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."

I see that you have taken many lives.

In my previous life?

No, the life before that.

When?

About 1,000 years ago.

In Kumano, Wakayama.

The World Heritage site?

Karma and retribution.

Death and rebirth.

I see that you'll be going on a journey of self-discovery.

Your mind is already made up.

Keep the change.

What do you see?

You're being led down the wrong path.

Only you can change your destiny.

Hello.

That was the first time

Gen came to my diner alone.

Peking duck.

I don't have that.

You're a real killjoy.

All right. Truffles.

Do you even know what that is?

Fine. Ramen!

I only have instant noodles.

What? That's a rip-off!

Where's the seaweed?

I'm out, sorry.

You're out?

You're out...

How can you have ramen without seaweed?

Hot!

It's hot!

I can't handle hot food.

Here.

I'll add seaweed to the ramen next time, I promise.

He gave a weak, uncertain smile before he left.

I had a feeling something was wrong.

That night, Gen stabbed the leader of a rival yakuza gang.

He vanished after that.

DINER

Thanks for the food.

TWO WEEKS LATER

Thanks.

Where are the other two?

They went to a mixer party without telling me about it.

Enough about them.

What happened to Gen?

He vanished.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised. He's a yakuza after all.

The yakuza take their honor and reputations seriously.

Gen was paying them back for what they did last time.

Ryu!

Kosuzu told me that

Gen never forgave himself for failing to protect Ryu.

He must have skipped town.

Of course.

Both the yakuza and the police are looking for him.

True.

So he did it to avenge Ryu?

He made a bigger mess of things if you ask me.

He could be at the bottom of Tokyo Bay by now.

What? I was just joking.

Come on, don't be so serious!

I hope he's all right.

Mr. Kenzaki.

We'd like to have a word with you.

What's the matter, kid?

Welcome.

Hello.

You're early today, Kosuzu.

I know. Come on in, kid.

He's so cute! Is he your grandson?

Oh, please.

He can't have kids, let alone grandkids.

-Right? -Who says I can't have kids?

He was standing out front.

Are you waiting for someone?

I figured I'd be able to meet my dad here.

Pleased to meet you. I'm Kenta.

You're my dad, right?

I have proof.

It's about Gen.

Where is he now?

If I knew, you'd be the first to know.

Sorry, no smoking here.

Look, we have better things to do.

We have crimes to solve.

We don't have time to waste on small fry like your gang.

Give up and turn yourselves in.

Here's your juice.

If Master isn't his father, who could it be?

The address is for this diner.

Master, I have a favor to ask.

Can you send a bowl of ramen to my bar?

Why don't you ask Mr. Chin instead?

I only have instant noodles, and they'll be cold before they get there.

It doesn't have to be hot. My customer can't handle hot food.

You're right. You're absolutely right.

There's no point eating cold ramen.

Forget I said anything.

I have to go back to my bar now. I'll drop in again later.

Kosuzu, you're leaving already?

I have something I need to take care of.

Okay, see you later.

Kids these days are a lot more mature than we used to be.

He doesn't have snot hanging from his nose.

Snot-nosed kids were never a thing, okay?

Hey, this kimchi is pretty good.

Are you hungry?

Would you like something?

Is that an abacus?

A peanut abacus?

That's amazing!

The peanuts are all the same shape and size.

It wasn't easy collecting them.

May I touch it?

Be careful with it.

Dusseldorf?

Where's that?

Germany.

Near where they found the Neanderthal bones.

Really?

So he's moving abroad with his parents.

But before he leaves Japan,

he wants to meet his real father,

the man who sends him a birthday card every year.

That's so sweet of you.

I don't know what my dad looks like. I don't even have his photo.

Ms. Yuki, long time no see.

Hello.

Like I said, it was about this big.

Master, ramen.

Sure.

Ramen again.

I've never had this many orders for ramen in a single night.

The noodles will be soggy if you wait that long to eat it.

I can't handle hot food.

Welcome.

Master?

I wanted to meet the customer who placed an order for my ramen.

Beer?

Yes, I know.

No one wants to drink with a loser like me.

Ryu has been covering for you. Don't you feel bad about it?

I knew you'd say that.

You didn't even flinch the first time I threatened you.

We can't undo the mistakes we've made.

But we can decide what we want to do about it.

No.

It's too late for me.

That's just an excuse

for those who don't want to try.

Thanks.

Wait.

Have ramen at my diner before you go.

I'll add seaweed today.

I promise.

Do you have a criminal record?

No.

You're clean? But you're a yakuza.

You have a problem with that?

It was just a stab wound, right?

Best case scenario, they'll charge you for assault and let you go on probation.

I'll hold you to that.

I mean, I think so. Right?

It's a shame we couldn't reunite him with his father.

I agree.

He came all the way here to look for him.

Hey.

Wake up.

Are you...

Are you Kenta?

Hello.

Nice to meet you.

What do you want to eat?

Ramen.

But they only have instant noodles here.

I don't get to eat it at home.

Mom doesn't like instant noodles.

Master, ramen.

Sure.

Do you like it?

I'm glad to hear it.

Can I see you again?

Sure.

I'll write to you next time. What's your address?

You can send your letters here.

DINER

Take care.

You too, Dad.

Ryu.

You don't have to look out for me anymore.

I'll turn myself in.

I'll go with you.

I'll write to you, I promise!

Don't forget to get his letters from the diner!

Is Christmas supposed to be a happy occasion?

I don't know. I forgot.

This is depressing.

Christmas only comes once a year,

but here we are, a bunch of social misfits with nowhere else to go.

Sorry.

Ryu!

Welcome.

They gave him probation.

Really?

I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused.

Look at that!

-Crab! -So many crabs!

Santa is real! Right, Master?

-Let's eat it now! -I can't wait!

-So many crabs! -All right!

We'll feast on grilled crab tonight!

It's a silent night, indeed.

You're leaving?

When I start to get comfortable,

I get the urge to go somewhere else.

It must be hard living like that.

I know. But I can't help it.

Here.

That should cover my tab.

Keep it.

You'll need the money for your expenses.

Take it, please.

I have a feeling this will be a longer journey than usual.

I see.

See you.

Sorry about your scar. I'll make it up to you, I promise.

Life is...

like the Modori River. You wander, lose your way, and come back.

Don't underestimate life.

Welcome.

I'll make anything you want

as long as I have the ingredients.

THE END

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENTA!

DON'T BE A PICKY EATER

SO THAT YOU STAY HEALTHY AND DON'T CATCH A COLD.

FROM YOUR DAD

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Subtitle translation by Chen Li Woon