Original subtitles

Yes, I'm leaving New York next week.

Yes, of course.

I promise I'll bring good news.

(Sato Ai) (Primary School Class Reunion)

(Sato Ai)

(Sato Ai) - Three draft beers, right? - Yes.

I'm sorry. I need three draft beers.

- Okay, three draft beers. - Please.

Excuse me.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Oh, my God, that's a miss.

May I take your order, please?

- I'm sorry... - Come on, have a drink with me!

I don't want to...

Sir, please don't do this.

It may cause inconvenience to other customers.

You are so dowdy!

I'm sorry...

Go away, you bastard!

Hey! What are you doing?

Come on, let's drink then.

Sir!

I said go away!

I can't stand drinking in this place.

Wait! Wait a minute!

I'm sorry.

Mio, are you okay?

I'm sorry.

Hey, miss.

That's a hell of a package.

Anyway, do you want to go for a drink?

I'm sorry. I have important plans to do.

Bye.

Ouch...

Sato, that looked pretty bad. Are you okay?

Manager...

I'm fine.

I'll be right back in the hall.

Wait a minute!

Can I have a moment now?

Yes.

Someone once said that

God sees those who are working hard and

will one day lead them to the place where they can shine the brightest.

The end of this month...

Does that mean I'm fired?

I was told to reduce the number of part- time workers by the head office.

Oh, no.

Can you at least let me stay here until I find a new job?

It's hard for me, too. I'm sorry.

Thank you for everything.

What is the place where I can shine?

I wonder if everyone has already found it.

I wonder how I can get there.

I'm home!

Happy birthday, Ai!

Did you forget it?

Yeah.

What?

Wow, this is amazing!

I had to go to an earlier shift to celebrate.

Thank you, Risa.

I see. My birthday...

What's wrong?

I got fired from my part-time job.

What! No! Why?

Well, it did happen. I guess it's because of the timing...

We have to do something.

Yeah. All right. Let's drink tonight!

Let's drink!

So you're 28 years old now? We've known each other for 15 years.

Time does fly.

I still remember.

When I was in seventh grade, I was hated for being cocky, but you

asked me to have lunch with you.

This story again?

It was the happiest moment of my life.

This one is gone.

Shall we open another one?

Stop it. I have an interview tomorrow.

Okay, I see.

What's tomorrow's company?

A publisher.

I hope it works out for you.

Well, who knows...

I've already failed at fifty companies.

I don't care where it is. I just want to get a job soon.

If I can't find a new job, I won't be able to pay back my scholarship

and afford my living expenses.

You don't have to worry about living expenses.

I'm the one who asked you to live with me.

That's not how it works.

We are the same age,

but you are already a restaurant manager

while I'm unemployed.

I'm really ashamed of myself.

The manager is just a title.

It's not that great at all.

Wait!

Hey, don't drink too much, okay?

I know.

That's right.

Unable to find a place to stay,

I found me at 28.

(Where is my goal?)

(Where is my goal?) A reality that is different from the future.

A reality that is different from the future.

I had envisioned as a child.

At this age,

I'm living a life in which I have yet to become anything.

Well, first,

Sato Ai.

Yes!

Please sit down.

Okay.

You've changed jobs three times.

Yes.

The first company I worked for went bankrupt after a year.

The next company I worked for, they downsized due to a merger.

The company I worked for until last year

had its president arrested.

Sato, do you have any plans to get married?

Oh, I don't think that's the question.

Oh, really?

I'm not thinking of getting married.

I don't have a partner,

and working is more important to me right now.

I'm ready to bury my bones in this company,

and I will do my best at any job.

Oh, Kobayashi is at Keimei University?

Yes.

I'm from Keimei, too. The boat club.

I used to go and cheer for the boat club every year!

Oh, really?

Yes!

Thank you for today.

See you.

Bye!

Did you change your boyfriend again?

Well, maybe he's my boyfriend.

I don't know.

How can you not know that!

Anyway, how did it go? The interview.

Probably another failure.

I wish I could borrow your face and body.

You don't have to look like that before you get the results!

You should at least go on a date once in a while to take your mind off things.

I don't have a partner and time for that.

I have to look for a job right now!

(Locate Work)

(You have a message.)

(You have a message.)

(Sosuke Hasebe: It's been a long time.)

(Sosuke Hasebe)

What?

Hasebe Sosuke...

Why?

"It's been a long time."

"I got your email address from the

Harugaoka Primary School Reunion website."

Really? Sosuke?

Who is this?

Your classmate?

Yeah.

When I was in fifth grade, he moved into the house next door.

Ah!

Ai, look, there's a cat!

So cute!

He was kind and cute

and I felt at home with him.

I liked him!

But in sixth grade, he moved to America.

What's wrong?

(I'm going back to Japan.)

(I wanna see you.)

He's coming back!

He said he wants to see me!

I'm so nervous!

What has become of Sosuke?

He was fat, right?

Yeah, he was so cute!

I mean, you should have worn something a little more date- like.

I don't have such clothes.

Then at least...

Come here!

What?

He was your first love, right?

There you go.

Thank you!

Then, see you!

What?

What happened?

Oh, no!

I forgot my phone!

What can I do?

I promised to call him when I get there...

Then use mine.

Oh, you don't know his number?

I know! I made a note of it, just in case.

Then you can take this phone.

I'll see you later. Have fun!

Thanks!

I'm Ai. I'm here now.

Please contact me on this number.

Sosuke?

Sosuke, long time no see!

Huh?

What's wrong?

Well, I don't know what's going on...

Sorry I have the wrong person!

- I'm sorry! - The wrong person...

It does happen sometimes.

Hello?

Ai? This is Sosuke.

Oh, hi.

I just got here, too. Where are you?

By the fountain.

Me, too.

Ah!

I saw you!

What?

I finally met you.

Life sometimes

defies expectations.

In such a way.

All of a sudden.

♪We can go anywhere♪

♪Find me♪

♪Take your own steps♪

♪Even it's failure or a mistake♪

♪I won't mind being exposed♪

♪I'll be laughing like a child♪

=She Was Pretty= ♪I'll be laughing like a child♪

=She Was Pretty= ♪Dreaming on a summer afternoon♪

=Episode 1= ♪Dreaming on a summer afternoon♪

♪Dreaming on a summer afternoon♪

That's Sosuke?

Ai! Long time no see.

That's when it hit me.

In his memory, I was...

(The role of Cinderella) The role of Cinderella has gone to Sato Ai!

(Sato Ai) The role of Cinderella has gone to Sato Ai!

Thank you!

I'll do my best!

Thank you!

(Best Book Report Award) Thank you!

(Best Book Report Award)

Take the bag.

Hey, fatty.

Take this!

What are you guys doing?

Let's go home.

I'm not the same person I once was.

Oh, my God, that's a miss.

Thank you for everything.

You are so dowdy!

Go away, you bastard!

Everything has changed since then.

(Foreclosure)

(Foreclosure) After Sosuke went to America,

After Sosuke went to America,

(Foreclosure) My father's printing company went bankrupt.

My father's printing company went bankrupt.

Our once-wealthy family

became penniless.

Ai, help us!

My appearance, which was similar to my mother's,

began to be dominated by

my father's genes when I reached puberty.

Ever since then,

my life has been a disappointment.

Ai?

He didn't even notice me.

I am not the same person as he knew before.

I was so careless.

I made a promise without even thinking about it.

He's not supposed to see me like this.

What do you mean? Like this?

Go see him!

I don't want to ruin the memories.

I don't want to destroy them.

That's how you talk down to yourself?

It's a bad habit.

No problem if it's you!

He won't be disappointed.

Just go ahead.

No way!

Ai.

If he asks me how I'm doing, should I answer that I'm unemployed?

Should I say sorry for being not pretty enough?

Ah.

Sosuke.

Ai?

I'm sorry for being late.

Oh, there's someone in the corner!

Yes, that's Sister Peeps.

Sister Peeps?

What's she looking at?

Does she want to dance as well?

I think she must have been looking at him.

Because she was in unrequited love with him.

Maybe.

But why did she stay in that corner?

I can now understand her feelings.

She doesn't want to disappoint him.

She doesn't want him to feel sorry for her.

Now I have to blend into the background.

It's been a while, Ai.

Yeah.

Oh, I see.

It's okay if I call you "Ai", right?

What?

You know, before I moved out,

you asked me to call you that from then on.

Oh, yes.

That's right.

What are you doing now?

If he asks you about work, say this.

I'm still studying.

There's something I want to learn.

I see. You are amazing.

You have always worked so hard.

How is your family?

They are doing well.

How's your family?

They're fine. They're in Seattle now.

Oh, by the way, my dad recently started taking piano lessons.

Oh, that's nice. How's your mother?

What?

Excuse me. Here's what you ordered.

Well, then...

I was wondering if your father had remarried.

Oh, I see.

Yeah, he did. Six years ago, I think.

I knew it! It seems that my guess was correct.

Why did you contact me out of the blue?

When I was packing to move,

I found a box of letters.

I was reading the letters, and it made me nostalgic.

Oh, I see.

Why didn't you write to me anymore?

Regarding the reason for not writing anymore, say this.

I lost your address when I moved.

Oh!

That's what happened.

Oh, I found the jigsaw puzzle, too.

Puzzle?

Sister Peeps?

You remember it?

Yeah.

I was thinking back to the day we did the puzzle together.

I've missed you so much.

I'm glad I had you as a friend next to me.

I'm glad you're still as cool

as you were then.

I was right to look for you.

I was right to hide.

That was a delicious meal.

Thank you for today.

- When will we meet next? - Oh, Sosuke.

To not see each other anymore without destroying the memories...

Say this when you say goodbye.

In fact, I...

I...

I'm going to study abroad.

Study abroad?

Where?

Well...

(Travel to the UK)

(Travel to the UK) The UK.

The UK?

- Since when? - Tomorrow.

- Tomorrow? - Yes, tomorrow.

Let's keep in touch.

Okay.

I also go to London on business once in a while,

so I'll see you then.

Yeah, of course.

Definitely contact me.

Yeah.

Bye!

Wait!

I'll be back in five minutes. Wait here.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Take this.

What's it?

I think it will be useful in the UK.

It can keep you from things you don't like.

Thank you.

Good luck.

Thanks. You, too.

It's good to see you.

You said he was a quiet fat boy,

so I was surprised to see him completely different from that.

I'm sorry for causing you trouble.

But he was a nice guy.

Are you sure you don't want to see him?

Yeah, it's fine.

Thank you.

Oh, about this...

He said it can keep you from things you don't like.

What a cute umbrella!

We're out of beer.

Just sit down. I'll get it.

- Thank you. - It's okay.

Risa?

You have to take off your makeup before you sleep.

Risa?

She must be tired.

I made her do a weird play.

I'm sorry. I'm such a stupid friend.

Sosuke?

Sosuke?

It'll be fine.

I'll be there for you from now on.

I'll be your umbrella.

Hey.

Take this.

Huh?

When we meet again someday,

we'll finish it together.

Okay.

Take care.

(Delete)

Bye.

Hello?

Sato Ai, right? I'm from the human resources department of Bunko Publishing.

Hi!

Risa!

Good morning.

I made it.

What?

I made it to that publishing company.

Really?

It's like a dream. It's like a lie.

You did it! Congratulations!

I finally get employed!

Employed!

That's great.

It's finally paying off.

Thank you! I'll do my best!

Good luck!

(Bicycle and Pedestrian Only)

Okay, go ahead!

Oh, sorry...

- What? - Huh?

- Ouch! - What?

Go straight!

Just keep going straight.

If you stop here, you'll cause people trouble.

Okay.

There.

This way.

Here you go.

Excuse me, I'm in a hurry!

Relax. I'll untie you in a minute.

I can't get it off.

What?

- You're in a hurry? - Yeah!

Should I cut it off?

I understand. Please do it!

Okay, I got it off!

Thank you! Bye!

I'm sorry! Excuse me!

(Michael Jackson's style: White socks & penny loafers)

Michael Jackson?

(General Affairs Department) The first three months will be a trial period.

(General Affairs Department) Make sure you learn the job well.

Make sure you learn the job well.

Yes!

Here's your seat.

And here's your employee ID.

(ID card: Sato Ai)

Thank you!

My desk...

My ID card...

Well, now...

Yes?

Make 20 copies of each of these.

And take it to the sales department.

Okay.

And get all that equipment over there to Most's editorial office.

Okay!

Please confirm this.

Please.

Please.

Okay, I'm off now.

Why did you decide to employ her?

She doesn't give up that easily.

The Most Editorial Office...

(The Most Editorial Office)

Here it is!

Excuse me!

Satonaka, how's the translation check on the interview going?

I'm sorry. Not yet.

Hurry up.

Azuma, we have a list of models who come to Japan.

It's finished.

We haven't decided on the photographer, right?

We'll decide by the end of the week.

Good morning.

- I'll check it out. - Thanks.

- And about the studio, Komatsu? - Yes?

Maybe it's better to do it naturally...

Good morning. I'm from the General Affairs Department.

I've brought the equipment.

Please leave it there.

Okay.

I'm sorry, but

can you send this package by bike?

What?

Thank you.

Hey, you.

Right now, take these manuscripts as well.

(Proofreading Guidebook) Right now, take these manuscripts as well.

I'll need this by the end of the day.

Well...

Who's she?

A freelance proofreader who started working with us today.

Hi!

Hi!

After you're done with that, can you proofread this one, too?

Well, I...

Huh? Do I know you from somewhere?

What?

The receptionist at a dentist?

No.

Then pizza delivery?

I didn't do that. I...

Higuchi, Marunouchi Design is calling for you.

Okay!

Well, nice to meet you.

What?

This is Higuchi!

Are you finished?

Yes, it's done.

Um, I should probably get back.

I'm sorry, but could you please bring some coffee to the studio?

Here's the location.

Why?

Oh!

That's her!

Michael Jackson!

Here you go. Coffee.

I'm sorry. Can you stop for a moment?

Stylist, fix the hem, please.

A little more fluffy.

Please be bold with the flowers.

Beautiful!

Amazing!

The freelance proofreader who was supposed to start today

has a stomach ache and can't come.

What?

So, that girl back there...

The proofreading I asked her to do was done perfectly.

Mine, too.

She finished my manuscript at a very fast pace.

Excuse me.

Do you know our newcomer?

I'm sorry. I was asked to do a lot of things at the place I delivered the supplies.

I heard that. Good work.

I'll do my best to do my work here properly from tomorrow.

No, you'll be working in

the Most editorial office starting tomorrow.

Nominally you still belong to the General Affairs Department.

After your three-month trial period,

you'll come back here. Good luck.

Excuse me.

Oh, you're here.

Good morning!

There's your seat.

Okay.

Oh!

Jackson today as well.

Sato.

Yes?

Looking forward to working with you.

Me, too!

You used to work as a proofreader somewhere?

My family owns a printing house.

My mother worked as a freelance proofreader, and I used to help her a lot.

I see.

I'd like you to assist me with proofreading,

general affairs, and other minor tasks.

Okay!

There's a shooting for Hongo Mina this afternoon.

Go help there.

Okay!

Thanks.

Who is Hongo Mina?

An international model who's been to Paris Collection.

You don't know her?

I'm not familiar with that sort of thing.

So you don't know much about our magazine either?

I read it for the first time yesterday.

The Most.

A fashion magazine published in 30 countries around the world.

We are the Japanese edition.

Targets are women in their 20s and 30s.

30% is translated from the New York edition, and the rest are country- specific articles.

Other than our own, the most famous

Japanese edition of foreign fashion magazines is Luna Japan.

How to differentiate us from Luna is an eternal issue.

Did you understand?

Well, the one who suggested that you be invited to Most

was me.

Because of your fault, I...

Not fault, but a favor.

Oh, I'm Higuchi Takuya.

Nice to meet you, Jackson.

Jackson...

Good morning, everyone!

Good morning!

Editor-in-Chief, Ikezawa Ranko.

I'd like to introduce you to the creative director who will be joining us today.

What's wrong, Jackson?

Nice to meet you.

I'm from The Most's New York headquarters.

I'm Hasebe Sosuke.

Mr. Hasebe will also work as deputy Editor-in-Chief.

We've been expecting you.

I'm an executive fashion editor...

Okajima Yuiko.

Yes.

Miyagi Bunta.

Yes.

Higuchi Takuya.

Yes.

Azuma Kyoko.

Suda Erika.

Satonaka Junichi.

Yes.

Komatsu Marina.

Yes.

Kazami Wakaba.

Fujiishi Satoko.

- What's he doing? - Shimaki Katsumi.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too.

There's another one here...

No, it's nothing.

The days when fashion magazines were the center of attention are over.

Now information about Paris Collection is instantly shared on SNS,

and the print media is said to be obsolete.

How will we survive?

Please carry out your work with

an even greater sense of urgency.

Okay.

Isn't he really cool? That deputy editor.

He's amazing.

But he looks a little scary.

Is he single?

It must be complicated for Yuiko.

She was originally supposed to be the next deputy editor.

This is actually the Editor-in-Chief's office,

but I'll let you use it.

This is gonna be fun.

Let's all get along.

What happened?

Please, take me back to General Affairs.

Why?

Because...

I'd rather learn to work here than help someone else!

That's not gonna happen.

Why?

The Editor-in-Chief of Most is the sister of

the chairman of our parent company, the Bunko Group.

Have you seen her? With the curly hair and the sunglasses?

So, honestly, I don't want any trouble with that place.

Good luck over there for a while.

What?

(General Affairs Department)

What am I supposed to do?

What?

Um, can someone please help me?

It's stopped.

Anybody there?

Calm down.

Okay.

(ID card: Sato Ai)

Sato Ai?

The elevator has stopped.

Please confirm.

Okay.

Please wait a moment.

Well...

Maybe you're

claustrophobic?

Take this.

Someone told me about it once.

She said this would help you calm down.

Are you all right?

Yeah.

I've been waiting for you.

International Magazine, which used to be a dollar box, is now

Nowadays, both circulation and advertising revenue are less than half of their heyday.

They want to liquidate unprofitable departments.

It's the consensus of the board.

Even so, we've been working together with The Most

since the first issue.

We decided to wait for three months to show our respect to the home country.

General Kishida,

Editor-in-chief Ikezawa knows about this matter, right?

No.

She knows nothing.

She's just for decoration.

But I'm surprised.

At this critical juncture,

I didn't expect someone as young as you.

Okay, one more time.

Excuse me. Please confirm this.

Thanks.

This is all?

Yes.

Hi.

Hi.

I'll check it once.

Can someone get Mina some water?

Water, please.

- Okay. - Thanks.

Here it is.

Straw?

Where's the straw?

- I'll go get it. - You're amazing.

Hey, get out of the way!

I'm sorry!

I've got good pictures, so let's move to the next. A little more...

I'm sorry!

Hey, what are you doing?

I'm really sorry!

I'm sorry!

It's okay.

Give me a break.

I'm sorry!

This one's fine. Over there...

Thanks.

Get out of here.

I'm sorry.

Oh, my.

What are you doing here?

(Sato Ai)

Yeah, in the elevator.

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry.

I haven't taught her enough.

She's just new to our department.

You weren't there when I did the greeting in the morning.

She belongs to the General Affairs Department.

She'll only work with us for only three months.

I'm glad that

she's not one of ours.

It's your first day. I'll tolerate it.

Be careful from now on.

I'm so sorry.

What? Really?

You mean that Sosuke came to work with you?

Did you introduce yourself as Sato Ai?

He thinks I'm a different person with the same name.

I see.

That makes sense.

It's a common name.

I can't work with him.

Three months, right? It's gonna be okay.

How are you doing, Ai?

I haven't heard from you in a while.

So I can't wait to email you.

Have you gotten used to the life there?

It's raining in Tokyo.

It rains a lot in Britain too.

I'm just worried you're not feeling well.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Please contact me when you have time.

What am I supposed to do?

I know!

All right, let's do this.

What's that?

It's okay.

What are you doing?

Thanks for your email.

I'm fine, as you can see!

Wait!

I've lived a busy life.

I think Britain is the proper place for me.

She looks well.

Did you really send this?

Yeah.

This will make him believe I'm in Britain.

He'll never know you work at the same place.

You don't have to worry.

I'm back!

Hi!

Oh, you're awake. Good morning.

Good morning.

(How to Write a Resignation Letter)

(How to Write a Resignation Letter) What?

How to write a resignation letter?

Oh, that's...

What are you thinking about?

You can't be serious.

You've worked hard to get into the company.

I can't believe you're quitting due to something like that.

It's not just something. It's a big deal to me.

I don't want to ruin the memories.

I don't want to live in fear every day.

Ai.

I'm like a sock with a hole in it.

I shriveled up in fear of being exposed as a disgraceful person.

I'm starting to hate myself more and more.

I...

I don't want to be miserable...

We'll talk about it at night.

Anyway, don't be too hasty.

(Bicycle and Pedestrian Only)

Okay, go ahead.

Thank you!

You're walking around in a daze.

Well...

I'm sorry you had to stop shooting yesterday.

Though I'm a newcomer from General Affairs and not familiar...

I don't care if you're new or from the General Affairs Department.

We don't need people who are unprofessional.

Sato!

Can you get the long organza dress from the coordination room?

Okay.

Well...

Yes?

I'm sorry. If you could hurry...

Okay!

Organza?

I guess this is it.

Sato, how's the proofreading I asked you to do yesterday?

Yes, it's done. Just a moment, please.

Sorry for keeping you waiting.

Too bad. This is tulle.

I'm sorry. I'll look for it right away.

I'll go get it.

I'm sorry.

Sato!

Could you return the new lipstick for the photoshoot over there?

Okay!

You have to wipe the fingerprints.

Oh, I'm sorry. Excuse me!

Sato, can you see the manuscript first?

Okay!

Hey, General Affairs.

How much longer do we have to wait?

Excuse me, please.

I'm sorry.

Think about priorities.

I'm sorry. I'll be careful.

Sato, please return that dress as well.

Yes. Where should I return it?

General Affairs.

Okay, you can do this later.

But...

Hey, General Affairs!

Go there first.

This.

Get a copy to Okajima as well.

I'm off to a meeting.

Okay.

Hey!

What?

My name isn't General Affairs.

Oh...

I'm sorry.

I don't like it.

Huh?

(Sato Ai)

I don't like this name.

♪Hydrangea♪

♪Even your tears are beautiful♪

♪A flower blooming in a rainy town♪

♪You're my heroine♪

What's wrong with her?

That's when it became clear to me.

Hey, General Affairs!

I don't like this name.

Sosuke, the man I loved,

is gone.

♪We're just passing each other♪

That's disgusting.

That's not the Sosuke I knew.

I've never seen anyone so rude.

Okay, calm down.

I've made up my mind.

I don't have to worry about that guy anymore.

I'll get even with him at work.

Yeah, that's the spirit.

At that rate, you'll be fine.

Bye. Good luck.

Did you check that with the chef?

Not yet.

I think you should ask him.

Then you can ask him.

Thanks.

What happened?

Huh?

Your nose is swollen.

That's how my face looks.

- Thank you for today. - Thank you.

(Preview: Deputy Editor-in-Chief vs. Newcomer!) I can't afford to have baggage like you around.

(Deputy Editor-in-Chief vs. Newcomer! Big events!) If you can't do anything, don't bother me.

(A rapidly accelerating love quadrangle) Jackson, you're good.

(A rapidly accelerating love quadrangle) I'm sorry.

(A rapidly accelerating love quadrangle) You should've told me earlier.

I'm the Sato Ai you know!

(This drama is fictional.) I'm the Sato Ai you know!

(This drama is fictional.)