Original subtitles

Ooh! [laughing]

Hey, do you think...

- Think we can make it... - ...make it to the yakata?

- Yes! - [both laughing]

Ah! I got it, I got it.

- Ah! - Oh, it's green.

We got this. [chuckles]

- [Kiyo] It's still going! - [both chuckle]

It was so crowded at the shrine tonight.

Isn't it strange that there isn't a crowd in this area?

- Huh. You're right. - [chuckles]

- [bicycle whirs] - [Takeshi] Hey!

- Whoa. - [Takeshi] Oh!

- Oh! Brother Takeshi! - [Takeshi and Kiyo laughing]

- Hope you're doing good. - Likewise.

Hey, hold on. So you two didn't go home?

[Sumire] No, we didn't. But all the other sisters did go back to theirs.

Oh, I see. Kiyo, I hope you're taking it easy. For New Year's.

Thank you. [giggles]

- Uh-huh. - So, is this for soba?

Yeah, I couldn't celebrate the new year without this.

Okay, well, I'm off to Yasaka Shrine and then home.

- Okay. - Okay.

- Happy New Year! - [Takeshi] Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

- Let's go. - [laughs]

- Isn't your hand tired? - So tired.

- Aah! - [both giggling]

[Kiyo] Ready?

[Sumire] Let's do it!

[Kiyo] Oh...

- [Sumire] Ohh... - [Kiyo] Is it working?

In the old days, they would use this to light a fire and cook the ozoni.

[Sumire] Hmmm...

Did you hear that from Mother Azusa?

- Mm-mm. From Miss Sachiko. - [laughs]

- Then, I guess it's true. - [both giggle]

All right.

[sizzling]

- [both laughing] - [Kiyo] All right.

[sighs] Hmm.

I hope everyone will continue to have good health next year.

- I hope so too! - [chuckles]

[gong rings]

[Kiyo] Um... Wait.

- How many chimes was that? - [both laughing]

Eight?

- Hmm? Nine? - [laughs]

- [gong rings] - Huh?

- I have no idea. - [both laugh]

[Sumire sighs]

[gong rings]

- Aah! - Oh, it's so cold!

- [both laugh] - [Kiyo] Oh!

[Kiyo sighs]

Aomori must be cold, too, don't you think so?

- [gong rings] - Yes... Kyoto's pretty cold too.

But this is nothing... [laughing]

- The blizzards in Aomori... - Our feet getting buried...

[both laugh]

[Kiyo sighs]

[gong rings]

Kenta...

He's at Grandma's tonight for New Year's, yes?

- [gong rings] - I don't know about this year...

[sighs] 'Cause I usually assist her in cooking the osechi.

- [Sumire] Hmm... - [Kiyo chuckles]

- [gong rings] - [Kiyo sighs]

All right, time to sleep? - [Sumire] Mm-hmm. Let's go to sleep.

- Okay. Happy New Year! - [gong rings]

- Happy New Year! - Happy New Year!

[both laugh]

[Sumire] Oh, it's so cold! Oh!

- [gong rings] - [Kiyo] I'll make one more wish.

[Sumire] Okay! Take your time.

[woman humming]

[gentle music plays]

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

EPISODE 7 - ILLNESS -

[birdsong]

[Kiyo] Here in Kyoto,

they have this tradition of putting up a rooted pine at the yakata,

instead of the usual kadomatsu.

It symbolizes eternal growth.

- [Azusa] Don't just eat the datemaki. - [Kiyo] What a way to start the year!

[Chiyo] You have to eat as many black beans as your age.

[Ryoko] That's for Setsubun.

- [laughter] - [Azusa] Oh yeah.

- [Sumire] Mother! - [Azusa] That'd be tough too.

[laughter]

- [Sumire] Kiyo? What's in here? - [Azusa] Gosh.

I don't know. Open it.

- Look inside. What is it? - [Kiyo] Hmm?

- [Azusa] Hmm? - [Sumire] Hmm...

- What is that? - [Kiyo] Squid!

- It's squid? - Mmm!

Yes, it is.

Oh! What is this?

- The mitsuba goes on top, I forgot. - [Chiyo] Mmm...

- There you go. - Ōkini.

Mmm! It's so good!

[laughs]

The flavors are wonderful, Kiyo.

- Ohh... - Sachiko's a great teacher, I guess.

- Mmm. - Yes, she is.

Well, but I don't know.

Miss, uh... Miss Sachiko's cooking tastes a little different, right?

Mm-hmm. I agree.

- In what way? - [Azusa] Hmm.

- Maybe your cooking tastes youthful. - [Chiyo] Mmm...

- Hmm... - That's not a real flavor.

[chuckles]

- It's different from Grandma's as well. - Mm-hmm.

- They use a soy sauce base over there. - Hmm.

Speaking on that, why aren't you girls going home?

- Kiyo's here already. - [both laugh]

Sumire's here already.

[all chuckle]

- Corny start to the New Year... - [Chiyo] Hmm!

- [Chiyo] Mmm... - [Kiyo and Sumire giggle]

- Time for a little bite, okay? - Oh.

[Ryoko] What is this?

- [Kiyo] I think that's sawara. - [Azusa] Mmm!

[Ryoko] Hmm.

[Kiyo] "I pick the young greens in the fields of spring."

- "On my sleeves..." - [Azusa] This one.

- [Ryoko] Hmm? - [Azusa] Huh? Hmm.

[Ryoko] It's this one.

- [Azusa] What? That's strange... - [all laughing]

We do this every year but you never improve, Mother Azusa.

- [laughing] - I have a favorite verse, you know?

"Even though I hide it, my love shows all over my face."

- If I get that one, I'll be happy. - Ah! Mmm, mmm!

All right...

- You want this one. - Oh?

Okay?

- Got it. - Great. [giggles]

"Even..." Oh!

- [gasps] - [Ryoko] Hmm!

- You're a total meanie! Seriously, now? - [Chiyo] Oh!

Go ahead.

[bird calling]

Ready?

[both] Ah. Ah...

[both gasping and laughing]

- Oh! - So cool!

- Oh... - Mmm-hmm.

Oh, there's a box inside.

You're right.

- Huh? Oh! - Yours is different.

We have different ones.

- Ta-da! - It's huge!

- [Sumire] What is that? - [Kiyo laughs] Tap, tap, tap.

- [both laugh] - [Sumire] What did you get?

- [Kiyo] It's a... Uh... - [Sumire] Mm-hmm.

- [Kiyo] Shamisen. - [Sumire] Aah!

[Kiyo] Let's see... "A shamisen ornament"

is a lucky charm

that helps a person achieve

artistic accomplishments."

[Sumire] What?

More than you already have?

[both laugh]

- [suitcase wheels rolling] - [birdsong]

I'm back.

All right.

Hi, everyone. I'm back!

- [Kiyo] All right. - [Sumire murmurs]

- Seven, 31... - Hey.

You started carving that before Christmas, didn't you?

I can't seem to get it right.

So, you did that every day this new year?

- Yes. - Hmm.

So, uh, it's a bunny, right?

Yes. The mouth is here, and this is the tail and the arm.

[both] Hmm.

- Yeah, that's it. - I totally saw a snake.

You can leave that for next year, right?

- No, Sister... [chuckles] - Hmm?

Next year is the year of the dragon, not the snake.

- Hmm... - The snake is the year after that.

- Next year. Got it. - Mm-hmm.

- Maybe I thought it was a dragon. - [Kiyo laughs]

I need to do this, or I don't get the feeling that a new year has started.

- [Tsuru] What? - [Yoshino] Oof.

You mean you do such an elaborate thing every year?

[chuckles] Yes.

- [Tsuru and Kiyo chuckle] - That's cool.

[Sumire] I still have all my New Year's greeting cards from Kiyo.

- I always save them. - Mmm.

- This is so good. - Really? I do too.

- [door opens] - [Kiku] I'm back!

Oh, Kikuno's here.

- [Yoshino] What about you, Tsurukoma? - Me?

- What did you do for New Year's? - Oh, New Year's?

- [Sumire] Welcome back, Sister. - Oh, I mean, nothing special.

I ate toshi-koshi soba on New Year's Eve. And then osechi, and...

- [Sumire] I'll take that for you. - Ah! Yeah. I did my Hatsumōde.

- Yeah. - My little sister got "uncertain fortune."

So I told her getting that is worse than getting a small blessing,

or a good one.

- She started crying a lot... - Gosh, stop!

Hey, why do you tell such long stories?

Well, in that case, Sister Yoshino, what did you do for New Year's?

- Pachinko, that's it. - Ah.

- I'm back! - Kikuno!

- Happy New Year! - Kikuno, welcome back.

Pachinko's not something anyone ever does during New Year's.

- What? - [laughs]

- Mm-hmm. - Definitely not.

- Mm-hmm-hmm! - Miss Yoshino, would you like seconds?

- [Yoshino] Mm-mmm-mmm. - Oh, she said, "Yeah, thanks."

- Yes. - Mmm-mmm-mmm!

- Oh, extra chicken. Extra chicken meat. - Mmm-mmm!

- That's so cool. - Less of the other stuff.

Tsurukoma, you're like a dynamic duo act. Know what I mean?

- Mmm! - Mmm-hmm-hmm-hmm!

[both chuckling]

Hey, where's Kotono?

- She's not here yet. - Oh really? Weird.

- She's usually the first one here. - Hmm. Yeah, you're right.

- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm-hmm. - Hmm?

- Hm? What? - What was that?

- Hmm. - Ah. She's homesick.

- Ah... - Mm-hmm.

- Mm-hmm. - I see...

- Maybe that's it, yeah. - Mmm.

That looks good.

- [Tsuru] Mm-hmm. - So Yumi isn't here.

Do you think she'll be returning to her yakata soon?

- [Tsuru] Are those souvenirs for us? - I think so.

- [Kiku] Hagi-no-Tsuki! Like every year! - You think Yumi's okay?

- [Kiku] Ta-da! - Mm-hmm.

- [Tsuru and Yoshino] Ooh! - Mmm.

[birds calling]

- [Tsuru] I've never seen you wear this. - [Kiku] This is my special getup.

- [Sumire] This is too short. - [Kiyo] It looks so good on you!

[Kiku] It's so cute, isn't it?

Ah, well, it's our last day out like this until lessons start again.

So, our last chance to do this, then, hmm?

- Okay, shall we? - [Sumire] Yes.

[Tsuru] Since I'm here, I should get the biggest size, right?

- [Sumire] Two? - [Kiku] I got the Teriyaki McBurger.

- [Kiyo] Two burgers. You? - [Kiku] And a McFloat.

- [Tsuru] You went overboard too? - [Kiku] I didn't get a combo like you.

- [Kiyo] A combo? Okay! - [Sumire] Yep!

- [Kiyo] Oh! - [Kiku] Hm?

Oh, right. Is it okay that we didn't get anything for Kotono?

Oh, you're right. Do you think there's a chance she's home by now?

Who cares? It's her doing. It's her fault for coming back late.

You don't have to get angry, Kikuno...

[all singing in Japanese]

[all laughing]

[all continue singing]

[sneezes]

- [chuckles] - It's chilly, right?

- I'm sorry. - Are you cold?

[tinkling]

- [Kiku] Hey, hey. This is bad. - It is. So bad.

- [Takeshi] Hiroshi, finish up. - [Hiroshi] Yes, sir.

- [Takeshi] We're late. - [Kiku] What the heck is Kotono doing?

- [Tsuru] I hope she comes soon. - [running footsteps]

- [Koto] Hey, I'm sorry. I'm back. - Oh!

- Welcome back, Sister. - [Tsuru and Kiku] Where were you?

- [Takeshi] Too late. - [Koto] Sorry.

- What the heck were you doing? - We were worried about you.

- [Koto] Sorry, I missed my flight. - Your flight?

- [Koto] I know! - Your hair's not even done yet?

- I'm sorry. - [Kiku] Huh? Why did you...

[Tsuru] Kotono... Did you get sunburned, by any chance?

[Kiku] Ah! You look like a panda!

Well, so... I went skiing...

[Takeshi] This is bad! Hiroshi, you get her ready.

I don't care how. Just do it!

- [stomping] - [ornaments jingling]

Let's hurry. Hurry.

Why even show up at all, Kotono? Go to the hairdresser, hurry.

[man 1 on TV] The annual Kemari Hajime was held last night at Shimogamo Shrine.

Dressed in bright and colorful traditional costumes,

the players have fascinated the visitors with their skillful footwork,

preventing the ball from touching the ground.

Geiko and maiko from all over Kyoto...

- Oh! It's time. - ...come together for an opening ceremony

at Gion Kobu, one of Kyoto's five kagai.

Over a hundred geiko and maiko dressed in black kimono,

with rice ear kanzashi in their hair, gathered for the ceremony,

pledging to learn and improve their craft and their arts...

[man 2] Now presenting Sister Momoko.

We're here today in recognition of your diligent work...

[man 1] The geiko with the most ozashiki booked last year, Miss Momoko.

is awarded this year's prize, making this her sixth win in a row.

[Momoko] I'm glad to be here with you again this year.

Stunning.

[woman] So tell us, what are you New Year resolutions?

To treasure every instant.

[woman] "Treasure every instant"?

Yes. Instead of treasuring every interaction

in the spirit of "Farewell,"

I'd like to say, "It's my privilege to see you again."

I will honor every moment in every encounter in that spirit.

[man 1] Kimie Sakurai, living national treasure

and head of Kyomai Sakurai School of Dance, performed on stage...

Oh, Yumi, hi! You're here!

Kiyo! Happy New Year.

So glad you're back!

- Glad to be here with you. - [both chuckle]

I did think about not coming back and staying in Shiga though.

Ah. Homesick, huh?

- Mm-hmm. - Mmm.

Oh, right.

Oh... [laughs]

- Here, this is for you. - Thank you! [giggles]

Uh, unfortunately, yours isn't done yet.

Still haven't finished them?

How embarrassing.

[both laugh]

- Is this okay here? - A little more to the right.

Uh... I think that's just a little, uh... a little too much, hmm?

Don't you think? Probably, right?

Hiroshi, I have a favor to ask after you're done with that,

if that's okay.

- [Hiroshi] Sure. - Thank you.

Oh, well, I think the whole thing's a bit slanted, you know, like this?

[Hiroshi] Pshht!

Ah! You're a lifesaver!

I couldn't get her to crack at all when I tried to do it.

- Kakimochi, right? - Yes.

That's nice. I love kakimochi.

- [chuckles] - Is this okay?

It's perfect!

When she was still alive, my mom would get us to make this every year.

Oh really? Mine too.

They do this in Aomori too?

That's right.

With salt? [grunts]

In Aomori, they use soy sauce.

Huh... Soy sauce sounds good too.

Should I bring you some when they're done? Glad to share.

Freshly fried kakimochi? Can't say no to that.

- I know, right? - [both laugh]

- Ooooh! - Ta-da!

A souvenir I got for you especially, Misyouan's very own Chigo mochi!

- Even the name sounds so great. - [laughs]

- Aah! Thank you so much! - Enjoy.

All right...

Hmm? Hmm? Hmm?

Hmm? Is this a strawberry? It's huge!

That strawberry is from Gunma.

There's no way you can find one that big anywhere else.

You're actually from Gunma, right?

- Mmm. - I see. And how is it like there?

- Gunma has... - Mm-hmm?

- Hot springs naturally across the land. - Mm-hmm.

- The nature there's dazzling. - Mm-hmm.

- There's a hill near where I used to live. - Mm-hmm?

- It's always covered in flowers all year. - Mm-hmm.

Mmm...

Mmm, oh gosh. I guess you're homesick again, huh?

Mmm... I'm looking forward to the Chigo mochi again next year.

- [Kiyo] Kikuno! Kotono! - Hmm... Coming!

[sizzling]

- [Yoshino] Are they done yet? - [Kiku] Mmm...

- [Kiyo] They're still not done. - [Yoshino] What?

- [Tsuru] Hear that? - [Kiyo] You can't rush this.

[Tsuru] Isn't that the greatest sound ever?

Mmm... Aaah!

That's the sound.

- [Yoshino] Gives me chills. - [Tsuru] I could listen to this forever.

- [Kiku] Me too. - [Yoshino and Tsuru] I'm sorry!

[Tsuru] Oh no, it fell!

- It's okay. [laughs] - Doing great, doing great!

Mm-hmm.

- Finishing touches... - Oh. Is that salt? Is that salt?

- [squeals] - [Tsuru] Oh, that's a must.

- It's done! - Ah! Ah! Give it here!

- Ahh! - [Tsuru] Not fair!

- Is it hot? - [Kiyo] It's hot.

- [Tsuru] Of course it's hot! - It's hot?

- [Tsuru] Can you handle it? Oh! - [squeals]

- Amazing! - [Kiyo] Is it good?

- Thank you so much. I'll have some too. - [Kiku] We just had sweet ones. Then salt...

- Oh! There are more salty ones. - Here!

- They're hot. - [Tsuru] Hot, hot, hot.

- Ah. Kotono. - [Tsuru] Mmm!

- So good! - This is for you.

- [Tsuru] What's that? - This is the Kanto version for Kotono, so...

- [Tsuru] What? - Huh?

- So, those were for Kotono? - [laughs]

- Yes. - I wanna try that one too. Can I?

No way, you're not from Kanto. So this is not for you.

- Oh, that's right. - Huh?

I'm actually from Kanto. So excuse me.

- Give it here! - [Kiku] No way!

[Koto] Aren't you from Hiroshima, Miss Yoshino? The momiji manju?

Oh, here we go. Don't say "momiji manju" to everyone from Hiroshima!

MS. KIYO NOZUKI MS. SUMIRE HERAI

- [Koto] Hiroshima is Hiroshima. - [Yoshino] Is this your rebellious phase?

HAPPY NEW YEAR! KIYO, ARE YOU WELL? SUMIRE, WORK HARD! KENTA

- [Kiku] You got your energy back, Kotono. - [Tsuru and Yoshino] It's hot...

- [Tsuru] So good. - [Yoshino] It's hot!

- [Kiku] Hot! Mmph! - [all laughing]

Oh, oh, oh!

- [Kiyo] Do you want some, Sumire? - [Yoshino laughs]

Hmm... I don't want any, actually.

[Kiyo] What? Are you okay?

Mm-hmm. I'm okay, Kiyo.

[Tsuru] Hey, uh... Momohana, your face looks a little red.

- [Koto] Mm-hmm. - [Kiku] It's red.

Maybe I should go and rest a little.

- [Yoshino] Mmm. - [Kiku] Mm-hmm.

[all] Whoa, whoa, whoa!

- Are you okay? - Hmm?

- Mmm. Mm-hmm. - What's going on?

- I'm fine. - Can you walk?

- [Tsuru] Oh! - Let's go upstairs.

- Good night, everyone. - Steady.

- [Kiku] Good night. Get some rest. - [Yoshino] All right.

Hmm.

- She must've pushed herself too hard. - [Kiku] Hmm.

She heard about her maiko debut so suddenly at the end of the year.

[Tsuru] Oh!

Is it because...

we were up on the terrace during New Year's?

[Sumire] Maybe...

It felt like nothing compared to Aomori's weather though.

[Kiyo sighs]

[faint bleeping]

Hmm?

[bleeping]

[Kiyo] Hmm?

[chuckles]

Oh, yikes.

Well, so right now, we have to make sure your feet are nice and warm, right?

So hold on...

Here.

Let's put these on your feet.

- Or under them. - Mm-hmm.

Can you lift your feet?

[Sumire] Sure.

- Okay. - [chuckles]

Kiyo, thanks a lot.

- No need to thank me. - [sighs]

Do you think you can eat something?

Mmm...

[chuckles] All right, well, just shout if you need anything, okay?

Mm-hmm.

[walking away]

[Chiyo] That's why Michiko is no good.

If she keeps saying outdated things like that,

this town will be even further behind the times.

Yes, I agree. Even I thought she was being a bit too stubborn...

If there's a new hotel after all, we should collaborate together.

- Ah, yes, we should. - Mmm.

[door slides shut]

- [Chiyo] We're back, Kiyo. - Hi, welcome back.

[Azusa] What are you doing?

Oh, so, Sumire's sick, so I'm making porridge.

[Azusa] Porridge? Not udon?

Yes.

In Kyoto, we serve udon when someone's not feeling well.

- Udon? - That's right.

Kyoto's udon noodles aren't dark like the ones in Kanto.

- Not dark? - Mmm.

[walking away]

Not dark udon?

Hmm...

Udon, huh?

[jaunty music plays]

Hello. Good morning!

Oh! Kiyo! Welcome!

I'd like some oage-san, please.

Kitsune? Tanuki?

Tanuki goes with oage-san as well?

In Kyoto, they go into both.

Aah. Well, uh... I'll go for kitsune, then.

- All right. - [chuckles]

- In that case... Here. - Mm-hmm.

Half slice it and boil it with dashi soup and that should sweeten it nicely.

Got it!

- That's a lot. - All right.

- Here. 200 yen. - Great.

- You better make it delicious. - Yes, I'll do my best!

- [chuckles] - Great.

- Uh... actually... - Hm?

So, I was looking for good bonito flakes. Do you know any?

- Bonito flakes? - Hmm.

A good bonito flakes shop...

TANAKA BONITO FLAKES SHOP

Hello! Excuse me?

Do you know the ingredients for a Kyoto dashi soup broth with udon?

What is Kyoto's dashi soup anyway?

Because everyone says that. They keep talking about it like fools.

"Dashi soup! Dashi soup!" Like it's easy to make.

It's not just bonito and kelp. It's an animal and a plant, right?

Each ingredient has its own purpose, and they're totally different.

Even when it comes to bonito flakes, depending on the season and the weather,

you have to use different types of flakes, huh?

Oh... I see...

I'll, uh, shave off the best one I've got.

Remember the flavor with your tongue.

Thank you very much!

[machine whirring]

[shopkeeper] Have a taste.

Are you sure? Aah!

Okay! [giggles]

Oh, wait...

Mmm!

[machine clanking]

It's so fluffy!

[shopkeeper] Whose kelp are you going to use?

For kelp... Um, I was thinking of using the powdered one I have.

That's like eating a luxury kaiseki feast with broken disposable wooden chopsticks.

Oh...

For kelp, go up Karasuma,

then go west on Teranouchi and you'll find the Okada store.

Go to them.

They'll teach you a lot of things. Here.

Teranouchi? Then, uh...

I'll draw you a map. Wait here for a minute.

[chuckles] Thank you!

Mmm.

Is it this way?

I think it is...

OKADAYA

There it is.

[woman] Oh! Welcome, welcome.

- Hello, there! - [woman] Hello.

I, uh... I'm here because I want to make Kyoto-style dashi with udon.

- Okay. - And to make it, I, uh...

- Yes? - I need kelp to make sure it's delicious.

You're making it yourself?

- I am, yes. - That's so nice! Yes.

- I usually get it from the supermarket. - Aah.

- It's my first time buying natural kelp. - Oh, really? I see...

Ah. Right, I see. Thank you for your preference.

All right, let's see.

Well, for delicious dashi soup,

I would recommend the rausu kelp, harvested from this area.

- [Kiyo] Rausu kelp? - That's right.

We have them right here. Take a look.

They're big, huh?

- So hefty! [chuckles] - Here you go.

This type of big kelp is very good.

- It's all natural and very flavorful. - I see. Looks great.

- Oh, is it okay if I... - Sure. Feel it.

- It's completely dried out. - Oh!

- Oh... it's dry! - How does it smell?

- Great! - Doesn't it?

- Very fragrant. - Yes, yes, yes, yes!

- Thank you very much. - What do you think?

Would you like to give it a taste?

- Can I? - Yes. Of course, of course.

I'll cut a piece for you from this clean part.

[crunching]

[Kiyo] Hmm.

- Here you go. It's delicious. - Thank you kindly.

- I'll try it. - Go ahead, enjoy.

- Hmm! Mmm! - See? Isn't it good?

[chuckles] It's rich!

- Ah! It's delicious! - It smells like the sea, doesn't it?

- Mm-hmm. - Yes.

- This is kelp that goes well with udon? - Yes, uh...

- Mmm. - Good for... for udon, that's right.

- It's great. - Mmm... Okay, so I'll... take this rausu kelp.

[footsteps]

[door slides open]

[closes door]

Is that for Sumire?

- Yes. [chuckles] - Hmm.

Isn't it easier to just order some takeout?

[chuckles] I wanna make it for her myself.

Why?

I don't know why. [chuckles]

Kiyo, you're always

the one doing all the cooking.

Don't you have any complaints about it?

Any complaints?

Hmm...

Mmm, not really, no.

[Ryoko] Hmm.

I had a feeling you'd say that.

[Kiyo chuckles]

Oh there's one thing.

What?

Every time I cook,

I want everyone to eat while it's still hot.

Well, it can't be helped. Everyone's got different schedules.

Azusa told me the same thing a while back. A long while.

[Kiyo] Mother Azusa? She used to cook?

Mm-hmm.

When I was really little, you know?

Then well, yeah, a makanai started here,

and since then, she hasn't cooked ever again.

I think she probably got lazy.

That's not true. Come on, Ryoko.

[Ryoko] Hm?

I'm sure that she liked cooking a lot for you.

Especially since you're her daughter.

I think that it must be tough for her, since she has to

be everyone's mother here.

But, um... how about yourself, Kiyo?

You're everyone's makanai, and Sumire is your best friend.

[chuckles] It's nothing, really.

Even right now. You're doing all this hard work for her.

[chuckling] Well, I guess you're right.

Wanna try it?

- Nope. - [Kiyo chuckles]

- Hmm. - [Kiyo] Okay.

[sighs happily]

[breathing shallowly]

[whispering] Da, da, da-da-da...

[singing softly]

Sumire...

- [chuckles] - You caught me. [laughs]

Here. Look, it's udon. Are you hungry?

Sure. Thank you.

[Kiyo] All right.

[blowing]

[slurping]

Mm!

- Mm-hmm! - Is it good?

[laughs] Glad to hear!

- You haven't eaten at all today, right? - Mm-hmm.

Mmm...

This udon, I could eat it forever.

[laughing] Really? That's great!

- Mm-hmm. Mmm! - [both chuckle]

Let's check your fever again later, okay?

[laughs] I'm sure you're all right.

Mmm.

[slurping]

[Azusa] What is it?

Nothing...

You need to check the addresses on the letters next time.

Five of them got returned.

[Azusa] Aah!

Get it together, Mom.

Hey, Ryoko!

[walking away]

She said "Mom." I think I heard that, right?

[laughs]

[Seino] We should expect Miss Momoko to win again next year.

- Don't you think? - [all] Hmm.

Seriously. Her mai? It's like she's even more brilliant.

She danced to "Kurokami" last time and... unbelievable.

- It really stood out. - Was it really that great?

- Yes. - Oh!

Well, we feel too inadequate to go to an ozashiki anyway.

- We should go at least once in our life. - Why don't you join me next time?

- What? - [Yoshino] In that case...

Professor, that ozashiki calls for Sister Yoshino, don't you think?

- Yes. - Who's my second?

- [Seino] Number two? - [Furutachi] Aaah...

- Miss Himeno, I guess. Yeah, Himeno. - [Yoshino] Yeah, yeah...

- Mutsuki after that, right? - [Yoshino] Oh, right.

Hmm.

And I have a feeling that Momohana has a chance

of getting up there as well this year.

- [Yoshino] Already? Isn't it too early? - Hmm...

Well, no, I mean, that's how it goes. Isn't that right, Ren?

- Yes, I think she'll make it up there. - Hmm.

Well, I mean, I'm going to keep rooting for Tsurukoma.

- No matter what. - That's right.

Who else was there?

- [Furutachi] Hmm... - [Seino] Hmm...

Hmm...

[Furutachi] Ah! [laughs]

- How could I forget? - [chuckling]

- Nanoka, right? - That's right, Nanoka!

- [Furutachi] Right. - [Seino] Hmm.

- Hmm. - Well.

Yoshino's very popular too, right? With ozashiki.

- Oh? Please, that's not true at all. - Oh, right...

- You really think so? - Of course.

Then what rank would I be? Number eight? Seven?

- [laughing] - Oh! Yoshino, I didn't bring your tag!

- I forgot! Aaah! - Oh come on, now. Jeez.

- We'll use this bottle, then. - Just you wait.

You better keep your eyes peeled around this time next year.

- I'm gonna be working frantically. - [all] Oh!

I'd very much appreciate that, all right?

- Mother Chiyo! - [chuckles]

Just so you know, I'm ready to do anything to get my bones buried here.

- You won't bury yourself here. - Now wait a second...

I'll take your bones to Hiroshima, okay?

- Hey! - [laughter]

I think that you could be the nicest one here.

No, no, no. I wasn't just being nice to you, all right?

This yakata needs more humor and positivity like you always have.

- My... you're too nice! - Hmm.

I think the Mothers should be taking lessons from you instead.

- [laughter] - Oh that's right!

There's something about you that just... just gets my heart going like this.

- See? [giggles] - Oh?

It's snowing.

Hmm?

- Oh! You're right. - [Furutachi] Oh, it is.

- Mother, it's snowing. - [Chiyo] Hmm?

[gasps] First snow of the year.

[Yoshino] Mm-hmm.

[clock ticking softly]

[shoveling snow]

Hmm?

[shoveling snow]

Hmm.

[shoveling snow continues]

- [Kenta] Take that! - [Kiyo] Hey!

On, no you didn't!

Take this! [laughing]

- [Kenta] Take that! - [squeals and laughs]

Kenta!

Just shovel the snow, please!

My hittsumi lunch is ready to eat!

All right!

Sumire! The hittsumi's ready to eat!

Go ahead. I'll see you in there as soon as this is done.

[Kiyo] Okay.

[shoveling snow]

Morning, Kiyo.

- Morning. - [Sumire chuckles]

- The sound of you shoveling snow woke me. - [laughs]

Stay inside, it's cold out here. You'll catch another cold.

It's okay. I'll watch from here.

[Kiyo laughs] All right.

In Aomori, winter sounded just like this.

[Kiyo laughs] Well, of course.

It doesn't matter if it's in Aomori or if it's in Kyoto. Snow is snow, right?

You're right.

It was so nice, us three shoveling snow.

[giggles]

Ah.

This is good for now. [sighs]

- [Sumire] What's for breakfast today? - [Kiyo] Aah.

It's snowing today, right? So we can eat... Take a guess!

- Hittsumi! - That's right!

- [Sumire] Yay! - [both laughing]

Okay...

Sumire, I'd love an extra set of hands today. Wanna help?

- Yes! - Great.

- [both chuckle] - [Kiyo sighs]

Ah! You're Momohana now, I forgot. [chuckles]

[grunts]

[sighs]

You can call me Sumire, Kiyo. Only you.

Are you sure?

Mm-hmm. I'm sure of it.

[laughs] All right!

[both laughing]

[Kiyo] Okay...

- Sumire. - [Sumire] Hmm?

- [Kiyo] Look. - [Sumire gasps]

- [Kiyo laughs] - [Sumire] You finally finished it!

- The bunny print! - [Kiyo] Yes, just now.

I'm gonna send them out today.

[gentle music plays]