Original subtitles

The new era's name is Heisei.

(Takahashi Ren, Born on January 8, 1989)

(Heisei 13, Year 2001)

Hey, Takehara!

You're too late, Ren.

Sorry, I couldn't finish practice early. Let's go!

We won't make it in time.

We'll make it in time. We definitely will!

So beautiful!

It's indeed beautiful.

Look! Takehara, Takehara!

So cool!

Almost there!

Oh, no! It's too late!

That's the end of the Biei fireworks display.

The area near the venue will be very crowded.

So, please watch out on your way home.

Thank you very much for coming today!

Aoi, let's go back home.

I want to ...

I want to stay just a little longer.

Is that alright, Yumi?

Sure!

We didn't make it in time.

For real?

Ah, no!

Eh?

Ow!

It hurts.

Ouch!

Damn this.

Take this.

You okay?

What?

Your arm.

Give me your hand.

Thanks.

What are you doing, Ren?

Shut it!

Oh, dear.

My family runs an auto body repair shop.

They don't care much about my education though.

What about you?

Well ...

My family's the same.

I see.

You know, I'm on the soccer team.

I'm the only one from first year who's been to games.

That's so cool!

I knew we'd bump into each other again.

You text me so much, it's annoying.

Is that so?

I've been doing music lately.

If I can make it to Budokan, would you go there with me?

Here you go.

Ah, thanks!

Whoa!

Thank you for the meal.

Delicious! I've never eaten anything so good.

Is it that delicious?

That guy, when did he make the move?

This is my first time seeing Aoi look so happy.

Can I have this?

What for?

It can be my good luck charm.

One day in the future,

I'd like to play in the National Stadium.

I wanna be a member of the Japanese national team.

And be active on the world stage.

You can do it, Ren.

Thanks.

What about you?

I just want to live a normal life.

I don't have much desire to see other parts of the world.

I see

I ...

I like Aoi so much!

That makes me happy!

I don't wanna go back home.

I'll see you again tomorrow.

Your parents will be worried.

See you tomorrow!

At Biei hills!

Yumi?

Aoi didn't come to school today.

There's no one in.

(Sonoda)

There was always something up with that house, it worried me.

What do you mean?

Her birth father passed away.

And she never wanted to talk about her family.

It was here.

I believe she often ate her meals here.

She left early this morning.

She was trying to run away.

I could always hear that young man's angry yelling.

I went to the town hall several times to report it, but ...

Her mother stood up for him!

It was yesterday ...

When she brought her lunch box,

she asked me to teach her how to cook.

She looked so happy when she said that.

(Heisei 20, Year 2008)

(Biei, Hokkaido)

- Here's the next, Ren. - Okay!

- Sorry. - Hey, Ren! What are you doing!?

I'm so sorry!

Hey! Hanaoka, take over!

Okay!

Go grind the soy milk.

Okay!

I'll do this.

Thanks for the meal.

- Hit you! - Ow ...

Are you mad at the world?

Or are you mad at yourself?

What are you talking about?

You're always irritated.

Why did you want to work here in the first place?

I bought a new car.

Don't you come to work on a bike?

I crashed it into a tractor and broke it.

And I still have four years of the loan.

So, you didn't care what the job was, you just wanted one.

It's just …

I thought I might find something here, in Biei.

Why in Biei?

It's nothing.

Ren!! Yumi and I have decided to get married! From Takehara.

(Heisei 21, Year 2009)

We'll look after this.

The reception desk is over here, please take care.

Ah, this is ...

Welcome to the wedding!

Thank you!

Stop it, idiot! You're making me nervous too!

Well I've never done this before!

Takehara! Takehara!

That outfit doesn't suit you at all.

You neither!

Congrats!

- Hey, hey, hey! - What?

What? What?

Sonoda Aoi.

She's coming too!

What!?

Right, Yumi?

I bumped into her the other day, in Shibuya.

(Heisei 13, Year 2001 - Sapporo)

(Susukino Villa No.3)

Is anyone in?

Ren?

Aoi!?

I heard from Yumi at school that you're here.

What happened to your eye?

I'm sorry. I didn't know anything.

There's only 2 years left.

I'll start working after I graduate junior high.

I'll hold on until then.

I just have to bear it.

No matter ...

What I have to go through ...

Hey, get out of my way!

I told you not to sit there!

Stinky kid!

Ouch!

Mom ...

What the fuck is this?

There's no point in doing this!

Shit!

It hurts!

Let's run away.

You can't live like that.

I used to go camping here.

There's no supervisors here in winter.

So we'll be fine here for a night.

The site of the New York terrorist attacks

will be opened to the public later this month.

Three months after it happened in September.

Debris is still in the process of being cleared,

and the search for missing people continues.

The area around the building is now a place for prayers.

When I saw the footage I really believed that the lives lost is irrevocable.

Ren ...

I think what we did ...

There's a man who owns an apple orchard in Aomori.

He might be able to help us.

We'll go to Hakodate.

And take the ferry to Aomori.

The first song to be aired tonight is

And we'll both work at the apple orchard.

Nakajima Miyuki's ITO.

I'll protect you.

♪We have no clue

♪Why our paths cross each others

Is anyone in there?

♪We'll never know

♪When our paths will cross over

♪Where were you?

♪Did you keep living?

♪Underneath a distant sky

♪Lies two tales

♪The vertical warp is you

Thanks!

♪The horizontal weft is me

Let's stop this, Ren.

♪And one day this interwoven fabric

Let's go back.

♪May be able to warm somebody up

Hey, you there!

Wait!

Just a minute! You guys, wait!

♪Scars from the days where I lost myself

♪Wondering why I had to keep on living

What the hell are you doing, asshole?

Stop it!

Aoi!

I was so worried!

♪Scars from the days where I fell over

Mom?

The bruise on your face, say you got it when you fell over.

♪Trying to pursue my dreams

Understood?

♪What will such threads become?

♪Unsure, I trembled in the wind

♪The vertical warp is you

♪The horizontal weft is me

Aoi!

♪And one day this interwoven fabric

Aoi!

♪May care for someone’s wounds

Aoi!

♪The vertical warp is you

♪The horizontal weft is me

Excuse me, your food is ready.

We were both ...

born in the first year of the Heisei era!

We both received much love from our parents.

We were brought up peacefully.

I got into rock music during middle school.

Freddy! Freddy!

During the daytime, I work diligently

at a major company, Tosei Construction.

We met when we were ...

both 12 years old.

We met at a fireworks display in our first year of middle school

and we thought it must be destiny.

Love at first sight is so rock, isn't it?

He always pestered me, constantly.

At first I was like, “What's up with this guy?” But ...

He's like a puppy, so friendly.

Your bride is so beautiful.

She's so beautiful.

- Right? Thank you. - You bastard.

You guys met at the reunion, right?

Who remembers that, idiot?

- How can you not remember, it was last year? - I didn't go.

- Was she the quiet one? - Who are you talking about?

Want something to eat?

I'll have it.

Ren, it's been a while.

It has.

What are you up to now, Sonoda?

I work at a cheese factory.

In Hokkaido?

Yes.

All this time?

Always.

So today is my first time in Tokyo.

Tokyo is great!

What about soccer?

Soccer?

Oh, I quit in high school.

Didn't you say you were going to play around the world?

Sorry, I guess that's just how I am.

Oh, my good luck charm from back then ...

I remember.

You remember it?

I wonder where it's gone ...

What did I do to end up losing it?

Take this.

Thanks!

And what are you up to?

I'm college student, Business Administration.

That's awesome!

Of course, things change.

We aren't junior schoolers anymore.

Thanks for this.

It's crooked.

We split so often, and now we're married, I'm stuck with her.

We've been through a lot to get here.

- That so? - Right?

But from now on, I'll make her happy! For the rest of her life!

He's drunk, sorry.

I wish you two happiness.

- I have to go. - What?

This party won't be festive without you. Take care!

That,

That bracelet you gave me ...

I actually still wore it, until recently.

But it finally wore out.

I'm glad I met you again, Ren.

Good bye.

(One year ago)

Oh!

She's here! She's here! She's so cute!

She's damn cute! So damn cute!

You are so cute! So cute! Let's drink!

So cute! So damn cute!

You're so cute! Let's have a drink!

I'll drink it!

She can't drink much.

No way!

What can we do if hostess can't drink?

Look, look, look at this.

I work as a nail artist during the day.

She started recently too.

What's so great about that?!

- Go away, you idiot! - The hell?

What are you saying!?

Tsk! I'm a customer!

What the fuck! Get out of here!

I'll drink it! Okay!

Sir! Mr. Mizushima!

See, once you try it you can do it! I'll reward you! A reward!

This is good.

Aoi is here.

Hey, you guys, out of the way.

You there, sit next to my boss.

Tell me, what's up?

I can't help it if you say that.

I live with my family in Tokyo.

So I don't have to worry about money.

There's nothing I particularly want to do.

So, I thought it might be fun to work here.

I also run a website for my other job.

But this one pays better.

It's more fun to listen to other people.

That's all a lie.

You're making money as a necessity.

No one's ever helped you.

Why are you laughing?

Did you have a nightmare again?

I had a nightmare too.

Just like you.

What?

But...

most things can be solved with money.

Aoi ...

how about you live with me?

(Heisei 21, Year 2009, January 21st)

Hello?

This is Sasaki.

Boss, we've received a request from a West Coast investor to cancel another 1.5 billion contract.

Don't worry, we survived the Lehman crisis too.

Are you sure it'll be okay?

I'm sure.

(Mizushima Fund Management)

Aoi ...

You can use this as you like.

I told you I don't want any more.

I'll take care of my tuition.

Just take it!

I can earn my own money.

You want to go back to those days?

Good work!

See you later. Thank you for your hard work.

What are you spacing out over?

Ah, nothing.

I'll leave first.

Thank you for today!

Thanks for today!

Ren~

Please stop it.

Take a seat.

No, thanks.

You've been so absentminded lately, even at work.

Anyway ...

You must've been dumped by a girl ...

- As for me ... - That's enough.

I do my work properly.

We had been dating since junior school.

It had been 10 years. 10 years, you know.

His parents used to grow potatoes,

so I'd go help them on my days off.

I thought that, for the rest of my life ...

I'd just live in this town with him and his family.

I saw him.

He went to university in Sapporo.

And that girl, his junior there.

She was helping with the potatoes, with such a big smile on her face.

The love you have in junior high school ...

it won't last forever, right?

What's wrong with that?

It's all in the past.

Why are you crying? What's making you cry?

Pull yourself together!

Kirino Kaori.

Create a system that allows you to sell without any effort.

That's what I mean when I say that the product will go off on its own.

This kind of idea is key in the economy nowadays.

Aoi, do you know where Mr. Mizushima is?

What happened?

He ran away.

What?

When the Lehman crisis hit us, we were already in a mess.

He said it would be fine.

He said it was predicted.

There's not a single person in Japan who could've predicted that.

I guess it's okay with you, though.

I bet you've raked in a lot of money.

I knew you would be here.

Only the fishing tackle was gone.

You really liked it,

being here.

This time ...

it's my turn to take care of you.

This is not the right place for you.

I'm fine here.

More importantly, you haven't caught anything!

♪Piercing the thread

♪The flowers get cut off, and dreams are ...

Come here!

Come here!

Let's dance!

Aoi, come dance!

(Heisei 22, Year 2010)

It had only been a year.

We divorced after just one year. She cheated on me and never came back.

She's in the same office as me.

She listens all my complaints.

Oh right?

And then I realized ...

She is my destined red thread.

No matter how much you mock me, from now on we'll be ...

How can I look down on you, I'm no better.

Sorry!

Hey! Over here!

It took me so long to clean up.

I see, you did well!

She is Kaoru Kirino.

A senior at the cheese factory I work for.

Nice to meet you.

We're going to start living together in Biei next week.

Really?

- This is Takehara. - I'm Takehara.

And she is Riko.

Hope we can get along well.

That's the right decision! Breaking up is definitely best!

- Yes, I knew it! - She's not a good drinker.

The past isn't important,

Yeah.

- The present is, right! - Why so happy?

It's what you do right now!

Yeah, that's right.

Right, Takehara?

How come you're so casual?

I knew Ren would be suit this kind of person.

This kind of person?

You know, the kind of person who follows you around gently.

Or more like, trying to pull you in.

She indeed pulls me in.

I think someone like Riko is a good match for Takehara.

Someone like Riko?

She wipes up any mess right away, like just now.

You should've wiped it up yourself.

I'm sorry, Riko. Thank you.

Even if no one else approves, I do.

Riko is the only one who's fit,

to become Takehara's wife.

I approve!

Ah no!

Don't cry.

That's what you wiped the table with!

That's so dirty.

I'm gonna sing a song.

Really!

- Ren! - What with that?

Be happy with Kaori!

Living in this small town is what suits me best anyway.

What do you mean by that?

You startled me! Really ...

I was so scared then.

♪“It's because I never graduated high school,”

♪“That I can't get work,” the young girl wrote.

Hey, why not sing a cheerful song?

♪That girl's handwriting,

♪So sharp and shaky.

♪I carelessly tried to burn this ticket,

♪But of course it would not burn,

♪I'll send it to you so hold onto it,

♪The blurred letters say “Bound for Tokyo.”

♪Fight!

♪Those who never fight,

♪May laugh at your fighting song.

♪Fight!

♪Keep on climbing,

♪Even as you tremble in the cold water.

(Change of Residence form)

Excuse me.

I know that there's no one living at this address.

Have they stated a change of address?

A change of address?

Did anything happen?

I got a notice about welfare for my mother, but...

I haven't seen her in years.

I see.

Please wait a moment.

Okay.

Ren, it's fine.

The neighbours might know something.

- Let's go. What should we do? - Let's play tag!

Oi, kids!

Wash the dishes before you go playing.

That granny might know.

Let's just leave!

Being here reminds me of too many things.

When I was a child, I came here alone lots ...

I sat and watched the clouds.

I had no clue when he'd beat me up.

The worst part is that even my mother,

couldn't stop him in his rage towards me.

And I just wanted her

to apologize for it, just once.

That's why I came here.

I didn't come to see my mother.

Do you not have any relatives?

I think I have an uncle in Hakodate.

We can just leave it!

Don't you have work or something?

(Cheese Factory NEEDS)

Your hand was so cold.

When we were in Sapporo back then.

Your hand.

It was painful ...

When I let go of your hand, that time.

After that ...

I went to your apartment in Sapporo.

But it was after you moved out.

After that, the man started being violent towards my mother, too.

So she ran away to Tokyo.

That woman can't live independently.

She would find another man, and never come home.

I wanted to finish high school and go to college.

The only way I could make money was to lie about my age.

At a host club.

You, in a host club?

I'm living in Okinawa now.

With a guy.

The guy in that car?

I've traveled so far.

You've had an eventful nine years.

And I haven't done anything.

I couldn't do anything when we were separated then.

I thought I'd never be able to do anything right.

I've always been in Hokkaido.

It feels like I haven't moved a single step from here.

Is it okay to do that?

She's my senior at the cheese factory.

We're moving in together.

It was cirrhosis.

It was maybe last month.

When she suddenly came to me.

Her body was completely worn out.

I hadn't seen her in ten years, but she was still my sister.

Do you wanna keep her ashes​?

(Lay follower: Sonoda Mayumi)

You okay?

Ren ...

What?

Do you remember what you said to me the first time we met?

You said, “You okay?”

You saw the bandage on my arm, and even though you were hurt worse than me,

you still asked if I was okay.

It was the most fun, being with you.

It was the first time ...

That I felt happy to be born.

I'm sorry.

I couldn't protect you then.

I let go of your hand.

I'm so sorry.

Why are you apologizing?

She died of her own accord ...

I did want her to apologize, just once.

But what I truly wanted was ...

for her to hug me, just once.

We were going to leave from here, remember?

On the ferry to Aomori.

Did he really exist?

The apple orchard owner in Aomori.

Of course,

he didn't exist.

What even ...

Thanks for today.

Sonoda, I ...

Yes?

I will always ...

be living in that town.

I will live ...

A normal life there.

Then, I guess I'll go travel around the world.

You'll be okay, right?

Today and onwards.

Goodbye, Ren.

This is a final boarding call.

Flight 582, departing at 19:35,

Will be departing from gate 5 shortly.

Goodbye ...

Aoi.

Aoi.

You can live alone.

I'm leaving, myself.

This isn't the place where you belong.

Why did you still give me money to the end?

(Heisei 23, Year 2011)

(Singapore Changi Airport)

Aoi!

I didn't think you'd really come.

I didn't think so either.

Hello!

Driver and clerk, Saejima.

Welcome to Singapore!

Thank you so much.

Let's go.

You can speak English?

A little.

Okay, good enough already.

This Reiko, last time one word was not enough.

You were hired right away, right?

Well, Japanese people look more fit for it.

Everyone ends up back home soon anyway.

Why?

People with their naive thinking just want to get work abroad.

And you, Saejima?

I ...

I was chasing after the person I liked.

What?

I was rejected right away, though.

That's pretty naive reasoning.

Do you have a boyfriend?

What's with the sudden hitting on her?

It's lonely being alone overseas, right?

I don't feel that at all.

You've been turned down again.

- I haven't. - You just rejected him, right?

What are you doing?

Practicing.

I'll travel and live all around the world.

I told someone that before.

(World Cheese Competition 2011)

This competition ...

I wonder if we could apply for it?

- What is it? - World Cheese Competition?

You wanna challenge the whole world?

Not really.

No way, you can't, that'd be impossible!

I'll do it!

He's surprisingly serious.

(World Cheese Competition 2011)

Last time ...

I'm the one who has to go to Okinawa or Tokyo to get my nails done

And now you all come to us.

Okay. Anyway, we don't want any trouble ...

Reiko!

Please tell her we'll visit her soon to apologise to ...

What's wrong?

I fought with a customer who said I got her request wrong.

What did you do?

She hit me.

So what? She's still our customer!

I'm not stupid.

Don't come to work anymore.

Hold on!

Stop it, Aoi.

Let's return to Japan.

We only came here to escape things there.

So, let's go back to Wakayama.

Japanese nail artists are super famous.

If we did a temporary store with no outlet,

It wouldn't cost much.

If it goes well,

We'll get some nail artists from Japan, too.

It's easy to register a company and open a bank account.

It's so easy to start a business in Singapore.

I can't do it.

I'll just go back to Japan.

No!

If you run home after being beaten up,

you'll have nightmares of those memories every night.

I will ...

protect you.

Aoi ...

Hello.

We should get Saejima to join us too.

What are you guys talking about?

We're trying to get money.

To start a business.

Aoi, can you take this over?

You can do it!

But it's heavy.

No, Aoi, you're pulling it too much.

I'm not.

The Merlion is worshiped as the country's guardian deity.

Good work!

So busy!

I've been working on lettuce all day, and my nails are destroyed.

You know, Reiko, I ...

What?

I don't wanna be the one getting protected.

I want to be the one who protects!

What?

I'll never let go of the hand I hold!

Let's go anywhere we want!

Together!

Okay!

Miss?

That, here.

Right, boss?

Don't call me boss.

It's just a formality. This store is also yours.

Boss!

- I just told you guys, don't call me- - Look!

What's going on?

No way.

The tsunami has been pushing inland to the Sanriku coast.

What viewers are currently witnessing now, is live camera footage ...

As you can see, this is the current situation of Sanriku Coast in Iwate Prefecture.

The waves are forming a whirlpool offshore.

A tsunami of over 10 meters in height is expected.

The tsunami has now passed over the breakwater and is flowing into the residential area.

The situation is extremely dangerous.

People in the vicinity of the coasts are urged to take refuge in safe areas.

The coasts and the rivers are dangerous areas.

Kaori!

If you can't get out of the danger areas,

please move to a high place like a building of three or four floors or more nearby to evacuate.

Kaori?

After a major earthquake, Tsunami is likely to occur.

Ren ...

What's wrong? Are you okay?

Please take care to protect yourself when evacuating.

I'm okay.

The baby is okay, too.

This is the current situation at the Sanriku coast.

Terrifying.

The first tsunami may be followed by a second and a third.

Tsunami can strike repeatedly.

The earthquake hit in Hokkaido, at Nakashibetsu, Biei ...

(Takehara Naoki)

Hey, Takehara, are you okay over there?

She's alive ...

Who do you mean?

It's about Riko!

She went back home.

She's in Iwate.

Iwate!?

But I just made a call to her.

Oh.

The tsunami hit there ...

and she survived.

Thank god.

Yes.

Thank god.

Like we've been reporting,

the Pacific coast of Tohoku was hit by the largest Tsunami in Japan's history this afternoon.

There was a large earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake caused a large tsunami of more than 8 m along the eastern coast of Miyagi Prefecture.

This is just ...

a small story, in a small town.

Takehara, and the people in Tohoku,

I'm nothing compared to them.

We just did medical check-up.

Yes?

They found it then.

What do you mean?

A tumor.

- Honey! - What is it?

Kaori ...

I'll give birth to our child.

You'll really do it?

Your life is more important!

That's such outdated thinking.

Cancer has become more curable nowadays anyway.

So, I won't die.

No, you can't do this.

Get the surgery immediately.

I found a good doctor and we discussed it thoroughly.

I'll get a C-section after taking drug treatment for the tumor.

Then have surgery to remove the tumor.

You guys, don't worry about me.

I'll hold out!

It's not about holding out.

That's not what we're saying here.

I agree ...

I think it's best to follow your father's advice.

I've already made up my mind.

I'll definitely get better!

Hey! Ren!

Hey!

- Congrats! - Thank you!

- Aw, she's asleep. - So cute!

- Her name's Yui. - Yui.

You were great.

Yay!

Let's get home.

Eat it!

- Go on! - You can do it!

Want carrots?

It's yummy.

I'll have some too.

(Heisei 26, Year 2014)

Yui!

Mom, I want this!

But I just bought you one the other day.

But it is cute ...

Isn't it a bit large for you?

Let's go.

What are you crying about, Takahashi Ren?

Dad?

Yui ...

Give him a hug.

Okay.

If you see someone crying, hug them.

What should we do? Should we eat?

What should have?

Sorry.

From: Japan Cheese Society To: Cheese Factory NEEDS Subject: [World Cheese Competition 2014] Judging Results We are pleased to inform you of the results of the judging for the World Cheese Competition. Unfortunately, you were not selected this time. We look forward to your participation next year.

Ren!

You can leave now.

Sorry.

Yeah.

You're right.

Somehow ...

Kaori?

Why are you here?

Didn't you have work today?

Of course you'd find out.

I asked him to come.

We dated for 10 years.

We had been dating since middle school.

I wanted to see them.

All the people I've known throughout my life.

You'll still be able to meet them in the future. You always will.

That guy, perhaps ...

Yes?

I might have liked him more than you.

Did you really?

I wanted to be a flight attendant, you know.

I even studied for it in school.

Truthfully, I never wanted to work on a potato farm.

But it just so happened ...

It just so happened that I saw the recruitment poster for a part-time job at a cheese factory.

All because I saw that ...

Cheese is still delicious to me.

But maybe if I had become a flight attendant ...

I wouldn't have met you.

I only want to hear that kind of story,

after you leave the hospital.

I do believe that,

I have a string of fate.

But the thread ...

sometimes ...

frays.

And it can also ...

break.

But it will once again

connect to something.

As long as we live,

our thread will always connect to something.

Can there be a thread in the world that will not ...

be broken by time?

So, I beg you, please ...

take care of Yui.

Stop this already!

But Ren, for you ...

I don't want to hear it anymore!

At least let me say this.

Whatever anyone says,

I have no regrets in my life.

Because I've been happy.

Go.

I'll be fine here.

Why did this happen to you ...

Leave.

Ren.

- Thank you very much. - Stay strong.

Thank you for your condolences.

Dad ...

Yes.

It hurts.

Sorry.

Kaori, you did your best.

Kaori ...

Yui ...

You don't have to be a great person, but

if you see someone crying,

or grieving ...

be the one who give them a warm hug.

I will!

Your nail artists are very popular among the guests.

I'm pleased to hear that. Thank you again.

As you know, Japanese nail artists are top-class.

Thank you so much!

OK, bye!

Yay!

From: Japan Cheese Society To: Cheese Factory NEEDS Date: September 20, 2015 11:19 Subject: [World Cheese Competition 2015]. Judging result: Unfortunately, you were not selected for the competition. Number of entries: 3219 Participating countries: 29 countries

We need ten nail artists at the Laguna Hotel, for two weeks.

And five nail artists at these salons.

And Saejima?

Yessir!?

We count on you for more contracts.

Okay!

OK. Let's go!

It's a bit too sour.

Just average.

Yummy.

Yummy?

Yui, is your hand alright?

It's fine.

Thank god.

This was yummy?

It was.

This?

Oh, as you said, it's yummy!

(Heisei 30, Year 2018)

(7th Anniversary Party)

Congratulations!

Hi! Nice to see you!

With the population declining, Japan can no longer rely only on domestic demand.

So, Japanese people need to start looking ...

She's so cool.

She is.

That's why I came here.

I never thought of going back.

I was sure we'd make it. We're proud of ourselves.

Isn't domestic demand kinda hard to talk about?

I was told that by a customer at the host club a long time ago.

I was told that kind of stuff.

This is just the beginning.

We want to make this a much bigger business.

And we are looking forward to the future.

The two of us together.

We are not sure what's going on with her.

Please give us some time, we'll call back.

We've gotten countless calls from the bank.

It's Reiko.

Come over there.

She got tricked into investing the company's money in real estate.

Even more, she took out the loan money from the bank herself.

If it isn't paid by tomorrow, our company will be ...

Please stop!

Reiko!

Let go of me!

I went with you everywhere you wanted to go.

But now I'm going alone.

I'm so sorry.

They betray us, won't they?

People will betray.

Do you have any money to pay back the bank?

This was supposed to be money I didn't want to use.

But, the last thing I can turn to is ...

this money.

Saejima ...

Thank you for everything.

Excuse me, a bowl of Katsudon, please.

On it.

♪We have no clue

♪Why our paths cross each others

♪We'll never know

♪When our paths will cross over

♪Where were you?

♪Did you keep living?

Your Katsudon.

♪Underneath a distant sky

♪Lies two tales

♪The vertical warp is you

♪The horizontal weft is me

♪And one day this interwoven fabric

♪May be able to warm somebody

♪Scars from the days where I lost myself

♪Wondering why I had to keep living

♪Scars from the days where I fell over

♪Trying to pursue my dreams

♪What will such threads become?

♪Unsure, I trembled in the wind

♪The vertical warp is you

Thank you, Ren. This cheese is great.

That's good, then.

But it's fine, really.

It's been four years.

Think about yourself. You're still young.

What are you talking about? Please stop it.

Kaori is my treasure.

I'll keep on living with these memories.

This is delicious.

But you're not like me.

You don't drink at midday like me.

Don't waste your precious days like this.

You're drinking too much.

I think the same as him.

You can go.

We will be okay by ourselves.

Go!

Don't come back here!

I knew it, it must be here at Hokkaido.

Why don't we move here? It'd be nice to live here.

Ren's here, too.

Let's set up a farm here! A farm!

That'd be funny, a farm, Takehara, a farm ...

I need to use the restroom.

Hey, wipe this off first.

As you can see,

if you let her be, she just keeps on talking.

She'd never stop.

But the next day, she won't say anything, and she won't respond to me.

I guess she saw all kinds of things that day.

Just like watching a child cry for help as she drowned.

It's been seven years.

Seven whole years have gone past.

At least she's still alive.

I'm sorry. I was out of line.

Sorry for that, Ren. You've been struggling a lot.

But this brings back memories, like the fireworks display in Biei.

That year, we cycled like crazy to see the fireworks.

We had nothing to worry about.

Why, damn it, God!

Give me a break.

I don't wish for too many great things.

I just want to live a normal life.

Alright.

Since I used to aspire to be a musician.

Sing me a brighter song, please.

♪“It's because I never graduated high school,”

♪“That I can't get work,” the young girl wrote.

Sorry, I said too much just now.

I'm so sorry.

♪That girl's handwriting,

♪So sharp and shaky.

♪“Such a brat” and a strike to the face,

♪Of the boys whose eyes have aged,

♪Grasping too much onto their frustration,

♪Their nails pierce skin inside their fists.

♪In truth, I did actually witness it,

♪On the stairs of the train station yesterday.

♪A child tumbling down,

♪Pushed by a woman with a thin smile.

♪I was too surprised,

♪I didn’t help nor cry out

♪Simply ran away in fright.

♪I am my own enemy.

♪Fight!

♪Those who never fight,

♪May laugh at your fighting song.

♪Fight!

♪Keep on climbing,

♪Even as you tremble in the cold water.

Yeah!

Yo!

♪Fish keep on swimming,

♪As they are struck by the murky water stream.

♪The ones who shine get hurt,

♪Their peeling scales shaken.

♪Though we’d rather surrender to the current,

♪And enjoy the flow of water.

♪They grow thinner,

♪And the thinner fish keep on swimming.

♪Fight! Those who never fight,

♪May laugh at your fighting song.

♪Fight! Keep on climbing,

♪Even as you tremble in the cold water.

Yeah!

(Heisei 31, Year 2019)

Are you tired?

A little bit.

Thank you for coming here!

You are welcome.

Sonoda ...

Yes?

Sorry to bother but could you go buy me a bento?

Sure, manager.

Get me Karaage, for everyone else too.

I was searching for you.

I've come to get you.

I launched my own beauty salon company

in Singapore.

You never lose hope, Saejima.

I won't lose hope!

I've been working hard over the past year,

Just so that I can work with you once again.

Sorry, I've got to go.

I'll be waiting in Singapore.

Saejima ...

I do believe ...

people meet the right person at the right time.

For me, that person was you, Aoi.

Thank you, Saejima.

I'll think hard about it.

(New spring menu release party)

It was supposed to be a failed piece.

I couldn't make a cheese I was satisfied with.

So, I got desperate, and chucked it into a blender,

and my daughter said it was delicious.

So, I upgraded its quality and put it on the menu within my shop.

I didn't expect it to be so popular.

And that's how it ended up being a dish here.

Being a dish here.

That's it.

(Fromage Frais)

It's a 3-star Michelin restaurant!

You got recognized by a world-class chef.

Why shouldn't you be happy?

My failed product being recognized by the world.

That's so like me.

(Electronic Ticket Itinerary/Receipt)

Offering warm food to children free of charge. The pioneer of Hokkaido's “Children's Cafeteria.”

Today marks the end of the 31-year of the Heisei era.

So we shall be interviewing passers-by.

What has the Heisei era been like for you?

Ah, right.

It was good that it has been peaceful years, though.

But the economy was a mess.

Only the previous generation benefited from the Bubble Economy.

I kind of held doubts about this system, whether it's good idea to split years based on the era name.

It was an era of hardships.

Terrorism, disasters ...

inequality, poverty.

I was born in the first year of the Heisei Era.

Right?

I'm not sure what kind of era the Heisei Era was,

but it's all a bit vague to me.

We are ...

both turning 30.

Hey, Ren!

Ren!

Hello, kids.

Good, okay.

Kids! Why no “Thank you for the meal”?

Ah, thank you for the meal!

Go, go, go.

Go on, quick.

Why did you start the Children's Cafeteria?

Well ...

I don't particularly know it myself but,

before I knew it, this is what it somehow became.

Though I never thought about who I was doing it for

I was just being charitable.

It was really tough.

What motivated you to do it?

What motivated me was ...

meeting a little girl in the neighborhood who always peeked out that window.

So, I called her out and I'd present her with a warm meal.

She looked so happy.

I'll never be able to forget that smile.

I wonder what she's up to now.

I wish I could see her again.

(The Children's Cafeteria)

Let's eat!

- Let's dig in! - Enjoy!

Why is it ...

This meal is the most delicious.

Thanks.

I feel like I've returned home.

I wanted to come back home, but ...

I had no place to return to.

Welcome home!

If you see someone crying or grieving ...

give them a warm hug.

That's what my mother told me.

She's such a good mother.

Yep!

I can do it myself.

- Please leave it to me. - Okay then.

I have too much cheese for just myself,

so, I'll share it with you guys.

Cheese?

That kid ...

She comes to give out cheese.

Huh? Dad, why are you here?

Bye bye, Grandma Setsuko!

- Thanks for the cheese! - You're welcome!

Bye bye!

Yui!

- Have you had fun? - Yeah!

I thought you were coming home tomorrow?

I couldn't wait to see you any longer.

She's gone!

That kid's mother passed away.

It's the last day of the Heisei era.

Yep.

Did everyone like your cheese?

- They loved it! - Really?

Quick, Ren! Everyone's waiting.

Right, sorry.

Incredible.

Well done, Ren!

Thank you!

But I haven't given up yet. The World Cheese Competition.

I'll be trying again for the world's best.

Because I know while being here,

I can still connect with the world.

Well then do your best!

Want to try some snacks here!

Are you even listening to me?

What's up, Yui?

- Earlier ... - Yes?

I saw a woman crying.

- Yeah? - So, I gave her a hug.

That's good.

- And then ... - Yeah?

She said I had a good mother.

Indeed!

She praised mom for being a good mother.

- And granny at that cafeteria ... - Yes?

said to that woman, “Welcome home.”

What happened, Ren?

Look after Yui!

Where are you going!

That's right.

Where was I planning to go?

Hit you!

She left.

Where to?

She said she wanted to try taking the ferry from Hakodate.

Thank you!

Your daughter ...

she's a strong kid!

- Thanks. - Thank you.

(Hakodate's Countdown Event)

Thank you everyone for gathering today at Hakodate's countdown event!

Check this out!

It seems people are gathering in large crowds all over Japan!

All sorts of people in all sorts of places,

are waiting at this very moment.

Everyone! There's only 10 minutes left of the Heisei era!

31 years is a very long time.

Please excuse me.

Excuse me, sorry.

Aoi!

♪We have no clue

♪Why our paths cross each others

♪We'll never know

♪When our paths will cross over

♪Where were you?

♪Did you keep living?

♪Underneath a distant sky

Aoi!

Aoi!

Ren?

♪Lies two tales

♪The vertical warp is you

♪The horizontal weft is me

♪And one day this interwoven fabric

♪May be able to warm somebody up

Reiwa! Reiwa! Reiwa!

Ren!

♪Scars from the days where I lost myself

♪Wondering why I had to keep living

♪Scars from the days where I fell over

♪Trying to pursue my dreams

♪What will such threads become?

♪Unsure, I trembled in the wind

♪The vertical warp is you

Sonoda! Sonoda?

Aoi!?

♪The horizontal weft is me

♪And one day this interwoven fabric

♪May care for someone's wounds

♪The vertical warp is you

♪The horizontal weft is me

♪Being able to meet the thread you are destined with

♪People call that “happiness.”

Finally! Only 10 seconds to the new era!

The era is about to change

3 2 1...

Aoi!

Congratulations!

Aoi!

Aoi!

Aoi!

You okay?

(Tapestry)

(Tapestry) Suda Masaki

(Tapestry) Suda Masaki Komatsu Nana

Translation: neet21_ and tsunaideiku Timer: ChelleShawol Special Thanks: msuda707 and SudaNana fandom at discord channel

(Make a strong, melting c̶h̶e̶e̶s̶e̶ family with deep feelings!)

(Spend the rest of your lives ripening your love for each other)

♪We have no clue

♪Why our paths cross each others

♪We'll never know

♪When our paths will cross over

♪Where were you?

♪Did you keep living?

♪Underneath a distant sky

♪Lies two tales

♪The vertical warp is you

♪The horizontal weft is me

♪And one day this interwoven fabric

♪May be able to warm somebody up

♪The vertical warp is you

♪The horizontal weft is me

♪Being able to meet the thread you are destined with

♪People call that “happiness.”