Original subtitles

100 YEARS: TAISHO, SHOWA, HEISEI

FINAL EPISODE "Only Love"

THE YEAR 2000

The test won't take long.

Isn't it pretty?

Grandma always said this place never changes.

Time sure flies. It's her 3rd death anniversary.

Aren't you marrying yet, Chiyo?

Grandma never saw you in a wedding gown.

Her biggest regret, probably.

She practically raised you.

Grandma was like your real mother.

You're pregnant.

Nine weeks.

You still haven't heard from your mom?

Big Brother...!

C'mon! It's been more than 20 years, already!

That surely shocked your dad.

After your mom ran off with that guy.

He got sick and died.

She never did come back, right?

I'm sorry. He gets drunk so easily...

It doesn't really bother me.

You were so little then.

How could she leave a sweet child like you...!

Well, we never could figure your mom out.

We had different fathers... What was his name...?

That Nisei who died in Korea....

That's enough, Big Brother!

Excuse me, I must get back to work.

Yokoyama here.

Didn't you confirm it?!

Never mind. I'll call them.

You go to the printers'.

This is Yokoyama of Bloom Magazine.

I'm sorry for the trouble my staff caused.

I'll e-mail you. Will you re-check the layout?

Sorry for the trouble. Thank you very much.

What do you want?

I'll call the police if you don't stop following me!

Haven't we met somewhere?

Hah?

No one uses that line anymore.

It's true.

I was trying to remember since Yonezawa but...

You followed me all the way from there?!

I was on my way home from visiting the graveyard...

Anyhow, I've never seen you before in my life.

So quit following me. ...Got that?

Hey!

What's your name?

This one?

Sign this.

ABORTION CONSENT FORM

You'll be compensated.

Shouldn't you speak with the baby's father first?

I don't want to! That's why I'm asking you.

But...

Just think of it as easy money.

Sign it and you can go.

We'll never meet again, anyhow.

Sorry, but can you hurry up? I have to go.

Please, think it over.

What are you doing?

This is too important.

You should think carefully and then decide.

That's what you should...

Why should you care?

Sorry.

Stop it! Don't apologize!

Sorry!

All right.

Then...?

I'll ask somebody else.

Are you all right?

The doctor said you shouldn't strain yourself...

I don't think...

Did you know?

A hundred years ago,

women who cheated or had abortions were imprisoned.

If I were alive then, maybe I would've been executed.

"Bye.

I keep telling you! Your writing's too formal.

Our readers aren't scholars.

I revised it. Send it to the printers.

What're you telling the photographers?

Re-do these. Reserve a studio.

Can't you do anything if I'm not here?

Chief...

I think I can convince the model to stay on.

You can?

I'm going to make her an offer.

Is the sum we discussed okay?

You handle it.

Things are done differently now.

Ms. Yokoyama.

May I speak with you?

How would this be for our special edition?

In the last century,

women's lives have changed drastically.

We could re-examine it.

and see how women should live in the 21st century.

You...

Are you sure you're cut out for this work?

Our women readers want to know about...

"in" brands, glam hair salons, good restaurants,

their week's horoscope, etc.

But the 20th century...

is when our mothers and grandmothers lived.

People might find that interesting...

Sorry, but I'm busy.

I'm sorry.

Yokoyama.

It's a relief, anyhow. We got the contract.

That shopping center's our biggest project in a while.

Sorry I couldn't see you for a while.

Let's go.

I can sleep over tonight. My wife's visiting her parents.

I got pregnant.

Don't worry.

I got rid of it.

Wait a minute. Why didn't you tell me?

I said I was serious about you.

It might take time, but I'll talk to my wife...

Let's call it off.

We can't go on like this anymore.

What do you mean...?!

Let go!

Why do you decide everything by yourself?

It has nothing to do with you! This is my problem!

Satisfied?

You never loved me in the first place!

Tell me.

Did you ever truly love anyone?

You probably never did.

"Inouye Law Office"

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I'm glad you got out early on parole.

I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused.

I've been looking for work for you.

But times are pretty hard.

No place is willing to hire you.

It's only natural! A dumb guy like me with no skills...

Nobody would want me.

You haven't called your family yet?

No.

Your father sent this the other day.

Your personal belongings.

You should have a talk with your father.

I could go with you...

It might have been better if I'd never come out.

Don't talk like that!

It'd make your mother sad.

She was so worried about you.

She called almost every week.

She was really looking forward to your release.

Yashiro residence.

Hello?

Hello? Who is this?

Is it...Shinji?

It's you, isn't it? Where are you?

Don't ever call this house again!

Dad!

If you need something, tell the lawyer!

He'll help you!

It's my day off...!

Hello?

Chiyo...?

It's Chiyo, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

Don't you know who I am?

It's Mom.

How'd you find me?

I'm sorry.

I saw your address when I signed the abortion paper.

What do you want?

You want to be paid?

Then you shouldn't have refused payment...!

That's not it.

I want you to see something.

Isn't this you...?

How can this be? This painting is really old.

I guess so.

Why do you have this...?

I'd forgotten about this for a long time.

Ever since I was small, I really liked this painting.

So I asked my mom to put it in my room.

It seems more fitting for you to have it.

I'll be going now...!

Hey!

Want to make some money?

Smile, please.

Can't do it.

Hey!

What's going on, anyway?

I lied and said I was married.

To whom?

My mother.

Smile!

Why?

She ran off when I was young.

But now she wants to come from America to see me.

Bridegroom, look this way!

I said I didn't want to see her.

I said,. I'm happily married. Leave me alone.

Then why...?

I changed my mind.

She didn't seem sorry for what she did.

Like she was only coming for a nice visit.

So I want to show her I don't care, either.

Then say you lied about being married.

That won't work.

I told her my husband's anxious to see you.

You should've gotten a better looking guy...

Just don't think. Just do as I say. Okay?

Oh, we better get our stories straight.

She might ask us all about how we got together.

Let's see...

It's ordinary, but let's go with "introduced by a friend".

Or maybe we met through work...?

What do you do, anyway?

Right now, nothing...

It's better that way.

I'm supporting you for now.

And you like gambling, women, too...

You drink, don't you?

What you're doing...

it's for revenge, isn't it? On your mother.

If you're married to a slow guy like me...

with a bum leg...

any mother would be disappointed.

That's how you'll make your mother regret...

ever leaving you, right?

But it's okay!

I'll do it!

I'll come back by the time the sand runs out.

Don't go!

I'll be a good girl!

Don't go!

Maybe we should meet her at Narita...

Never mind. She said it wasn't necessary.

I forgot...

Put this on.

But...! Really...?!

Don't take it so seriously! It's just play-acting.

What?

Do you resemble your mom?

I was wondering what she was like.

Why?

I want to be prepared for her.

Do you have a photo of her?

Why would I?

You don't know what your mom looks like?

Well, you haven't seen her for a long time.

I hope you got our story straight?

We met through work.

A friend introduced us...?

Will you be okay?!

I know.

Let's say...

we met when you brought this portrait to me.

That should be easy to remember.

In other words, fate brought us together.

Ms. Yokoyama! Special delivery!

What does it say?

You can go.

My mom's not coming.

Why not?

She's too sick.

Her companion says she can't travel anymore.

Is that all?

He wants me to come to America.

And?

That's all.

What will you do?

I can't go! I'm busy.

But...!

Here. Thanks a lot.

I didn't really care...!

Maybe I'm meddling, but should you let it go like this?

Don't you have lots to discuss with her?

That's why you went to all this trouble?

It took a lot of courage for your mom to approach you.

But she still did it because

she just had to see you.

If you don't see each other, you'll regret it forever!

Time's short!

I can't help feeling you really miss her, after all!

What would you know?!

She ran out on me with her lover!

I was only four!

Do you know how it feels to be abandoned by your mom?

But I believed in her!

I thought if I was a good girl, she'd come back!

That's why I studied so hard,

and I decided never to cry, no matter how sad I felt!

But she never wrote me once in over 20 years!

I finally forgot her and was trying to survive on my own!

Why does she have to come around now?!

After all these years, it's a pain!

She should leave me alone, if she didn't want me!

Why'd she have me if she didn't want me?!

In the first place...

Why should I say these things to you...?

Why not say all these things to her face?

You really want to see your mother.

You really want to see your mother.

Um...

Maybe there's no need for me to go...?

You have to.

You're supposed to be the one who wants to see her.

Shouldn't you just tell her that you aren't married?

Okay. I won't go.

I'll cancel my tickets.

Wait a minute.

I'll be home in three days. I'll e-mail the plans.

Will you fax the interview format to their office?

This is Yashiro.

I've been waiting for your call!

Good news!

This small printing factory is willing to hire you.

Can you come with me to pay your respects tomorrow?

I can't make it tomorrow...

Really? When can you make it?

The sooner the better.

If I should say, go on a trip overseas...

that'd be bad, wouldn't it?

Of course. You'd be leaving the country.

Your parole could be revoked.

You're not getting funny ideas, I hope?

You were talking like you wanted to return to prison.

I just wanted to make sure.

I'll call again.

Good-bye!

What are you doing? There's no time.

Sorry.

Something to drink?

No, thank you.

Sir?

No, thank you.

Is something wrong? Shall I bring some medicine?

No, thank you.

Toilet...!

Sir?

Sir! Are you all right?

I guess I won't take the domestic flight, after all.

Huh?

Connecting flight. You're scared of flying, aren't you?

I'm sorry. Thank you.

I don't want you throwing up again.

The red one...?

Do you know what he said?

What did he say?

Writing up there!

Building!

What are you doing, anyway?

I'm sorry.

We've got a map. Open it up.

Jet lag?

Sorry. Where are we?

I don't think it matters if you know or not.

Ocean here...

You ordered all this?

Why not? All this driving makes me hungry.

Isn't this wrong?

What?!

I think it's back that way.

Quiet. You're a terrible navigator.

I'm sure it was back that way.

Something wrong?

No, nothing...

What now?!

Can you stop for a minute?

Why?!

I think it's the shrimp I had...! Stop...

Stop! Please stop!

Stop!

Chiyo?

Chiyo?!

Whaddya want?!

Where's the car?!

It was gone when I got back. Where's the car?!

Why didn't you watch it?!

Sorry.

But what were you doing?

Were you sick too...?

Quiet! What does that matter?!

It's red...!

No...!

What does it say?

40 miles to the next town.

How many kilometers...?

65 kilometers.

It's the pits!

Why does America have to be so big?!

China's much bigger.

May I have some, too?

This is all YOUR fault! If we'd taken the plane,

we'd be at the hotel by now, drinking cold beer!

I'm sorry.

What am I doing here with you?

I could have come to see my mother by myself!

Why'd you have to come along?!

I didn't want to! You made me...!

Quit making excuses!

All you do is causing trouble!

Why the blank expression at a time like this?!

I was born with this face.

You're a giant!

What are you doing?

Stop it! Do you want to get killed?!

This isn't happening...!

See?

Idiot!

"Osaka the best".

"You making money"? "Not bad"

He lived in Osaka for about a year.

He thinks we're honeymooners.

Welcome, honeymooners!

What'd you tell him?!

I thought he said, "Los Olivos."

So I just nodded.

He said "Las Vegas," NOT "Los Olivos"!

I didn't say that. Ask Chiyo.

Talk to Chiyo. I didn't say that.

You did. You did!

Let go. Let go!

What'd he say?

What'll we do?

We'll just have to stay in a hotel.

This can't be!

What's wrong?

My wallet's gone!

All my credit cards were in it!

Maybe you left it in the truck?

I never took it out of my bag!

Maybe that guy...?!

While we were sleeping...!

Why didn't you stay awake?

I'm sorry.

How much have you got?

2,000 Yen.

You're useless!

Sorry!

Let's go.

Maybe you should put in on red or black...

Shut up!

What?

Why 24?

It's been 24 years.

...since I saw my mother. 24 years.

My last chip.

I bet all the cash I had on red.

What do you want next?

Red.

We'll go with black.

What's next?

Red.

Black then.

What's next?

Black.

Red.

Let's stop. This is plenty.

What are you doing?

Don't get too confident! We could lose everything!

It's all over.

We're not dreaming are we?

I can't believe it!

Honestly!

This day was a disaster because of you!

We got stuck in the desert,

and now I nearly had a heart attack.

I'm sorry.

You don't have to apologize...

I'm going to take a shower first.

Please don't do that...

I hope you're not getting the wrong idea?

Not at all.

No...

It's not what you think...! No...!

Night.

What're you doing?

I'm too excited to sleep.

No! Not that kind of "excited"!

Is there beer?

Cheers.

Can't sleep?

The roulette wheel's still spinning in my head.

Me too! Why's that?

When I shut my eyes, everything goes...!

You're always reading intellectual books.

It's for work.

Don't you read?

It makes me sleepy.

But when I was small,

my mom used to read fairy tales to me.

Really?

Like what?

"The Little Match Girl."

What was that about?

One snowy New Year's Eve,

a little girl was selling matches.

But no one would buy.

So the girl would light the matches.

Why?

Because she was freezing in the cold.

She probably wanted to warm herself.

You've got to explain.

I'm sorry.

Then what? Go on.

So when the little girl lit a match,

she would dream in the flame's glow.

The first dream was of a warm fireplace.

And she would forget how cold she was.

With the next match she lit...

she dreamed she was eating a fabulous feast,

and the little girl would not feel her hunger.

Then the little girl lit the last match.

And she dreamed of her long-lost grandmother.

The little girl was so happy,

she ran into her grandmother�s arms.

And the next morning...

The next morning...

the grandmother found the half-frozen little girl...

and they lived happily ever after.

All's well that ends well.

Wake up. We have to go.

C'mon. Get dressed.

Sorry!

What?

You seem very relaxed today.

Your silly story really knocked me out.

I'm sorry.

Say...

Why are you staying with me?

Is it okay for you to be doing this?

It's okay.

-Won't your family...? -It's okay.

Well, whatever.

There are four kids in my family.

I was the black sheep in the family...

They couldn't handle me.

In middle school, I fell in with the wrong crowd.

I never finish school.

So my dad told me never to come back home.

Then I got into boxing.

And I finally found something to live for.

Like I'd found what I wanted to do.

When I made my debut and kept winning...

some people said I could be world champion someday.

I felt that I could finally face my dad proudly.

and do things for my mom.

What happened?

Got my head swell-up I guess.

For once, everybody accepted me.

Girls were even wild about me.

Then what happened?

Well, whatever.

It's a half-hour ride from here.

Shall I go call a cab from that store?

What's wrong?

Go on without me.

Are you scared of seeing your mom?

That's not it!

Why, then...?

I don't feel so good.

I think I have a fever.

Are you okay?

When did this start?

Is your fever okay?

All I need is a good night sleep.

Did you used to get feverish before a race or recital?

I was like that!

-I'm not like you. -Sorry!

I don't really remember my mom's face.

I can only remember the day she left me.

The mom I know...

is a kind mom in my imagination.

Just as your mother did for you,

my mom read to me...

and held me.

Say...

Will you tell me that story again?

Once upon a time, on a snowy New Year's Eve,

a little girl was selling matches.

The little girl, who was freezing in the cold,

lit a match.

Then she dreamed of sitting in front of a warm fireplace.

So the little girl forgot how cold she was.

When she lit the next match,

she dreamed of eating her fill of delicious food.

And she forgot how hungry she was.

The next morning...

the Little Match Girl found her dear grandmother,

and they lived happily ever after.

All's well that ends well.

Don't go

Don't go.

Good morning.

Say...

About last night...

It's been bothering me.

Didn't the Match Girl die without seeing her grandma?

You changed the story, didn't you?

I'm sorry!

You don't have to apologize.

Only...

I wasn't the one who changed the story.

It was my mom.

Last year...

my mom died.

So I can't ever see her anymore.

Chiyo...

Nothing I say will ever make you forgive me.

I know everything will sound like an excuse.

But I wanted you, at least, to know how I was living.

So I'll write honestly...

and not hide any of my shame or mistakes.

Before I married your father, I loved another man.

But he didn�t' return my love.

Your father knew everything about him...

and loved me with all his heart.

I was so happy when you were born,

I thought I'd forgotten about that man.

But when you were four I met him by chance...

and found out he also loved me.

But he had to leave for America.

When I thought I might never see him again,

I couldn't hold my feelings back anymore.

I chose to live as a woman, not as a mother.

But God probably punished me for it.

Soon after we came here, the man and I broke up.

Or should I say...

he left me.

All alone in a strange land,

I couldn't face going back to Japan.

I seriously thought of killing myself.

The one who saved me was my present husband.

His dream was to make the world's best wine.

They said it was impossible to grow grapes here,

but my husband didn't give up.

He didn't abandon his dreams.

With this man,

I knew I could start life over again.

After meeting him, I finally learned...

All that I could do was to live to the fullest.

If I couldn't find happiness,

I would be too ashamed to face you...

after what I had done to you.

Chiyo...

It was because of you that I was able to go on.

It was you who gave me the courage to live.

To you, it probably seems very selfish.

But I'm truly glad I had you.

Only, though I have no right to ask...

I wanted to see you one last time.

I wanted to see you and hold you tight.

Honestly...

She was selfish till the end.

There's nothing I can say to complain...!

Chiyo...

This is all I can teach you...

If you have someone you love,

love him with everything you've got.

Don't be afraid to love.

In hardship, loneliness and pain...

love is the only thing that will sustain you.

Please get separate rooms tonight.

Please.

Good night.

Hello?

What're you doing?

Nothing much.

What's the matter?

Will you tell me another story?

You can't sleep?

Once upon a time,

there was a foolish boxer who had hurt his leg.

the boxer had a fianc�e who had promised to marry him.

But when she learned he would never fight again,

she left him.

On top of that...

Growing inside her...

was the boxer's child.

But the fianc�e even took away the baby's life.

The fianc�e already had...

a new lover.

When the boxer found out, he got mad...

and hit the guy.

He hit him...

and hit him...

When the boxer stopped....

the man would never get up from a bed again.

The boxer went to prison.

His family disowned him...

and was all alone.

No, that's not right.

Only his mother...!

...worried about her son.

Again and again...!

She visited him in prison.

But his mother...!

Before the boxer was released...

she went up to Heaven.

God said to the boxer...

"Atone for your sin all your life."

"Be alone all your life".

"You must not love anyone".

"There is no one in this world who needs you".

"Because you are not able to make anyone happy".

All's well that ends well.

Sorry for such a silly story.

Hello?

Hold me.

Tighter.

About your story...

Wasn't God trying to tell the boxer something else?

I'm not sure what, though.

When we get back to Tokyo,

will you be sent back to prison?

Probably...!

Why didn't you tell me from the start?

I'm sorry...

But if I tell them...

I forced you to come, they'll understand.

I guess so.

"Please be happy".

Stop!

God wanted...!

This is what God really wanted to say...!

The boxer was too kind. Boxing wasn't for him!

That was why God made him a cripple!

So the boxer would find his true self...

and have hope again!

There is someone who needs the boxer's love!

Only he can make her happy!

Yes.

The abbot here faintly remembered.

That's my great-grandma in that portrait, isn't it?

And Shinji's great-grandpa painted it.

They loved each other, but couldn't end up together.

Ms. Yokoyama?

Will you look this over?

Leave it there.

Ah...Ms. Nemoto!

Why not do that article...? "Women of the 20th Century".

But...

I wrote an introduction for the piece. Tell me what you think of it.

"Women of the 20th Century"

The 20th Century is about to end.

In only a hundred years,

the era has undergone sweeping changes.

A century ago,

women were still unable to choose their own mates.

They were forced to live practically like living dolls.

After the War, women finally found freedom,

but prejudice against them abound

The more they attempted to live freely,

the more pain they encountered.

Compared to back then,

our lives are now incredibly comfortable and easy.

We are completely free now. It is truly a happy age.

But our very freedom might have become our shackles.

With all this freedom,

could we not have lost sight of something important?

I believe we must never forget this...

Our mothers and their mothers...

and their mothers loved to their fullest.

That is why we are here today.

Their stories upon stories of how they loved...

made our lives possible today.

SIX MONTHS LATER

THE 21ST CENTURY

Oh...Yashiro...

Someone here to see you.

Yes.

We're...

never alone.