Original subtitles

[Kiyo] I meant to write my midsummer greetings,

but before I knew it, it was already the season of red maple leaves.

I'll send them out before the New Year's greetings.

[woman humming]

[gentle music plays]

[Kiyo] The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House.

EPISODE FIVE - CHOICE -

Hey, you did that yesterday, and the day before that too.

Huh?

Uh, that's the right kind of attitude, but...

maybe it's time to get a new one.

Ōkini, Sister Tsurukoma. Thank you.

You're, uh, out of face wash too, hm?

Well, I guess

you're just like Kiyo, in everything besides the mai.

[chuckles]

- I'm embarrassed! - [laughs]

- [Tsuru] Oh! - [clattering]

- Oh. - [clattering continues]

[sighs] Aww...

I put on some weight again.

Oh no...

Oh, I know! The pudding.

[sighs] I can't have any more pudding.

[traditional music playing]

[Azusa] Do you know

what that mai she's doing is about?

No, not really...

That one's called "Kurokami," it's interesting.

That mai portrays deep loneliness in a song,

of a woman lying alone,

tired and restless in her sleep,

as she longs for her forbidden lover.

So it's a sad mai, is it not?

Mmm. Yes, that's right.

But also, if you entice the audience too strongly,

the mai becomes smaller.

You have to show what can't be seen

without revealing too much either.

I wish to mai like that soon.

I'm afraid you still have a long way ahead.

You do know that, right?

- Yes. - Hmm.

- [Kiyo humming] - [Tsuru] Oh! It smells so good!

- Oh, it sounds so cool! - [Koto] So good.

- [Tsuru] Ooh! - [Koto] I can't wait! How much longer?

[Tsuru] Miss Kiyo! I can't wait for more!

[Kiyo] Just a sec. Just a little bit longer.

- [Tsuru] Oh my goodness! - [Yoshino] Kiyo, this is delicious.

The batter is nice and crispy.

You used something special for it, didn't you?

[chuckles] I just let the batter cool in the fridge first.

- Oh yeah! - [Koto] Really?

- My mom does that too, actually. - Really?

- [laughs] - Mm-hmm.

- [Yoshino] Where's Sumire? - On the deck, practicing her dance.

- [Yoshino] Oh. - [Kiku] Mmm! I'm getting seconds.

- [Yoshino] There'll be no tempura left! - Sumire's probably doing this!

- [Yoshino] Hm. Ah. I see. - And this, too.

- [Yoshino] Practice over food? - Yeah.

[Yoshino] That's lame.

Mmm. But she's actually impressive. Kotono should learn from her.

- Why that stare? - So?

Kotono, what's your type?

- [laughs] She's got an unusual taste. - Yeah, unusual.

- Really? - Mm-hmm.

She likes the "I've got a delivery for you!" types.

Mmm!

- Right? - [Koto] He's very cute.

His eyes are so gentle.

That's because his cheeks are so huge!

- There, see? - It looks like he's smiling all the time.

Miss Kiyo, I'd like a kisu, please!

- Yes. - [Kiku] Thanks.

[Koto] I'd like another kisu too.

- Got it. - [Sumire] Good morning!

- [Tsuru] Mmm! - [Ryoko] Kiyo, more lotus root!

- [Kiyo] Okay! - [Tsuru] Sumire, what's that?

Hmm? Oh...

Uh...

- I use it as a fan. - Mmm!

- How about you, Sumire? What's your type? - Mmm.

- Type? - Mm-hmm.

Type of what?

Of tempura?

- [Yoshino] What? - I like shrimp...

[Kiku] Sister Yoshino, it's no use.

It's like men don't even exist to her right now.

- Maiko only need mai, and nothing else! - Sumire.

- Can you take that? - Sure.

- [Yoshino] She's like Momoko. - That'd go with teriyaki.

Any man who falls for her will go through actual hell, yeah?

[Kiku] Mmm. Mmm, mmm, mmm.

- Hey! - [Tsuru] Hmm?

Where's Mother Azusa?

Tempura's her favorite.

[Tsuru] Oh, she got all dressed up and left just now.

[Yoshino] It's gotta be another date with Mr. Tanabe. Right?

[Kiku] No, actually she said she was on her way to see Master.

- [Tsuru] Oh, I see. - How about you, Kiyo?

The mysterious girl who talks to food all day

doesn't have any interest in reality, huh?

- [chuckles] - [Kiyo] You know what?

- I'm actually in love. - [Yoshino] Yeah, yeah.

- [Kiyo] With my frying pan, Tetsuko. - [Yoshino and Tsuru] Hmm?

And gyoza too!

- [Yoshino] Oh, come on, that's so boring! - [laughter]

[Kiku] You, Ryoko? What happened with that person you were texting?

- [Tsuru] That's actually sweet. - [Ryoko] What?

[jaunty music plays]

[Sakurai groans]

The yukata for the worship event in July...

Aaah!

I have to decide on a single pattern for all of us to wear.

Miss Azusa, which one do you think is good?

- Since it's happening in July... - Hmm...

Well, wind chimes and morning glories

are a little too ordinary.

[hesitantly] Sunflowers?

Sunflowers, huh?

- Yeah! That could be great! - That's right, I agree!

- Uh-huh. - Sunflowers. That's great.

Have your udon, please.

- Oh, yes. - [girl laughs]

- Well. All right, then. - Okay, then.

- Udon next year! - Udon?

[laughing] No, what? What am I saying? Udon?

- [both laughing] - What pattern is that?

- I meant sunflowers. Sunflowers. - Sunflowers, got it.

[Azusa] Aah!

So actually,

I called you here today

regarding Miss Sumire.

Ah, yes.

So, is everything okay?

Well, I don't know.

She's usually very careless, just like all initial apprentices,

but when she performs,

well, she becomes another person entirely, and glows.

I'm looking forward to her future.

Like Momoko's, but in a different way.

- Ōkini, Master. - Hmm.

So since that's the case,

let's have our Sumire finish initial training early, hmm?

And book her an ozashiki right away.

Let's get her performing a little ahead of schedule. Hmm?

Yes, Master.

[slurping]

- Mmm! - [both laugh]

[woman] Kiyo! [chuckles]

Here are your croquettes.

- Thank you. - [chuckles]

Did you always have roasted cutlets here?

- Of course! - Really?

- You just didn't see it! - Yeah, I didn't!

- [chuckles] Careful, they're hot. - Ah! Okay. See you.

- Good luck! - Take care. Thanks.

[girl] Hey, look, look. Let's go! Excuse me!

- Excuse me... - Uh, may I take a picture of you?

- [Kiku and Koto] Sure! - Thank you so much!

So beautiful.

- Um, can you take a picture of us? - Sure.

- Oh! - Perfect, thank you so much.

Awesome.

- Excuse me. - Excuse us.

All right, say cheese.

[shutter clicking]

- [kids] Thank you so much. - Can you take one with this phone too?

- [Sumire] Sure. - [boy] Thanks a lot.

- Here you go. - Mmm.

- Mmm. Ōkini. - Mm-hmm.

Mmm.

- Wow! - That looks good, huh?

- Mr. Tanabe gives us delicious treats. - [both] Hmm.

He's very helpful.

Mm-hmm, I took just one quick look at that nice burdock root and...

[gasps] ...I just knew Mr. Tanabe gave it to us.

- Horikawa gave us that, actually. - Hmm!

- I'm sure Mr. Horikawa is handsome too. - Hmm, well...

- I'm sure he is. - Mm-hmm!

Okay, I'll eat the croquettes, take a nap,

then prepare for tonight's ozashiki.

Hmm.

What's this?

There's a name on every one of the croquettes.

- [Tsuru gasps softly] - [Yoshino] So stingy.

[both giggle quietly]

- [Tsuru] The caramel pudding incident... - Mmm!

[both laugh]

What are you doing with that chicken?

This is for tonight's makanai.

- Ooh. - Oh, really?

- [laughs] It's Sumire's favorite. - [Tsuru gasps] Awww...

Did Sumire say she wanted to eat it?

No, I just thought it was about time she'd wanna eat it.

Ahh...

Kiyo and Sumire are like an old couple, married for 30 years.

- Mm-hmm. I agree. - Mm-hmm.

- [laughs] - [Tsuru] Mmm!

[Chiyo] Isn't it nice

to be able to eat a hot meal whenever you want?

Mother, there's five things a mother-in-law can say

to piss a wife off.

- That's number two. - [giggles]

- Sister, what's number one in that list? - [Yoshino laughs]

[Chiyo] Well, luckily, we don't have a wife in this yakata.

- We do have a former wife though. - [all laugh]

- Chiyo's so rude, isn't she? - [Tsuru giggles]

- [Chiyo] Hm? Did you say rude? - [Yoshino] Hm?

- Oh! [giggles] - She's got remarkable hearing!

- [Tsuru] Nothing gets past Mother Chiyo. - [Yoshino laughs]

[whispers] I once broke off one of her charms.

- [Tsuru] Wait. When? - [Chiyo] Oh, yes, that?

- She heard that? [gasps] - Mm-hmm! [chuckles]

- Gives me the chills. - [banging at door]

[man] Excuse me.

[banging]

[Kiyo] Hmm?

[Tsuru] Sister?

[Kiyo] Uh, yes. I'll be right there.

Yuko's supposed to be here, right?

Yuko?

Yeah. She used to work here as Yoshino.

- Her tag is up there. - Oh.

Yoshino, well, uh...

[man] So, she is here, huh?

- Huh? Oh, wait... - Yuko!

- You here? Hey! I'm here, let's go. - Um, uh... Excuse me, but...

- Excuse me. Sir, wait a min... - Yuko?

So, you're saying that the divorce hasn't actually been settled yet?

Yes. I got home from my business trip

and I saw nothing but her ring and a letter.

Your mother is around all the time I can't live my life like that.

Well, she's not exactly happy either.

Listen, you don't think Momiji Manju can fix everything, do you?

Even after you sided with your mom every single time?

I just let her think I'm on her side. It's easier, okay?

She isn't around much longer, so if you could just push through it...

That's not a fair deal.

'Cause you know, Mother here is nearly 80 years old,

and oh goodness my, she's still hearty and robust, okay?

I'm closer to 70, okay?

- You should round down and not up. - Well...

So, it's probably not a good idea for us to talk about this here.

Why don't you go back to Hiroshima.

- Cool off before you make a decision? - [sighs]

I just can't go home like this.

Come on, please, Yuko.

I've got my heart set on having my bones buried here this time around.

Ah. That is a bold assumption,

that we would let you bury your bones here, you know?

Seriously, Mother Azusa?

- Uh, yes. - [Yoshino] What?

- Are you serious? - I am.

Oh, come on!

- Myonichikan? - Yes.

When I asked Iwai, he said he invited her to go there.

- That's how he proposed to her? - Yes.

Oh... Have you not heard of it?

Frank Lloyd Wright designed the entire space himself.

It's a wedding hall.

Uh, well...

Um, I don't know about that.

That's a bit too indirect, right?

Uh... su... sure, I guess.

Well... he was thinking about it a lot. [chuckles]

I mean, what kind of, uh... proposal is that, huh?

Uh, right.

If you were to propose to someone special, would you do it like that?

Oh, no. Well, I'd... uh...

Um, su... surely, uh...

Uh, well, um... If I do that, uh...

Um, well, I'll be very direct.

Ahem.

Hmm. Are you sure?

Uh...

[sighs]

Yes, I'm sure.

[Azusa] Hmm. I'm not convinced...

- [Momoko] Don't look at me. - [Yoshino laughs]

It feels heavy. Hm?

I heard your husband came to take you back.

My ex. Ex-husband.

I'm never going back to that hell.

[Momoko] Hmm. Why didn't the marriage work out?

Why are you asking, suddenly?

You threw that question at me like a fastball

pitched by Hanshin's Kyuji Fujikawa.

Did someone propose to you or something?

Well, sort of, you know? [sighs]

Ohhh!

[gasps] Now I get it!

You're like Ichiro, aren't ya?

You've been at the top this whole time,

it's hard for you to maintain your motivation...

Don't judge me like that.

- I'm sorry, okay? - Huh?

Oh, if only I hadn't retired...

then you wouldn't have had to go through all of this alone...

Hey, hold on, hold on.

- First of all, we've never been rivals. - [laughs]

- Not even for a second. - Hey, would you look at that?

You still have your senjafuda here. I'll take it off for you.

- What? Stop! - This right here.

- What are you doing? Stop! - [Azusa] Well, well. Oh!

You don't see the two of you like this every day.

What are you up to?

[laughs]

We were just, um, discussing the next successor at the yakata.

[Azusa] Really? Who is it going to be?

Do you feel more at ease around me or her?

Hmm. Hey, let me go to the restroom first.

[Yoshino sighs]

- [Azusa running] - [laughs]

Neither of us are capable of being like her, right?

Yeah! [laughing]

- [both sigh] - So you're quitting.

I'm never quitting.

Oh, dang!

You're not quitting, huh?

Yeah, well, I mean...

why do we have to quit when we get married, anyway?

They say it's because the art gets neglected.

[Momoko] I'll never let that happen.

Sure, yeah, right.

[Momoko] It's true.

That's why it's a problem, right?

[Yoshino] How so?

'Cause, you see,

the art would continue on as the thing that I love the most.

If you believe that, then please don't.

I'll feel sorry for that young man if you do.

You know?

[sighs]

I guess I do.

I see your point, for once.

The farewell party?

That's right.

I got a call from Mr. Tanabe the other day,

and he also told me that Mr. Iwai insisted on that.

Oh, I see...

You haven't responded yet, have you?

Iwai just... assumed I would go to Tokyo.

- Really? - Mm-hmm.

[Azusa] I wonder why he did.

He said it didn't look like I was enjoying it here.

[Azusa] Not enjoying it here?

Yup. Like I wanted to quit.

Do you want to quit?

I don't know, honestly...

[Azusa] Don't you like Mr. Iwai?

Feelings like that are unusual. What to do, I don't know.

[Momoko] Do I wanna quit because I like him?

Or do I want to feel that way because I actually want to quit? [sighs]

What reason did you have at the time?

[chuckles]

Well, looking back, it doesn't matter the reason.

So, I'd probably say...

there's never a good enough answer.

[cicadas chirping]

SAKU

KIYO AND SUMIRE'S HOUSE

Sumire's dad went there to take her back, then?

[Grandma] Yes.

But he gave up

and he came back without her.

She's always been stubborn, ever since we were kids.

I don't really know what happened, but it sounded like,

somehow, Kiyo helped her in this.

[Kenta] Hmm...

- [Grandma chuckles] - Those two do make a good battery.

Battery?

Mmm, pitcher and catcher.

Aah, aah...

- [sighs] - [chuckles]

[Kenta] Well, I'm jealous.

[groans softly]

[sighs]

And you're set.

- Hey, where's my phone? - I don't know.

[Momoko] Brother, I'm really glad you're here for me today,

and not just Hiroshi.

Yeah, I can't rely on this snotty kid.

- I'm not a snotty kid. - [Momoko chuckles]

- Is it over there? - It's not. I don't see it.

- I'm jealous of you, Brother Takeshi. - Huh?

Well, because you get to do this job your whole life.

Even if you get married, or get divorced, nothing will happen.

At most, I can do this job for 50 years.

Double that, if I pass the baton to this snotty kid.

- Pass the baton, huh? - Uh-huh.

When you think about it, it'll go beyond my life.

That goes for your mai too. [winces]

- What? - [Hiroshi] You okay?

- [Takeshi] Oh, oh. Here. - [Hiroshi] Oh.

[Takeshi] Seasickness medicine.

Ah. Ōkini.

[Takeshi] Don't throw up on the boat. See ya.

[keys jingling]

[footsteps fading]

[door closes]

[Mother] Welcome.

[Momoko] Mother, I'm grateful to be here with you.

[Sumire] I'm grateful to be here with you.

Tonight's a farewell get-together Mr. Tanabe's throwing for his colleagues.

There's a change, I'm sorry.

I'd like to perform "Kurokami."

[Azusa] I was told it was "Higashiyama Meisho"?

Yes, I'm sorry.

- It's a one-time thing. - [Azusa] "Kurokami," huh?

Why "Kurokami" all of a sudden?

Please, just this once, Mother.

[romantic jazz music plays]

- [Sumire] Sister, your kimono... - It's okay. Don't stress.

Listen, Sumire.

If you're ever in love,

just make sure it's real, yes?

Yes.

And marrying someone doesn't... doesn't make it real.

And if you choose not to,

it doesn't mean it wasn't real, either.

Also...

real love isn't just a romantic feeling.

You can fall in love with your art, not just a man.

Nor does love for the art stop you from loving someone.

Uh-huh.

Maybe

it's not too late.

I will...

will fall in love.

We dance and go through our mai.

We do it thousands of times, yet each and every time, it is different.

Right.

Even to those maple leaves, even to the moon.

And even

whoever else is out there,

everyone who's about to see my mai...

We are never

going to share the same moment again.

So treasure it all.

Treasure it all.

That's why I always say in my heart, "Farewell,"

each and every time I'm performing.

Farewell, then...

Farewell, then...

♪ Kurokami... ♪

[Tanabe] Thank you so much.

Thanks to you, sir,

I was able to see something amazing tonight.

Thank you very much.

Tokyo's next. I'll do my best.

[Tanabe] I know you will.

You can come back any time.

All right?

Sister?

I'll never forget tonight's "Kurokami."

Thank you, Sister Momoko.

Oh... [sighs]

Do you even know what that mai is all about?

Yes.

I heard it from Master.

I see. [sighs]

Sister Momoko...

During your "Kurokami," I didn't see sadness while you performed.

Instead, you were...

Actually, it was... strong.

I felt a strong will behind you.

[Momoko] Well... [sighs]

In that case, it was conveyed properly.

Yes.

[Momoko] That's enough for today. You can go home now.

Sumire?

You have to turn into the top maiko in all Gion, okay?

Sumire.

I've got good news and bad news for you.

So, which do you wanna hear first?

I'd like to hear the bad news first, please.

Mmm.

Right, well...

I'm sorry.

Recently, I accidentally ended up eating the cream puff

you were saving in the refrigerator.

- [sighs] - Forgive me.

Wait, on accident?

Are you sure?

Well, it's not like I thought it was something else.

It's just that when I realized it, the cream puff was...

Why don't we go ahead and move on from the cream puff?

[Azusa] Okay.

And the good news is...

[Sumire panting]

Hm? What's going on?

[Sumire] Um...

- Have you seen Kiyo? - Kiyo?

- Oh, maybe the public bath house? - Uh-huh.

She left and I don't think she'll be back for at least an hour, Sumire.

[scoffs] Jeez.

She's looking for Kiyo of all people, and she's excited?

- Hey, did you know? - Hm?

Whenever Kiyo's in the bath, she likes to sing.

And she sounds like an old man when she does.

What? Really?

And whenever she drinks her fruit juice,

she gives a... mmm! Big sigh like this.

- Seriously? - That's cute. What's with that hand?

- Oh, this? - No, that one!

[joyful arrangement of theme music]

BATH

All right.

[Sumire panting] Kiyo!

[Kiyo] Sumire? What's going on?

- Ah! - [laughs]

- [panting] Master just told me. - Uh-huh.

- My debut is going to start earlier. - What?

I'll be a maiko now, officially!

[laughs]

Sumire! You did it! Congratulations!

[laughing] You did it!

Well done! Well done!

You're gonna look beautiful!

Yay! [laughing]

[squeals]

I'm so excited!

[both laughing]

[Seino] That's a reason to celebrate!

- [clapping] - [Chiyo] Ōkini.

[Seino] Her name, huh? What is it going to be?

If you have suggestions, we're totally open to them.

- Yoshiko Miyazaki. - The name should take from Momoko.

- Oh. - Since they're, uh, such close sisters.

- Right? - Mmm...

- Momo... Momo. - [Tsuru] Momo... something...

- Hmm. Momo, then something good. - [Seino] Moe.

- Oh? - What?

- I don't know about that! - [Tsuru] Oh!

- So, Momo... - [Chiyo] That's not so great.

- [all laughing] - Well...

- [Tsuru] Momo, uh... - [Seino] Momoka?

That's like three girls at any given kindergarten.

- Probably five girls. - [laughter]

Actually, my little sister's name is Momoka too.

- [Furutachi] What? Really? - See?

[Seino] I know. Yurie!

- Yu... - The characters for "lily" and "branch."

- [Yoshino laughs] - Yurie... Aah.

- Well, so... - That's nice!

How about...

Momono?

What do you think?

I'll give her part of my name too.

That's two of the strongest genes, right there.

- [Furutachi] Yurie, huh? - [Yoshino] Hold on!

- Huh? What? - Why are you ignoring me?

- Ignoring? - Momono's not a bad name.

- Okay? - Ah, well, Momono...

- Uh-huh. - Right? Hmm...

Momono doesn't sound great

- Hey, who do you think you are? - [Ren humming]

- You don't even know anything. - [Chiyo chuckles]

Just keep sitting there, not talking.

- [Seino chuckling] - [customer] Okay.

[Chiyo] Yoshino, just accept it. Momono's not going to happen.

- [Furutachi] Not gonna happen. - [Yoshino] Why?

- [laughter] - [Furutachi] Hmm...

[Yoshino] Then what?

Miss Ryoko, why don't you join us?

- Um... - I'll fix you up a drink.

[Chiyo] Eww!

- How about a mocktail? - [chuckles]

- I'm okay. - [Chiyo] Momomo!

Sounds like they're celebrating something, so, um...

I'll pass, then.

It's not really my scene, you know?

[Tsuru] Momomo!

- What is that? - [laughter]

[Azusa] Knock, knock.

- [chuckles] - What is it?

I got another call from Teacher Kabasawa. He called me again.

Mmm. Whatever. It's not a big deal, right?

They talked about attendance, I presume.

No. It's about your plans after graduation.

Oh, I get it.

Because I wrote in "South Korean movie star."

[Azusa] My goodness...

Just so you know, it's not Kabasawa, actually.

- It's Osawa. - Hm?

- My teacher. Her name. - What?

Kabasawa's a nickname, actually.

I've been calling your teacher Kabasawa this whole time, Ryoko!

[Ryoko chuckles]

Oh! As for Sumire, yes,

she will be taking a part of Momoko's name.

So her debut's here.

- Good for her. - [Azusa] Mmm.

Master praised her, saying how she's one in a million. [laughs]

So you're glad, huh?

Though you couldn't do that for yourself?

It's not that I couldn't pull it off...

If you didn't have me,

you could've continued.

You know that's not true, Ryoko.

[Ryoko] How do you look at it?

[Azusa] I met someone whom I really loved,

quit being a geiko and had you.

I don't regret that at all, not even a little bit.

- Not true. - It's true, all right.

I found the place where I belong because of you, sweetheart.

And actually, if you ask me, you're one in a billion, all right?

You're the only one who thinks that,

Azusa.

[Kyoko sighs]

[Azusa sighs]

- [Kiyo] Give me your other hand, please! - [both laughing]

- [Kiyo] Are you okay? - [Sumire] Yes!

[both giggling]

Do you remember this?

Mm-hmm. Of course.

Earlier today, a few junior high schoolers on a class outing

were taking pictures with Kotono and Kikuno here, right?

Mm-hmm. We also took some pictures here last year, didn't we?

Yes. Kenta took one for us, right?

Yeah, it was a great day, and Sister Momoko looked gorgeous.

Mm-hmm. Yeah, she really did.

- Kenta couldn't even talk then. - [both laughing]

His face got so red.

I've never seen Kenta that frazzled before.

Look how far we've come.

[Kiyo] Sumire was so beautiful today.

I even took a detour back to the yakata

so I could look at her face from the side for a little longer.

- Hey, Kiyo. - Mm-hmm?

- Could I ask you a favor? - Mm-hmm.

When I'm a maiko, officially,

I'd like to try those sandwiches.

Those tiny little kinds?

- Yup. Those tiny ones. - Of course, sure.

- Really? - Uh-huh.

- You promise? - Yes.

[both giggle]

I've always dreamed of having one of those.

[Kiyo] Well, um...

what should go in the sandwiches?

- Hmm... - We could, uh...

We could do eggs and...

how about potato salad?

- Huh? - Uh-huh.

Or...

ham and cucumber, right?

Mmm...

Hmm?

- Karaage? - [both laugh]

What do you think?

- Karaage it is for today. - Really?

- Uh-huh. - [laughs]

Enjoy.

Thank you so much.

[blowing]

- Oh... It's hot! - [chuckles] Careful!

- Uh... - Nice, it's crispy.

[Kiyo] It's been decided that Sumire's maiko name will be "Momohana."

It takes after Sister Momoko's name, combined with "hana."

- Tasty? - Yeah!

[gentle music plays]