Original subtitles

It's late, father

Huh, still wearing those? I think school starts today...

Yeah

Well, shall we eat then?

Yeah

Itadakimasu

Itadakimasu

HAPPY DINING TABLE

Ah, you'll be having eggs too, father

From today...

I will give up being a father

What?

As of today, I will give up being a father

Dear me

That was on an April morning in the third year since the incident...

Star-pupil Nao-chan had taken up farming, without going to college

Mother, who valued family so much, had left home

And today, father had given up being a father

It was the third declaration I'd heard at the dining table since that day

Today the 2005 academic year will begin

At the March graduation ceremony I spoke to each of you...

about your frame of mind from April

We welcome the new year and I trust that everyone...

is feeling imbued with mental freshness

Uh, don't bother with that. Just the surname's fine

Why?

Bengaku ["Study"]

It's a fine name

- You're OK with "Bengaku"? - Yes...

Hello, I'm Oura

Over there will do

Nakahara is class rep, so get her to help you

OK

Alright, at last it's the final year

So as not to catch a cold early in the new term,

everyone buckle down and study for all you're worth

Nice one, Sensei

Way too obvious...

Get used to it and it won't bother you

I'm here

Oh?

Ah, right... the first day of term

Here you are

Soba?

Yep, fried with onion, with soy sauce and cream

Gross

Itadakimasu

How is it?

Not sure

Itadakimasu

Hmm? It might be tasty

Really?

Yeah

How did you get so full of ideas?

I couldn't really experiment with family meals

I see

Listen, did you hear about father giving up being a father?

Giving up being a father?

I got a report that he'll quit teaching

He said he'll quit teaching and give up being a father

Oh dear, he must be busy

Well, hurry and eat, your mother has to go to work

I'm home

Play a tune I know for once

Huh, you don't remember this? Hiroshi-san often used to sing it

"Hiroshi"?

Hiroshi-san. He's not father any more

Ah... and where is that Hiroshi-san?

Taking a stroll. He said he'd never do that when he was working

I see... oh, you're home early today

I wanted to ease your concerns about our finances

Way to go!

It's great!

Your textbook?

Then, we'll share?

You want to?

Well, it doesn't mean I want to, but...

It's hard to follow without a textbook

I suppose it's awkward if you don't know what your neighbour's like?

I'm clear about you

Eh... "clear"?

Nakahara!

What?

I'll compete with you

Huh?

Your brother is the legendary prodigy Nao Nakahara

From here he went to Nishi High and in three years got only top grades

Apart from music

I feel at ease

By competing against his sister I'll improve my chances of success

"chances of success"?

My parents want me to enter Nishi High, they've bought a house in this area too

They were delighted, when I said I'm sitting next to you

I'm not sure I can go to Nishi High

Huh!?

Well, I do want to go, but...

You say "but" a lot

Anyway, we'll be friends and rivals from now on. You're quite amiable

Is that alright?

OK, but...

See! "but" again

Anyway, I've got cram school

It's tough. We live right at the edge of the school district

Where?

Ishibashi

Really? That's quite a way. Have a good trip back

Itadakimasu

Deep down, I've wondered about it since at least the 5th grade,

why it is that we all have to be present at breakfast

Well, mother came up with that

But...

everyone always declares their worries and important decisions in the morning,

so I have to face the day ahead having gotten a shock...

or with a depressed feeling

I see. I guess I won't tell you then

Huh? You've something to say?

Today, I'm going to introduce my precious one

Eh!? You're in love again? But why at a time like this?

"like this"?

Not only is father not a father any more,

mother isn't around either

No problem, this one won't care about that

I'm home

Huh?

Ah, there... is Christine

Cute, I think

Your "precious one"?

Right

Hey, Christine laid an egg!

Eh?

At last, she laid an egg!

Oh really, finally?

'Morning

Oh, 'morning

'Morning

Ah, thanks

Three of us again

Itadakimasu

What is it this time?

You've something to say?

Oh, that was it

Well then

I think I'll go to college

But you've already graduated

I'd like to study something else a bit further

Well...

at any rate, it's wonderful to begin something new

And Sawako?

Then you're now a rōnin student

I've finally found my station in life

So that's it, I'm desperate to study

I wanted to give this a try

The rainy season...

Mackerel again

You don't want it?

'Cause the skin pattern's gross and on top of that the stomach's like jelly

That's natural to mackerel

It was served broiled the other day. Japan's seas must teem with mackerel

You know, school canteens mostly use mackerel imported from Norway

Then why is it served month after month?

Because it's cheap and the shape is uniform

Do they teach you that stuff at cram school?

Don't be silly!

I wonder how we can get mackerel off the school menu?

For today I'll dispatch this for you

It's perfect, I don't do breakfast

You don't?

You eat breakfast?

Yeah, we all eat it together, sort of...

Really? My father's never around at meal times

I see

Our family's fallen apart

Father thinks only of his job. Mother's only bothered about my grades

My brother's into stag beetles

- Stag beetles? - Yep, stag beetles

Nakahara

What?

Are you feeling out of sorts today?

I'm home

Welcome back. So rainy season's here

Father?

He's studying. Give me a hand

Y'know

Yes?

I guess our family's fallen apart

Why? I think it's a frightfully nice household

But... father's given up being a father and you're living separately from us

It's no problem

Father watches over you without taking the precise perspective of a father

And your mother loves you even if she's left home

That's weird

You know actually, being separated has it's good points

Living together, you may fail to notice things

In contrast when you're separated you become attentive

I see

OK, it's done

I have to go to work. Cook this once more before you eat it

Yeah

Mother

Thanks for coming

You're welcome. I haven't given up being a mother

Mother, an ambulance!

Why...

Hey, you have to call an ambulance!

Why?

Come on, mother! Mother!

OK, hand out the sheets for next week's out-of-school practical

Suzuki, get rid of that cold

Ishibashi 2-Chome

Nakahara!

What's up?

You're OK?

Huh?

A cold?

Ah, no! Grandpa's critical so we've been to Matsumoto hospital

Grandpa?

He improved when I got there

So that's it

Information about next week's practical

Huh? You were looking for our house all this time?

N-No. It's just the chance arose

I see, so that's the reason

Ah, I'll be going

Oh, Nakahara

Thanks

See you tomorrow

Father

You've still given up being a father?

Hmm? Right

Well then, the way you study is no good

You're turning into a father more and more

You can't give it up at all

I don't want any medication

Father

This summer I'll start cram school

Cram school?

Because at the end of the rainy season my depression will clear

I see

I'm not Nao-chan, so I need to go to cram school to get into Nishi High

Nishi High?

Yeah

I see

Listen, the summer will be critical in deciding your exam results,

so don't slacken and idle the time away

Also, watch out for summer colds. Right, we're done

Nakahara, don't slacken and idle the time away

If you've a deep tan next term I'll get mad

Don't worry, you'll see before then

Huh?

I've finished

Going out?

Prep school

Ah, you've decided to go?

Not to be taught but to teach

Part-time. From today I'm a rōnin student/freeter

Hadn't you quit being a teacher?

Well, I wanted a job at a convenience store but it's bleak if you're over 40

What came in useful was my teaching license. I'm off then

Good luck

Father seems happy

And you'll do cram school?

Yeah, my course starts tomorrow

Nakahara

What for?

I decided to come here too

Huh? Ah, so you're "B"

Yeah, last week I took the exam

You should have told me

I never thought we'd be in the same classroom

Listen, if we're in "B" Nishi High will be pretty touch and go

I see. But that's why we're here, right?

Yeah...

Well, that's right

OK, let's engage in a friendly rivalry and advance to "A"

Friendly rivalry?

Can you write "friendly rivalry"?

It comes up a lot

Impressive. Well done Bengaku

Ah, Nakahara

What's your mobile number and email address?

Huh? I don't have them

You came on this?

Yeah

Listen... Nakahara, you come from quite an impoverished family?

Huh?

You're usually on a bike and you've got no mobile

Oura-kun, your mind is rather poor

Look, it's normal to use a bike, you know

I don't need a mobile to speak to people, I can go and see them

And that bag...

is dreadfully weird

I'm home

Welcome home

Great, we've just started

Um...

Ah, this is Yoshiko Kobayashi-san

Please excuse me, I'm Yoshiko Kobayashi

I'm Sawako

There's a gift from Yoshiko-san. This is to say thank you

Ah, in the end I felt something that's actually used may be better

How did they meet?

She went especially to Nao-chan's plantation to buy eggs

Hmm, I see

It's mystifying that he's usually dumped in 2 or 3 months,

but I wonder why he's now fallen for a woman like that

Nao's falling in love with someone is a bit further ahead

But Nao-chan has already been in love with a few people

Those ones weren't significant

Your feelings towards Oura-kun are much deeper

Eh... what's that?

What's up with that?

It's an electric bike that I had bought for me

Especially?

You see, my house is at the top of a hill

You OK? You should call your mother to say the battery's dead,

then get her to come pick you up

No... I'll carry on like this

Later

You can do it

This poem by Princess Nukata is included in the first book of man'yoshu

About to set sail at Nikitatsu, awaiting the moon, at last the tide...

Ah, welcome back

That's from Yoshiko-san again

Nori [seaweed]

Hello

There's some sea urchin for you!

No thanks

Listen, it's already the 2nd semester. There's not long to go before the exams

Oh, you realised then

Your flat was locked and the light left on

Since father was a teacher he must have liked studying and stuff

Actually, my grades were much better than your father's

No way

Nao's cleverness is something he got from me

In fact, I could easily have gone to any university

Then why didn't you?

At the time I was already seeing your father

It sounds dramatic

But I thought I was being considerate

I hadn't realised anything about your father

Human Relations

Thank you

Bye bye

You came from the bookshop?

Someone doesn't look too pleased

You stood out

Who was that just now?

Oh... Murai-kun?

Your boyfriend?

- More or less - "More or less"? And Nao-chan?

He's my boyfriend too

That's awfully strange

No big deal is it?

It is though. Nao-chan will be upset if he finds out

Not really. He won't be all that upset

Of course he'll be upset

To begin with, having two boyfriends is just wrong

Listen, it appears that you're fond of your brother,

but he's quite irresponsible and has a despicable side, you know

Despicable side?

Yes. Go out with him for a month and it soon becomes obvious

What?

He's just the same as me, only he appears to be different

Aren't I better for being open about it?

Well, you probably don't notice if you cling to him so much

See you

I'm borrowing your dictionary

Farewell letter

You've seen it?

The contents?

Oh, I was putting back a protruding photo

Don't worry. It's meant for you as well

For me?

That's right. For everyone

"I imagine it came as a shock. I'm sorry to trouble you"

"There was no other way out."

"Things have got ever more warped and I've reached the point of no return."

"I've put everything important in the top drawer of the desk."

- "After..." - Enough

That... you didn't get rid of it?

When father did that I thought "Ah, finally"

"Of course"

Of course?

And I was afraid. Not about the prospect of father dying, though

I thought I'd also turn out like him...

Probably just a matter of time

Ah, however... I'm sure I'm nothing like father

But... around that time I also developed stress

Stress?

Ever since childhood, in doing everything perfectly,

bit-by-bit I became more disturbed. At first I was able to recover quickly,

but throughout junior high and high school it steadily worsened

Then I realised that no matter how much I tried...

I couldn't cope with the stress anymore

The only way out...

would be to die

So that time, mother's voice led me to the bathroom...

and I thought I'll die like him too. That's what I felt

What are you saying? It's awful. You mustn't think like that

Don't worry, it was only until I'd read this

This farewell letter is remarkable

In the end it provides the perfect key to a long life

Long life?

Yeah. I thought maybe if father had just stopped taking things seriously,

his distress could have been assuaged

So that's the method I used. And I've even made it to 20, I'm still alive

Not really

But... perhaps this is the wrong method

Hey, Nao-chan

It's time to get serious about Yoshiko Kobayashi and make her yours

Huh?

Maybe Yoshiko Kobayashi will save you

Save me?

I sort of feel like... there are people who can only be saved by an outsider

Three years back father was driven to suicide

What? But you said he works at a prep-school...

Yeah

"Yeah" you say

Also my brother's ill. Because of that he gets dumped a lot

And mother left home to live on her own

This isn't making much sense to me

You see, during the rainy season I get down in the dumps

Huh?

But if you're there next year I feel I'll manage somehow

It's not entirely clear but I catch your drift

Thanks

You want us both to enter Nishi High?

Eh? Ah... yeah, well I guess so

- High school doesn't provide lunch - Lunch?

So I won't have to eat your portion of mackerel

Once, grandma ate mackerel sushi and her face swelled right up

It stayed that way for three days

After seeing that I couldn't stand the thought of eating mackerel

No way! But you always...

Amazing, huh? It means you're protected without being aware of it

OK, let's study 'til it kills us. The next step up is to endure hardship

Endure hardship?

Can you write that?

Hang on

Exam admission slip

Nishi High entrance exam!!

What? There was a man?

But I assume Yoshiko Kobayashi knew you were coming

He was there so I had no choice

But it's the first time I've really hit someone. The sensation remains...

how his face felt soft, the hardness of the bone...

Maybe I went too far

Don't worry about it, you were hurt as well

Oh, this? No, that wasn't him

It wasn't?

It wasn't a man who gave me this...

Yoshiko-san did

She let fly with a plastic bottle full of oolong tea

You lost... totally

Can you see it?

It's there

Huh? Really!?

You're there!

Look!

So it is

And you?

Ah, I'm...

Excuse me, sorry

Excuse me

0240 Bengaku Oura

It's there!

It's there! Bengaku Oura!

Look

Well... a piece of cake

What!?

Sorry... for serving water on your day of celebration

Even though you studied far more than me

As one gets older, learning is more difficult

So will you continue as a rōnin student/freeter?

Hmm...

Perhaps I could do one more year?

Sure, take up the challenge. Since you've given your best for a year

People have their roles

In our family everyone's abandoned that idea

Well, I suppose I have too

I'm finished

Your brother's still out in the cold?

Yeah, patiently awaiting a call

He usually brings around a new girlfriend by now

Really? Yoshiko Kobayashi must be pretty amazing

Sawako!

Sorry, I'm in the same class as Oura-kun

Well, if there's no one we'll need to draw lots

You drew the short straw?

I've always been unlucky like that

I see. In that case I'll put myself forward

School life as a class rep will be twice as enjoyable

If it's with you, all the more so

How nice...

Eh?

You're kind of nice

Stop, you're embarassing me!

Give me wings

OK, we'll do it once more. This time please sing properly

Boys too!

The gathering at Fukujuen is an annual custom...

and the elderly folk are looking forward to our song

So it's extremely rude. I know it's a pain but please sing properly

Use that tone and I'll be even less willing

Too right

So singing this is to please the old folk

Won't they be deaf by now?

My grandpa has great hearing

Somehow I'm getting bogged down

You're being too confrontational

Shall I let you in on the secret?

Secret?

I don't like to tell you

You're a girl, right? You can utilise that

How so?

If you show some vulnerability it will definitely generate goodwill

So what do you mean?

In your class... well... perhaps Yoshizawa

Yoshizawa-kun? Of the soccer club?

See you later

Sorry to make you wait

Yoshizawa-kun, ah... well, you see...

Ah! Yeah, I understand. Yeah, it's all clear to me

That's right. You've been hurt

I understand!

I'll cooperate

Thanks for consulting me

Then we'll begin

This will go on your school record

Apparently it will count when you need a referral

So let's get it over with

Nakahara, sorry. Play it from the beginning

Oh... yeah. Then we'll begin

♪ If I were granted a wish now

♪ I would like to have wings

♪ Please attach white wings to my back

♪ As though I were a bird

♪ I want to spread my wings and fly off into the heavens

♪ I want to flap my wings in an unconfined sky free of sorrow

Before you know it you're at high school

Hey, Nao-chan, what happened? I just saw Yoshiko Kobayashi

Truly Yoshiko-san is amazing

She's aware that you said you love pastries

But you did it! You're back together

Many are crispy outside

But I like them done this way, moist to complement the cream

I wonder where she got them...

Want one?

I sure do

Itadakimasu

This...

Homemade!

That's just like Yoshiko Kobayashi!

"Love... give it up". What the hell?

I draw fortune slips even when it isn't new year

You wanted to put your feelings to the test with the gods, just in case...

Look, I do like you too

Well then... listen

Is it alright to kiss?

Jeez, why ask for everything?

But with our height disparity there's a long span to traverse

There's a chance that you'd run off while I tried to kiss you

To avoid that shock I thought maybe I should ask first

I wouldn't run off

What are you doing?

Yoshiko-san's present in place of a turkey

I'll fatten it up by christmas so there's enough for two

That's horrible

Why? It's wonderful to eat something...

that's been reared with so much effort

I guess you're right...

Alright, I've decided. It's Gabriel

OK, it's over. Collect all the test papers

A paper boy?

Yep, for two weeks now

Your house too

Really!?

But why get a job?

Your family are rich. And you get loads of pocket money

I expect you're the type who'd be more impressed by a present bought with...

my own earnings

A present for me?

I considered McDonalds but I guess the popular type isn't to your taste

I get money by exercising at daybreak

Since that's what you prefer

I see

This year marks our first. How many more I wonder?

Because of that it's a christmas present

We'll live to a ripe old age, so perhaps we can celebrate another 80

80?

Meet on the 24th at 5 o'clock in front of cram school

Why there?

It's the location of our most abiding memories, so the emotions will double

Ah, I won't see you before then so they'll double again

Right

Huh? Ah!

Hey!

Go on ahead

(I can't hear you)

What are you doing?

- Oh, studying your house - Studying it?

That's right, so show me your brother's room next

But Nao-chan isn't back yet

Fine, I came at this time intentionally

I'm going in

I've decided

Huh?

His present. If he's looking at ugly old me every day

It's ghastly

Right, I'll draw it

It's done?

Yeah

To steadily approach happiness like this,

it feels a bit strange... knitting has been really fun

How about making me something?

I think I can safely say that someone's knitting for you

I see

Can't wait 'til tomorrow. There, finished

That's for children

Why?

A grown-up rarely gets excited about things like that

Don't worry, tomorrow you'll have a really amazing and wonderful day

Well, maybe I'll make one more effort for tomorrow

Oura-kun

Keep it up

He was on his way home from his paper round

I think the driver ran a red light?

But why was he doing a job like that?

Nakahara

Nakahara

Ah, Sawako. Excuse my intrusion

I joined forces with your father to make this meal

Maybe I'll return home

Eh?

Perhaps I'll come back to this house

Whatever

It won't make much difference

Oh, I see. I guess not

It's weird

Even though father wanted to die, he failed in that and carried on living

But despite having no desire to die or anything, Oura-kun ends up dead

Someone who wants to die lives...

while someone who wants to live ends up dead. It's strange

That isn't fair

It's just strange... strange

I'm sorry

That's right

You say that because you're hurting

Something up?

Yeah

Huh, going somewhere?

Yeah, to prep school

Isn't that an evening job?

I've gone full-time

But your exam? What about university?

Hmm... it's OK. I'll be off

What?

You were still there

Coming

Um...

I'm Bengaku Oura's mother

It seems Bengaku was very much obliged to you...

Not really

Well... this is for you

He bought it about three days before he died. I think it's a christmas present

It may be he was very happy. He kept gazing at it and then re-wrapping it

So, here it is

This...

Perhaps it's a bother but can I get you to take it?

Well... thank you

I'm glad

That it was someone like you

Sometimes people do something out of the ordinary

I'm sure they do it due to some kind of presentiment they're barely aware of...

that exists somewhere inside them

"To Sawako, merry christmas"

"It's only been a year and nine months since I met you..."

"but I feel really glad about that encounter."

"I got into Nishi High and did the paper round because you were there..."

"and I believe my feelings for you are genuine."

"In truth... I've realised."

"We entered high school together but that won't happen for university."

"Even now I've reached my limit."

"So clearly college is a no-go and I'll join a company after graduation,"

"then perhaps I'll marry an office lady or someone..."

"and maybe you will fall in love with a really cool boss."

"Uh, it's got a bit complicated but what I want to say is that..."

"even if circumstances lead us to separate occasionally,"

"I believe that in the end we will be together,"

"So some day you will become 'Sawako Oura'."

"After that it will be strange to call each other 'Oura-kun' and 'Nakahara'."

"Therefore from today I've decided to call you 'Sawako'."

"That announcement is to mark our first christmas celebration."

Huh... what is it?

Good grief, how careless. The front door was left open

His scarf?

Hey! Wait...

Oh, actually it's quite nice

It's a waste to just leave it there

That's up to me

What do you want?

I don't want anything especially

Look... perhaps I shouldn't say this

You can get a boyfriend any time

Friends and boyfriends, it takes care of itself

I know it's an awful time to say this

But depending on the effort you put in, it takes care of itself

The thing is... you're a really good kid

But... family can't be like that, can it?

Replacing your brother... or your father...

isn't something in your power

You mean cherish them more?

I feel you should lean on them more

To make a family is hard but on the other hand it rarely dissolves

Even if you don't make an effort, it's not easy to sever that bond

So I hope you'll depend on them with an easy mind

Here, take these. You can have them all

These

It's a nuisance

The roast chicken is postponed until you cheer up

Anyhow...

I think you have to get better

Well, you don't need to hurry up about it

Ah, Christine...

Six!?

And you ate them all?

But four of them had eggshell

Here

Thanks

Father

I've realised

What?

That I'm really glad you didn't succeed in your suicide attempt

Now I'm really exhausted. That's how it has to be for an event this painful

And... even though I'm still only 16,

if you had died then, I would've had to go through that twice

I see

You didn't have to abandon your exams

After studying so hard. I'm sure you'd have passed

No, I'm done with all that

Why?

You see... I thought I'm your father after all,

so I will be a father

What's that?

Father, you're being a little cryptic

Well, I'm merely saying I've come to enjoy prep school

I kind of annoyed Yoshiko-san

But Gabriel was delighted at being saved by Sawako

Then shall we eat?

Yeah

Itadakimasu

Itadakimasu

Um... maybe you don't want this, but...

His christmas present?

Yes. It's a scarf

You knitted it?

Yes

Really? Sit down

May I see it?

Go ahead

Wow, it's lovely

I thought it may be a bother

I think that child is overjoyed

Sawako-san?

Yes?

I wonder if I may bestow this?

Huh?

The scarf

I'd be happier getting someone to wear it

I see

So, I wonder if I may bestow it... on his brother Kantaro?

On Kantaro-kun?

Kan-chan!

Nakahara-san made this for your older brother,

but he's no longer with us. So I said I'll accept it for you

Oh... it's a bit long isn't it?

I don't suppose you want it

I do. Thank you

It's fine

It's fine, I'll get bigger

I see. I guess you're right

Hey

Can you write "friendly rivalry"?

Don't worry. Then I'll be going

OK, farewell

Farewell

"Amazing, huh? It means you're protected without being aware of it"

English subs by NLK1971. Thanks to london_satoshi