Original subtitles

When people finish their day and hurry home,

my day starts.

PORK MISO SOUP COMBO BEER, SAKE, SHOCHU

That's all I have on my menu.

But I make whatever customers request

as long as I have ingredients for it.

That's my policy.

My diner is open from midnight to seven in the morning.

They call it "Midnight Diner."

Do I even have customers?

More than you would expect.

SHINJUKU GOLDEN STREET

For the last two days, this elegant old lady

has had her breakfast here at six in the morning.

Thanks for the food.

Do you mind if I smoke?

A meal isn't complete without an after-meal cigarette.

There's a smoking ban for most of Tokyo now.

It's such a drag.

They've tightened the laws lately.

I know of smokers who are in their nineties.

You die when you die.

Are you here for a vacation?

I left the family business to my son.

I'd rather not grow old and useless in the countryside.

Where are you from?

Higo, also known as Kumamoto.

But you don't have an accent.

I was born and raised in Tokyo. My late husband was from Kumamoto.

I'm staying in an apartment hotel nearby.

It's just a staycation, and I intend to take things easy.

The horse mackerel was delicious, especially for Tokyo.

Right? I had it delivered from a friend in Numazu last week...

Good morning.

Hello. Where did you come from?

I just finished my tour.

I took the midnight bus. My back is killing me.

Beer.

You should go home and sleep.

No, I need alcohol.

I've come to the conclusion that men only want women for their bodies.

That doesn't sound like you.

Hello.

You were on a tour? Are you part of a play?

No, I'm a dancer.

I'm Marilyn Matsushima, I dance for a living.

I'm pleased to meet you.

This machine sucks.

She gave me pachinko balls to play with.

I tried the machine she picked for me, and I hit the jackpot!

I feel so much better now.

Ms. Yachiyo, drink up. It's my treat today.

This is a diner.

You can only have three bottles of beer.

Come on, don't be stingy.

I'm in a good mood tonight, so let me celebrate.

What's your secret? How did you know which machine to play?

You can't be greedy.

When you're blinded by greed, you can't think straight.

You end up with bad machines.

She has the same problem with men.

Don't tease me.

Marilyn, welcome back.

Thanks.

When will you dance again? I'll send flowers.

Thanks. I'm taking a break for another three days or so.

I see.

I'd like to see you dance too.

Are you sure?

What kind of dance is it?

What kind? Well...

Where can I see her dance?

I'll show you.

Let's go, Ms. Yachiyo.

Master, thanks for the food. Keep the change.

Thanks for the food.

Here you go.

That woman looked familiar.

Ms. Yachiyo, come on!

-Let's dance! -I can't.

See? You've got this!

That's amazing, Ms. Yachiyo!

Ms. Yachiyo, that was incredible.

You're amazing.

My hard work paid off.

Were you a dancer too?

Well...

What is it? Come on, tell me!

You pick up a few tricks when you get to my age.

Ms. Yachiyo, this way.

-What is it? -Follow me. This way.

Ms. Yachiyo, listen.

I call myself a dancer,

but I'm actually a stripper.

I wasn't trying to hide it.

No.

I guess I did try to hide it.

SHINJUKU NEW ART

I performed at a new venue the other day.

It was in a small hot spring town.

I did my best to give them a good show,

but no one was interested in my dancing.

Strippers don't need dancing skills. They just have to strip.

But I still call myself a dancer, for the sake of my pride.

You must be famous.

I am.

The club entrance is always full of flowers when I perform.

That's amazing.

Do you want to have another drink at my place?

-Are you sure? -Of course.

Score!

-Hello, Marilyn. -Hello.

You're such good friends now.

Master, beer for starters.

Mari?

Wow, I didn't think I'd bump into you here.

You know Marilyn, Mr. Kazama?

We went to the same training school. We were in the same year.

Really? You should sit over here.

That's amazing, Marilyn.

Your former schoolmate is a famous celebrity.

Stop it, Mr. Komichi.

I had the pleasure of working with him a while back.

He's tall and handsome, the perfect model for my photos.

I see.

Mr. Kazama caught the eye of a Broadway director.

He's going to be in a Broadway musical.

Wow, you must be really good.

It's just a small role.

You're the main character's love interest. How is that a small role?

Well, yes.

May I?

Such lovely muscles!

Take me, please!

Sorry, but no.

How have you been, Mari?

Congratulations.

You're still at it, right?

Oh, sorry. You're not really a dancer now, are you?

I was really shocked, to be honest.

I never expected my ex to expose herself in public.

What's wrong with being a stripper?

You'll be in a musical? So what?

Let's go.

Wait!

Are you Rose Michiyo?

That's right! It's all coming back to me.

I knew you looked familiar.

You're Rose Michiyo!

-Unbelievable! -Is it really her?

Look at the curve of her neck, and those earlobes. It's her!

ROSE MICHIYO

Rose Michiyo.

About 40 years ago,

she took the world by storm and then vanished without a trace.

She was a legend among strippers.

Now that I think about it,

my obsession with strip clubs

began with you, Ms. Rose.

Don't call me Rose.

But how did you know?

Well,

I used to go to strip clubs.

I was trying to learn how to be sexy.

Of all the strippers I saw back then,

Rose Michiyo was the sexiest by far.

Why did you stop?

I missed you so badly.

I found someone, and I wanted to be with him.

I'm just a woman in the end.

You fell in love with him.

He must have been worth it.

He died soon after, unfortunately.

It's always the same story throughout history.

Women make plans, but they can never account for men.

My life has been quite the journey, but I'm retired now.

I do whatever I want, whenever I please.

Many people have seen my naked body.

But I raised my son with the money I earned.

There's nothing shameful about it.

Ms. Yachiyo.

Life is like the Nagara River, full of ups and downs.

I take my hat off to you.

If you want to come into my diner,

leave your pride at the door.

We'll come back another day.

You were in Shinjuku back then?

No, I was in Ikebukuro.

Oh, really? You mean, "Pond Bag" Ikebukuro?

My stick's gone, but I still have the bag.

Master, I'll have horse mackerel, butterflied.

Sure.

You must really like butterflied mackerel, Ms. Rose.

I used to be a stripper.

Opening up like a butterfly is our specialty.

Open sesame!

-That's a good one! -I love it.

But really, stop calling me Rose. My name is Yachiyo.

Okay, Ms. Yachiyo.

I can take it from here.

I'll walk you to the station.

I hate having to say goodbye at the station.

I'll just get a taxi.

Thanks.

Take care of yourself.

You too, Ms. Yachiyo.

Be proud of who you are.

See you.

Welcome.

-Hello. -It's 5,000 yen.

-Five thousand yen? -That's right.

WELCOME BACK, MARILYN

-Is Marilyn already on? -Don't worry, you're just in time.

-Here. -Thanks.

Thanks.

We've been waiting for this!

-Marilyn! -Marilyn!

Welcome back, Marilyn!

Marilyn!

Open sesame!

Marilyn unveils herself again today!

A round of applause, please!

Marilyn, we missed you!

-Marilyn! -Marilyn!

TO BE CONTINUED

River, skin. Ocean, flesh.

What?

It's a tip for grilling fish.

Grill freshwater fish skin-side first.

Grill saltwater fish flesh-side first. They'll taste better that way.

River, skin. Ocean, flesh.

Easy to remember, right?

Wait, what about salmon?

Salmon?

How do you grill salmon?

For salmon, you...

Before you start grilling,

heat the grill first to keep the fish from sticking to it.

-She dodged the question. -No, I didn't.

Goodbye.

-Good night. -Good night.

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Subtitle translation by Chen Li Woon