Original subtitles

It hasn't grown that much, has it?

We just planted it.

Help me down.

Look at this.

It's still small, but it's a bud.

You're right. It's still so small... I wonder if the flower will bloom.

I don't know.

I never expected you choose a plum tree.

I thought for sure you'd pick the sacred bamboo (nandina) tree

that signifies turning misfortunes into good fortune...

The plum tree is the same as my click click abacus...

You knew it was made from a plum tree?

I did... Mom told me it was made from an unusual tree.

I couldn't forget how you danced around shaking

that click click abacus...

Is she dancing?

I wanted you to play with it to your hearts' content

so I had one made in Unshu that would give off a nice sound...

So that's why it made such a nice sound.

I love watching you use the abacus.

If you're retiring because of me, you're making a bad mistake.

What are you saying?

I worked more than enough.

I think I've worked two or three times more than anyone else.

I thought it was time to forget about business,

and spend some time together with you.

Does that mean...

...I'm more important to you than the business

that you love more than anything else,

Asa Shirooka?

That's right.

There couldn't possibly be anything that I care

more about than you.

I see...

If that's the case, it can't be helped, can it?

Please let me spend some time with you being your wife.

Asa...

Thank you.

Shinjiro... The doctor is here.

I'll be right there.

Mistress...

I'm sorry... Just because I said I'm quitting,

I don't want you to quit.

Never mind that... I'm sorry.

You have a visitor.

A visitor?

It's that student... In that letter.

Asa ga Kita

Final Week "A Soft Heart" Episode 153

Original Story: Chieko FURUKAWA

Screenwriter: Mika OMORI

Music by: Yuuki HAYASHI

Theme Song: "365 Nichi no Kamihikouki" Sung by: AKB48

Narrator: Keiko SUGIURA

Asa Shirooka: HARU

Shinjiro Shirooka: Hiroshi TAMAKI

Kisuke: Hiroki MIYAKE

Ume: TOMOCHIKA

Chiyo Shirooka: Fuuka KOSHIBA

Miwa: Sumika NONO

Heijuro Yamazaki: Shigeo TSUJIMOTO

Haru Hiratsuka: Yuko OSHIMA

I'm Haru Hiratsuka, a first year student at the

Hinode Women's University

I'm Yuka Takahashi.

I'm Nori Saito.

I've met you a number of times at the lectures, haven't I?

It must be cold outside. Thank you for coming.

Nobu Tamura told me that you said if I was unhappy

about something that I should come right out and tell you...

That it was cowardly to talk behind your back.

When I heard that, I couldn't contain my anger at being

called a coward, so I came here to Osaka.

Oh my!

In that case, let me tell you straight to your face.

I don't know how important you are being from an

Osaka banking family, but I have no intention of

being grateful to you or feel any respect for you for your

contributions toward women's education.

I read Mr. Narusawa's book, and couldn't wait to

get into the university.

I'm sick and tired of the founders who are well-known financiers

and politicians finding excuses to visit the university, looking down

their noses at Mr. Narusawa and the students catering to you.

When I listened to your lecture, it sounded to me like you're

saying that although you had no education, you've managed to

become quite successful... And we should be privileged to learn

from your passionate teachings, so we should show our gratitude to

you by becoming better students?

Your arrogance is all too apparent.

It's just too offensive.

We're all unanimous in thinking that the great

Ms. Asa Shirooka is nothing but a disgusting old woman.

I see...

Is that all you have to say?

Then let me have my say.

I never thought I'd see a girl like you.

You're still a bit immature and biased, but I have

to give you credit for having your own opinions and

being able to express them like this.

Haru Hiratsuka... You might turn out to be someone

of great importance someday.

I...

Do your best.

Please learn to your hearts' content.

Let's meet again at the autumn athletic day...

I'm planning to participate with the bicycle riding event with all of you.

What an interesting person.

Wasn't she?

What's so interesting?

She makes me so angry.

What an arrogant woman.

She may be arrogant or just plain rough, but without someone

to forge a path where there was no path, women like

you might not be able to speak so freely.

In the Edo period, someone like you would have been thrown into a prison.

I don't know anything about the Edo period.

I guess you wouldn't, would you?

But...

I'm glad I met her.

I'm going to become a new woman who's greater than she is.

This student, later known as Raicho Hiratsuka would

later found the magazine "Seito" (Blue Stocking)...

Proclaiming loudly that "in the beginning, woman was the sun,"

she participated in numerous women's movements.

Some new woman she is...

Doesn't she know the meaning of gratitude?

I never thought I'd hear you say that, Ochiyo.

Mom?

This time, I don't think I'll ever recover.

You mean you were actually depressed?

I thought I was doing it for the sake of the future

of women, but instead of being popular, she dislikes me that much.

I'm more surprised that you'd feel hurt because

of something like that.

Whether people dislike you or not, you'll say

what you want to, and you won't waver from

your beliefs... That's who you are.

Just hold your head high and be proud.

I guess you're right...

Except for your dad, I can't expect

anyone else to like me.

That's who I am.

I don't expect anything in return... If I can be

just a little stepping stone for the women of the

future, then that's all I need, isn't it?

That's right.

After that, Asa cut her ties completely with

her work, and just spent all her time with Shinjiro.

Lately, Miwa often comes to bring you confections

like this, doesn't she?

Chiyo's the one who's happier about it...

That's true. I guess deep down inside Miwa still cares for you...

You really are dense...

Dense?

The other day, when Miwa was over here...

Miwa-san!

It's time you dropped the "san" and just call me Miwa.

Pick that up.

And stop saying "hei."

Then what should I call you...

Just call me "omae" (you).

Like this...?

That's right. Shall we go?

My dear...

Is that true?

When did that happen?

Just eat a little bit.

Maybe it's because of all the confections, but

hasn't Chiyo gained a little weight?

That's because...

she's pregnant with her second child.

Really?

I'm so happy.

I'm feeling good today...

I'd like to play a little...

Shall we take a walk?

I know...

How about "that"?

All right. I'll bring it.