Original subtitles

April 2009

Pop, rock, classical,

jazz, folk,

enka, opera.

The world is full of songs.

Songs of happiness,

songs of passion,

songs of sadness,

songs of confusion,

songs of joy.

If I was to make a song about my life,

it would definitely be the blues.

I can't ride the bicycle blues.

Don't be too wary of the snake in the cup.

In other words, you can control the bicycle better

if you set aside your fear and just speed up.

Akiko-san~!

Weren't we supposed to meet at 3 o'clock?

Since I was going to your house, I thought I should check out the surrounding environment,

and arrived ahead of time.

You're well prepared.

We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country—its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps.

- That is Sun Tzu. - But of course.

You may want to commit it to your memory.

I will.

Oh... Miyuki.

This lady is going to be

Miyuki's

n-new...mother.

I've been meaning to tell you but I missed the timing.

Pleased to meet you.

This is my business card.

Housework, child rearing, tidbits of everyday life.

Due to lack of such skills,

there may be times I may cause you trouble.

However, being that I plan to earnestly do my best,

I would appreciate it if you would kindly consider a lasting relationship with me.

Miyuki. You're supposed to accept that.

Come on, Miyuki. Aren't you going to say hello?

No!

- Hey, Miyuki. - I don't like her!

Don't say that. Come on, be a good girl and...

I'm sorry. It's because I didn't tell her beforehand

that she was caught by surprise. Right? Miyuki. Come on, Miyuki.

Say hello, okay?

- No! - You don't mean that, do you?

- No! - Then

if you'll excuse me for today.

What? Are you leaving already?

It appears I'm disliked.

- That's not so... - If you can't win people over with your first move,

- that presentation is a failure. - Is that right?

I shall withdraw once and make plans for a different approach.

Also, I have this.

Miyuki-chan, please accept it.

Uh... I'm sorry about all this.

That's all right. Well then, goodbye.

Oh, then Akiko-san,

see you!

With footsteps like metronome

that don't miss a beat,

my stepmother

was a career woman.

Her name is Iwaki Akiko-san.

She works for our rival company. Look. In sales.

You know I'm in sales too, right?

That's the same too~.

And the way Akiko-san goes about her work

is really, truly amazing.

Her thorough research, rare analytical ability,

bold presentations!

The next model will be sure to reach the top of world share.

And her method of using every trick in the book.

President, I had it warming up for you.

Thanks. You're very thoughtful.

Shall I have it squashed?

Using every possible weapon and any means necessary,

once she sets her eyes on a proposal, she's bound to make it her own!

I look forward to working with you.

Her method of attack was that of Sengoku (period of warring states).

They call her the Sengoku Buchou of the metal industry, you know.

Don't you think she's amazing?

If someone like that became your mom,

I think you'd be invincible.

Oh, look at this.

Miyuki, she put furigana (ruby characters) by kanji characters.

So that Miyuki can read it too.

You learned it in school too, didn't you?

To put yourself in the other person's shoes.

She won't only be strong,

but I think she'll be a compassionate mom too.

Why don't we try reading this.

I have a mom already.

Thank you for the food.

But Miyuki, your mom's

already gone to a faraway place.

In which case it might not be a bad idea

for you to have a new mom to protect you.

That's what I think.

When I bought a bottle of this today,

I won two free bottles.

It's not that unusual to win one free bottle, but

two in a row is nearly impossible, right?

This is a miracle, don't you think?

The way I see it,

I think it's a sign from Mom.

Telling us to live happily with a new mom.

I don't think so.

Don't you think it's a sign telling us please don't forget about me?

Just so you know, I don't need a new mom.

I see, I see. All right.

But I'm going to marry her. Got it?

What are you going to do, Dad?

Mom doesn't like it either.

Look, you're making Mom cry.

Buchou (Department Chief)! Good morning.

Good morning, Taguchi-kun.

Iwaki-kun! Can you tell me your future outlook

in regards to the surcharge on raw materials?

The greater fluctuation in the price of copper...

Iwaki Buchou, in regards to the price of aluminum...

That darn Mitsutomo!

Coming up with an unnecessary proposal.

If you're a major corporation, act like one, I say.

Right? Miyamo-chan.

- Hey. - So close~.

- What's so close? - That license plate.

If it was 4, the numbers would have been in sequence.

It was so close~.

It was almost a miracle.

Miyamo-chan.

You're good.

Wait a sec, wait a sec...

- All right, let's go home, huh? - Oh...okay.

Buchou, I got the proposal ready for Harumi Seiki.

Thank you.

Buchou, if you'd like, I can go buy lunch for you.

Please. I'd appreciate that, Taguchi-kun.

Buchou, what are you doing with that?

I got an opportunity to interact with a child.

In order to get close to one's opponent,

one must first get to know the opponent.

So, what kind of bento would you like?

- I'll leave it to your discretion. - Got it.

Ryoichi-san

Hello.

Taguchi-kun! Cancel my lunch.

Got it!

- What can I get you? - Ice tea please.

Sorry to bother you at work.

Thank you for taking the time to come out during work.

How has Miyuki-chan been doing since?

Well... I've been trying to talk to her, but...

You're making Mom cry.

That's...that's just rain.

What do you like about a weird woman like her? Her face was all stiff.

Naturally, it's...

how she's good at her job.

Who do you like more, her or Mom?

I like...both of them!

After that, she said what do you mean you like both of them, and

I was like...reproached even more

than the time I inadvertently blurted out the bidding price.

I don't know what to do anymore.

If you don't mind,

shall I try explaining to Miyuki-chan?

No.

I'll explain it to her.

She's my daughter after all... So please wait a little longer.

All right.

Here's your order.

Would you like to eat with me?

Thank you.

Miyamo-san, do you have any correction tape?

Oh, sure.

You're really put on the spot when you run out of correction tape.

That's right. I'll just have to put her on the spot.

That's right.

Just put her in on the spot. Put her on the spot!

Oh, Miyuki-chan.

I wonder if your dad can't come today. Did he tell you anything?

It's already 7:00,

but I can't get a hold of him.

Do you suppose he's working overtime or something?

See how you like being put on the spot.

How come?

Why isn't Dad coming?

Miyuki!

I'm sorry for being so late.

I want a mom after all!

You do?

Maybe I should get going.

- Sensei. - Hey.

Were you in a situation where you couldn't even answer your phone?

Uh...some urgent work came up...I'm sorry.

Oh, where's Miyuki?

- She went home with Shimoyama-san. - What? I didn't ask Shimoyama-san

- to pick her up today. - Miyuki-chan made the call herself

and asked to be picked up. Poor thing.

Get your act together, Dad!

Miyuki~. I'm sorry.

Hi, Dad.

Do you want dinner? Or do you want to take a bath first?

What are you talking about?

Hurry up.

Come, come, come...

Shimoyama-san.

Oh, you're home.

I made dinner with Shimoyama Oba-chan.

- "Kazu-chan," right? - Right?

What's that supposed to mean...

Miyamo-chan.

You didn't go pick her up on purpose, right?

"Dad's trying to put me on the spot to make me say I want a mom,"

...she said!

- Is that what Miyuki said? - It's so obvious.

Is that right.

Why don't you cancel the marriage?

She seems to be really against it.

Don't worry about it, Mom.

It hasn't even been 3 years since Ai-chan passed away, right?

Isn't it a bit too soon?

Well, I suppose you could say so, but...

you know...

What? Did you fall that hard for that woman?

- No. - What?

- Huh? Oh, well, yes. - Huh?

H-head over heels.

I'm head over heels in love with her.

But you know, women are dime a dozen, but

you only have one daughter.

Think about it carefully one more time.

Well... okay.

See you.

You know, Miyuki...

I'll go start the washer.

Good morning, Dad.

Good morning.

Looks like if I work briskly, we won't need a mom, right?

In other words, you carried out starvation tactics

in order to get Miyuki-chan to admit defeat, but

was done in by her instead?

That's a good way to put it.

That's what happened.

Shimoyama-san's even coming to help everyday.

This past week, I haven't had to do a single thing.

Miyuki-chan must be desperate.

To keep any foreign body out of the house.

For God's sake, what should we do?

While I thought you might consider it uncalled for,

I thought of a plan as well.

- Adventure park? - Yes.

Can you bring Miyuki-chan to this adventure park?

Harumi Seiki is providing capital to this park, so

it wouldn't be unnatural if you tell her that they gave you admission tickets.

Are you saying we're all going there?

Yes. However,

please keep it off the record that I'm going as well.

If Miyuki-chan finds out,

she will undoubtedly refuse to go.

But why here?

It's the suspension bridge effect.

Suspension bridge effect?

When people meet in a situation in which they share the feeling of anxiety and fear,

psychologically speaking, it is thought that

it makes it easier for them to fall in love.

It is said that the attractions at this park are extremely terrifying.

And so, if Akiko-san

comes to Miyuki's rescue there...

I'm hoping Miyuki-chan would open up her heart a bit.

I see.

It's confusing, but don't make a mistake, okay?

This one's for Mon Techno, and this one's for Techno Mon.

This one's for Mon Techno, and this one's for Techno Mon, right?

Make sure you double check the shipping label when you deliver. They're in the same building, just different floors.

- Oh, you're right. - They used to be one company, but

the brothers had a fight and split up the company.

- It would be a big mess if you make a mistake. - Got it!

I'll give it my latest ("saikin") attention to deliver it!

- What's wrong? - Buchou.

Would you say "latest (saikin) attention"?

I think it's "close (saishin) attention."

We're here!

- Mon Techno, Techno Mon. - This way, everyone.

Mon Techno, Techno...

Tomoyo~.

- Hey, what're you doing? - I'm working.

- Mon San, Mon San. - Say.

I'm a little short on extras. Would you mind filling in?

- Huh? - No?

There's no reason...for me to say no!

Just a minute. Let me get rid of this real quick.

Wait for me.

- This place is supposed to be a lot of fun. - Yes!

That's what they say. All right! It's settled then.

All right!

She's not coming, is she?

No, she isn't.

In the first place, I only have two tickets.

You don't think this Dad will lie to you, do you?

I tell you, that's the truth.

Oh, what happened, Buchou? Weren't you entertaining clients tonight?

I had some work left that I wanted to wrap up today.

Then let me get you some coffee to sober you up.

Yes?

There's just one thing

I'd like to ask you to do.

I'm sorry for asking you to do something like this.

Not at all.

But you're done with the entertaining for today, right?

This is in preparation for tomorrow.

- You're entertaining clients tomorrow too? - Yes.

- Tomorrow is Sekigahara*. - You're going all the way to Sekigahara?!

* Refers to the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 which decided who would rule Japan

No. Only in the sense that it's going to be a crucial battle.

Excuse me.

Please continue.

Calm down, calm down.

Remember she's Buchou.

You don't have to do it if you don't want to.

Not at all. I'll do it! Only I can do it!

Then please continue.

I wonder if it will make Miyuki-chan smile.

Wow, Dad, Dad. Hurry, hurry.

- Where shall we start? - Let's see...

Where shall we start?

Um...

Oh, splash course.

- Yeah, let's do that. Hurry. - Let's go.

Let's go, let's go.

Go, Miyuki. Ready...

- One more time? - Yeah.

Come on, Dad. On to the next one.

Hurry, hurry...

Miyuki, I thought you were afraid of heights.

I'm all right.

Come on, let's go, let's go.

Dad, hurry.

- Miyuki. - Yes?

Is it all right if I go to the restroom real quick?

- What? - I'll be back right away.

So get in line and wait.

Okay?

Miyuki-chan.

What a coincidence. I didn't expect to see you here.

Where's your father? Did he go somewhere?

There are 18 restrooms within the park.

Walking around randomly will just get you lost.

Don't worry. I'm sure he'll be back right away.

Did you bring bento for lunch?

What's your favorite food, Miyuki-chan?

If you leave now, you'll lose your spot in the line!

- Please come in. - Okay.

We're coming in.

Go in please. Thanks for waiting.

What's this?

Makes you nervous, doesn't it?

No way... there's no way I'm doing this.

Are you all right?

Shall I give you a hand?

Miyuki-chan, you must not look down.

Only look forward.

Miyuki-chan. Forward. Look forward.

Miyuki-chan, you can't move forward sitting down.

I see.

Miyuki-chan!

Our attractions are scary, aren't they?

It's not only you, Miyuki-chan.

Kids go all out whether they're laughing or crying.

It was a complete miscalculation on my part.

Do you want to cancel our marriage?

Aren't you getting fed up with it already?

It wasn't particularly beneficial for you

to start with anyway.

Are you making fun of me?

Huh?

I don't have much to offer, but

at least I'm not so incompetent

as to waste unnecessary energy on something that's not of particular benefit to me.

That, I'm proud to say.

It may not come across clearly, but

I'm undertaking this marriage with the feeling

in my own mind that it's very beneficial for me.

Oh... is that right.

I see.

I just thought... I was the only one who wanted to get married.

- It makes me a little happy. - Not to put a damper on your mood, but

- that's not what I... - I know.

I know that very well.

But still, for some reason...

I'm happy.

But the bottom line is how is it beneficial, right?

To Miyuki-chan.

She has to somehow feel that it's beneficial to have me as her mother.

Yes, you're right.

Is there something Miyuki-chan's having a problem with?

- Something that's a problem... - If I can provide her with a solution,

she may feel somewhat of a benefit.

She has a hard time with math. And...

she said she wanted to learn to ride a bicycle.

- Anything else? - Hmm~ What was she saying?

Is there anyone else

besides you who's in frequent contact with Miyuki-chan?

Well, let's see...

Thank you.

Where did she go?

She said she's going home for today.

If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have gone on that thing!

I'll never forgive her!

I see.

You're the new wife?

The contract hasn't been effected yet.

Pleased to meet you. This is my business card.

You're a department chief?!

What? For Mitsutomo? Really~. That's really something. For someone so young.

Actually, there is something I would like Shimoyama-sama to kindly advise me on.

I can't take your side.

- I promised Miyuki-chan. - What did you promise?

That I'd be on her side.

As long as Miyuki-chan doesn't approve,

I can't be on your side.

I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave!

That's a nice piece of real estate.

The condo that's a 3-minute walk from the station.

When the marriage goes into effect, I'm considering moving too.

The current Miyamoto residence is a bit far from the station.

This one's for sale, you know.

Yes, I understand.

Well~ You seem to be a responsible person,

so it's not a bad thing for Miyuki-chan, is it?

Besides, who'd want to marry

a fiftyish man with a child.

So what were you asking?

It's about Miyuki-chan.

Is there something she's troubled about or having problems with?

Are you aware of anything?

Well, let's see.

Ah, Miyuki-chan

is perhaps being bullied.

Bullied?

She had eraser crumbs on her sweater the other day.

Wah, what's this?

I thought she must've got them on when she brushed them off,

but then, they were mostly on her shoulder part, so

I thought it was strange.

Mostly on her shoulder part?

There was a fair amount.

And so I tried to figure out how the crumbs would

just get on her should part.

This is just my speculation.

That luxury condo... hurry!

She doesn't look like a child who would be bullied.

Miyuki-chan...

she's shy when she's outside her own territory.

She comes out strongly towards adults she knows are her allies.

She's easily frightened too.

No way... there's no way I'm doing this.

But Ryoichi-san didn't seem to know anything about bullying.

Of course he wouldn't.

If she were to tell her father, it would become a big deal.

She probably

doesn't want to cause unnecessary worries for Miyamo-chan either.

Doesn't want to cause worries...

She knows how tough it is for a single parent.

Nerd

Get lost

I'm home now.

Is something the matter?

No. I am impressed with your keen insight.

Just go without it for today, okay?

What about brioche?

- No. - Brioche, I want brioche.

- Seriously, you're such a whiner. - All right!

- That's my mom. - Thanks.

- How many? - Two.

That's it.

Let us go.

Buchou! How did it go? The crucial battle at Sekigahara.

It didn't end up too well.

Did my drawing perhaps cause trouble?

In regards to that, it ended before I had a chance to present it.

Is that right. But it's unusual for you to have so much trouble.

It's a formidable client. I have decided to conduct further research.

Is there something I can help you with?

Shall I draw that again?

Then would it be all right if I don't accompany you to the meeting this afternoon with Mon Techno?

No problem! The meeting with Techno Mon... I mean Mon Techno, right?

That one's easy so you can just leave it to me!

Then I'll entrust them to you.

Bye. See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow. Bye.

Bye~. Bye.

Bye. Be careful.

- Bye. - Bye.

Bye. Bye.

Excuse me for bothering you at work.

I'm selling cookware for schools.

Uh...

I cannot believe I forgot to bring the pamphlets with me.

I shall come back again.

Hey, Ugly. You're sure ugly today too.

I bet you get lonely since you only have dad in your family. Huh?

You want me to play with you?

Miyuki-chan!

G-good thing you're ugly. You look the same when your face gets smashed up!

Let's go.

Miyuki-chan.

Are those the boys who are always bullying you?

I'm not being bullied.

Then what was it that I just witnessed?

They were just teasing me.

You were being used as a target for the ball, weren't you?

I wasn't being bullied!

Fine.

Then I'll tell Ryoichi-san that you weren't being bullied but

you were just being used as a target for the ball.

Why are you telling Dad?!

The fundamentals of a business are the 3 C's. Communicate, contact, consult.

A household isn't a business!

I do not wish to keep secrets from Ryoichi-san who is my future partner.

I am going to report that you were being bullied.

I told you I wasn't being bullied!

However, if the bullying stops,

there would no longer be any need to report it.

We're going.

Wait, let go.

Stop! I said no!

Let go of me!

If you know your enemy and know yourself, in a hundred battles you will never be defeated.

That is Sun Tzu.

You may want to commit it to your memory.

It means in order to

defeat the enemy, you must first do some research.

Pass, pass. Over here.

Go back, go back.

That boy must be the boss.

What is his name?

What is his name?

Hiroki.

It's coming! Hide behind me!

Hiroki-kun doesn't appear to be as bullish as he looks.

To the contrary, he seems thoughtful of his friends.

Does Hiroki-kun bully other children too?

What triggered the bullying?

Do you have any idea?

Were you being bullied from the beginning?

See you. Bye bye.

See you tomorrow.

Now then, Miyuki-chan. It's time to charge.

What?

You're going to negotiate and

tell him that you want him to stop bullying you.

M-me?

From what I've seen, theirs is a typical top-down group.

In a case like this, the fastest way is to negotiate with the boss.

Besides, that boss does not appear to be a double-dyed villain.

There's plenty of room to negotiate.

- What are you doing? - Reporting to your dad.

Stop it!

I said stop it!

The boss looked like that too.

When the ball hit Miyuki-chan in the face.

It's going to be fine.

In all likelihood, this negotiation will be a success.

Miyuki-chan, you can do it.

If it fails,

I will take the responsibility.

Go now.

Hiroki-kun!

What, Ugly?

Why am I the only one you bully?!

It's because you're ugly, of course!

Did I ever do anything to you?

Your ugly is the kind that pisses me off.

Why does my ugly piss you off?

Because you're not really ugly!

I know it's been tough for you after your mom died, but

you're always looking down and won't even answer me when I talk to you.

That's because you call me ugly!

- I didn't call you ugly at first. - You did too.

- Did not. - Did too.

- You be quiet, Ugly! - You called me ugly.

- Ugly! - You did. Fatso liar.

I never did, Ugly!

Is this Akiko-san?

I've been trying to think of something that Miyuki's been having trouble with, but

nothing's been clicking.

That matter has been already been closed.

Although there is no guarantee that

Miyuki-chan will find it beneficial to her.

I'm not quite sure I understand.

In any case, let's just wait and see how it goes.

All right.

I'm sorry, but I'm getting a call from work.

I'll talk to you later.

Taguchi-kun, did something happen?

Buchou! Help.

Please help me!

- Don't copy me! - I'm not copying you.

- Okay, we're done. - We're not done yet.

I said we're done!

You're really useless, aren't you?

Why did the estimates get switched?

Either he put Techno Mon's estimate in Mon Techno's envelop,

or the bike courier switched them when he delivered them.

So it was discovered that the unit price proposed to Mon Techno

was higher than the unit price proposed to Techno Mon, and

they're infuriated. Is that correct?

It wasn't me!

I'm positive that guy made a mistake. It's that guy!

That "latest (saikin) attention" bike courier!

What difference does that make now!

She's going to be Miyuki's new mom.

Miyuki-chan. Only look forward.

Miyuki-chan, you can do it.

Miyuki.

Dad, give her a call.

Just call her.

I really did double check over and over before I put them in the envelops.

- I know. - I knew I couldn't make a mistake

- so I really checked over and over... - I know.

Either go to sleep or think of a plan to recover from this setback.

China?

She went to China?

According to someone in her office,

work-related trouble arose and

she flew to headquarters in China for negotiations.

The fastest way is to negotiate with the boss, right?

What?

Did you meet with Akiko-san?

- No. - Oh.

Five 7's.

It's a miracle.

Shanghai, China

I saw an amazing license plate today.

It had not three but five 7's.

It must mean that Akiko-san and Miyuki are going to get along, don't you think?

Dad.

What's the matter?

What's this?

Even her letter's strange.

This is what you call a resume.

It's something you submit to say "I want to work for your company!"

You want to work for a company?

That's right.

How have you been, Sir?

Akiko, what happened?

I may be able to get a hold of the Muramasa sword.

What would you like me to do?

I seem to recall you saying that you wanted it.

The purchases being made by the two branch offices in Japan,

please manage them centrally from Headquarters in the future.

Your company can expect to cut down costs considerably.

Here are the details.

What's wrong?

I can't do it!

Miyamoto Miyuki

"Notice of Acceptance"

Dear Miss Iwaki,

I hope you have been doing well.

Thank you very much for your recent application in response to

our mother wanted ad.

After careful consideration,

we have decided to accept your application

and hence, we are hereby notifying you.

Accordingly, we ask that

you leave your house* (*she uses the character "to become a monk" here)

as described below.

Become a monk...

Taguchi-kun.

A woman who says she's Miyuki-chan's friend is here.

A woman, you said?

She's at the front door, saying she wants to see you.

Do you know this person?

Only her guardians can pick her up unless you're registered.

We have to be careful of suspicious people.

I see.

Then I'll give up picking her up.

I'm sorry.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to convey my feelings to you.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart

for accepting my application recently. In that regard,

I would like to express my sense of gratitude to you.

Thank you!

Peep, peep.

Thank you. Peep, peep.

Thank you! Peep, peep.

Come take a look at Akiko's belly performance.

Thank you. Peep. Peep, peep...

Miyuki-chan, you know her, right?

I don't know her.

Thank you! Peep. I'll do my best.

Thank you!

I don't know at all!

I don't know her!

And thus began the bluesy life of my stepmother and me.

But the real reason for this marriage

that came about suddenly

was totally unknown to me yet.