Original subtitles

2009, APRIL

Pop.

Rock and roll.

Classical.

Jazz.

Folk.

Enka.

Opera.

Earth is full of music.

Happy songs.

Passionate songs.

Sad songs.

Songs of being lost.

WIN A FREE DRINK!

Songs of joy.

If you had to put my life into song…

I'm sure it would be…

the Blues.

The Can't Ride the Bike Blues.

Doubt will set you back.

The bicycle is more stable if you overcome your fear and pedal as fast as you can.

Akiko!

Huh? I thought we said three.

I came early.

I wanted to check the surrounding area before visiting your home.

You're thorough.

Those who do not know the lay of the land cannot maneuver their forces.

Sun Tzu.

How impressive.

You should remember that.

Okay.

Miyuki.

This woman here…

is going to be…

your new mother.

Sorry.

I didn't know the right time to tell you.

Nice to meet you.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I am aware that I may fall short in several areas

including housework, child-rearing, and general life skills.

However, I am committed to improving

and would appreciate your patience as we move forward.

Miyuki.

You're supposed to take it.

Hey!

Come on, say hi, Miyuki.

No!

Miyuki!

I don't like her!

Don't say that!

Stop that, come on.

I'm sorry, it's my fault for not telling her beforehand.

It's surprised her. Right, Miyuki?

Say hello.

-No! -Don't be like that.

No!

Then…

Allow me to take my leave.

What? You're leaving?

-It seems I am not welcome. -No, that's not true.

The first five minutes makes or breaks a presentation.

Is that right?

I will take my leave and re-strategize.

But before I go…

Miyuki.

Please accept this.

I'm so sorry.

It's nothing.

Good day.

Okay, see you later then, Akiko.

Without any deviation, her footsteps were like a metronome.

My stepmother…

was a career woman.

STEPMOM VS DAUGHTER ROUND ONE

CAN THE INVINCIBLE CAREER WOMAN BECOME A STEPMOM!

Her name is Akiko Iwaki,

and she works for a rival company.

See?

She's in sales.

I am too, remember?

We have the same job.

Listen.

Akiko is really incredibly amazing at her job.

Thorough research, exceptional analysis, and bold presentations!

The next model will reach the top of the world.

And most of all, she does whatever it takes.

Sir, I've warmed it for you.

Thank you.

How considerate.

Shall I crush you?

She uses every weapon.

She does whatever she needs to seal every deal!

Thank you.

She's aggressive and savage.

They call her the Warlord of the Metal Industry.

Isn't that cool?

I think it'd be awesome if someone like that became your mom.

Look, Miyuki.

She spelled out her name.

So you could read it.

Didn't you learn in school?

To think from the other's perspective.

I think she'd be a strong and kind mother to you.

Come on,

let's read this.

I already have a mom.

Thank you for the food.

But your mom went far away.

So I thought it would be nice for you to have a mom close by to protect you.

See these?

I went to buy one, and I got two free ones!

What?!

Sure, you win one bonus one once in a while,

but two in a row is unheard of!

Isn't this a miracle?

You know, I think it's a message from your mom.

For us to live with a new mom.

I don't think so.

It's to tell you not to forget her.

I don't need a new mom!

I see.

But I'm still marrying her, 'kay?

What now?

Mom says no too.

You made mom cry!

MITSUTOMO METALS

Director!

Good morning.

Good morning, Taguchi.

I'd like to ask you about the raw material surcharges.

Copper's value is rising.

Director Iwaki.

Regarding the price of aluminum…

Damn Mitsutomo!

What an annoying proposal.

A major firm should just be more upfront!

Right, Miyamo?

So close.

What is?

If that license plate had a four, it'd be in sequence.

So close.

It was so close to being a miracle.

Miyamo.

Not bad, you.

Hold up.

-Alright, let's go. -Okay.

Director.

I've summarized Harumi's proposal.

Thank you.

Director.

Could I pick up lunch for you?

Yes, thank you.

I appreciate it, Taguchi.

What's that, Director?

ELEMENTARY STUDENT LAND

I will be spending time with a child.

I must first learn about them in order to get near them.

What would you like for lunch?

I leave it to you.

Copy that.

RYOICHI

Yes?

Taguchi!

Cancel lunch.

Huh? Yes, ma'am!

Welcome.

One iced tea.

Okay.

I'm sorry to bother you.

I appreciate you coming all this way.

How was Miyuki after I left?

Um…

I tried talking to her.

You made mom cry!

That's…

That's just rain!

What's so great about that weird person?

Her face was so stiff!

I-I mean, she's really good at her job.

Who do you love more, her or mom?

I love them both!

She didn't like that answer.

She cornered me harder than the time I leaked a bid.

What should we do?

If I may, I could explain things to Miyuki myself.

No.

I'll do it.

She's my daughter.

I just ask for a little more patience.

Understood.

Your orders.

Would you like some?

Thank you.

Mr. Miyamoto!

Do you have whiteout tape?

Yeah.

I'd be so troubled without it.

That's it!

That's what she needs!

Huh?

Exactly!

She needs to be troubled!

Miyuki!

Yes?

Did your Dad say he couldn't make it today?

What?

It's already seven, but he isn't answering his phone.

Could he be working overtime?

That's right, be troubled.

Tell me why!

Why isn't my dad coming?

Miyuki!

I'm sorry!

I'm late!

I want a mom after all!

You do?

Okay, that seems long enough.

CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

Huh?

Excuse me!

Hey!

You couldn't even answer your phone?

Well, um…

It was a work emergency, sorry.

Where's Miyuki?

-She went home with Ms. Shimoyama. -What?

I didn't ask her today--

Miyuki called her up and asked her herself!

The poor girl.

Get it together, Dad!

WHAT IS LOVE PSYCHOLOGY?

THE LUNCHEON TECHNIQUE

Miyuki.

I'm sorry.

Welcome home, Daddy!

Do you want dinner or a bath first?

What are you talking about?

Come on.

Hurry!

Ms. Shimoyama.

Well, welcome home.

I made dinner with Ms. Shimoyama!

Call me Kazu!

Right?

What's going on here?

Miyamo!

You didn't pick her up on purpose, didn't you?

Huh?

She said you were trying to make her want a mom.

-She said that? -Saw right through you.

I see.

Maybe…

don't get remarried.

She seems really against it.

It'll be okay, Mom.

It hasn't even been three years since Ai passed.

Isn't it a bit too fast?

I mean, it could be, but…

You know?

What?

You fall for her that much?

No…

I mean, sure.

Totally fell for her.

I'm totally into her.

But you know…

There's plenty of women out there, but you only have one daughter.

Why don't you think about that more carefully?

Yeah, okay.

Bye then.

Miyuki.

Look…

I'll go start the laundry!

Good morning, Daddy!

Good morning.

We don't need a new mom if I take care of everything.

You attempted to starve Miyuki out but she turned it around on you instead.

That's a great way to put it.

That's exactly it!

Now Ms. Shimoyama comes over every day to help.

I haven't had to do anything all week.

Miyuki seems desperate to keep outsiders out.

What should we do?

Forgive my presumptuousness, but I've thought of a plan myself.

An athletic park?

Yes.

Could you invite Miyuki to this athletic park?

The park is partially funded by your company,

so you can tell her you received the tickets for free.

ENTRY TICKETS

So we would all go there together?

Yes.

But keep my participation off the record.

If she knows I will be coming, she would undoubtedly refuse to go.

But why here?

Misplaced excitement.

Misplaced excitement?

Psychology suggests that people who meet in

tense situations are more likely to fall in love.

The attractions here are quite terrifying.

And if you suddenly show up and save Miyuki…

Miyuki may be more willing to accept me.

I see.

Be careful not to mix these up.

This goes to Mon Techno, and this one goes to Techno Mon.

This one is Mon Techno, and this one is Techno Mon.

Be sure to check the slip.

They're on different floors of the same building.

Oh, you're right.

They were originally one company that split after a feud.

You don't want to mistake them.

Copy that, I will do my upmost!

What is it?

Director, is the word "upmost?"

I think it's "utmost."

I made it!

Mon Techno,

Techno Mon.

Mon Techno…

Tomoyo!

What're you doing?

I'm working!

Mon, and Mon.

We're short some background actors, you mind jumping in?

What?

No?

Of course I can!

Just let me do this real quick.

Be right back.

ATHLETIC PARK

This place is supposed to be so fun!

Yes, exactly!

It's decided then!

-Alright! -Yeah!

Yay!

She's not coming, is she?

Nope.

There's only two tickets.

You know I wouldn't lie to you.

I swear!

I thought you met with clients today.

I still had work left I wanted to finish.

Let me get you some coffee.

Yes?

Would it be possible…

to ask a favor of you?

I apologize for asking this of you.

It's fine.

But you're done meeting with clients today, right?

This is preparation for tomorrow.

You have more meetings tomorrow?

Yes.

Tomorrow is Sekigahara.

You're going all the way to Sekigahara?

No.

I meant it will be decisive.

Excuse me.

Please continue.

Calm down, calm down!

It's the director!

You don't have to do this.

No, I will do this, only I can do this!

Then…

Please do.

Will this make Miyuki laugh?

ATHLETIC PARK MAP

Come on, hurry!

Where do we start?

Um…

Where do we start?

Um…

The Splash Course!

Yeah, let's do that!

-Come on! -Let's go.

You okay?

You got this, Miyuki!

And go!

-Go again? -Sure!

Let's go to the next one!

Hurry up!

Come on, hurry up!

-Let's go! -But you don't like heights.

I'll be fine!

Let's go!

CHALLENGE COURSE

Come on, Daddy, hurry up!

-Miyuki. -Yes?

Can I go to the bathroom first?

-What?! -I'll be right back.

Just wait in line for me.

Okay?

Miyuki.

What a coincidence running into you here.

Where's your dad?

Did he go somewhere?

There are 18 bathrooms in the park.

You may get lost wandering around.

Do not worry.

I'm sure he'll be back soon.

Did you bring a boxed lunch?

What are your favorite foods?

You'll have to wait in line again.

Next please.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you for waiting.

CHALLENGE COURSE

What is this?

How thrilling.

I can't.

I can't do this!

Are you okay?

Shall I help?

Miyuki, you mustn't look down.

Only look forward.

Miyuki.

Only forward.

Miyuki.

You can't move forward if you sit.

I see.

Miyuki!

It's a scary attraction after all!

You're not the first.

Kids both laugh and cry with maximum effort.

It was my miscalculation.

Want to reconsider getting married?

Aren't you turned off by now?

I mean, there's not much in it for you in the first place.

Are you insulting me?

What?

I may not have much to offer,

but I pride myself on being someone who wouldn't waste their effort on something

that would serve no benefit.

It may not come off clearly,

but I am interested in this marriage for my own benefit as well.

Is that so?

Oh, man…

I see.

You know, I thought I was the only one who wanted this.

I'm happy to hear it.

-I hate to break the mood, but I didn't-- -Yes, I know.

I know.

I'm well aware of it.

But still…

I'm happy.

But it comes down to benefits.

We must get Miyuki to see the benefit in me becoming her mother.

Yes.

Is there anything giving Miyuki trouble?

Giving her trouble?

If I could offer her a solution, she may see some merit in me.

She doesn't like math much.

And…

she mentioned wanting to learn how to ride a bike.

Anything else?

What else did she say?

Is there anyone Miyuki is in close contact with other than you?

Let's see.

Thank you very much.

Where did she go?

She went home.

I never would've done that if it weren't for her!

I'm never forgiving her!

Yeah?

SHIMOYAMA REAL ESTATE

You would be his new wife?

We have yet to finalize the contract.

Nice to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself.

You're a department director?

From Mitsutomo?

You're so accomplished for your age.

I have come to ask you for your aid.

Sorry, I can't help you, I made a promise with Miyuki.

What promise?

To always be on Miyuki's side.

I can't help you until she gives me her approval.

Please leave now.

That's a nice property.

Just three minutes from the station.

We're considering moving after our marriage.

His current residence is a bit far from the station.

This is to buy, not rent.

So it appears.

Well, well.

You seem so put together.

Miyuki would be lucky even!

Besides, only so many people would be interested in a single father pushing 50.

So what do you need?

It's about Miyuki.

Has anything been troubling her?

Well…

She might be getting bullied.

Bullied?

She had eraser shavings on her cardigan the other day.

Oh my.

What happened?

I thought maybe it wasn't done on purpose,

but there was so much around the shoulder area.

It seemed strange.

Concentrated on the shoulder?

It was an awful lot.

So I started thinking how all those shavings

could've ended up there.

Just a hypothesis.

Draw up the papers.

She doesn't seem like someone who would be bullied.

She's strong-willed at home but introverted outside.

She can be more firm with adults she knows are on her side.

She's also timid.

I can't.

I can't do this.

Ryoichi didn't seem to know about any bullying.

Seriously?

She didn't want him making a big deal of it.

Plus she doesn't want to worry him.

Doesn't want to worry him?

She knows how hard being a single parent is.

NERD

GO AWAY

I'm back.

Something wrong?

No.

I admire your keen insight.

Come on, you can do without.

What about brioche?

No.

Brioche! A brioche!

Enough!

-You're so selfish. -Yay.

You're so generous.

Thank you.

That's it.

Let's do this.

Director, how was your decisive Sekigahara?

-It did not produce favorable results. -Huh?

Was it my art?

I didn't get a chance to use it.

I see, but it's rare to see you struggle so much.

They're a formidable client, so I decided on more research.

Can I help?

I could draw it again.

In that case, can you do without me at the Mon Techno meeting today?

Copy that!

Techno Mo-- I mean, Mon Techno.

They're all nice over there. You can leave them to me!

Thank you.

Bye. Take care.

Bye.

Goodbye!

Bye.

Bye.

Bye, take care.

-We'll take care. -Bye.

Goodbye.

Pardon my interruption.

We sell school cooking equipment.

Um…

I seem to have forgotten my pamphlets.

I will come back another time.

Yo, ugly!

You lookin' super ugly today!

Bet you're sad only having a dad!

Right?

Want me to play with you?

Miyuki!

You're lucky you're ugly!

It's almost an improvement!

Let's go!

Miyuki.

Are they the ones bullying you?

I'm not being bullied.

Then what did I just witness?

They're just teasing me.

They hit you with a ball.

It's not bullying!

Very well.

Then I will tell Ryoichi they threw a ball at you, but it wasn't bullying.

Why would you tell him!

It's company policy.

Report, contact, discuss.

This isn't a company!

I don't wish to keep secrets from my future partner.

-I'll report your bullying. -It's not bullying!

However,

there'd be nothing to report if the bullying is eliminated.

Let's go.

Hey, let go!

Stop!

I don't want to!

Let go!

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear.

That's Sun Tzu.

You should remember that.

It means to research your enemy before you strategize your attack.

Pass it to me! Over here!

Get back!

So he's the boss.

What's his name?

His name?

Hiroki.

Pass it to me, c'mon!

Hiroki doesn't look to be a typical bully.

It almost seems like he cares about his friends.

Does Hiroki bully other children as well?

Why did he start bullying you?

Do you remember?

Or was it from the start?

Bye!

See ya!

Okay, Miyuki, time to attack.

What?

Inform him that you would like him to stop bullying you.

Me?

It appeared to be a top-down hierarchy.

In that case, it's quickest to directly negotiate with the boss.

And that boss doesn't appear to be rotten at his core.

There is room for negotiation.

What are you doing?

Reporting to your father.

Don't!

I said don't!

The boss was making the same face.

When the ball hit your face.

It will be okay.

There is an 80 percent chance you will succeed.

You can do this.

If by some chance it doesn't go well,

I will take responsibility.

Now go.

Hiroki!

What do you want, ugly?

Why do you bully me?

Because you're ugly, obviously!

Did I do something to you?

You're annoyingly ugly!

What makes me annoying?

Because you're actually not ugly!

I know it's hard your mom died and all,

but you kept ignoring me when I tried talking to you!

Because you call me ugly!

I didn't at first!

-Did too! -Did not!

Did too!

Shut up, ugly!

You called me ugly!

-Ugly! -See! You liar.

I definitely didn't. Ugly!

-Moron. -Ugly!

Is this Akiko?

I tried to think of things troubling Miyuki,

but nothing came to mind.

That issue has been handled.

Although, there is no guarantee Miyuki will see the benefit in me.

I'm not sure what you're saying.

In any case, we shall wait and see.

INCOMING TOMOMASA TAGUCHI

I'm sorry, I'm getting a work call.

Goodbye then.

Okay.

Taguchi.

Is everything alright?

Director!

Help.

Please help me.

Stop copying me!

I'm not!

You're so useless!

How did the quotes get switched?

He either put them in the wrong envelope,

or the deliveryman got it wrong.

So Mon Techno became upset when they realized the quote we gave them

is higher than Techno Mon's.

It wasn't me!

It had to be the deliveryman!

The one who said "upmost"!

Now's not the time.

She's going to be your new mom.

Miyuki.

Only look forward.

You can do this.

Miyuki.

Daddy.

Call her.

Just do it.

I swear I checked several times before I put them in.

Understood.

Because I knew the consequences of a mistake.

I heard you.

Either go to sleep or come up with a game plan to fix this.

China?

She went to China?

According to her coworker, an issue came up at work,

so she flew to China for negotiations.

Because directly negotiating with the boss is best.

Huh?

Did you meet with Akiko?

No.

Okay then.

Five sevens!

It's a miracle.

SHANGHAI, CHINA

You won't believe the numbers I saw today.

Five sevens! Not three.

I bet it means things between Miyuki and Akiko are going to work out.

Daddy.

What is it?

What is this?

Her letter is weird too!

RESUME

This is called a resume.

You submit this to say that you want to join the company.

Join the company?

Yup.

It's good to see you again, sir.

Akiko.

What is it?

I am close to getting my hands on the Muramasa,

what do you say?

I recall you saying you were interested in it.

I propose the main office oversee all future business

conducted by the two Japan branches.

It would allow your company to cut significant costs.

Here are the details.

What's the matter?

I don't know!

TO MS. AKIKO IWAKI

MIYUKI MIYAMOTO

"Notification of acceptance."

Dear Ms. Akiko, I hope this letter finds you well and in good health.

Now then, I would like to thank you for applying

for the position of mother.

After much deliberation,

I am happy to inform you that your application has been accepted.

Please write your response in the space below.

"Response."

Taguchi.

A woman says she's here to see you.

A woman?

She's waiting for you at the entrance.

Do you know this person?

Any non-guardian must be registered beforehand.

For the child's safety.

I see.

I understand. I will give up for today.

I'm sorry.

What did you come here for?

I have come to communicate my feelings.

First,

I am extremely grateful that my application was accepted.

I wanted to express my gratitude to you directly.

Thank you very much!

Thank you very much!

Thank you very much!

Check out my belly dance.

Thank you very much!

Miyuki,

you know her, right?

No, I don't.

Thank you.

I will do my best.

Thank you very much.

I don't know her!

I don't!

And so…

my life of the Blues with my Stepmom began.

But at this time, I wasn't aware of the true reason…

BAKERY MUGITA

…behind this sudden marriage.

TO BE CONTINUED

You're mean!

Your family aren't your clients.

Not my clients?

-A normal mom doesn't do this! -Demi-glace!

Congratulations on getting married!

I'll run away.

Please allow me some time to figure out proper motherhood.

Subtitle translation by: Zensho Yamamoto