Original subtitles

Produced by Fuji Television Network Watanabe Entertainment & Shogakukan

Hello.

This is the answering service.

After the beep, you have 2 minutes to record your message.

Hello?

This is the answering service. Please record your message...

Hello. It's me... This is Aoi.

Do you know what day today is?

Do you remember?

Of course you don't.

Please record your name and message after the beep.

Hello.

Do you remember... what day today is?

"MESSAGE CANNOT BE SENT"

What am I doing?

"Dear Ai, Happy Birthday. "

"Isn't it cold there? - Toshi"

Ai...? Who's she? It must be the wrong address.

Where shall we go?

Let's go.

Can't go home.

"I became 17 years old today. "

"There's a birthday cake. and everybody's here. "

"It's quite warm here. "

"Dear Ai, Thanks for answering my message. "

"Knowing that you're alive... this alone makes me happy. "

"Thank you for being born. - Toshi"

Can I stay over tonight?

What? Tonight?

My friends are coming over. Sorry. Some other time.

Hello?

Aoi? Is that you?

Hi. What's up?

Listen. I'm really in a f ix.

Well. what about your home?

Hell, I haven't been home.

What? Are you in trouble?

Well, this and that.

Say, can I stay over?

Sorry. My boyfriend's coming over tonight.

Damn.

I'm starving.

Give me a break.

Have some time?

Hop in.

Let's go.

To the beach.

Aoi.

What's up?

Tatsuya, what're you doing?

Free now?

A ride?

Come with us.

You've had enough to drink, but should have some more.

Go buy booze.

Go buy booze? It's dangerOus.

I'm kinda sick.

Tatsuya, drive.

Let's go.

Huh? on.

Hey, what're you doing?

Damn. I'm losing my reason.

What're you doing?

Stop it. Aren't we friends?

Stop it.

- Okay, hold her. - I'm next, right?

Stop it.

Don't look up.

Do you like sex that much?

Took care of transferring you to another school.

Hello?... Yes... What's the matter?

Satoshi, go upstairs.

No, nothing's wrong.

The neighbors know about it now.

It's best for you.

Best for you two.

Sorry. It's nothing.

Give it back.

You little slut...

Remember? I'm the victim.

What are you doing?

Seems I shouldn't have been born in the first place.

- C'mon, let's go. - Come on.

- Hop in. - Come on.

Let's go to karaoke.

- Let's go to karaoke. - Let's go.

You're coming? Really coming?

What?

What's wrong?

Poor sport.

But, manager.

A transfer is... What I'm trying to say...

Damn the transfer.

I don't want to go to that dept.

Do you understand "transfer"?

Wasn't my error, but they blamed me.

I guess you wouldn't understand.

Office workers...

Hurry up and do what you came here for.

Isn't it a waste of time?

WHAT'S YOUR PRICE?

"Thank you for being born. - Toshi"

Dear Toshi

We all seem to have a price. don't we?

Seems my price is 20,000.

"Aoi"

A- i.

Ai...

What're you doing? Are you aI one?

Would you, by any chance, be interested in becoming a model or an actress?

Sorry, too close.

Kanai, are you at it again?

C'mon, have some pity.

She has nowhere to go.

That's not the issue.

Sorry. A phone call.

Kanai.

'Morning.

Good morning.

Brought a girl again.

Hey, forget the phone. Can't you...

Oh, come on.

It's a business.

As I told you...

So what? Hire her.

You, too?

Listen to her.

Look at those sneakers... Maybe it's a fad, but they have to go.

Here... To the newcomer.

If there's anything you need, call me.

See you.

She's all yours.

Good morning.

Oh, yeah, what's your name?

Ah... It's Ai.

Ai? I see. How do you do?

Hi, I'm Yuki. How do you do?

Miss Akemi to Table 3.

You take me for a hick?

I'm from Miyamae, Kanagawa.

I'm 45.

Really? I thought you were in your 30s.

You're flattering me.

You believe that?

People all say that.

I'm sure they do.

Ai, the lighter.

You're not enthusiastic. Be nice, or you won't have any custOmers.

Leave her alone.

Don't your parents complain about working in such a place?

Let's forget the serious talk.

And yOu come to such a place.

What? What did you say?

You tell me to work hard then not to work in such a place?

That old man has super bad breath. He should shut up and just smile.

They're not so bad.

Money.

Okay. Let's go.

Hey, wait.

My lashes are precious.

That old man gave me this. It's 2.8 million.

Be nice and you'll get lucky.

In this business, whatever you earn becomes your price.

Dear Toshi. What is most precious to you?

"E-mail pal?"

They're great, but don't meet them.

I did. So disappointing.

What's your real age?

I don't mean you.

It's not that.

Keigo is so terrific.

So heart throbbing.

Say, when do you think we'll be able to enter the booth?

Hey, can you two go there?

Clean up the table.

Yes, sir.

Dear Ai

You may realize

what is most precious to you when it is no logger there.

What is most precious to you?

Here. For you.

Thank you. It's so cute.

How about after work tonight?

You mean it?

Excuse me.

These are also for Miss Ai.

Wow.

Dear Toshi. Money is mowt precious to me.

People talk about things money can't buy

but it would be miserable, not even to have things money can buy.

Huh? Akemi?

Hi.

They're so expensive.

But, they say this is only available this year.

And this... only one more left.

So I bought them.

Look. Isn't it super cute?

Shall I go for it?

What're you going to do with it?

What do you think about me?

You must tell me tonight.

I'm serious about you.

But Mr. Yamazaki, you have a wife and children.

I don't think it's proper to...

Sir... Ah, please, sir... Ah...

Sorry.

Any request, sir?

Yes, the most wretched girl.

So you were gang raped, forsaken by your parents and became a runaway.

My father beat me up.

I see.

Like over here. I still have a scar.

Anything else?

Don't you have some other sales-point?

I have a debt... 3.2 million.

Got hooked on some man?

No, got hooked on designer brands.

Seems I couldn't stop shopping.

50 points.

50 points at most for your misery.

Ah... What do you do?

H. Ishikawa, benefactor... What's a benefactor?

A god-like person who offers the greatest grace to the poor souls.

An angel.

An angel...

10,000 per point.

This is Wako Finance.

We haven't yet received your payment this month.

Hello?

Mr. Kanai?

Ai. what's the matter?

I'm so tired. Pick me up now.

You're tired? Hang on a while.

I can't go right now.

If you don't come

I'll kill myself.

You're such a bastard.

What did you do?

Asked me what I thought of her so told her she had no eye brows.

You're such a heartless person.

Nakao...

your nostril hairs.

Dear Ai

Someone told me I was heartless.

Perhaps, because I am heartless

there is nothing precious to me.

You're the most popular at the joint

because you're cute.

You say the same thing to everybody?

Dumped everything else and came.

I wonder how much a heart costs.

Here. A celebration for 2 months.

Exactly 2 months today, right?

Working there?

No, since we met.

Dear Toshi

I think you can buy a heart for only about 100.

A hard drinker?

Make the drinks.

Some ice, please.

Mr. Ishikawa, how much does that watch cost?

10 million.

You're joking...

Let me see.

It's marvelous.

I told you it's a sure thing.

Give me a call.

Okay, see you later. Bye.

This is for the 3 remaining months.

This is Ai's, right?

Yes... Goodbye.

Thank you very much for coming.

So that's how you take a cut.

From Ai?

From whom?

My debt increases day by day.

It's sad to be young.

Pretty soon, it'll be hell. You poor thing.

Well, I'm not scared of anything.

It's cool. It's cool. The Californian blue... dummy.

So she's forgotten me.

There's nobody booked for Monday.

Want to try the booth?

Yes, sir.

Okay, you're in.

Is Miss Kadokura home?

Is Miss Kadokura home? Miss Kadokura.

Miss Kadokura. Miss Kadokura.

Miss Kadokura, aren't you home?

I know you're home.

Miss Kadokura.

Can't be real.

"Carnage hell... "

"Carnage hell... "

You want to talk to me about something?

It was a popular song in the 70s. Know it?

This song really puts me off.

Really? I think it's so hot.

Where are we going?

To no man's land.

LITTLE LAMB ORPHANAGE

It's uncle.

Uncle. Uncle.

Over here... I'm pretty respected.

I'm popular.

Hey, don't open it.

Damn noisy kids.

Go on. Go on. Scram.

It's the summer bonus.

Can you guess why they're so attached to me?

Money. Because of the money I donate here.

Hey, you kids can't survive without me.

Really cool kids. Ass lickers. So obvious.

Misery is so radiant.

Your misery is a full score, too.

Here's your bonus. Go away. Go on.

Okay. Go away.

I guess I'm like these kids, Mr. Ishikawa.

Please lend me money... Lend me 5 million.

I won't.

How cOme?

I don't feel I ike it. My intuition says "no. "

Even if I sleep with you?

Sleep? You mean sex?

Even animals do it. Why me?

Why should I lend you my precious money?

Don't get it. It's nonsense.

Come on... Here.

Come on. ouch. ouch.

Do you think I'm in love with you or something?

Dummy.

There won't be a better offer.

I'm serious. You'll get 5 million.

You'll be an actress. An actress.

It's porn.

You don't understand. Not everyone can do it.

I negotiated and recommended you.

Do you understand? You're now worth 5 milliOn.

If parents find out?

None of their business.

I'll be classified as an actress.

It's one entrance to showbiz.

Higher level than the sex industry.

You'll be doing the same thing.

It's about someone telling me I'm worth 5 million.

Then, what's the problem?

Akemi... are you getting married?

When I got pregnant, I was sure he'd tel I me to have an abortion.

But he was over joyed.

So I thought it wouldn't be bad to have a baby.

Besides, I'm fed up with this job.

Ai, it's your choice.

It's your own life.

Dear Toshi

The only definite thing in this world

may perhaps be that human beings are all alone.

Say, what about this?

It's not bad, but it'll overlap with Keigo's.

Even if... even if I die now

no one may notice it.

"Even if I die now, no one may notice it. - Ai"

"First Party shall pay 1 million performance fee per film to Second. "

"5 million for 5 films shall be paid at the beginning. "

It means: appear in 5 films.

"If Second Party fails to fulfill the terms of this contract"

"Second Party must pay the above as penalty. "

If you take off, you pay him.

I hope you understand the terms.

Your seal here.

All right.

No career yet, but records pile up.

Sorry. Can you go on ahead?

I'm sorry.

Since she'll be 18 years old on the 1st, don't schedule

the shooting before that.

Birthday? That sounds great.

Can you schedule the shooting on Nov. 1st?

"Even if I die now, no one may notice it. - Ai"

All right. Cut. Okay.

Well done.

All right? Are you nervous?

Not really.

Miss Ai, the next shoot.

Here... Happy Birthday.

Good luck.

Ai.

Ai, you smell good.

Stop it, Masao.

C'mon, Ai.

You said you'd let me, because it's your birthday.

All right. Cut. Cut.

If you have trouble with the lines

say "don't" or something.

And your leg... raise it a bit.

Like this? Relax.

Yes, a bit more.

Okay?

Yes, that's good. Okay.

Let's try again.

Ai, I love you.

Ai, let me do it.

Please, Ai.

I told you it's all true.

I never lie.

Call me again. See you.

Good work.

Shall we go eat?

How much kickback?

What kickback?

I'm walking home.

Dear Ai

Happy Birthday.

There's a song I want you to listen to.

It's NOT AT ALL's "From Silence. " - Toshi

Dear Toshi. Thank you for the present.

Boy, it was another tough day.

Who wants after-work dates?

Doesn't that old man get it?

Ai.

This song...

Well? From that beat to this song

may be a bit unorthodox.

Not bad. It's definitely his style.

That D.J...

You mean Toshi?

Toshi?

What's wrong?

Just that...

"Dear Toshi. Thank you for the present. - Ai"

I love records and...

The grooves on a record are basically just scars

and sounds come out by touching them with a needle.

It's like they're alive.

Sounds painful.

For the record.

Wow. You live in a terrific place.

See you.

Ah...

I lost my key.

You're kidding.

Cold?

I'm okay.

This lighter's ancient.

Can we hold hands?

Go ahead.

Holding hands like this, my anxiety goes away.

Go.

It's toppled.

Oh, is it.

You can eat it.

Let me.

No, it's dangerous.

Hey, watch out.

It's really dangerous.

Sorry.

The thin one is definitely better.

No, the thick one is better.

Single means many pulls.

Even with double, you must pull many times.

Cheapskate.

What a dummy.

Shut up.

No, really. Raise your hands like this.

Then, everybody'll do the same.

It's amazing.

Like this.

That's it.

Embarrassed?

I'm not.

You are.

No.

You're so starchy.

What's the matter?

Can I stay here?

I'll be mad.

I'll be mad, if you don't stay.

Was thinking you're so warm.

You surprised me.

The leeks.

The leeks? You'll break them.

Don't worry.

Toshi, your hand is cold.

I have poor blood circulation.

I'll buy you gloves.

No, I don't need any gloves.

Hey... hey...

Ai, they want to shoot your second film

around next Monday.

All right.

You should say what's in your mind.

But that's a different issue.

Ouch. Damn.

Mr. Nakao, I'm right, huh?

It's a different issue.

Mr. Nakao.

Al MIZUKI

I'm coming.

Come on, Ai.

"From Silence. "

A- i...

Okay, camera, close in.

Ah... Please stay in that position.

That's an okay. Thank you.

That was good, Ai. Miya, thanks.

Let's check it.

Miss Ai...?

Tell me... Who's the real Ai?

There's a picture on the record jacket.

You saw it?

Toshi, what are you doing?

Who are you talking to? hurry.

Where are you?

There's no time to explain. Sorry.

Kanai, come right now. If you don't...

I'll kill myself.

How much would it cost... to quit being in pornflicks?

5 million.

It says so in the contract.

Was that what you were thinking of?

Your body temperature's high.

Please go.

See you.

What happened?

I lost the key.

I don't mean that.

Toshi...?

Can't you quit the porn?

Quit it.

I want to, but to quit I need money.

It'll cost me 5 million to quit.

So what?

Are you satisfied now?

You're hopeless.

Wait.

Toshi.

My, my. You've done some good work.

A volunteer for unfortunate men.

ental for 7 nights and 8 days - 380.

I wonder why...

Why do I have to lend you money

to make you and your pimp's future a bright one?

It's totally beyond my comprehension.

Mr. Ishikawa, have you ever been in love?

In my case

I love people who love me.

I'lll lend you money

but you have to have collateral.

How about your life?

It was terrific tonight.

Wasn't it?

Please come again.

Yes, we will.

Toshi.

I need to talk to you.

Sorry, I'm busy.

Come on.

Who is that?

The girl he lives with.

So... That's who she is.

Who the hell are you?

Just a grown-up.

What the...?

So sorry. She seems to be drunk.

You're impossible.

I'm working.

I'm just someone you live with?

I quit the porn flick business today.

I did it for you.

You don't answer the cell phone.

You don't come home.

You don't understand me.

Where did you get the money? Did you borrow it from someone?

From a friend.

Think of a better lie.

Toshi, forgive me. I'm so sorry.

Excuse me.

Toshi...

Toshi...

Why didn't you tell me?

Don't worry. I won't have the baby.

That's not the point.

You want me to have the baby?

This is no place to...

You're always conscious of others.

What do you mean?

Think of the place.

Hold on.

No thanks.

Your body's not yours alone.

Hey... Hey. How come you're quitting?

You never mentioned a word about it.

You're dumping it all?

So you're ignoring me. That's nice.

Hey, use your hips. Harder.

I'll try.

My God.

Well? How do you like it?

I'll eat, too.

Do you know a Mr. Ishikawa?

5 million? What's your relationship to him?

He's just a friend.

Sleep with him?

Lends you 5 million, because he's just a friend? Don't lie to me.

Don't believe me?

How can I?

Did you get me the money?

The 5 million?

Say it: "have an abortion. "

You won't do anything.

Just a pose.

I'll pay back the money.

I don't have it now, but please give me time.

Don't have it now, but will pay back?

You expect me to believe that?

You're wet behind your ears.

Toshi, you're such an amazing narcissist.

The only one in pain. Does it feel good?

Being with you, she seems to sink deeper and deeper.

Some housewives take part in citizens movement, but donate nothing.

Friends of yours?

Let's go.

Hey.

Shut up.

Go ahead.

Give me a break.

I wholeheartedly hate your kind.

Whoever gets my car gets 500,000.

Oh, sorry.

All right.

Sometimes I get this urge to really strangle him.

Come here.

Ah... Your husband...?

He's hooked on a girl in his office.

Hasn't come home for 2 months.

Revealed his true colors.

I wasn't smart enough to detect it.

Won't pay al imony and refuses to accept he's the father.

It's almost like a soap drama.

Hmmm... This is Ai.

This is Yutaro.

Huh? Has he...? Oh, yes. He's pooped again.

I'm constantly changing diapers.

What're you going to do about work?

Well, something should come up.

Why don't you catch another man and remarry?

You can...

Sorry. Can you keep quiet for a whle?

Ouch. So hot.

Eat it.

What could be the most unfortunate thing in this world?

To be born, I guess.

As far as life is concerned

you and the sweet potato are equally meaningless.

It's absolute nonsense.

It's such a hassle... to live.

Doctor, she's ready.

Now, let's count together.

1... 2... 3... 4... 5...

"Dear Ai, You may realize"

"what is most precious to you when it is no longer there. "

She was my sister.

Your sister?

If she were alive, she'd be 17, but she committed suicide.

For a long time, she was bullied in school.

I'm the only one who knows that.

She phoned me. If I had answered, she probably wouldn't have died.

My sister's name was... Ai.

I was seriously going to kill the ones who bullied her.

Then, strangely, someone responded to the maill addressed

to my dead sister.

I wanted that person to be happy.

Let's have a good life... with the baby.

Why tell me that now?

I had... an abortion.

You're kidding.

Would have been better, if I weren't Ai.

Then, you could've been much, much happier.

It can't be true.

It's so strange... I was lonelier, when I was with you.

We should never have met.

I'm sorry.

Why?

Why does it end up like this?

3 MONTHS LATER

Dear Toshi, Where are you?

I'm alone again.

I've seen your video.

You know. You know. That... Was it real? Was i t really real?

Your autograph here.

"Where are you? I'm alone again. "

"DELETED"

Remember he had a fight?

At a video store, he took away your video from a complete stranger

and told him not to rent it.

He was dangerously angry.

I had never seen him so angry.

Don't records make sounds

by touching the grooves with a needle?

Sounds so painful.

Well? Got the swing of it?

Yes, sir.

Can you be in more often?

I kinda like your style.

Thank you.

What do you think?

It's great.

Groovy.

Yes.

Well?

Yes, sir.

Your turn.

Oh, c'mon. Don't cry. Your mommy's here.

All right. All right.

Don't cry. All right. All right.

You know, he stops crying when I hold his hand.

What's the matter?

I think I did something absolutely horrendous.

I destroyed everything.

I ruined every bit of what was precious to him.

The best punishment for you

is to face the person you infl icted pain on.

Huh? Did you poop? Did you poop?

God, you stink.

Akemi.

You're really beautiful.

"O-ni-i-chan... "

"Onii-chan. "

"Yo-wa-i-ko-de (I'm so weak)."

"Gomen ne. "

I'm sorry I couldn't return anything to you.

Please grant my last wish.

Please become the happiest person in the world.

I hope what your hands grab

will, I sincerely hope, be

somebody's warm hands.

"Thank you. - Love, Ai"

"Love, Ai. "

Let's cross the pedestrian walk.

Masashi, hold hands.

No.

I don't want anyone Jumping out.

Understand?

"Dear Ai"

"To my most precious person. "

"Dear Toshi"

Hello? Is that you, Toshi?

This is the Motohama Police Station.

are you Miss Kadokura?

We have some bad news concerning Mr. Toshimi Iwasaki.

Can't you quit the porn?

Your body's not yours alone.

TO AOl

Your hand's so cold, Toshi.

Your poor blood circulation.

I wanted to treasure you

but instead, I destroyed you.

Mr. Ishikawa.

No money for you.

It's not that.

Then, return it.

Why don't you prostitute and pay back my 5 million?

Pay back all your life.

Don't you get it? Your body's not yours alone.

"YOU'VE GOT MIIL"

"FROM TOSHI"

To my most precious person.

Happy Birthday.

Knowing that you're alive... this alone makes me happy.

Even if we meet again

it'll probably be the same.

We'll inflict pain on each other.

We'll be angry, cry and laugh.

Still, I want to hold hands with you once again.

I'm no good without you.

Thank you for being born.

Toshi.

You got me!