Oh, jealousy!
Oh, swelling rage!
Dad, don't!
Stop it!
There's no reason to die!
You can't!
Mom!
Why don't you stop him?!
- Let us in! - Let us inside!
- Mom! - Mom!
- No! - Dad!
- Oh, Dad! - Why?!
- Dad! - Dad!
Bellybands over your pajamas?
We all had to wear them when we were kids.
Mom and Dad didn't want us to get chilly while we slept.
So you did it too?
All of us!
I'd love to have seen you four screaming and crying in those.
It was no laughing matter.
Then again, that's pretty heartless. None of you tried to jump in and stop him?
Well, the area was tied off with sacred rope.
We couldn't get in.
I see. I've figured it out.
Even if it's your own parents, you can't interfere with husband and wife.
Some part of you feels that way.
It's not his son, but the kid calls him Daddy,
and he's been seeing that woman for more than seven years, right?
He's been deceiving Mom that whole time.
It's a bit harsh to call it deception.
But he didn't say anything, did he?
So he deceived her.
Shouldn't he feel remorse?
Maybe he deceived her because he feels remorse.
If he's willing to die, there are other options.
He could break up with her, or at least apologize, couldn't he?
It's childish to think his own death would solve everything.
It was your dream, not his. You can't criticize him for that.
I understand that, but...
I like how your mom acted.
She just sat there eating and sewing?
Even for her, that's way too carefree.
Well, it's better to be composed than to fret over everything.
For men, that's--
The most convenient, eh?
It's not just convenience.
It's the smarter way to be.
Only men benefit from that logic.
It was your dream. Don't take it out on me.
- Oh! - What?
The newspaper.
ASURA
FEBRUARY, 1979
I told you I had to be up at 6:00 a.m.
- I tried to wake you three times! - Liar!
I'm not lying! Set your alarm clock then!
I can't believe this.
- She always blames me. - I won't finish in time.
- Hey! Wait your turn! - You take too long!
- I'm next. - Yeah, yeah.
Why do I always get a cowlick?
- I woke her, right? - Huh? Oh, yeah.
- Hurry and get ready! - Okay.
- The phone! - Mom?
- Mom, the phone! - Mom!
- The phone! - Don't just call for me. Answer it!
I'm busy in the morning.
- I'm busy too. - And my mouth is full.
I told you to do your homework last night.
Who stuffs their mouth that full?
Satomi residence.
Sakiko!
Makiko, how could you?
What do you mean?
I know I've always been a small fry.
But still-- Welcome back.
Whatever you may think of me, we're still siblings.
Sakiko?
We're four sisters.
So why did you write three?
Why am I the odd one out?
What are you talking about?
Don't play dumb. Even I get the newspaper.
The newspaper? What about the newspaper?
Quit acting like you don't know!
"My Father has a Mistress."
My father has a mis--
Sakiko!
What is this about?
It wasn't Makiko then?
What's with all the morning commotion?
I was looking for articles about your fight today,
but I found my sister's dumb letter to the editor.
A letter?
Maybe it wasn't hers.
Oh, but I did find your name.
See? Hidemitsu Jinnai!
Don't mess with my focus.
Hey!
It's your own fault if you lose focus over something like this!
Hey!
I'll be out in a minute.
I need the newspaper!
Thanks.
Huh?
Is something wrong with Dad?
Not Dad, Grandp--
What are you doing? Get moving. Go on. Hurry up!
Finish getting ready. Go!
BATHROOM IN USE
Huh?
"Sisters are like peas that grow in the same pod."
"As they mature and break loose from their shell,
their lifestyles and philosophies drift apart."
"I'm from a family of three sisters, but we almost never get together."
"However, we recently happened to discover
that our aging father is secretly seeing another woman."
- I'm off. - Have a good day.
READER MAIL
"My aging mother knows nothing
and has been quietly enjoying her golden years with her husband."
- "We sisters..." - I'm off!
Have a good day.
"...now sigh together as one."
"My husband too is at the prime age for a midlife crisis."
"Is living-- getting by without making waves really how women stay happy?"
"These days, I can't help but wonder."
Anyone would think you wrote it.
Including you?
As I read it, I did a double take.
I've never written a letter to the editor. I'm not the type.
Who else would write that their husband was ready for a midlife crisis?
Your sisters are all single.
Give me a break.
Even if I thought that, I'd never write it.
"Signed, Anonymous 40-year-old Housewife."
It really wasn't you?
- I've got it! - Huh?
Until next time.
Oh, here. A souvenir.
Thank you.
Back from a trip?
Huh? Oh, yes, to my parents' house.
- Don't your parents live in Ikegami-- - Cold, isn't it?
Perhaps the coldest day all year.
Hello?
Oh, Makiko.
I see you've been out early.
I wasn't "out" anywhere.
Why the early call?
Sis.
You were always good at essays, but you've outdone yourself.
Even Takao was impressed.
He said you could be a writer.
What are you talking about?
Haven't you read the morning paper?
Huh?
Of course I have. Obviously!
In the future, you should talk to us before you act.
I didn't tell anyone but you
that I was suspicious of Takao.
It wasn't me who wrote it.
More importantly, is this okay?
Ikegami gets the same paper.
Oh, no.
Oh, you're making a mess.
That'll do.
Here.
Oh, right.
My, my...
There.
Male nails are hard. They hurt when stepped on.
Nails aren't male or female.
Oh, yes they are.
Huh?
READER MAIL
You really don't know a thing.
Okay, okay. Oops, that hurt.
MAKING WAVES
Uh, hello.
Thank you for your long years of service.
No, thank you. The pleasure was mine.
Your flowers were quite popular, you know.
I'm sorry it has to be this way.
In our business, February is always a tough month.
A restaurant can't cut food costs.
You can't eat flowers after all.
It's a regrettable situation.
In truth, I'm quite ashamed.
Anyway,
here you are.
Oh, you shouldn't have. I don't deserve such kindness.
Hmm? It's merely this month's regular payment.
Oh...
Thank you.
In that case, may I have the vase I loaned you?
I believe it's in the kitchen.
Forgive me for keeping it for so long.
I was searching for a parting gift, but we didn't have much.
Do you like dried fish?
They're my favorite!
Oh, good.
It's a souvenir my husband bought during a golf trip to Izu.
I see.
Do you mind if I have it, sir?
Please, go ahead.
Wow!
I don't need your excuses.
If you wanted to fire me, there were other ways.
Tsunako?
So, Makiko told you.
What?
I'm not a child. You didn't have to come all the way here to lecture me!
What are you talking about? You told me to use this place.
What?
Oh, Sensei!
Thank you for bringing us business.
Um...
Oh, my!
Didn't your brother-in-law tell you he made a reservation?
Your sister has done so much for us.
Your table is ready.
That's just like you, Tsunako!
Forget the whole thing, okay?
I'm famous for my poor memory.
Is this a business meeting?
No, it's private.
- Oh, in that case, I'll-- - No, it's perfect timing!
- You should join us. - What?
You know them.
Who?
My dad and that woman?
I'd love to be the one to pull that off,
but not today.
This is about Takiko and that detective.
The one she hired to look into Dad?
His name's Katsumata, and when it comes to Takiko, he's...
Seriously?
There are men who like girls like her?
On close inspection, she's got a pretty face.
Excuse me.
Your guest has arrived.
- Oh! Have a seat over here. - Welcome, dear customer.
Oh, I see!
This is where you've been doing ikebana.
Thank you for your patronage.
How much do they pay you? Besides supplies?
You shouldn't ask such questions on a happy occasion.
- Huh? - Tsunako!
- Wait a minute. - Your guest is here.
Come in! Your seat is here.
- Sorry for taking up your time. - Not at all.
Have a seat.
Oh, let me take that for you.
- There. - Thank you.
Well, what can I say?
We owe you a lot, it seems.
She's Takiko's older sister.
Yes, my name is Tsunako.
- Tsunako? - "Tsuna" like "Yokozuna."
A woman should at least say it's the "Tsuna" used in "tug-of-war."
And you are...
Something with "Mata" right?
Katsumata.
Which "Katsu"?
The one for "victory."
- And "Mata"? - The one used for "again."
I see.
How many siblings do you have?
Um, as far as siblings go--
It's none of your business.
Why's that?
Takao, didn't you say
that you wanted to discuss our dad's case?
That's right.
Then let's talk about that.
Come on. This isn't the library. We don't have to follow procedure.
Right? Let's have some wine while we talk.
I don't like that sort of thing!
Takiko, if you keep being so uptight--
I'll be leftover goods. I know.
That's enough. Both of you.
This is all kind of...
Excuse me.
Mr. Katsumata and I
have a financial...
Well, not "financial."
We have a business relationship.
They shouldn't get the wrong idea. Right?
Yes.
That was a pretty meek response.
He always talks that way.
Mr. Katsumata,
tell them it will bother you if they get the wrong idea.
Yeah.
Of course, you can also tell us if it's no bother.
It does... bother me.
- Huh? - It does?
I'm interested in someone.
Someone else?
Yes.
What... sort of person?
A kind person.
Kind? Well...
A kind person, huh?
So, um... the meeting--
I have work to do. I'd better get back.
Taki... Takiko!
Oh, right.
Please excuse me.
Oh, you should probably take this.
- I'm so sorry. - No, I'm fine.
- Are you sure? - Everything okay?
Takiko!
Um, wait.
Come... back!
Takiko!
Um, what I said just now was a lie.
Oh... can you hear me?
Um...
INTERESTED
LIKE
LOVE
FOOL
MAKE IT HAPPEN! BECOME NATIONAL CHAMPION!
You'll be fine.
I'm with you. There's nothing to worry about.
Who said I was worried?
I'll knock that bum out in one round.
Mom and I will be cheering for you, together.
Your mom's coming?
She's never disliked boxing.
I see.
She doesn't dislike you either.
Keep that up,
and you're gonna lose.
Just like this is enough.
MINAMI SENZOKU
Yoko claims she's on a diet, and she refuses to eat breakfast.
- Oh, no. - Yet, she comes calling when she's hungry.
One more cup.
Oh?
Since when do you like tea so much?
It's good when other people make it.
Do you have time to relax here?
Takao has a meeting tonight,
and I fixed dinner for Hiroo and Yoko before I left.
Huh?
The evening paper.
It's awfully late.
It used to come sooner.
Perhaps a new delivery person?
Shall I go buy sushi?
Whatever you have here is fine.
Will Dad be home late?
He should be back soon.
He's at work today, right?
Does he always come back so early?
Well, he doesn't like to eat out.
Where should I put the paper? With the morning edition, maybe?
- The morning edition? - Yeah.
Oh, right. Your dad was cutting his toenails over it this morning.
You used it as a mat?
Newspapers are meant for reading, you know.
Well, if they used a bigger font.
If only there was a newspaper made specifically for elderly people.
Where are you going?
Huh? To the corner store. I'm out of yuzu.
I'll go instead.
No, I owe them fifty yen from yesterday.
Back away!
Now cover up!
Clinch!
- Come on! - Fight back, you bum!
How's he doing?
I can't tell.
I think he's losing.
Time! The bell's rung!
Hey! You wanna try that again? Huh?
Damn it! Sit down! Get a hold of yourself!
I said calm down! Got it? You idiot.
Your mouthpiece.
Now water.
All right. Take it slow!
Good. Okay.
- Jinnai! - That's it.
- Jinnai! - Slow down, okay?
Hey, don't try to do it alone! Listen.
Jinnai!
- Seconds out. - Jinnai!
Here we go.
Round seven!
Give it all you've got! Don't lose your head now. Okay? Go!
That's it! Come on!
Go! Keep the pressure on!
Attack! You've got him rattled!
Clinch!
Cover up! You've gotta guard!
Now clinch!
He has a concussion.
They said he can leave after a little rest.
Why weren't you watching?
Why did you leave before the end?
I get hit for a living!
It's no different from a grocer selling radishes!
Would the wife of a grocer
run while her husband was making a sale? Huh?!
I know you're in there.
Open up.
Why won't you let me in?
Oh, hello there. Good evening.
- Cold, isn't it? - Sure is.
Perhaps the coldest day all year.
Let's go, Maro.
Come on! Open up.
If I do, this will never end.
Who says it has to end?
If you're not letting me in, then let's eat out.
I already ate the dried fish you gave me.
I want dried fish too.
Dried fish! Dried...
Tsunako? Come on.
If possible, I think all four of us should be here tonight.
Sort of like
a family meeting or something.
I want us all to talk.
Haven't you ever had a premonition?
I had a weird dream yesterday.
Or this morning to be precise.
A bellyband? Me?
Come on, that's ridiculous.
You don't need to call over every little thing like that.
Wait, what?
Ikegami? Now?
No way! I mean...
Now?
Well...
Wait.
Actually, that sounds good. I'll be right there.
Okay, got it. See you then. Bye.
Let's break up.
Go run home to your mom!
Come with me.
Looking like this?
I'll introduce you. I'm not ashamed.
- I'm the one who's ashamed! - Why?
You get hit for a living, right?
It's like a grocer selling radishes, isn't it?
- So why would you be ashamed? Huh? - Ow! Are you out of your mind?!
Oh, shut up.
Why are you moping around after one loss?
Are you just gonna sit there until you heal?
You know,
I only left because I couldn't stand
seeing how weak you were.
How could you ask why I wasn't there?
Save that line for after you score a comeback KO!
Pathetic!
Go by yourself!
This spot here
is Ikegami station.
And this... is the hospital.
You walk these stone steps.
And when you reach the grocer at the third cross street, turn right.
This is the temple. And then...
Say, we used to wait for Dad like this a lot, right?
Yeah.
When it got to 8:00 p.m., we'd start eating without him.
You were the best at sneaking food.
She couldn't keep her hands off others' plates.
Her hands on other peoples' things, huh?
What? I never did that.
- Before we knew it, ours were all gone. - Exactly.
Oh, Dad's home!
- Welcome home! - Welcome home!
There's no need to stand.
Hey, is Dad always this late?
No, I wouldn't say that.
She said he eats dinner at home.
That's just how men are.
Should we close the shutters?
Yeah.
I don't know who wrote that thing, but...
It really wasn't you?
I told you it wasn't.
- She tried to say it was me. - Makiko did?
You should see my handwriting first.
My late husband said it was more catastrophe than calligraphy.
Letters to the editor are written by people with skilled penmanship.
Come on. I would never do that.
Takiko's handwriting isn't skilled, it's just tidy. Or naively honest, maybe.
Sakiko!
Devils out!
- Oh! - Huh?
- Fortune in! - Oh, right. Today is Setsubun.
Devils out!
Fortune in!
Hey, did you all do the bean-throwing ceremony?
- Cleaning up afterward is a pain. - I bet Takiko did it.
Huh? No way!
Mom, did you throw beans?
- What? - Why would I do it?
Well, I do buy the beans every year.
Since you're all here, shall we eat them with miso?
Okay, let's do it.
- It's been so long. - Right?
Here we go.
- Devils out! - Devils out!
- Fortune in! - Fortune in!
But if none of us wrote it, could it really be a coincidence?
I understand the logic, but the details were too similar.
- Except for the number of sisters. - Don't be cynical!
Fortune in!
Do you think Dad doesn't want to come home because he read the paper?
- Like a runaway? - Come on!
Fortune in.
- Well, you never know! - Devils out!
- Devils-- Oops. - Hey!
Okay, that's enough. Don't make a mess.
One last throw. Devils out!
I'd rather he just ran away.
What?
Who?
Who ran away?
Hiroo did! He came back after a few hours, though.
Kids these days are unpredictable. You'd better be careful.
Hey, is that wind I hear? Let's shut the windows.
Right.
This house sure gets cold.
It's old. That's just how it's built.
There are cotton jackets in the tatami room.
We'll borrow them then.
What now?
I mentioned my premonition, right?
You think he intends to die?
First my dream, then the newspaper.
If he doesn't come home, then...
Don't tell me it's a lovers' suicide?
Hey, put your dishes in the sink when you're done.
- Rock, paper, scissors! - Yay! Hiroo will do it.
Jeez, what's with the racket?
- I need that thing. You know... - The muddler?
Yeah, that.
If you want to stir, just use chopsticks.
It's not for amazake.
It'll taste the same.
Hey, aren't you gonna throw beans?
It's nothing but a pain.
- That's a poor attitude. - Yeah, poor!
All that shouting is embarrassing.
Come on. You won't move up the ladder like that.
Yeah, you won't!
Who cares?
Quit that prep school then! It's costing me an arm and a leg.
Yeah, quit it!
Throwing beans won't move me up the ladder.
- That's nonsense. - Huh?
"Nonsense"? Don't talk to your parents that way.
Hello? Satomi residence.
Oh, it's you.
- Devils out! - It's not that.
I don't know where the muddler is.
- Devils out! - The muddler.
- Fortune in! - Ow!
He's never been this late.
- Cut it out! - Sorry, but can you check her apartment?
- That hurts! - Her apartment?
Devils out!
I don't even know where it is.
- Devils out! - I'll tell you.
- Minami Senzoku, Ota Ward. - Stop it!
Huh? Hey, keep it down! I can't hear her, you morons.
Devils out!
Enough with the beans! Hurry up and go to bed!
I'm already drunk.
- Devils out! - Just call a taxi.
Do you realize what time it is? I have a meeting in the morning.
If something bad happens, it will be too late.
Please.
Ms. Tsuchiya's at the hospital.
The hospital?
Her kid got hurt this afternoon.
I heard her husband came running later on.
- Hold this. - What the heck?
What is this thing? Gross.
Hey, don't use my desk for storage.
Sorry about that.
I just can't bear to throw away this old stuff.
Why do you care?
You never used it to study anyway.
Hey! Don't dump stuff on mine!
- You can't just-- - That's enough.
You're both grown women! Give it a rest!
Okay, we found them.
Let's see.
- Whoa! - This takes me back!
- Look at this stuff. - Here's yours, Tsunako.
- You have everyone's? - Yes. Here's yours, Makiko.
Takiko!
- Sakiko! - This is mine?
Mine has holes.
You take good care of things, Mom.
Well, I figured I'd show them to you if you ever got out of line.
- I hated wearing this. - Me too.
But if we didn't, we got in trouble.
Before bed, you would reenact Kunisada Chuji.
- Kunisada Chuji? - Kunisada Chuji?
You'd put a ruler in the bellyband like a sword.
- And then... - Oh, I remember!
Sis, you be Chuji. I'll be his servant.
"Our last night in Mt. Akagi."
"Ah, a goose is crying"--
- You're skipping ahead. - What?
Before that, he says something about his home village Kunisada.
And then, "I can't help but feel lonely," right?
- Yeah. - Oh, that's right!
And then, "Ah, a goose is crying."
"It's flying into the southern sky."
Gong!
Hey, what's this?
Huh?
- It's pretty! - Yeah!
- So pretty. - Those are talismans.
You wore them for your first shrine visit.
- Tsunako. - Wow!
This one is Makiko's.
Hey, isn't hers fancier?
Since she was the first child, Dad bought it at a department store.
Where's mine?
Takiko, you... Oh.
We must have reused one.
The first children are a novelty but with each one, the feeling fades.
The war had just ended. There was no time for all that.
We had to keep everyone fed.
That's why I don't have my own.
And you wonder why I'm cynical.
- Here. It doesn't matter. - Yes, it does!
It does. It matters a lot.
Only fools fight over talismans.
Feel free to go to bed, Mom.
How's she supposed to sleep with all the noise we make?
Shall we all go to bed?
Yeah, let's sleep.
Hey, why don't we wrap the bellybands around our pajamas?
I can't fit this on now!
You can't? Oh, I guess not.
Do I have extra futons?
Just a blanket will do.
We're fine! We'll warm the room up.
I'll help.
Do you think Takao went?
Yeah.
If Dad doesn't come home by morning,
what do we do?
Should we tell Mom?
About "you know what"?
Stop that.
Huh? Weren't you the one questioning whether a woman shouldn't make waves?
It wasn't me!
Dad must have read the paper, right?
Who knows.
- He used to read every page though. - Yeah.
If anything happens to Dad,
you're responsible, Makiko.
I told you. It wasn't me!
If not you, then who else?
Takiko.
If I had really written it,
I wouldn't be making a fuss like this.
How can we be sure?
Maybe you didn't think they'd print it and then you panicked.
- Couldn't that be it? - I'll call the paper.
- I'll ask to see the manuscript! - Quiet! She'll hear you.
Do you think Mom read it?
Probably not.
How do you know?
Well, before she could,
Dad used it as a mat to cut his toenails.
Hey!
Why didn't you tell me that first?
Was that someone's stomach?
Makiko, you're making triangles.
That's right.
Weren't Mom's cylindrical?
And Tsunako, yours is a drum.
That's right.
Married women take on their in-laws' style.
That's true.
- Mine's a cylinder. That a problem? - Not at all.
You made yours well, Takiko. I can see you've got years of experience.
Dad always liked these.
I love them too.
They're good to have around when he drinks beer.
Can we eat them?
Sure. I'll make more.
Sakiko. On your chin...
- Here? - Yeah.
Still, where could Dad be?
Wait.
Dad... gave me money earlier.
- When? - When?
- Today. - What time?
In the evening. He gave me his billfold.
He really does intend to die.
Stop it!
- Oh! - There he is!
- Welcome home! - Welcome home!
What brings you here at this hour?
Oh, it's nothing.
They want me to lead the Osaka office.
I was told to consult my wife and report back by morning.
- Rather than over the phone, I... - Oh, my!
That calls for celebration!
You heard him, everyone.
Hey, you're spilling rice!
Now, hurry inside.
- Right! - Okay!
Don't worry, it's the kid.
He got hit by a motorbike.
He's in the hospital, but he's okay. Your dad will come home.
- Thank goodness. - Yeah.
Oh?
Well, this is a surprise.
Stay up any longer and you'll be tired tomorrow.
It's tomorrow already.
Oh, right.
You'll catch a cold.
Dad's unshaven.
Men have it rough in the morning.
Women, on the other hand, grow gaunt.
With each passing year.
What's that? A complimentary gift?
This is the four-panel manga published in the newspaper.
What?
Did your mom write that letter?
Wait!
If it was her, why wouldn't she say something?
Everyone accused me of writing it all day.
Leave it be!
So your mom knew.
She knew but she played dumb.
We'll say it was you who wrote it. Okay?
Oh, the newspaper.
My aging mother knows nothing
and has been quietly enjoying her golden years with her husband.
We sisters now sigh together as one.
Is getting by without making waves really how women stay happy?
These days,
I can't help but wonder.
Subtitle translation by: Brad Plumb