Original subtitles

What do I do? What do I do?

What's wrong?

Oh!

There's somebody I don't know in my home!

It must be a robbery!

This is him! The robber!

Huh?

Another week of Chikara half-standing.

What exactly is going on here?

Isn't that her grandson, Takuya?

It looks like Takuya-kun's parents have passed away.

Is that why the two of them are living together?

What are you doing? Hurry up and do something!

Huh? But...

What am I supposed to do?

Is Kiyoe-san in a panic because of something?

Or is this a slightly too intense fight?

Wait... Could it be an emergency drill for when a robber comes?

Of course not.

Alright, I get it, quit your yapping!

The door was unlocked so I just came in to take some spending money.

You're still in high school, aren't you?

Don't you think your parents will be disappointed?

Yeah, yeah. Sorry.

I was so scared...

It's such a relief that you were here.

Oh... I didn't do anything.

Huh?

Where's Takuya?

- Huh? - Huh?

Takuya?

Eh?

He was here a second ago...

Huh?

Um...

Your grandma...

Sorry about that.

My grandmother has dementia.

Oh... I thought that might be it.

She was diagnosed 2 years ago,

and until now, she's gotten by on medicine...

But this is the first time she hasn't recognised my face.

Could it be... you're looking after your grandma on your own?

We're a family of two.

And she's been looking after me since I was little.

"W... What a reliable young man!" Chikara thinks in admiration. But...

Um...

Can you please not tell her about what happened?

Huh?

She's strict on herself,

so if she found out that she hurt me,

she'd be upset and blame herself.

So...

Takuya! What are you doing out here?

Right. I was just going for a walk.

It's cold, what if you get sick?!

Your entrance exam is next week.

I know, sorry.

Who are you?

I'm Nakagoshi from downstairs.

Do you need something?

Oh, no... I was just having a chat with your grandson.

So he went along with it on the fly and pretended he was a robber?

Yeah.

He's so responsible for a high school student.

It'll be tough on him though, without his parents.

Right.

Do you think he can take care of her on his own?

Isn't there anything I can do for them?

Stop!

Listen, Chikara-kun.

Dementia is a delicate issue.

It's not so simple that we can just do something about it.

You're right.

Thanks for the food!

Bye!

Huh? Wait Kotaro, you're forgetting your bag!

Nonsense! How careless of me!

Why are you in such a rush, Kotaro?

Starting today he's going to walk to school with Yoshimi-chan from next door.

Huh?

He's all excited about how he's going to protect her.

Really?

Is that why you're using samurai language?

Indeed!

That's what he says, but there's a 99.9% chance that he likes Yoshimi-chan.

I... I must be going! Excuse me!

That's right, Airi. Have you finished your composition?

You have to read it at the parents' day next week, right?

Oh? Really?

I already wrote it.

- What's the theme? - "My dream for the future".

Where is it?

I wonder what Airi's dream is...

[My dream for the future. There are 0 things I want to become.]

Huh? Is that it?

Yeah.

Surely there's something else?

You know...

Like... "I want to be like my parents."

10 percent of me wants to be like Mama. 0 for Papa.

- Huh? - Why?

Mama does her best at work and at home

but she's exhausted and busy every day.

Papa only thinks about other people.

It's dubious whether he even thinks about his own life.

After her birthday last year, when she demanded her underwear be washed separately from her dad's,

these statements from his daughter started to become more prominent.

Yes, this is Nakagoshi.

Ahh! I'm so sorry.

I'll definitely have it done by tomorrow, no, the day after that.

I'm really sorry.

What's wrong?

This is bad. I forgot about the deadline!

I've been meaning to ask for a while now.

Was this job your dream?

Huh?

Is it fun being a ghostwriter?

You don't want to write your own book?

Wow, nice work as always.

How did you turn that boring bragging into such a moving story?

Nakagoshi-saaan?

Sorry. I stayed awake for two nights.

Keep this up for the next one.

Okay.

The sushi chef from Africa is going to release an autobiography...

Um...

We talked about it a little before but...

What about writing an original book?

Huh?

I'd really like to write my own book soon.

Well...

Let's consider it more of a long term goal.

One step at a time, okay?

Chikara stoops over, about to call out to her.

What if she asks about what happened?

Takuya-kun told me to keep it a secret...

I guess I shouldn't for today.

Ahh... But...

Kiyoe-san looks so lonely.

Um... Can I sit next to you?

Oh, you're...

I'm Nakagoshi, I live downstairs from you.

Nakagoshi Chikara.

Oh! That's right, Chikara-san.

Yes.

So did I...

Yes?

...do something to my grandson?

She is asking!

Why do you ask?

Takuya has been acting strange lately.

He won't answer when I ask what happened,

and I feel like he's avoiding me somehow.

Really?

If you know anything, could you please tell me?

Huh? But I...

Should I say it or not?

Considering Kiyoe-san's feelings,

I also think it might be better to tell her the truth,

but what if it hurts her instead?

Let's go with the underhanded method of answering a question with a question.

So, you and Takuya-kun...

Has it always just been you two?

His parents passed away in the earthquake.

So I took him in when he was 7.

I see.

When we started living together, he said to me...

Did mum and dad get washed away because I was a bad boy?

I'll be a good boy from now on

so please don't go away too!

Ever since then,

he's really done his best at school and at home...

And it looks like he'll get into the university he wants to...

If he has his own happy family one day...

No matter what happened,

I wanted to stay healthy until I saw that happen, but then...

I did do something, didn't I?

Please! Could you tell me?

But...

You can't escape this time, Chikara.

That aside, what a beautiful family, looking out for each other.

That's exactly why he can't say anything rash.

Aww... Can't someone say it for me?

As he was thinking that, what he ended up saying was...

Huh?

Have we met somewhere before?

Huh?

Where was it again? Um...

I feel like it was quite a long time ago.

I used to teach in a primary school... Were you one of my students?

I remember most of their faces, though...

I don't think so... I remember all of my teachers since primary school too.

When I was in year 1, I had Tada-sensei,

in year 3, it was Hirose-sensei...

From year 5...

After that, he talked on endlessly about his past teachers

and managed to dodge the question.

I really shouldn't stick my neck in anymore...

More importantly, I have to write my own book...

You keep saying that,

but can you actually do it?

Be honest. Say you can if you can. Say you can't if you can't.

Then I'll give the job to someone else.

I had finally worked up the motivation...

Sheesh, can't you talk outside?

Actually, if you're acting like you're so good at your job,

you should realise that everyone is annoyed!

Sorry isn't good enough!

Should I try scowling a bit?

Ahh... I think I'd lose in a fight, though...

At times like these... Can't the staff say something?

Say that again. Say it so that I can hea--

Are you a child? How long have you been a working adult?!

Excuse me.

Can you please stop talking in the cafe?

Wait a minute.

I'm sorry. I'll say it next time.

Oh, it's Yoshimi-chan!

Has your dad done anything to you since then?

Let's see... It's not "Help".

What is she saying?

I...

am...

good.

Kotaro. The semaphore flags you gave her are helping!

Hm? Is blue her lucky colour today?

They're not picking up again.

Maybe that's why even her expression seems a bit blue.

Chikara feels a bit proud of his pun.

They were talking with serious looks last time too.

Did something happen?

Huh? Wait...

There were 3 of them last week. One's missing.

It's another different man today.

What are they doing all the time?

I want to see a bit more!

Oh, Kamijo-kun.

Who is he on the phone with?

Is he really the serial murderer Boy A?

What if he's actually a terrorist...?

Takuya-kun is working hard for his exams.

He really seems like a diligent, nice young man.

Because of their consideration for each other, it feels like they're suffering more and more.

What?!

So you're saying, you want to hold a home party in our small place,

and invite Kiyoe-san and her grandson?

So that we can tell them if they need any help, they can always come to us.

In a casual way.

Takuya-kun seems really busy with his entrance exams too.

I understand being worried about him.

I tried looking into it and there are more and more young carers these days.

"Young carers"?

Minors who might not have parents, who have to take care of their family.

A lot of them have to give up on continuing their studies because of it.

Right. That's why I'd like them to have some of your delicious karaage

and forget about their worries for a little while.

It's a good opportunity to invite Yoshimi-chan and her family too. Right, Kotaro?

Huh?

I... I'm fine either way...

Wouldn't you like that too, Airi?

Do whatever you want. I'll be reading in my room.

Don't say that...

Ah, wait... Come on!

Please, Akari-chan!

No!

Why?

1. I'm busy on weekends.

2. I can make other delicious foods besides karaage.

3. I don't think they would all come.

4. Even if they did, I can only see it going badly.

Do you understand?!

Don't say that...

Chikara, the worst giver upper in Japan, thinks.

If Takuya-kun and Yoshimi-chan said they were coming,

maybe my wife wouldn't be against it?

But if I did that without permission,

Akari-chan would probably be angry...

Ow!

I'm sorry! I did it again...

- Are you okay? - I'm fine.

I'm totally fine.

- Excuse me. - Wait!

What is it?

Um... If it's alright with you,

would you like to come over for dinner?

Since I haven't gotten to introduce the rest of the family and all.

But...

What do you say, Yoshimi-chan? I think my Kotaro would be happy.

My husband said not to associate with your family anymore.

Wait, Tatsuyo-san...

Ow...

Wait, excuse me!

Thank you...

Good evening.

Good evening.

Ahhh!

W... What's wrong?

I was going to cook karaage but I forgot to buy chicken!

Oh...

Please, dig in.

My wife's karaage is really exquisite.

There are other dishes I'm good at making too, though.

Go ahead.

- So, itadakumasu! - Itadakimasu!

Nice one, Akari-chan.

What else could I do? She said she was going to go back to buy chicken.

So... Us too...

What year are you in, Airi-chan?

I'm in year 6.

Oh right. Have you written anything else in your composition for parents' day?

No, nothing.

Huh? Then...

Why not have Takuya-kun help you?

What?!

The theme is your dream for the future?

It's okay!

You don't have to say that... Right?

Spiderman.

Huh?

My dream.

Oh.

Superman is okay too.

- And... - We get it. Let's eat, Kotaro.

Do you have a dream for the future, Takuya-kun?

Eh?

No... Not really...

- It's his dream to become a teacher. - Really?

He's always been saying he wants to be like me.

Really?

You'd make a great teacher!

Thank you.

So... About that...

I thought it might be nosy of me, but...

I looked for some materials that might be helpful for you two.

I relatively have a lot of free time.

so I could go to visit the centres with you too.

You see...

His only talent is listening to people talk.

We went to the same university,

but when we met again after we graduated,

I was feeling depressed over a mistake I made at work.

He listened to me complain for 5 hours!

Is that why you two got married?

Well... sort of.

Becoming neighbours must have been some kind of fate

so if you're in trouble, won't you please talk to us?

If there's something else you want to know, I can look into it!

I already know all of this!

Can you please leave us alone?

Takuya and I have been trying not to bother anyone else.

But if something like before happens again, it will be bad for your grandson...

Something like before?

Oh... That's...

Something did happen, didn't it?

Please tell me!

I can discuss anything with you, right?

That's true, but...

You mistook me for a robber, Grandma.

What?

So you asked Chikara-san to help you.

Oh... I see...

I'm sorry for causing you trouble.

I didn't mean...

I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

Kiyoe-san...

Can you please let her be now?

But...

Thank you for dinner. It was delicious.

Papa...

You're always butting into other people's problems,

but doesn't that just mean you're running away?

Because by doing that, you don't have to face your own problems.

Airi... You went too far.

Apologise.

I'm running from my own problems?

There was no need to put it like that, Airi!

And Akari, you were half laughing while telling her off, weren't you?

That means you think so too, right?

Alright, fine!

All of you can just suit yourselves!

Ah!

I did it again.

Back to work...

I... I'm not going to look.

Kiyoe-san! Are you okay?!

It's Nakagoshi!

Please open the door, Kiyoe-san!

Nakagoshi-san!

Manager!

Open it, quick!

Kiyoe-san!

Kashiwagi-san, are you okay?

What do I do?

It's a fire! It's a fire...

Are you alright, Kiyoe-san?

I was trying to fry some tempura...

I think this is probably the cause.

A slipper?

Who put something like that in there?

What happened?!

Well, I'll go report this to the management company.

Okay.

That's dementia, isn't it?

Oh... Yes...

What a problem.

I wish they'd move out.

Sorry about this.

When I spoke arrogantly to you last time.

It's okay.

I'm going to quit.

Huh? Quit what?

[Tabakyo University 2nd Round Entrance Exam Ticket]

Hey, wait!

I'll look for a job I can do from home

and stay with my grandmother from now on.

But it's your dream, right? To become a teacher like Kiyoe-san.

It's fine.

I have to pay her back for looking after me after my parents died.

In the end...

This is my fate.

I'm home!

I told you, fold the shirts like this.

Right...

And Chikara-kun...

Your socks.

Ah!

I'm sure you're worried about Kiyoe-san and Takuya-kun anyway.

I haven't even seen them the past 2 or 3 days.

Just for reference,

Takuya-kun was standing around in the foyer.

I asked if something happened and he said he was okay,

but he definitely wasn't okay.

Grandma? Where are you? Please call me back.

Did Kiyoe-san go missing?!

When I said I wasn't going to take the exam, she stopped talking to me.

Just now when I got home from school, she was gone...

Don't tell me she's started wandering now...?

Let's ask the people in the building first.

Um... Do you need something?

This person has gone missing. Have you seen them?

We've been too busy for that.

Excuse me, Kitsugi-san.

The grandma from 503 has gone missing.

Have you seen her?

Are you still doing that stuff?

Shouldn't you figure it out by now?

You're bothering everyone.

I just think that since we're neighbours,

I want us to get along...

Oh my! What's wrong?

The grandma from upstairs has gone missing.

Have you seen her?

Oh, I know.

Really?

I'll know once I divine it.

Huh?

Hello?

How are you going over there?

I'm searching the direction Yoriko-san divined,

but I can't find her at all.

North.

She's definitely north.

I see... We'll keep searching here a bit more.

I'm sorry for bothering you.

No, I'm sorry for upsetting you the other day.

I think you probably remind my husband of himself.

What do you mean?

When Chikara-kun was in high school, his mother had a stroke.

His father did his best to look after her,

but she ended up passing away in under a month.

Then his dad became empty inside.

He knew, painfully, how he felt, so he left him alone for a while.

Then next...

His dad committed suicide.

Huh?

Chikara-kun regretted it so badly.

He wished he talked to him more.

He wished he asked him how he felt more.

That's why when he sees someone in pain,

he can't leave them alone now.

It's more of a habit than kindness.

Like how a tuna dies if it's not swimming.

Oh...

That's Boy A from 601, Kamijo-kun.

Or so the rumours say.

Huh?

Isn't the thing on his back a delivery bag?

Oh good! He's not a terrorist!

Excuse me!

Have you seen this person?

Oh... It's okay if you don't know anything.

- I saw her. - What? Where?!

As Chikara thinks "This is the complete opposite of the direction Yoriko-san told me"...

Kiyoe-san!

I was looking for you.

Did you get lost? We can go home together.

Takuya-kun is worried too.

Do you know me? I live downstairs--

I know that.

I'm not wandering.

Huh? So...

Kiyoe-san is trying to kill herself.

This is better for Takuya.

If I die now, I can leave him money.

And I won't have to make him suffer even more than now.

That wouldn't--

After the earthquake,

when we started living together, he said this to me.

"Did mum and dad get washed away because I was a bad boy?"

"I'll be a good boy from now on"

"so please don't go away too!"

Kiyoe-san is telling the same story as before.

It looks like he'll get into the university he wants to...

If he has his own happy family one day...

I wanted to stay healthy until I saw that happen, but then...

Chikara panics. She's serious.

Ahh, but what can I say at a time like this?

Just when he was thinking that...

Ah! I remembered!

We really have met before!

Was it the year of the earthquake?

I saw you struggling to walk...

Are you okay?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I twisted my ankle.

You told me back then too.

I just recently took in my grandson but he asked me...

"Did mum and dad get washed away because I was a bad boy?"

I don't know how to put it, but...

It's true that you will feel distressed because of your illness

and cause inconveniences for Takuya-kun.

But isn't it also true that you love him from the bottom of your heart

and want to stay together from now on too?

It's also true that Takuya-kun is grateful to you for raising him well,

and that he wants to repay you from now on.

I like that truth more.

And I hope that you treasure that truth more

and never forget that at least!

Sorry for saying I don't want you to forget!

But that's what I really think!

Are you okay?

Sorry...

After hearing what you said, my knees just gave way...

Let's go home.

Takuya-kun is waiting.

Ahh!

I remembered!

What did you remember?

That time, your back was so warm.

Maybe I'll ask Takuya to carry me next time.

He's never done it before.

Sounds good.

When we started living together, he said this to me.

"Did mum and dad get washed away because I was a bad boy?"

"I'll be a good boy from now on"...

As Kiyoe-san told the same story again,

Chikara acted like it was the first time he'd heard it and responded to her.

Oh? He did?

That's not a trouble at all for this man.

My grandmother did that...?

I could see, so much that it hurt, that all she wants is for you to be happy.

She was so happy that you grew up to be such a good boy.

I'm not a good boy.

Huh?

These days I get incredibly irritated.

Why am I the only one who has to go through so much pain?

I lost my parents in the earthquake,

so why does Grandma have to get dementia?!

Screw that! This is unfair!

And I got really pissed off seeing your kids the other day.

They don't know how lucky they are.

Living so comfortably without a worry in the world.

Oh...

That's not all.

Ever since she got dementia, I've been thinking.

Can she die soon?

Then I'd be free to live how I wanted.

Do you get it now? This is how terrible I am.

This is how I am...

So don't call me a good boy!

All Chikara could do

was stay with Takuya-kun until he stopped crying.

Not finding that a trouble at all

is another one of this man's few talents.

It had started to rain before he knew it.

It felt like the tears Takuya-kun and Kiyoe-san had been holding in for 11 years since his parents passed away.

The next morning, Chikara was worrying.

Just like with Yoshimi-chan's abuse,

again, the fundamental problem hasn't been solved at all.

Ow ow ow ow ow!

What's wrong, Chikara-kun?

Well...

I lent Takuya-kun my shoulder all night.

Oww...

Another day with 0 coolness.

Come on you two, you'll be late!

- I'm going! - See you later!

Wait, Kotaro! You forgot your bag again!

No, no! How careless of me again!

Bye~

Chikara-kun. I'm in a rush today so I'm going.

[I can't make it to parents' day so can you go please? -Akari.] [You can come, but don't expect anything. -Airi.]

This is it!

What are you doing?

Airi? What are you doing?

I forgot my composition.

Oh... I was going to give this to Kiyoe-san.

[Don't use the microwave when alone]

[Take your phone when you go out]

You know, if you have little goals, they say it can slow the progress of the illness.

[Let's see the sakura together in spring]

[Let's see the fireworks in summer]

So next is... autumn?

What do we do in autumn?

Oh, that's right.

Chikara starts stooping once again.

He thought it was a great idea when he wrote them,

but just like a love letter written at midnight,

it might just bother the receiver.

But since I've already written them...

Ahh! What should I do?!

Someone tell me!

Why are you here, Akari-chan?

Sorry to bother you so early.

I think my husband wants to talk to you guys again.

- Oh... - I have to run now.

Huh? Wait, you're going?!

So...

This is great timing. I wanted to talk to you, too.

Grandma! Chikara-san came.

I'm coming in.

Actually, I...

[Turn the page of the calendar at the end of the month!] [Bring an ecobag when you go shopping!!]

[When the bell rings pick this up]

We talked it over.

No matter what happens from now on,

we're going to support each other and not give up.

That's right. Even if I didn't step in,

[When it gets hard, let's go look at the stars]

[Let's tell each other how we feel instead of hiding it]

these two would have definitely...

found a way to overcome this trial.

So, we wanted to ask you a favour.

What is it?

Is this okay?

[If you're in trouble, call Chikara-san]

O-Of course!

And since it helps to prevent progress of the illness,

I want to play piano at the same time every day.

Right...

You're always watching from the cafe on the other side, right?

If I'm not playing, could you come over?

Okay.

It's a song Takuya's parents liked.

Is that so?

Sorry. I have to go!

Huh? Where to?

Good luck!

I'm going.

Be careful!

Listening to Kiyoe-san's piano, he couldn't help but pray.

For these two to stay happy for even one second longer.

Also... Something's been bugging Chikara for a while.

He feels like he's forgetting something important...

[Don't run in the corridor]

I'm going to work hard towards that starting now.

I'm still inexperienced and it's a far-off dream,

but I'll definitely become a soccer player so I would be grateful if you would support me.

Next is Nakagoshi-san.

Okay.

I don't have a dream.

Normally at times like these, people might write that they want to be like their parents,

but I don't want to be like my mum, let alone my dad.

My dad runs from his own problems

and only worries about other people.

He's always worrying about if there's something he can do for them.

I don't think I could ever become a person like that.

But...

There are lot of people in the world running away from themselves.

People like that relax and only do things that benefit them.

Probably only 0.01% of people in the world are like my dad...

But if about 1% of people were like that,

I think the world might become just a bit better.

Thinking about it rationally, the contents weren't that nice,

but Chikara was touched.

- Next is Hamada-san. - Okay!

She really is a good girl.

Oh, Kotaro.

Hey! Aren't you going home together?!

It's easier to protect her like this.

But it'd be more fun to talk at the same time, wouldn't it?

It is not the time for that yet.

Don't say that. Yoshimi-chan!

Kotaro said he wants to walk home with you.

Eh?

I... I never said that!

Despite the way he acts, he's not a bad guy.

That's right. There's one more good kid over here!

Akari-chan. What do you think?

- Oh, you did it well. - Right?!

You can leave folding the laundry to me from now on!

I can understand enjoying this happy feeling for a little while,

but don't get involved with other families anymore, okay?

I know!

From now on, I'm going to write my own book,

and do my best to make everyone happy.

Is it Yoshimi-chan?!

What's the matter?

Please help me!

Huh?

Please hide me!

Hey...

Tonari no Chikara subs by mottofreaky