[in Japanese] ♪ Oh, jealousy! ♪
[chord plays on shamisen]
♪ Oh, swelling rage! ♪
[shamisen playing]
- [all gasp] - [in English] You can do that, Dad.
[overlapping talking]
Dad, stop this!
You have to stop this now!
[overlapping yelling]
- [girls screaming] - [bang]
[overlapping yelling]
[both laughing]
A belly warmer was on your pajamas?!
[sighs]
When we were kids, we were told we had to wear them.
Kids toss and turn a lot. It was supposed to help keep us warm.
So you wore it?
We all wore it. [chuckles]
I wish that I could've seen you having such a huge meltdown in that outfit.
I really shouldn't laugh about it.
Anyway, all of you are so callous.
Why didn't you run and stop him instead of crying loudly?
Well, you see, the ritual rope was stretched across.
It kept us out.
[Takao] Ah, I get it.
- I know what it means. - [Makiko] Hmm?
No one should mettle in their parents' problems.
And that dream you had,
it tells me you feel that way subconsciously.
[ticking]
[accordion music playing]
Oh.
The boy isn't actually his son, but he was "Papa" to him anyway.
He's been seeing this woman for over seven years, you know?
Which also means that he's lied to Mom for so long.
Calling it lying might be a bit harsh, though.
Well, he never told her about her, so you could call that lying.
And how could he not feel guilty?
[Takao] Maybe that's why he lied? Because he felt guilty.
If he's willing to go as far as dying for this,
he could always apologize or divorce her.
There are plenty of options.
He's taking this far too lightly,
thinking it would be fine if he just died.
You can't assume he'd do that. It was your dream, not his.
[Makiko sighs]
Yeah, I know, but still...
How about your mom?
She was sewing, eating rice crackers. [chuckles]
As always, my mom was way too relaxed about things.
[sighs] She's laid back. And also, she makes no assumptions.
To men, that's very, well...
Desirable to you, isn't it?
Not just desirable.
It's a better mentality.
That logic only benefits men, though.
[Takao clears throat]
Hey, don't take it out on me 'cause you had a bad dream.
[vehicle approaching]
- Oh. - Huh?
The paper. [grunts softly]
["Higher" playing]
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Keep on going higher ♪
♪ Burning with desire ♪
♪ Everything is brighter ♪
♪ Whenever you're around ♪
♪ Whenever we get down, going higher ♪
♪ Feelings like a tiger ♪
♪ Everything is lighter ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
FEBRUARY, 1979
Come on! I told you yesterday I needed to be up at six!
- [Makiko] I tried waking you up 3 times. - [Yoko] You're lying.
[Makiko] I'm not. If you're going to complain, set your own alarm then.
[Yoko] Really. Come on!
- [Makiko] I'm always getting blamed. - [Yoko] I'll be late!
- No! No! - Ooh!
- Hey, wait your turn! - [Yoko] No way! You take forever, Dad!
- [sighs] I'm going next. - [Makiko] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[Hiroo] Man, I woke up with the worst bed head.
- You heard me try, right? - Huh? Yeah.
- Hurry up and get ready. - [Hiroo] Okay.
[sighs]
[phone ringing]
- [Yoko] The phone! - [Hiroo] Mom, the phone's ringing!
- [Yoko] Mom! - [Hiroo] The phone!
You can pick it up instead of just shouting about the phone.
Your mother is busy in the morning.
- [Yoko] I'm busy too. - I can't with my mouth full.
I said to finish it before bed.
And what have I said about talking with your mouth full?
Satomi household.
- Sakiko? - [Sakiko] Hey, Makiko.
That was mean of you.
- What was? - [Yoko] Oh no!
[Sakiko] I know I've always been the one left out of the group
since we were kids.
But still I...
You're back.
Even if I'm not usually included, I am still one of your sisters.
[Makiko] Sakiko?
There's four sisters, not three.
Why would you say there's only three of us?
I don't get why I was excluded.
I don't even know what you're saying.
[Sakiko] Stop playing dumb. Even we read the paper.
The paper? What are you talking about?
Stop playing innocent. I know it was you.
It says here our father has another lover...
Our dad has a...
Sakiko!
What are you talking about?
Makiko didn't write it.
Why are you getting so heated so early?
I checked the paper to see if there was an article about today's match,
and then I found a stupid note Makiko sent in.
A note?
Well, I guess it wasn't her.
But your name is here, though.
Look here. Hidemitsu Jinnai. Ah!
Ugh! Don't make me more nervous than I already am.
Wait! No! Hang on!
There's no need to get so upset about it.
It's a small thing.
Honey! Honey!
[Takao] I'll be right out.
The paper! Can you pass it through the door?
Oh!
Yeah.
Thanks. Great.
What's wrong? Dad okay?
Oh, he's okay. Grandpa...
Uh, hey, you...
It's, um... Okay! Okay, get!
I said get ready! Come on. Get going!
[toilet flushes]
BATHROOM IN USE
Hmm?
[Makiko] Sisters are like beans growing up together in a single pod.
Once they grow big enough, they burst out of the pod.
Then they have their own life and way of thinking.
We're three sisters,
but we rarely see each other unless it's for a wedding or a funeral.
However, recently,
we happened to find out
that our elderly father is secretly seeing a new woman.
- [Hiroo] I'm off. - [Takao] Bye.
[Makiko] Our elderly mother is blissfully ignorant.
She believes she'll be with him forever, till death do they part.
- We sisters... - [Yoko] I'm leaving.
Okay.
...get together and breathe a sigh.
My husband, now 40, may lose his way in life too.
Is it really happiness for women like us to live without making waves?
Lately, these things have been taking over my thoughts.
[Takao] I could see why she thinks you wrote it.
You also think I wrote it?
[Takao] As soon as I read it, I thought so.
Oh.
I've never sent a letter to the newspaper. I would never do that.
But it says, "Considering his age,
my husband has potential to do something like this.
- Your other sisters aren't married. - That's true, but I wouldn't.
Even if I thought it, I would never write to them.
Housewife, age 40, anonymous...
Did you really not write it?
- [gasps] I got it! - [Takao] Huh?
See you later.
[Tsunako chuckles]
- Oh, here. Your present. - Oh.
Thank you. Mmm.
[woman] Did you go somewhere?
[Tsunako] What? Oh, yes, to my parents' house.
- [woman] Your parents live in Ikegami. - Oh my, it's cold.
It could be a record.
[chuckles]
- Okay, okay... - [phone ringing]
[Tsunako] Yes.
- Uh, oh, hello? [sighs] - [Makiko] Tsunako.
Oh, Makiko.
[Makiko] You were out and about early this morning.
No, I wasn't out anywhere.
Why are you calling me so early?
[Makiko] Sis.
You've always been so good at describing things. This shows it.
Even Takao told me it was great.
He said you're a literary genius.
[Tsunako] Huh. What are you talking about?
[Makiko] Haven't you read the morning paper yet?
[Tsunako] Huh?
Of course I have! I have, yeah.
[Makiko] If you decide to write to the paper again,
can you please check with all of us first?
You're the only one I told about how Takao's been acting lately.
No one else knows about what I told you is going on with him.
Oh, I definitely didn't write this. [gasps]
More importantly, will they know?
Our parents read The Maicho too.
Oh.
[children playing in background]
Oh no, they're everywhere.
[sighs]
Oh. [gasps]
[grunts softly]
[sighs]
Here. Hmm.
- Mmm, thanks. - Okay, okay, okay.
- [grunts] - Here. [sighs]
[grunts]
[sighs]
Men have such hard nails.
It hurts when you step on one of these, you know.
- [sighs] - [chuckles]
There's no difference between men and women's nails. [chuckles]
Actually, I think there is, though.
Huh?
READER MAIL
[Fuji] I don't think you understand anything.
[man] Okay, okay.
Ah. Ouch.
MAKING WAVES
[clipping continues]
[curious music playing]
Um, hello.
I thank you for years of service.
[Tsunako] Oh, of course. Thank you both too. Hmm.
We really loved your flowers. Our customers did too.
It's very unfortunate.
This month's been... difficult for us, and business has been very slow.
The restaurant is focusing on its food.
Oh yes, of course. And you can't be eating flowers, right?
[chuckles]
- [man] I'm so ashamed to have to do this. - Mmm.
I know. It's very embarrassing.
And so,
here.
Oh no, I can't accept any money.
You don't have to do anything for me.
[woman chuckles]
Oh, it's for this month's expenses and your regular pay.
Ah...
Oh, thank you.
Well, then...
Oh, the vase you held onto, may I have it?
[woman] Oh, yes, I believe it's in the kitchen over there. [chuckles]
I apologize for keeping it.
I wanted to give something to you as well.
Unfortunately, I didn't know what to get.
I thought maybe some dried fish?
I... love it. [chuckles]
[woman] Wonderful!
Last night my husband golfed in Izu. This was the prize he won.
Ah.
Is it really okay to take this?
Oh, of course!
Mmm.
Wow.
- [woman] Mmm. - Mmm.
[footsteps approaching]
I don't want your excuses!
If you're going to fire me, why not do it the right way, you know?
Tsunako.
[gasps] Uh...
- Makiko told you about this place? - What?
[shudders]
I'm not some child.
I don't need you coming in here just to give me a lecture.
What's going on?
You recommended this restaurant.
Huh?
- [woman] Oh, Sensei. - [Tsunako gasps]
I wanted to thank you for the recommendation.
Uh, well...
Ah.
Your brother-in-law made a reservation with us.
I meant to tell you.
[Tsunako] Ah.
We're so grateful to her for recommending us.
- [Takao] Ah. - Follow me.
[Tsunako] Mmm.
[sighs]
[groans]
[laughing]
It's so like you.
All that back there, just forget it.
I've been great at forgetting since I was a kid.
- Mmm. - [laughs]
You have a business lunch?
Uh, no, it's not for work.
Oh. [chuckles] I shouldn't bother you, then.
No, no, no, please stay.
- It's good you're here. - Why?
You know who I'm meeting with?
Who then?
- [gasps] - [chuckles]
- It's Dad and his woman? - Ha!
If I could arrange a meeting with both of them,
that'd sure be something.
It's nothing big like that.
It's the investigator hired by Taki-chan.
Oh, you mean the investigator who's watching Dad?
- Katsumata's his name, and I thought... - Mmm.
You know, Taki-chan... together?
[chuckles]
Someone's actually fallen in love with that girl?
If you look carefully, her face is lovely.
- Mmm... - [woman] Excuse me, sir.
[door slides open]
[woman] More of your party is here.
- Oh, please take a seat. - [Tsunako] Welcome, ma'am.
- Ah, I see. Ah! - [Takao chuckles]
You're a flower arranger now. You're working here?
[Tsunako] Please enjoy your meal.
[Takao chuckles]
What do you make at a place like this, excluding expenses?
You don't need to concern yourself with my money.
- Huh? - Tsunako.
- Hmm? - [Takao chuckles]
- Wait a second. - [woman] The rest of your party is here.
Ah, hello. Please sit.
- Sorry to bother you when you're busy. - Oh, it's fine.
- Sit down. - Sit!
Please, please, take a seat. [chuckles]
- Let me. - [Katsumata] Oh, thank you.
[Tsunako] I heard about you.
You did a favor for our family.
- [Takao chuckles] - [Tsunako] Yes.
[Takao] Um, she's her sister.
- Oh. - Tsunako. [chuckles]
- Tsunako? Ts... ts? - Like Tuna with an S.
No, you shouldn't compare yourself to a fish.
It's Tsuna like Tsunami.
- [Tsunako sighs] - [chuckles]
So... it was something "mata," yeah?
[Katsumata] It's Katsumata.
Huh? Katsu...
- Kat... it's pronounced Katsu... - Ah, Katsumata?
- Um... - My name's Katsumata.
- [woman] Thank you so much. - [Tsunako] I see...
- [woman] We'll be back soon. - Do you have any sisters or brothers?
Well... my family is--
I don't think that really matters.
[Tsunako] Why not?
Takao-san, you said
you have something to ask?
You wanted to ask about our dad?
Yes, I do.
All right. Then let's discuss it.
Hmm, you're not in a library. The rules aren't so strict here.
Right? Like we can enjoy some of these drinks.
You know I don't like that.
[Tsunako] Listen, don't be so uptight. That's why--
I know. That's why I can't get married.
Now, now, now, both of you, that's enough.
- [woman] Thank you as always. - [Takiko] How do I say this?
[woman] Excuse me.
Katsumata-san is only working for me.
[woman] The customers have arrived.
I mean perhaps "working" isn't the right word.
- [woman] Thank you. - It's business. That's all, yeah.
- We don't wanna give you the wrong idea. - [man] Thank you.
- Ah, yes, right this way. - Yeah.
- Your voice, it just got a bit weaker. - Hmm.
[Takiko] He always speaks softly. Don't read into it.
- Hmm. - [woman] Can I get you...
Katsumata-san, you can tell them you'd feel uncomfortable
if they get the wrong idea.
Okay.
However, if you're not, you can say that as well.
[Tsunako] Mm-hmm.
[Takao chuckles]
Well, I'm... uncomfortable.
- [Tsunako] Un... uncomfortable? - [Takao] Uncomfortable?
Uh, yes, there's someone else.
[woman] Excuse me.
- [Tsunako] Oh... - [Takao] There's someone else?
- [woman] Thank you for waiting. - Yes.
Uh... uh... this girl, you love her?
Uh...
Yes. She's, uh, kind.
- Oh, I see. She's kind. - She's kind.
Oh.
[Katsumata] So, today's meeting--
I have some work left to get done. Excuse me.
Oh. Taki-chan!
- [gasps] Takiko! - [door slides closed]
[footsteps retreating]
Oh. Uh, uh...
Huh? Huh?
- Oh. - [Takao clears throat]
Oh, uh...
- [Tsunako chuckles] - [Katsumata] Sorry.
- Oh, sorry. - Wait, no.
Oh dear. [gasps]
- You should take this with you. - [woman] Oh!
- [dishes clatter] - [woman] Sorry, sir.
- [Katsumata] No, it's fine! - [Tsunako] Ah!
- Are you okay? - Are you okay?
MASUKAWA RESTAURANT
[curious music playing]
[birds cawing]
Takiko-san!
Hey! Hey!
Please wait.
No! Wait!
Takiko-san!
Um, just now, I lied back there.
Uh...
Can you hear me?
Uh, so...
INTERESTED
LIKE
LOVE
[Katsumata chuckles]
FOOL
[both chuckle]
[Katsumata chuckles]
[Takiko chuckles]
[grunting]
MAKE IT HAPPEN! BECOME JAPANESE CHAMPION!
[Sakiko] It's okay.
Hmm.
I'm here for you, so don't worry about it.
[Sakiko sighs]
Who said I was worrying?
I'll KO that guy in the first round.
I'll be there with Mom. We'll cheer for you together.
Your mom is coming?
She says she's never disliked it.
[chuckles]
Yeah?
And she also told me she doesn't dislike you.
- [Hide sighs] - [grunts] Hey.
You'll lose this time
if you keep on doing that.
[Hide] I just wanna stay like this.
[Hide panting]
[emotional music playing]
MINAMI SENZOKU
[tires squeal]
Yoko tells me that... that she's dieting or something,
so she won't eat breakfast!
[Fuji] Oh my.
Then later, she'll say she's hungry after all.
[Fuji chuckles]
More, please!
What? [chuckles]
I didn't realize you liked tea so much.
Tea you don't make yourself is always good.
You good to stay for a bit?
- Takao has a business meeting tonight. - Mmm.
And Hiroo and Yoko, I left dinner in the fridge for them.
[Fuji] Mmm.
- [Makiko] Mmm. - [thud at door]
What's that?
Newspaper.
Wow, that's late.
- It did used to come earlier before. - Mmm.
Maybe the deliveryman changed.
Do you want to order some sushi?
I'm okay with whatever you have here.
Is Dad coming home soon?
Any minute now, he'll be back.
[Makiko] He's working today, right?
Isn't he always working?
True, although, he never misses dinner.
Where does your evening paper go?
I can go put it with the morning one, yeah?
- Where did I... - [Makiko] Mmm.
Ah, your dad was using it to clip his nails today.
He used the paper to clip his nails?
Doesn't he know... you're supposed to read it?
[sighs] I wish... the font was larger.
Us older people could use that.
Someone should publish a paper for us.
Where are you going?
Hmm? To the corner market. The yuzu is out.
[Makiko] Oh, I'll go for you.
Well, you know, they lent me 50 yen.
[sighs]
[door closes]
[indistinct chatter]
Go! Go! Go! Hide!
Clinch! Clinch!
[overlapping chatter]
How's he doing, huh?
I don't know.
I think he's losing.
[grunting]
- [bells dings] - Time! Time! Time!
[crowd clamors]
[overlapping yelling]
Sit! Calm down! Take a seat! Here.
I told you to stay calm! Come on!
Calm down. Give me the mouthpiece.
Here. Water, water, water.
Okay, slowly. Slowly!
Good. Here.
[man] Jinnai!
Good, good, good.
Don't rush, okay?
Hey, don't do it alone! Make him work.
[crowd chanting] Jinnai! Jinnai!
- [coach] Ready? - [announcer] Second, down.
- Second, down. - [coach] Remember what I told you!?
- [coach] All right, let's do this! - [announcer] Seventh round.
Brace yourself! This one is major!
- Don't lose! Yeah? Go! All right? - [bell dings]
[coach] Good! Good! All right! Get in there!
[grunting]
- [crowd cheering] - [coach] Go!
[indistinct yelling]
[coach] Closer! Go! Go!
[grunts]
[coach] Clinch! Clinch!
[crowd clamoring]
What are you doing? Guard! Guard! Raise your arms to guard!
Push back!
Guard! Guard! Guard!
[somber music playing]
He has a concussion.
After he gets some rest, he can go home.
Mmm.
[Hide] Why didn't you watch my match?
In the middle of it, I saw you leaving.
Being punched is my job.
It's the same as if I sold produce in a market.
Does a market owner's wife
abandon him while he's selling his produce?
Huh?
[Hide weeping]
You're there. I know.
Open up the door.
Come on.
Why won't you answer?
[dog barks]
Good evening. [chuckles]
Hello.
- Oh, it's freezing! - It's freezing!
Might be the coldest day yet. [chuckles]
[woman] Let's go, Maro-chan.
[chuckles]
Open up. Hey.
If I do that, things will just drag on.
And why can't we drag on?
If you won't open up, let's go out to eat.
I already ate. You gifted me the dried fish.
- [man] I want to eat it with you. - [phone ringing]
[man] The dried fish, please.
Tsuna? Hey.
[Makiko] Are you free?
I think we should all get together tonight.
We can make it casual.
Get together for a family meeting.
[scratching noise]
[Makiko] I want to talk to you.
How do I say this?
I have a really bad feeling.
I had a weird dream last night.
Or I guess it was this morning.
[Takiko] A belly warmer?
Me? [chuckles]
What on earth? What a stupid dream.
You didn't need to call.
Ah.
Hmm? What?
To Ikegami? Now?
No way, it's late already.
You mean now?
Mmm...
Oh...
Yeah. Okay, I got it.
Mmm. I'll head over now.
Mm-hmm. Okay.
See you. Yeah.
RENT IS DUE ON THE 25TH KEEP THE NOISE DOWN AT NIGHT!
We're breaking up.
[grunts] Just go to your mom's house!
- Let's both go. - [Hide] I can't go with my face a mess.
I'll introduce you like this. I'm not embarrassed by you.
- [Hide] I'd be embarrassed, though. - How come?
You told me being punched was your job.
It's like selling produce at the market, right?
So there's no need to feel embarrassed. Why do you feel bad?
Ow! What the hell was that for?
I think you'e being ridiculous.
You lost one time. Why are you putting yourself down?
Are you going to stay like this until your injury is okay?
[sighs]
I'll tell you.
I left because you looked weak out there.
I couldn't watch you.
How could you ask why I didn't watch you? How could you?
You can only say that if you can make a comeback and knock him out.
- [Hide sighs] - You're pathetic!
[scoffs] Just go by yourself.
[somber music playing]
[Sakiko] Look.
Ikegami Station is here.
And this here... this is the hospital. You see that?
And the stone stairs on this side...
Oh. There's the market.
It's by the third crossing on the corner there.
If you turn right over there...
And right here's the temple and...
[dog barks]
Hey, we used to always wait for Dad to come home at night.
[Tsunako] Hmm.
At eight o'clock, we'd finally give up and eat anyway.
And you always picked at it beforehand. [chuckles]
She'd always eat our food instead of her own.
Oh, so it was Tsunako.
Hang on.
- I would never steal from you. - Our dishes disappeared one by one.
- Yeah. - [gasps] "Oh, do I hear Dad?"
"Welcome back!"
[chuckles]
You don't have to stand up. [chuckles]
Hey, does Dad come home this late?
[Fuji] No, this is a little unusual.
[Makiko] She said he hates eating out.
Of course he said that.
How about we close the shutters?
[Tsunako and Makiko] Mmm.
[Takiko sighs]
[Makiko] I really don't know who wrote in to the paper.
- [Takiko] It truly wasn't you, Makiko? - [Makiko] I already told you, I didn't.
[Tsunako] Oh, here we go. She insists I did it.
[Sakiko] Makiko does?
You know what my handwriting looks like.
My husband used to say he could barely read what I wrote.
It looked like chicken scratch.
You know, people who send letters must have good handwriting.
It has to be legible.
Hold on. Why are you looking at me now?
I don't know if Takiko's handwriting is all that good,
but she's very meticulous about it.
- Saki-chan! - Hmm?
[crowd] Devil, begone!
- Oh. - [Tsunako] Hmm?
- [crowd] Bring us good luck! - Oh, today is Setsubun.
[crowd] Devil, begone!
Bring us good luck!
- Hey, should we throw some beans? - [crowd] Devil, begone!
- It's such a pain to clean up afterward. - I bet Takiko wants to do it.
- No, I don't. - [Sakiko] Hmm?
Oh, hey, Mom, did you throw beans yet?
- [Fuji] Huh? - Why would I want to?
Every year, I get a bag and throw beans.
Since you're here, I can make miso for you all?
[laughing]
[Tsunako] Okay. Okay.
- It's been a while. - [Makiko] True.
- Let's go. - Here you go.
- Devil, begone! - Devil, begone!
- Bring us good luck! - Bring us good luck!
[Makiko laughs]
[Tsunako] So if none of us wrote the letter then,
was it just a coincidence?
I mean, maybe, but there are too many similarities.
The number of siblings was wrong.
- Don't worry about it! - Devil, begone!
Bring us good luck!
Maybe Dad doesn't want to come home after reading the newspaper.
- Do you think he ran away? - There's no way.
- Bring us good luck! - Devil, begone!
Devil, begone!
- Devil... - Oh no, hold on.
- Look. - ...begone!
This is getting messy, so let's finish up.
- Last one. - Begone!
It would be better if he just ran away.
- What? - What?
[Fuji] Who ran away?
Did someone run away?
- My son, Hiroo. - [Tsunako] Mm-hmm?
- He returned like after three hours. - [Fuji] Oh.
Young people these days are so strange. You need to be careful with that one.
Oh, hey, it's really cold, yeah?
Let's close the windows.
[Tsunako] True.
- Sakiko. - It's always freezing in here.
[Fuji] Well, it's an old house. The window frames are a little bent.
Check over there. There should be chanchako vests.
- Oh, let me get them. - Oh, yes, of course.
[Fuji] Mm-hmm.
All right...
Bad dreams can show us what awaits.
- You think he'd commit suicide? - [Makiko sighs]
[Makiko] Well, between the dream and the letter in the paper...
If he doesn't come back home, then we know... [gasps]
What if they commit double suicide?
Oh!
Hey, bring your dishes into the kitchen, okay?
- [Yoko and Hiroo] One, two, three. - Yay! Hiroo's doing it.
Okay then. [sighs]
[clattering]
[Hiroo] So noisy. What are you doing?
- Uh, there. There, there. - [Hiroo] Hmm?
- Looking for the muddler? - Ah, yes, that's good.
[Hiroo] If you just wanna stir something, you can use chopsticks.
[Takao] I'm not drinking amazake.
It's the same taste.
Hey, it's Setsubun. Throw some beans.
[Hiroo] It's a pain.
[sighs]
- Don't be like that, huh? Huh? - [Yoko] You shouldn't.
[Hiroo] It's embarrassing to call out loudly.
[scoffs] All right, you won't be successful with that attitude.
[Yoko] You won't. It's true.
- [Hiroo] I don't care if I am. - [sighs]
Then why am I paying every month for you to go to night school?
I guess you should quit then.
Bean throwing has nothing to do with a career.
That's nonsense.
- [phone ringing] - [Takao] Huh?
Nonsense? Don't talk to me like that.
Hello, Satomi household.
Oh, it's you, honey.
- [Hiroo] Devil, begone! - Uh, no, it's not.
The muddler's missing. I can't find it.
- It wasn't, okay? - Bring us good luck!
[Makiko] Mom said he's never stayed out this late.
- Hey, stop it! - [Makiko] Sorry.
But can you check on him at their apartment.
Apartment?!
- Uh... - [Hiroo] Devil, begone!
I don't know where that's at and--
[Makiko] Ah, I'll give you the address.
- It's Ota Ward, Minami Senzoku-- - Hang on.
That's enough, you guys! I can't hear your mother!
[Hiroo] Devil, begone!
[Takao] You're done throwing beans. Go get ready for bed.
- I've been drinking. - [Hiroo] Devil, begone!
A taxi can take you there.
[Takao] Don't you know what time it is already?
I have a meeting in the morning.
[sighs]
Please, can you? I'm worried something horrible happened.
Can't you?
[footsteps approaching]
Ms. Tsuchiya's been at the hospital.
[Takao] Hospital?
Yeah.
Mmm. Her son got injured this afternoon.
I think her husband rushed there later.
[gasps]
- [Fuji] Hold onto this one. - [Takiko] What's this?
[Sakiko] What is all of this? Ew.
[Fuji] I need to check one more thing.
Don't keep putting stuff on my desk, okay?
[Fuji] Oh, sorry, sorry.
I just can't throw away your old things.
It's all right.
You never bothered studying at that desk even when you lived here.
Hey, wait. What are you doing? Just moving everything over?
- [chuckles] Now, now... - Hey, hang on.
- Stop it already, you two! - Wait. Wait.
You're supposed to be adults now. Come on.
- Hey, got it. - [Tsunako] Ah!
Oh, good.
- [Takiko sighs] - [Tsunako] Hmm.
Let's see.
- [Makiko] Mmm. - [Sakiko] Oh.
- [Takiko] Wow! - [girls] Wow!
How nostalgic. [chuckles]
- Here, Tsunako. - How nostalgic.
- Have you kept them all? - [Fuji] Yes.
- Here, Makiko. - Thanks.
- Takiko. - Yes.
- What about... - Sakiko.
Is this mine?
Hey, there's a hole.
Mom, you kept all of our old things.
- Of course, I did. - You did.
I wanted to show them to you when you got smart with me.
[Takiko chuckles]
- I hated wearing it. - Yeah, me too.
- If we didn't, then we got yelled at. - That's true.
You girls would reenact Kunisada Chuji before you slept.
[girls] Kunisada Chuji?
You had the weight scales tucked into your belly warmer, right?
Oh! That's right!
Tsunako, you were Chuji. I was the cohort. Mm-hmm. Oh!
"It's our last night on Mount Akagi, isn't it?"
"Ah, a goose is crying..."
- Hang on you're too early. - Huh?
Hang on.
More lines come before, like "Kunisada my home village" and what not.
And "I feel somehow lonely," or something like that.
- That's right. - Yes, yes, and then...
"Ah, a goose is crying."
"Spreading its wings, it flies into the distance."
- [laughing] - Dong!
- Silly. - [laughing]
Wait. What's this?
[Fuji] Hmm?
- It's beautiful. - [Takiko] So pretty.
It's the charm you wore for the baby ceremony at the shrine.
- Tsunako. - Wow!
- This one's yours, Makiko. - Ah!
- Oh, you know, Tsunako's is prettier. - [Tsunako] Mmm.
Tsunako was our first child,
so your dad bought one at the store by himself.
- Do I have one? - Takiko? Ah.
You had to use one of those ones.
[Takiko] The older children always get the fancy things,
but parents care less once they have more.
Mmm, no.
There was no time for such things once the war was over.
It was hard just to get food for us.
So there's no way I have one.
Now you know why the younger ones get upset.
- [Makiko] It's not about being younger. - It is, though.
It really is, though. Absolutely.
Oh my gosh, you're fighting over some silly little charms.
- [Tsunako] It's okay. - [clock chimes]
[Fuji yawns]
[Makiko] Mom, you should get some sleep.
[Tsunako] She won't fall asleep if we stay up talking so loud. Right, Mom?
- Mmm, we should all get some sleep. - [Tsunako] Look.
[laughing]
Should we? Yeah?
[gasps] Maybe we should wear our belly warmers tonight.
- [gasps] - They're too small to wear.
- Too small? Yeah, that's true. - Of course they are!
[Fuji] I wonder if we have blankets.
Uh, something small is fine.
If the room is warm, it's fine.
- It's all right. - Want me to help you?
[door slides open]
[door slides closed]
Do you guys think he went? Do you know?
Mm-hmm.
If Dad still hasn't come back in the morning,
what do we do?
Maybe we should tell Mom about it?
- About her? - About what?
Stop it, will you?
Well, one of us wrote,
"Is it really happiness for women like us to live without making waves?"
It really wasn't me.
Dad,
he did read the paper, didn't he?
I'm not sure.
He used to read it from cover to cover.
[Tsunako] Yeah.
If something bad happens to our dad,
how would that make you feel, Makiko?
I already told you, I didn't do it.
But if it wasn't you, then who'd write something like this?
Takiko, if it was me who wrote that letter,
I wouldn't have panicked and called you all here tonight.
Well, I don't know.
You might've thought it wouldn't get published.
But then it did, and you got flustered. Is that what happened?
How about I call them and ask them to show me the original?
[Sakiko] Shush! Mom can hear you.
But... but...
Do you think that Mom read it?
- [Makiko] I don't think so. - How do you know, though?
[Makiko] Because she said Dad put it on the floor before he read it.
- He used it to catch his nails. - [Sakiko chuckles]
[Makiko] Hey!
- Don't do that. - Why didn't you tell us about that first?
- [laughing] - [stomach growls]
Was that someone's stomach?
[accordion music playing]
- [Takiko] Oh, Makiko, yours is a triangle? - [Makiko] Yeah.
[Sakiko] Mom made them barrel-shaped.
[Takiko] Ah, Tsunako, yours is like a drum.
[Tsunako] Yes, it is.
When you get married, you shape it how your partner's family does.
She's right about that.
- Mine's a barrel. That bad? - No, that's not bad at all.
Yours looks nice, Taki-chan. You're a seasoned rice-ball maker.
- [Makiko] That's Dad's favorite. - [Sakiko] Mmm.
Oh, I love it too.
- [Fuji] Mmm. - [Makiko] Yeah.
He likes to eat this with his beer usually.
[Takiko] Can we eat it?
Mm-hmm. I can make some more. [chuckles]
[Tsunako] Mmm.
Sakiko, you got something...
Hmm?
[Makiko] Ah.
Where is Dad?
Oh yeah.
- I got some money from him recently. - [Takiko and Makiko] Wait. When?
- [Sakiko] Today. - When was that?
Early evening. He gave me his wallet.
So he's thinking of suicide.
[Makiko] No way.
[door squeaks]
- [Makiko] He's finally here. - Ah!
- [Makiko] Welcome back! - [Takiko] Welcome back!
- [Sakiko] Welcome back! - [Tsunako] Welcome back!
Thank goodness.
Oh.
Oh, it's Takao-san. Why are you here so late?
[Takao] Um, well,
today I was asked to be the Osaka manager.
They told me to talk to my wife
and let them know tomorrow about my decision.
- So I rushed here. - That means you're getting a promotion!
[gasps] What are you girls doing right now?
Ah! Oh, you're dropping rice.
Ugh.
Now, come on in, hmm?
- [Takiko] Okay. - [Makiko] Yeah.
[Takao] Don't worry. The boy was injured in an accident.
Uh, now they're at the hospital.
He's not that hurt, so it's okay.
Dad'll be back.
- [Tsunako sighs] Thank goodness. - Mm-hmm.
[Takao sighs]
[Tsunako] Let's go.
[emotional music playing]
Um... huh?
[indistinct chatter inside house]
[sighs]
[door squeaks]
Oh, well this is rare.
[sighs]
Don't stay up late talking, or you'll be tired.
[Takiko] It's already late.
Oh, it is.
[clears throat]
[sighs]
[door slides open]
Mmm. Don't catch a cold.
[door slides closed]
- [Tsunako] Hmm. - Did you see Dad's beard?
What a poor thing he is, having to shave.
Women really can be quite critical.
- Especially when we're older. - [scoffs]
[gasps]
What's that? A kind of prize?
It's from the manga in The Daily Maicho. The short comic.
Huh?
So the letter was sent by your mom.
[Makiko sighs]
Wait.
If she wrote it, why didn't she tell us anything about it?
And everyone kept saying I wrote it the entire day today.
[groans]
You should leave it alone.
She knew all about it,
and she didn't say anything.
[chuckles]
[Makiko sighs]
You wrote the letter. Let's leave it at that.
[vehicle approaching]
[gentle thud]
Oh, the paper.
[Takao sighs]
[door slides open]
[mysterious music playing]
[Fuji] Our elderly mother is blissfully ignorant.
She believes she'll be with him forever, till death do they part.
We sisters get together and breathe a sigh.
Is it really happiness for women like us
to live without making waves?
Lately, these things have been
taking over my thoughts.
[closing theme music playing]
[dramatic music playing]