Original subtitles

This summer day

This summer day

On this summer day

I live in a suburban residential area that hasn't changed in years.

My elementary school is right in the middle of it.

My classroom!

In my fifth-grade class, Class B, there are three other boys named Yuta besides me.

Yuta Asekawa.

He studies really hard, always does well on tests, and finishes them quickly.

So everyone calls him "Dekita" ("Achiever") instead of Yuta.

Then there's Yuta Kawahara, who is quick and always in a good mood.

Everyone calls him "Chorota" ("Speedy").

Even the teachers like him a lot.

Then there's Yuta Montgomery Tafashii, who is very handsome and athletic.

All the girls in the class are always looking at him.

So they call him "Miteta Montgomery Tafashii" ("Looker Montgomery Tafashii").

And finally, there's me, the fourth Yuta, Yuta Oi.

Everyone calls me "Boketa" ("Dreamer").

Don't ask me why.

I'm always wondering why myself.

I tend to think a lot, and when I do, everyone says I'm spacing out.

There's also our teacher, Miss Mayumi Shina,

the prettiest teacher in the school, at least I think so.

That's because I really like Miss Shina.

"Good Morning !"

she always says with a smile.

Even though Yuta tries so hard in practice, he still can't swim at all.

While everyone else can swim, he's the only one who can't, and he wonders why.

While he's thinking about it, everyone else jumps into the pool.

While thinking about why he can't move forward and only sink,

he ends up drinking a lot of water, drowning, and dying. And even then...

I still wonder why I died.

That's what he must be thinking.

That's what I'm saying. What happened...?

Alright, starting tomorrow, it's summer vacation.

There are often accidents during summer vacation.

Everyone, be very careful,

and I want to see your cheerful faces when the new school term starts in September.

Now, I'll hand out the report cards.

I've been eagerly waiting for summer vacation.

I'll miss seeing Miss Shina,

but this summer vacation,

I'm going to the countryside to do an unusual part-time job.

It was last night.

I woke up because I drank a lot of cola before going to bed and needed to pee.

Boketa.

Boketa.

What's going on?

Not talking about you.

But you just said "Boketa, Boketa."

What's the matter, Mom?

Oh, I see!

Let's ask for a little help from someone careless.

Onomichi?

Onomichi?

That's right, that sounds good.

Grandpa's been a bit forgetful lately,

so if we say we're sending Yuta to keep an eye on him, it should be fine.

So, since it's summer vacation, we'll send Yuta over there

to take care of Grandpa.

You should tell him that.

That way, Grandpa won't feel too bad.

Yes, let's do that !

Yes, that's good, let's do that.

Yuta, slow down on the cola.

Hey, what do you mean, "let's do that"?

"Let's do that" means "let's do that."

In our family, the only one who can afford to space out is Yuta.

Now that I think about it, that's true.

Dad and Mom are working,

and my sister Erika said she has to cram for her entrance exams this summer

if she wants to get into her desired university.

So it has to be Yuta. During summer vacation, Yuta,

I want you to go keep an eye on Grandpa, so he doesn’t do anything weird.

Huh? Grandpa doing something weird?

Well, maybe not.

Grandpa is Dad’s father.

His name is Kenshiro Oi, and he used to be the principal of a high school in Onomichi.

We all casually call him Grandpa at home,

but actually, we should probably call him Grandfather

because he's such a distinguished man.

Even Dad and Mom get nervous and can’t say anything in front of him.

Besides, Grandpa doesn’t seem to like Mom, and they never talk to each other.

I asked why once before,

Mom didn’t answer, but my sister told me instead.

It’s because Mom and Dad had a love marriage.

- Love marriage? - Yeah.

And it was a rushed wedding.

Rushed?

Because of me. That’s why Grandpa doesn’t like me either.

And now they say Grandpa is doing something weird.

According to Grandma's phone call, he suddenly barged into someone else’s house.

I heard he ate up all the offerings.

The day before yesterday,

I got the news that he went to a funeral at someone's house.

Well then, everyone, let's do our radio exercises energetically.

Continuous exercise routine.

Waist exercise!

Ready! Go!

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

What are you doing? Do it properly!

One, two, three, four, five, six,

Move your head forward and backward!

Side to side!

Really?

That's why I want you to stay by grandpa's side to make sure.

To tell the truth, I'm not comfortable with grandpa either.

But I can't help but feel a bit curious about what would happen

if that intimidatingly dignified grandpa started to lose his mind.

Principal, what happened?

It's a funeral!

To this, Mom added.

Well, Yuta, you're going to spend your summer vacation with grandpa,

so I'll make sure to pay you for your time as if it were a part-time job.

It's settled then, this trip to the countryside.

You'll also get to visit the Dinosaur Museum you've been wanting to see.

And I'll get to study quietly.

Now I'm on the Shinkansen.

Why am I doing this? Well, it's already happening, so I should stop thinking about it.

But if I were to explain why I'm making this face...

Even without this, you always look lost and pitiful.

When you're with grandpa, you have to be smiling.

Yeah, for example...

No, no. Like this.

No more like this.

When I got off at Fukuyama Station, one stop before Onomichi, Grandma was waiting.

Yuta!

I was waiting for you. Come on, let's go.

This way, this way.

The Shinkansen stops at the Onomichi Station too,

but Grandpa insisted on changing to a local train from Fukuyama.

He said if we came by train along the coast,

he would fly through the air and meet us halfway.

Fly through the air?

Yes, and this morning, when he thought of going out to the entrance to meet you,

He said that if you believed in him, you could fly together.

Fly together?

And he said it with such a serious face. It's troublesome.

I wonder how he plans to fly.

He says he will fly smoothly like a swallow.

Like a swallow, huh?

I thought how nice it would be if I could fly like a swallow, and looked out the window.

Something swiftly passed by. I thought it was too big to be a swallow.

- Grandpa is flying! - Is something wrong?

I was so surprised that I thought Yuta had lost his mind too.

Please don't surprise me like that.

So, Grandpa said he would take care of you during the summer vacation,

help you with your studies, and take you swimming in the sea.

He's really enthusiastic about it.

So you should just go along with it and never disagree, okay?

Yes, I understand.

This way.

Also, don't stare too much at people around here.

Grandpa thinks you're looking at him as if he's a senile old man.

You're reading some incomprehensible book.

I can walk through this wall, you know.

You know!!!

Is it really that much of a big blunder?

Come on.

Hurry, hurry.

In front of Yuta, I think Grandpa will act like he usually does, calm and composed.

So, please try to stay close to Grandpa as much as possible and keep an eye on him.

Alright.

We’ve arrived.

It's beautiful, isn't it? This town.

Yuta, it's been how many years?

Six years.

Excuse me for intruding.

Come in.

Grandpa stay over there.

Please go ahead and pay your respects first.

Hello. Thank you for your help.

Do you have the school report?

Have you made up your mind?

Mom made me bring it.

Grandpa will definitely ask to see it.

What are you doing?

Grandpa just threw my report card in the trash.

What are you talking about?

Tell me when I ever did such a foolish thing.

When? Just now.

Do you really think so?

At school, they call people who act foolishly "boke" ("foolish").

Grandpa even knows about the nickname I have at school.

Huh?

Grandpa, you did a magic trick.

I never did such a foolish thing. You're mistaken.

Don't say unnecessary things.

Here, watermelon.

It's well chilled and thirst-quenching.

You, unpleasant old woman.

She’s waiting to see if I do something strange because she thinks I'm senile.

Waiting to laugh at me if I do something weird.

If I do something strange, she'll laugh at me.

She's waiting for it.

Recently, I walked into a stranger's house

and ate the offerings for the Buddha ("Hotoke").

That's not all.

I was at a funeral and I was presenting an exercise radio broadcast.

How about it?

Yes!

I...Listen.

Do you think someone as respectable as me would steal offerings like a thief?

Would I eat offerings meant for the Buddha?

This is what you call a face that can't be replied to.

What was it you said?

Did I roll up the report paper and throw it away?

You didn't do such a thing.

Right?

It only seemed like I did, right?

People often mistake things or misunderstand.

Only the person themselves knows the truth. Right?

Don’t just believe what others say.

Yes.

So, Grandpa, you were flying slowly like a swallow back then, right?

You really are a fool if you can't tell the difference

between a person and a bird.

But how could I fly without wings?

How indeed...

That's right, even I don't understand it.

Yet, they say Grandpa is senile and sent you to watch me.

You think you were sent to keep an eye on me.

And Grandma told you that Grandpa would take care of you during summer vacation,

help you study, and take you swimming, right?

That's right.

Can’t you give a better response than that?

I was just thinking, like in those period dramas on TV,

seeing through everything means this.

You said it. Think about it carefully.

During summer vacation, you're a nuisance.

Ah, I thought that might be the case at times.

It's too late. Show respect and speak earnestly.

Good. I was worried when I heard Grandpa had become senile.

How about now?

I believe in Grandpa.

If Grandma believed in Grandpa, she could fly in the sky together with him.

Eh, that damn old woman said unnecessary things again.

Alright, forget about that story.

Okay?

Later, I'll take you to catch some rice fish and to scoop goldfish.

In the swirling of dreams,

and flying into the sky at night.

Sleep, my beloved.

Sleep now, morning will come.

No matter what grandpa says, there is undeniable evidence.

Undeniable evidence?

Someone recorded a video of the funeral.

They showed it to me.

Really?

Yes, it was embarrassing.

No matter how you look at it, it was definitely our grandpa.

And it was a close-up shot.

I don't know which story to believe anymore.

Are the clothes in here?

Talking about the offerings story.

He suddenly started eating the white dumplings offered to the Buddha.

What's the meaning of eating such tasteless things?

Isn't there anything better?

Ah! I don't like it! I don't like it!

I don't like it! I don't like it!

The people in that house… They hurriedly called me.

So, did grandpa say anything?

He said he was called by someone named Horatako or something.

Horatako?

Yes. There’s no one with such a strange name around here.

Then he said he'd help with your studies.

He didn't mention studying,

but he said he'd take me to catch rice fish later.

What’s the point?

There's no such thing these days.

So, there aren't any? Medaka fishes or loaches?

Well, in the past. When your dad was in kindergarten, he took him.

They went to Mukaishima Island to catch medaka.

Would you rather grandpa take you to town?

I prefer me and my dad, and me and my mom but it's okay.

All kids are the same!

Where are we going?

Well, shall we go catch some loaches?

Don't we need to tell Grandma?

It's pointless to tell Masa. She won't understand where we're going.

It's just a waste to inform her.

But...

Hey, what about nets and buckets?

Huh?

We don't need those.

Yuta, what did you say?

What will we do if we bring back the medaka and loaches in nets and buckets?

What do you mean, what will we do?

Are we going to make a medaka pond?

Are we going to cook and eat the loaches?

We won't do that.

We'll just watch them.

What do you mean, watch them?

Just keep watching them.

Eventually... What will...

They might die, right?

That's right.

So... After we catch and play with them,

we'll thank them for playing with us, and let them go.

So, we won't bring them back, we'll release them?

That's right.

If you don't like that, we can stop.

I didn't say I don't like it.

That's right, that's right.

Listen, can you hear it?

You can hear the cicadas and the sound of the river, right?

That "peep peep" sound is from a bird called a kingfisher.

But Grandpa, this looks like a river, but it's actually the sea, right?

In the swirling of dreams, longing...

At this moment, I started to worry that Grandpa might actually be senile.

Grandpa, Grandpa, what are you doing?

We're going to swim.

But I don't want to catch sea bream or flatfish.

We're going to cross to the other island.

Over there, there are beautiful green fields and a stream flowing through.

There's plenty of loaches there.

Yes, even koi are swimming there.

Koi are fine.

And if we're crossing to the other island, look,

there's a ferry over there. See it?

It's loaded with cars. That's not a boat.

Then, Grandpa.

There's a bridge over there. Let's cross that bridge.

Where is there a bridge? Don't tell such lies.

I said, we're going to swim across the sea.

Hey, older brother!

Yuta!

You get naked too, and jump in quickly!

Congratulations, Grandpa, I'll just sink like this.

What?

I'll sink and die just like that.

Hold on!

Coward! I'm amazed...

A child who can't swim in the sea, huh?

- I'm sorry. - Well, it can't be helped.

Well, shall we use the last resort?

- Last resort? - Close your eyes.

Then, hold your breath until I say it's okay.

You're not going to push me into the sea like that, are you?

Well, something like that.

Do as I say, now. We'll cross.

Cross the sea?

Alright. If you open your eyes or take a breath before I say it's okay,

your body will get squashed flat,

get stuck somewhere, and you'll never be able to get out for the rest of your life,

it'll be the end of you.

Don't scare me like that.

I'm not scaring you. Since long ago, children have disappeared like that.

People in the old days called it being spirited away.

Well, it was divine punishment.

Really?

- So, are you going to do it or not? - I'll do it.

Alright then, hold my hand.

Close your eyes and hold your breath.

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you’re in a dream

My body felt light and floating.

I thought, perhaps, I was flying in the sky.

However, I kept my eyes shut tight to avoid becoming flat as a pancake.

- Soon... - Okay!

My grandpa's voice came, and I found myself in a green field.

Hey, grandpa. Are there any medaka or loaches in this river?

Yes, there are carp too.

Yuta, don't speak to anyone.

If possible, don't even talk to me.

Hello!

Nice to meet you.

Yuta, didn't I tell you not to talk too much?

Hmm, but where are we going?

This way.

Mister Kenshiro?

Oh no, what have you gotten into?

I... I... I...

Are you interested in rice dumplings?

Ah, I don't like it.

Mister Gokyou!

Well, Kenshiro only ate those rice dumplings that time.

Isn't it annoying to always be blamed for eating someone else's precious thing?

If so, then let's take it more seriously.

I understand. I understand.

That was Horatako Takichi.

Horatako?

He's the son of a fisherman in this village. I recognized his loud voice.

It seems he mistook Yuta for me.

Grandpa and me?

When I was a child.

But you shouldn't take anything he says seriously.

No matter what he says.

On a stormy night, he claimed to have fought a giant octopus by the sea,

always telling tall tales.

A giant octopus?

Yes, Takichi said that he walked on the beach.

He said that on the beach, he could stretch his legs.

Suddenly, an octopus as tall as him appeared before him.

He declared himself the master of the beach.

So Takichi prepared his large staff and raised it.

He intended to strike the octopus on its head.

But then the octopus used its special move, spraying black ink from its mouth.

It splashed on Takichi's face, but despite that, he kept striking.

He kept hitting and beating the octopus.

Finally, the animal, unable to withstand it, fled into the sea.

No one in the village believed Takichi's story.

No one? Even though it's an interesting story?

It's just a tall tale.

That's why Takichi is called Horatako Takishi [tako/octopus]

Takichi the blabbering fool?

So, where does this Horatako live?

He's already dead.

Horatako Takichi went out fishing one night in a small boat,

and never returned.

They say he was pulled into the sea by the octopus, seeking revenge, and died.

That's what the villagers gossiped about.

What's wrong?

You don't believe the story about fighting a giant octopus,

but you believe the one about being dragged into the sea?

Hey, Yuta, come here.

Here it is.

Ah, the carp I saw earlier are still here.

- There are also koi, right? - Yes, there are.

Grandpa!

Yuta, come quickly!

Grandpa, the koi spoke!

Back in the day, whether it was a dog, a cat, or a koi,

once they got older, they would all talk to children.

No way!

Honestly, kids these days have no imagination.

Haven't you ever wanted to talk to a koi?

Did it really speak just now?

Ask the koi!

No matter, I couldn't bring myself to seriously ask the koi,

"Mr. Koi, did you just speak?" just like a kindergarten kid.

But the koi actually sang,

maybe not to anyone else, but it definitely sang to my grandpa.

Grandpa!

Grandpa, wait for me. Don't leave me behind.

Grandpa!

Masafumi, You have to take responsibility without running away.

- You're the one who said it yourself. - Masafumi?

Masafumi is my dad's name. This time, he's mistaking me for my dad.

- Everyone's waiting. - Grandpa!

Well, let's tell Miyano's father to make the transmission.

That radio was something everyone chipped in to give as a wedding gift to the teacher.

Since it was broken while you were making use of it, you have to take responsibility.

Come on!

This way.

Well then, let’s not dawdle and get to it.

Everyone is also saying they want to go home soon.

Alright.

Quickly, say you're sorry.

Don't worry.

He thinks you broke this portable radio, but it is actually Horatako Takichi.

Look at him.

He was eaten alive by an octopus and became a hollow head

and he is still following.

Grandpa, I’m scared.

Yeah, let’s go home.

Hold my hand.

Close your eyes. Hold your breath.

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you’re in a dream.

Yuta, save us.

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you’re in a dream.

Everyone, let's cheerfully join in and listen to the radio.

Let's engage in continuous exercise.

Hey, start.

Grandpa thought about that and didn't say "Hurry up".

While I kept holding my breath and chanting, it was so painful that I thought I might die.

Eventually, my body became light and I started to lose consciousness.

Yuta, Yuta.

Oh dear, if you take a nap in a place like this.

You’ll get bitten by mosquitoes and end up all bumpy.

Ah, thanks god...

What’s wrong?

Your face is all wet, you know.

Did you have a bad dream or something?

Hey, did grandpa came back?

Come back? Grandpa was somewhere else?

No, I just felt that way.

If you search grandpa,

he would be in the back room, taking a nap on the floor, just like you saw.

What? In the back room?

Napping?

In the meantime, you should go take a bath first.

If you keep wearing such sweaty clothes, it’s bound to happen.

I’ve left your change of clothes in the bathroom.

Oh, really? I’m sorry.

So, about Horatako Takichi, have you learned anything since then?

Horatako Takichi was caught by an octopus in the sea and died.

Ah, I'm sorry.

Um, well, Horatako was caught by an octopus and died.

I'm looking at my grandson right now,

and I don't know where he got that.

Well, then, I’m sorry.

Yuta, who did you hear such a strange story from?

Yuta must be sleep-talking.

Well, then, why don't you go study in my room?

That darn Horatako Takichi!

I thought it was grandpa who was the one sleep-talking.

Oniyanma (golden-ringed dragonfly).

It is strange, isn't it?

Why was I so obsessed with chasing these dragonflies as a child?

Yuta, don't you want to catch that oniyanma?

No, I don't.

I learned that dragonflies catch and eat bad insects.

Is that so?

Yes, it is.

But around here, there used to be lots of fireflies

and no matter what anyone said, the king of popularity

was the jewel beetle.

Grandpa is a bit strange after all.

Hey, hey, Grandpa! Jewel beetle? What's a jewel beetle?

What’s so special about it? Why is it the king of popularity?

No, well,

the beauty of the jewel beetle was such that it seemed otherworldly.

It was so beautiful,

a green color that was captivating.

When a jewel beetle shone on Miroku Buddha's little finger,

it looked like a green gem ring.

And then, Grandpa didn’t answer any more questions and fell silent.

Eventually, he fell asleep, muttering that strange song.

In the swirling of dreams,

and flying into the sky at night.

Sleep, my beloved.

It was a day full of strange things,

but I didn’t particularly think about them.

I thought that believing in Grandpa

would make for a more interesting summer vacation.

And then a few days passed.

What's wrong?

Why are you wandering around dressed like that?

Where's Grandpa?

He fell asleep again.

He said he'd take us to the beach after he took a nap to catch his breath.

He sleeps more and more as he gets older.

Grandma, did you and Grandpa get married?

Of course, it was at the shrine, naturally.

- At the shrine? - Back in Grandma's time,

after marrying Grandpa, it would be a month or two before

we would really get to know each other.

I remember thinking, "Oh, so this is what my husband looks like."

Really? How did you come to love him then?

I never really thought about love or dislike.

Even so, you had dad?

What a strange child you are.

Let's go clam digging with this odd grandma of yours.

Even I am becoming forgetful like Grandpa...

Here, put on this hat.

Watch your step there.

Let's go over there.

- Grandma? - Yes?

Grandpa's glasses.

Ah. Those?

Those are just glass lenses.

Glass lenses?

For years, he kept saying his glasses didn't fit.

So the eye doctor put in glass lenses and he said,

"Oh, I can see well now."

Really, Grandpa… Maybe he can't see anything at all.

So does Grandpa also say that bridge doesn't exist?

Grandpa's an old-fashioned person.

He doesn't believe in bridges or bullet trains.

He even said a ferry is not a real boat.

The world is changing so fast.

Well, Grandpa,

maybe he's happier now that he's a bit forgetful.

We’re going to the other side of the island.

In the past,

we used to walk miles on this path to get to the sea.

- Walked all the way? - Yes.

Grandpa also liked walking and swimming, didn’t he?

He was always physically fit, so there was no need to worry.

Is the stream where Dad caught medaka and loaches this close?

I wonder what happened to it.

The scenery around here has changed so much that it’s hard to recognize anything.

Oh, thank you so much for looking into everything despite your busy schedule.

I'm sorry that we couldn't be of more help.

But you are concerned, aren't you?

No, no, thank you.

No, no need.

In the swirling of dreams,

and flying into the sky at night.

In the swirling of dreams…

Mom! My swimsuit is ruined!

What?

No matter how many new swimsuits I buy, they become way too small.

Well, let's have our lunch here.

You must be hungry. Mikari and Yuta too.

- Oh, little rice dumplings. - You want to eat something like that?

Well, you like interesting things.

Just like grandpa.

Okay, let's eat.

- Please go ahead. - Shiratama shaved ice.

Iced coffee.

- Please enjoy. - Thank you.

By the way, that thing… You know, Horatako Takichi.

Oh, did you find out anything about that?

Yes. It seems our elderly remember an old story.

Oh, Minami, that's quite impressive.

A part-time job.

- Chokeiji. - Yes.

About that, you know, Miroku Buddha statue.

The one with the little finger missing.

It seems that, when he was a child,

Horatako Takichi broke that Miroku Buddha's right hand.

When did this happen?

Our elderly said… It happened when they were children,

the year before the Great Kanto Earthquake.

- Really, the Great Kanto Earthquake? - It’s an old story.

So, Horatako Takichi must have been punished for that.

The next day, he went out to the sea and...

was grabbed by an octopus and...

Well, you know, like that.

He was the child of a great fisherman called Uotani.

Thank you.

That child would deliver fresh fish to Mr. Chokeiji every day.

Yes, yes.

When Takichi died, you know, Uotani had a big fire in his house.

What a disaster.

It’s said that the family also fell into ruin.

They said it was the curse of Miroku Buddha.

That's what was rumored and told.

I tell you, there was a great shrine in Kanto,

Eventually, it was forgotten.

As we age, we quickly forget recent events,

but we start to remember things from long ago.

Mikari, if you do bad things, you’ll get cursed too.

Ah, it's a crab.

Yes, thank you.

I wonder why do they walk sideways?

Is this your first time seeing a crab?

Yeah, a live one.

Well, do you know about the jewel beetle? I'll show you. Come to my place.

Mikari, Yuta might have other plans, you know.

But we're still undressed.

I am undressed too. Mom, we are going home now.

This way.

Excuse me for intruding.

Sit down.

Hmmm, I see.

Here.

Is this a jewel beetle?

Isn't it beautiful? In the old days, they'd pull out these wings,

and if you kept them in a chest, it was believed that your kimonos would increase.

I see. That's simply mesmerizing.

The green color is so beautiful it draws you in,

It really does feel like it's out of this world.

Who said that?

Grandpa.

- You're sweaty. - Sorry.

Hey, there's one more thing I'd like to see.

What is it?

The Miroku statue with the missing pinky.

Ah, the Yakuza Miroku statue.

Yakuza?

They say Yakuza cut off their pinkies when they mess up. I'll show you.

This way.

Here.

Miroku Buddha.

Look, the little finger is cut off, right?

That's why he's called the Yakuza Miroku Buddha.

They managed to find and fix the broken right hand somehow,

but it seems they never found the little finger.

When the jewel beetle shone on Miroku Buddha's little finger,

it looked just like a green gemstone ring.

Shall I show you something even more interesting?

Something interesting?

- Let's go. - Let's go where?

- To the forbidden room. - The forbidden room? What's that?

It's a place where someone who died long ago still lives.

Then we shouldn't go in.

We shouldn't go in, but that makes you want to see it, doesn't it? This way.

- Are you ready? - Yes.

Hey, is someone coming?

Dad is at some funeral. Mom is chatting with your grandma and lost track of time.

I can see the graveyard.

It's true.

Here it is.

When you enter this room, you first need to play this.

What's this?

A gramophone. Let me play it for you.

A gramophone?

It's an old-fashioned CD player.

Even now, it still plays the sound properly.

It’s the favorite song of the owner of this room.

The owner of this room?

There used to be someone named Tamamushi (jewel beetle) living in this room.

Tamamushi?

Her real name was Otama, a little old lady from my family.

A little old lady?

She was Grandma’s younger sister. Over 70 years ago,

she lived in this room and died here.

They say she never left this room because she had tuberculosis.

Never?

They say she died the summer she turned 11.

Such a short life.

She was the same age as me.

I see.

This person...

Only during summer, at this time, the sunlight shines in from there.

That light would touch her face, and she probably disappeared just like that.

It’s a strange song, isn’t it? But I quite like it.

What’s wrong?

This song... I’ve heard it before...

It’s Grandpa’s song.

Did Grandpa also listen to this record player in this room a long time ago?

This ghost!

Tamamushi.

It’s just a beetle.

How did it get in here?

We also came in, didn’t we?

Maybe it got lost.

- Yuta! - Yes?

- Yuta. - Yes.

Don’t tell anyone about entering this room or what you saw here.

- Okay? - Okay.

Give me your hand.

Pinkie promise.

Hey, Grandpa. What was Takichi really like as a child?

He used to follow me around all the time.

So, back then, he was acting like your servant, always bowing and scraping.

He had a sad side too, feeling down

because he had a different mother than his siblings.

Maybe he liked you, Grandpa.

But I just couldn’t bring myself to like him.

So when I heard that he was caught and killed by an octopus,

I remember feeling relieved.

I still remember that clearly. Why are you asking about that?

- Hey, Grandpa. - What?

Should we go to Chokeiji?

Chokeiji? Yuta, how do you know about Chokeiji?

Oh, did Grandma take you there?

No, it's not like that. I just wanted to see the jewel beetle.

A jewel beetle?

Grandpa,

I think if we go there, we’ll understand everything about Horatako,

and the missing pinky finger of the Miroku statue at Chokeiji.

Those things have nothing to do with you!

I see. They don’t, huh?

But I don’t want to leave things unresolved like this.

Maybe I should go back to Tokyo.

At first, I didn’t like you, Grandpa. I thought you were just an old man.

But I’ve come to realize that you’re actually kind and interesting,

and I’ve started to like you.

I like you too, Yuta.

Then why...?

Grandpa, did you really not care about him? Didn’t you bully him or anything?

There’s no way I would do something like that.

So what are you saying?

I’m sorry.

It feels like you’re hiding something, Grandpa.

I’m not hiding anything.

- Then maybe you’ve forgotten it. - I’m not senile yet.

Then maybe you’re trying to forget it.

Forget it...

- Why would I? - Why indeed...

Grandpa, let’s go to Chokeiji again.

Close your eyes and hold your breath.

Close my eyes and hold my breath?

Well, I’ll be dead soon enough,

and then my eyes will close, and my breath will stop.

Once that happens, I guess I’ll be buried in Chokeiji’s cemetery.

That’s not what I meant.

In the swirling of dreams,

and flying into the sky at night.

Hey, let’s go to Chokeiji.

The next day, early in the morning, as I came out of the bathroom,

I found Grandpa standing there, smiling.

Good morning, Grandpa.

Come with me.

We're going to Chokeiji.

Okay. But later, don’t say that you never promised that

or that you don’t remember, okay?

I don't plan to, but I might forget. Would that be a problem?

Well, let's go.

Alright, let’s do it like last time.

Listen, don’t look at anyone, and don’t speak to anyone.

But why can’t we talk to anyone?

Because the people there don’t really belong in this world.

And if you accidentally talk to them,

they might follow you forever and never leave you alone.

I understand. I’ll do as you say, Grandpa.

Alright, let’s go.

Close your eyes,

hold your breath.

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you’re in a dream.

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you have promised.

I secretly opened my eyes.

The town was right below us.

When I looked at Grandpa…

The sound…

And the image were there, but Grandpa’s was nowhere to be seen.

Who on earth was that child?

Grandpa?

Takichi, move out of the way!

No matter how much Mr. Kenshiro requests it, I can't let anyone through.

Didn't Chokeiji harshly warn you?

I heard that song much closer.

- It's a disease that's easy to catch. - Don't make a big deal out of it.

Mr. Kenshiro can also die of lung disease.

If it's Otama's disease, I wouldn't mind dying from it either.

Mr. Kenshiro!

Otama!

Kenshiro!

What are you trying to achieve there?

You fool!

It changed, so don't come back here.

Try to understand how it feels on our side

to have unjust things brought upon us.

Kenshiro! Kenshiro!

Otama!

- I ran away. - Why?

- I wanted to see you. - I see.

I like you.

- However... - However?

- I can't go back anymore. - Why not?

Because I'll be scolded.

The heat wave.

Well, the heat haze.

When this summer ends, I'll also disappear along with the heat haze.

- That's a lie. - It's true.

The doctor said so.

I see.

Then...

- Then? - Please ask.

Ask... What?

- Will you make it come true? - If it's what Otama wants.

- I'll become naked. - Naked?

I'll also do it.

I want it to be a precious memory of mine.

Hey, look. I’m here, right?

I’m really alive, right? I’m not like a mirage, right?

Yeah, Otama, you're definitely alive.

Good. What happened today is a secret between you and me.

So promise you won't tell anyone.

If you promise me that, I'll live longer. I'll live until autumn.

Okay, I promise.

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll

Once you roll, you’re in a dream

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll

Once you roll, you have promised.

If you break the promise, if you break the promise,

The one who break it gets taken away.

Say it's fine and forgive me.

Oh, a jewel beetle.

At that time too, I felt like someone was watching us, but…

Was it you who told?

Grandpa, you were here, weren't you?

Mr. Kenshiro!

Mr. Kenshiro!

I found something interesting, so I wanted to let you know.

What is it?

A jewel beetle.

A jewel beetle?

Mr. Kenshiro, you can take the jewel beetle star from the mansion.

Or have you already collected one?

No, not yet.

Grandpa, where are you?

Alright, let's go to the shrine!

Attach this sticky stuff to the end of the stick!

With this, you can catch it by sticking it!

- To the temple, right ahead. - Temple?

The priest is not here.

This way.

It's on the right-hand of Miroku Buddha.

Mr. Kenshiro.

Now, let's use this stick.

Mr. Kenshiro, go up from over there.

Climb the stairs.

Be careful with the sticky part.

Oh, yeah, yeah. It's all done.

Mr. Kenshiro! Hurry!

Hurry!

Is there anyone here?

Miroku Buddha!

Did they escape?

Mr. Kenshiro!

If it's found out that you are behind this…

What will happen?

Chokeiji will storm into your house, shouting.

Even Mr. Gokyou might get angry and tie you up

and lock you in a dark room with tatami mats and some tools.

Or maybe, Mr. Gokyou will spank you until your bottom is red.

Perhaps,

you’ll be taken to the mansion.

You won’t even get any food.

You won't even be allowed to go to school.

Or you’ll be tied up and left overnight in Mr. Chokeiji's temple.

But if, Mr. Kenshiro,

your beloved Takichi stays quiet, no one will find out about it.

I am Mr. Kenshiro's loyal follower.

You didn't do it, I swear.

Most likely,

I was seen from behind by the chief of the temple, so you won’t be caught.

But even if I am beaten or stepped on, I won’t say anything about you.

Even if they threaten me, I won't speak a word without something in return.

They say rumors last seventy-five days.

So from today until the forty-fourth day, I’ll need hush money.

Hush money?

If I catch jewel bugs, each one sells for one sen.

So, on the first day it’s one sen, on the second day it’s two sen,

and on the third day it’s four sen.

Since it's forty-five days, it won’t be too much trouble for you, will it?

You can think of it as paying for a favor.

Mr. Kenshiro, farewell.

You...

You...

Yuta.

Grandpa, where did you go?

I don't know.

I somehow got lost on the way.

It felt like I was dreaming about something terrifying from long ago.

You must be Mr. Gokyou.

If you came about the young Kenshiro,

- I've already sent him back. - Thank you very much.

It's probably best not to get too close to such things.

I apologize.

Have you seen Uotani Takichi around here?

Horatako… No, I mean Takichi.

Have you seen him?

Yes I have.

I saw Takichi.

Were you hiding behind Mr. Gokyou?

Is that so?

But the figure running away, there's no mistaking it.

It was Takichi, after all.

Even so… For Takichi to break Miroku Buddha's right hand

and then run away.

To think he damaged the temple's precious Miroku Buddha...

We should have handed him over to the authorities immediately.

What a sad story.

Yuta, let's go home.

Close your eyes, hold your breath.

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you’re in a dream

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you have promised

Where did you go? I didn't see you before.

Just a little walk.

Did Grandpa go with you?

Yes.

Why do you always sleep with your hat as a pillow?

You're such a strange child.

This hat, you see, was worn by your dad when he was a kid.

He used to wear this hat when he went to catch medaka with grandpa.

Grandma, what does 'Maki Maki' mean?

'Maki Maki'?

The dream 'Maki Maki'.

If you say 'Maki Maki', you must be thinking of yarn spool.

But what does 'Maki Maki' in a dream mean?

Hey, Grandpa, do you remember when we went to Chokeiji earlier?

Yuta, I'm sorry. I'm not feeling well right now.

I remembered something strange.

Good. This time, you remember.

It started as one sen, but the next day there were two sen.

Then, the next was two again, making it four sen.

So, that boy was really you, Grandpa.

And when I calculated it, after 30 days,

it became an incredible 5,368,709,120 sen.

And the next day, 10,737,418,240 sen.

Then, you did it again. You pinned the blame on Horatako, didn't you?

Why didn't I confess everything back then?

It's mysterious, isn't it?

Thinking back now, I was such a cowardly,

timid and sneaky child.

Takichi must have wanted to have his own ship and become independent.

That's why he wanted money.

But Yuta, how do you know about this?

- I was watching too. - You were watching?

Yes, I was watching carefully. As proof, look here.

What is that?

It's the pinky finger of the Miroku Buddha from Chokeiji.

What? Is that the pinky that went missing?

Yeah, maybe because I took it with me.

Where did you get this from?

I told you, I was watching everything.

It was me who caused Otama's death.

Otama?

Because I broke this pinky finger.

The pinky finger?

It was punishment.

Otama, who promised to live until autumn,

disappeared like a shadow that summer.

The pinky finger was a sign of the promise,

but Otama, I killed her.

But maybe, just maybe, the culprit wasn't Grandpa after all.

What?

I picked up that pinky finger

before you smashed Miroku Buddha's right hand with a stick.

It means someone else broke the pinky finger first.

Is that so?

Let's go to Chokeiji again and confirm it.

Yuta, how can we do such a thing?

In life, if you're young, you can start over,

but once you get old like me, you can't start over anymore.

- But you can do it, Grandpa. - That's nonsense.

Hold my left hand tight.

Close your eyes, hold your breath.

Say 'Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.' again.

Come on, let's do it. When we open our eyes, we'll be at Chokeiji.

Let's fly together there.

Alright, I'll trust Yuta and give it a try.

Close your eyes!

Hold your breath!

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you’re in a dream.

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you have promised.

We flew together in the sky.

We endlessly flew together in the sky.

We were in the middle of a summer day.

Alright, Grandpa.

Grandpa, do you have the pinky finger?

As you can see, it's right here. What?

What’s going on?

The pinky is still attached,

and there’s no sign of the wrist being broken.

Hey, Grandpa. It wasn't you who broke Miroku Buddha's right hand

or lost the pinky finger, right?

Right.

Well, Mr. Kenshiro. Hurry! Hurry!

This way, please.

It's on the right-hand of Miroku Buddha.

Mr. Kenshiro. Now, let's use this stick.

Mr. Kenshiro, go up from over there.

Climb the stairs.

Watch Horatako. Let's see what he will do next?

Stop it grandpa! Don't talk to anyone.

Be careful with the sticky part.

Be careful, you know. I don't want him to follow us for the rest of our lives.

Oh, yeah, yeah. It's almost done.

Let's go home now. You said it yourself, Grandpa. You can't undo it now.

But Grandpa, it wasn't you who caused Otama's death.

Now that we know the truth, let's leave it at that. Okay?

You're right. Let's do that.

Grandpa?

Yes?

Otama was cute, wasn't she?

Yuta, I was quite a cute boy too.

Back then,

I was really living my life to the fullest.

Close your eyes, hold your breath.

Let’s roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.

Once you roll, you’re in a dream.

What do you plan to do?

Well, what should I do?

It’s too late to sneak out and attach it quietly

and come back.

What do you see?

Grandpa and the little finger.

Humans are strange creatures, aren't they?

Sometimes they can’t see what's right in front of them

and sometimes they see what isn't there.

I wonder why.

Yuta, Mikari from Choukeiji's temple is here.

Hello.

Hi.

It's nice to be able to see the other side of the island from here, isn't it?

So you are Kaminari (the thunder god) from Chokeiji temple?

My name is Mikari.

Mikari and the thunder god (Kaminari), are quite different, aren't they?

Would such a beautiful thunder god exist?

Am I really that beautiful?

Grandpa, stop flattering her. Mikari has come to visit Yuta.

Mikari, please come in.

Yuta, Let's go for a ride.

- Let's go ? - ...for a ride!

Did you come riding on this? From Mukaishima island?

Yes, I crossed the Onomichi Bridge. It felt like flying through the sky.

What? Don't say such ridiculous things.

A bicycle can't fly through the sky and come here.

Riding it would be better.

A bicycle can't cross the sea.

Why?

Because bicycles can't swim, right?

See? You're still sharp. Be careful of Yuta's Grandpa,

that's what Mom always said.

Alright then. Come on, let me ride that bicycle.

Sure.

Here we go.

Mom, help!

That's karma.

Idiot!

In the swirling of dreams...

But, I no longer think that Grandpa could really be senile.

Hey, Grandpa. Why do we have to swim across the sea?

Because people forget the sea.

Then, is a bridge a bad thing?

Once, one of my students living on Mukaishima Island

got sick in the middle of the night.

I hurriedly arranged a boat and tried to take him to a hospital in Onomichi,

but he died before we could get there.

If only there had been a bridge here.

It would have been so much better if I could have just rushed him across by bicycle.

But no, once the bridge was built,

everyone forgot about that and just kept saying how convenient it was.

So as not to forget to be grateful for the bridge,

healthy people have to swim.

Sorry about earlier. Were you scared of my grandpa?

No no. It felt good to be scolded. It feels good to be taught by adults.

I'm glad adults teach me various things.

Yes, that's right.

It might sound strange, but it was over 70 years ago.

I really don't know what to say.

Congratulations.

Thank you for calling me.

Well then, please excuse me.

Grandpa.

Strange things do happen, don't they?

Today, at Choukeji's place when they tried to wash Mikari's blouse,

out of the chest pocket, can you believe it, Miroku Buddha's little finger came out!

So, they decided to return the finger with proper rituals.

We will be informed when it happens,

so we'll go together, Grandpa, Yuta and me.

I see.

But I’m tired.

Swimming and walking

It’s all exhausting.

Is that so?

Honey?

I'm glad.

When did you do it?

It's just a magic trick.

Here we go!

Grandpa.

In the swirling of dreams,

Flying into the sky at night

Sleep, my beloved.

It was that night when Grandpa collapsed.

Yuta.

I wanted to fly through the sky one more time.

I wanted to go save the medaka fishes again.

You can do it, Grandpa. Let's fly together again.

But this story is a secret

between you and me.

So when you think of me,

even when you get old and become a grandpa yourself,

share this with your grandchildren.

Is that okay?

Grandpa, are you going to die?

Yes, it seems so.

What happens when you die?

Well...

I don't know, as I've never died before.

But I understand what it's like to be alive.

It was a good life.

In the swirling of dream,

Flying into the sky at night.

Sleep, my beloved.

Sleep, for now it's midnight.

In the swirling of dream,

Flying into the sky at night.

Sleep, my beloved.

Sleep, for now it is farewell.

In the swirling of dream,

Flying into the sky at night.

On the night of the summer fireworks, Grandpa passed away.

Grandpa’s coffin was carried across the bridge.

Even though he was so stubborn while alive,

in death, he finally accepted the help of the bridge.

Grandma laughed as she said that, but her face looked sad.

I suddenly thought, maybe Grandpa isn't in this car.

Maybe the coffin is empty.

Grandpa's funeral, of course, was held at Chokeiji Temple.

A huge number of people came.

Even Mikari cried. I appreciated it, but it was a bit troubling.

After that, I still had two weeks of summer vacation left.

I was just daydreaming.

And then...

You should have just taken the Shinkansen home.

It's fine. I'll go home while looking at the sea.

You ended up not studying much, despite everything.

But I can almost see Grandpa's happy face.

He was happy to play with you.

He's probably saying thank you, I’m sure.

If Grandma trusted me, then we could fly together, Grandpa said.

But you can't fly with Grandma.

Hi!

Since I'm free today, I'll see you off, Yuta.

Get along well with Mikari too.

Next summer, it'll just be Grandma alone.

Yuta, will you come visit again?

Yeah, you should come! Though I don't know if I'll still be waiting for you.

Here, take this.

Here.

It’s a jewel beetle.

Is it dead?

It’s dead and has become a memory.

Yuta. Don’t cry, okay?

Take care. Say hello to your dad and mom for me.

Autumn came.

Even with your silly antics during the summer vacation, you haven't changed a bit.

By the way, did grandpa say something to Mom before he died?

Kaori.

Thank you for bringing the glory

with thoughts like Yuta's.

And then he said something to Dad too?

Mansafu.

Falling in love and getting married seems hopeless.

Hey, did Grandpa say anything? About me?

Not really.

Is that how it is?

You'll ruin your eyes.

You should try something other than just studying,

like falling in love once in a while.

What nonsense are you talking about?

During summer vacation, haven't you gotten even more absent-minded?

Alright then, back to studying.

I don't have time to sit around doing nothing.

But you quit that part-time job you were so fond of, being a Dinosaur Ambassador.

Why did you go and buy such a weird CD instead?

Grandpa!

Grandpa!

Grandma!

Not long after that, Grandma also went to be with Grandpa.

Subtitles by champignousse