!"
"No way, we demand Porter change the ending and release a happier version!"
Within no time, three terms related to the movie topped the trending list on Weibo: 5 Centimeters per Second Ending, Train, and Porter the Big Troll.
Curious users who hadn't seen the movie clicked on the trending terms, eager to know what the fuss was about.
Learning that people were upset about a sad movie ending, some skeptics scoffed.
How bad could it be?
Spurred by curiosity and convinced they could handle it, many headed to theaters to see it for themselves.
An hour and a half later, those same viewers joined the online complaints.
But beyond the outraged voices, there were also comments from critics and fans.
"The ending of 5 Centimeters per Second was a powerful final touch. Rather than teaching us what to do, it simply shows life as it is. It reminds us that regret, missed chances, loneliness, and the endless search for something are all part of reality."
"After watching, I realized life has so many disappointments. A boy and girl torn apart at thirteen is sad; a girl in high school, unable to reach a boy's heart, is sad; and a grown man who's forgotten how to love is sad. Only those who've worked and faced hardships truly understand the pain of this ending. Jishu recognizes her as the girl from his past but doesn't pursue her, symbolizing that some things, once missed, can never be reclaimed."
"Five centimeters per second—that's the speed of a falling cherry blossom, slow but steady. Once it hits the ground, it can never return."
"If you miss the moment to say how you feel, it becomes a lifelong regret. But sometimes, regret is beautiful in itself, drifting along in memories as we recall a love that was innocent and sweet."
…
Seeing news of Grandpa Yuan's passing, many felt a wave of sadness. May he rest in peace.
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