Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by 👨‍🍳 Food chefs Team🍲 @Viki.com

As people hurry homeward, their long day done...

my day begins.

I'm open from midnight to 7:00 a.m.

A "midnight diner," it's called.

That's all I have on the menu.

My business plan is...

You ask for what you want, and I make it if I can.

Do I get customers? More than you'd think.

[MIDNIGHT DINER 2]

Where was yours?

Over in Ochiai. The funeral hall has a crematorium.

Where was yours?

Up in Machiya.

Two wakes on the same night. That's weird.

What's that?

I'm getting old.

I don't know how many suppers I've got left.

Writing each one down makes them mean more to me.

You've got at least 500 more.

That's not even two years!

Good evening.

Welcome.

You had a funeral, too?

Have my salt.

Put it on an egg.

Another bar mama. She knew she was dying.

She'd taken down all her curtains and folded them up.

Sorry!

I guess even in grief people still get hungry.

I'm starving, too.

Sweet fried egg and beer.

Jumbo pork soup special.

Sure.

Ryu!

Ochiai? Machiya?

Or Kirigaya?

Honganji.

The big temple?

He was big.

Master, more glasses.

Sure.

Toast with me.

Yeah.

Another funeral?!

Did you purify yourself with salt?

I'm fine, thanks.

Welcome.

Can I have the usual?

Sure.

Would you like more water? Or would you prefer tea?

I can ask for myself.

You've all been to funerals.

So have you.

No.

I dress like this and go out when I'm stressed from work.

Then I have the barbecue special here

and I'm ready to fight another day.

Thank you.

What's with her?

A kind of cosplay.

Men can't resist a widow in mourning.

She says they chat her up, but she never goes with them.

It's not in very good taste.

But a good-looking woman in black is very sexy.

I don't see many.

Unlike you, Gen. You must see lots.

Why?

Gang wars, stray bullets all the time...

You want false teeth?

Give him an implant.

Open wide.

What kind of work does she do?

I think she said...

You know her?

I met her here.

She said she was an editor at a publishing company.

Why am I off the book?

I was against it...

but upstairs says it's a waste having one of our best editors...

spend all her time on a young writer from the sticks.

He won a New Writers prize and sold over 100,000 copies...

but he needs another best-seller to be established.

Put me back.

It's a crime, isn't it. You're just too good at your job.

Are we speaking Japanese?

Why did you call me in here all of a sudden?

Congratulations. You're taking my place.

Thanks.

I won't dishonor your name.

You know why I was taken off the project, don't you.

He sold a lot of books, and it went to his head.

He says you never have any ideas.

All you do is find fault.

He told the Chief he wouldn't write unless they took you off.

Don't tell anyone I told you.

Good, huh?

Here you go.

They put me on an older writer, and right away he's on my case.

"By what right is some woman commenting on my work?"

I was furious.

I see.

So you're in black again.

Work clothes or street clothes, which is the real you?

Do you ever wonder about that?

Can't say that I ever have.

Do you?

I've always laughed to myself when men came on to me.

I thought they were obvious and a bit stupid.

But in a way I liked it.

But would they be attracted if I weren't dressed for a funeral?

What am I saying?

Now, I'm in the mood to eat meat.

Damn right.

Build up some stamina, and look that job right in the eye.

Suddenly I'm all fired up.

Fry some meat.

Sure.

It's Akatsuka, for the manuscript.

Excuse me.

I brought some of the sweet bean cakes from Matsushimaya that you...

My condolences.

He passed away at his desk?

Apoplexy, while he was writing.

When I went to pick up his manuscript, he was gone.

So you found him?

My sympathies.

I was hoping these could be placed as an offering.

They're from Matsushimaya.

Sweet bean cakes with a slight taste of salt.

He was always pleased to have them.

Did you work with him?

A long time ago.

Now I edit a magazine on regional foods and crafts.

My name's Ishida.

I'm Noriko Akatsuka.

Here you go.

Master, the barbecue special.

Two.

Sure.

Cheers.

They're really back from a funeral?

He's got a funeral fetish.

It takes a pervert to know one.

He's bad news.

So no chance for you, huh?

They make a perfect pair!

And now this publisher?

It's half-publisher, half-internet. We're finally breaking even.

You travel the whole country?

Yes. The dealers...

and especially the farmers, trust personal contact more.

It's nice to have work that rewards your efforts.

Yours doesn't?

Maybe not.

I work together with the writers,

and think of the books as my children.

But maybe that's an illusion, and I'm just being smug.

Just as I thought.

You keep yourself together.

I thought that when I first saw you.

Don't build me up too much.

I'm practically falling apart.

When things are going bad, just lay low.

Concentrate on maintaining your form, and your chance will come round.

I'm not really capable of all that much.

Your own power has limits. So you rely on others.

That's fine.

I do that, but I never pay back.

Not even to my parents.

That's all right.

One day someone will need your help.

Give it to them then.

Here you go.

Thank you.

We break the funeral fast.

Just as I thought.

As if she'd had a demon exorcised, Noriko brightened up.

She stopped coming in dressed in black.

What do you think?

I think this one.

You do?

We'll go this way.

All right.

Thanks.

Could I see you?

Sure.

We're told you've been seeing this man.

What's he done?

He goes to funerals everywhere and steals the incense money.

And at every funeral he picks up some woman.

It's like a kind of fetish he has.

You like solitude, but you don't like being alone...

Would you like a drink?

I lost a friend recently, and I hate being alone.

Maybe we could drown our sorrows...

Forget it. Sorry.

Do you have a place in mind?

I sure do! Let's go.

[Koban]

And then he said, "You like solitude, but you hate being alone"?

Sorry to call you at work, Master.

Master!

I'm sorry. I got scared.

What happened?

This lady was out in front of a love hotel...

in a violent argument with a man...

over whether to go in or not.

I brought her in for questioning.

It turns out she's been unlucky in love.

Because of him, I quit going out in black.

He was a famous incense-money thief!

I see.

Deserted, desolated...

approached by some man passing by...

I can see it all now.

Is that him?

The suspect?

It's my mom.

Why are you calling now?

What?!

Oh, no!

As if this wasn't enough, now her grandfather was dead.

"I might not be back," she said...

...and left for her home town in Toyama.

It's not a nice thing to say, but maybe she had it coming.

A black dress is for mourning. Relieving stress with one is bad taste.

I'm glad to hear you've come around.

But I sort of understand.

A woman's not like a man. Your value fades away with age.

Especially if you're single.

Good evening.

Welcome.

Master, I'm engaged to this man.

How do you do? Noriko speaks highly of you.

We met at Grandpa's funeral. He runs a temple in Toyama.

I'm a priest.

A monk, I guess.

When we met, I fell prey to the desires of this world.

You look good in funeral clothes.

Funeral clothes?

What does that mean?

Nothing. Ignore him.

So what about your job in Tokyo?

A person glows, shall we say, doing a job they like.

I'd like that for Noriko.

I want her to keep working.

So, Master, the usual.

Sure.

She'd gone through a lot, but Noriko seemed to have exorcised her demons.

What are you doing?!

Are you treating that dandruff?

Your nails need cutting. I'm good at cutting nails.

The hair speaks of hygiene, but the nails speak of beauty.

You shut up!

That line sounds very profound, but it's all over the internet.

Oh?

Shall we?

Anxiety shows in the feet.

I'm hot!

And thirsty.

Let's find a store.

Here you go. Whiting tempura.

Great!

That's hot!

It looks like that Chinese place across the road's closed down.

Yeah.

The end of last month.

The old guy wanted to quit while his food still tasted good.

"You can't fight off the years," it said on the door.

I wanted to cry.

All the good old places are closing down.

Good evening.

Hi.

Funeral?

No.

Wait... it's today?

The 17-year memorial.

It's been that long?

Your husband?

Time goes by so fast.

Chilled sake? And something light.

Fishcake?

Sure.

Thanks.

Can't they do anything about this heat?

Then with the air conditioning, you freeze on the train.

I'm in menopause and I can't adjust.

My underarms are sweating.

Have a drink.

Thanks.

Seiko owns "Sobasei," a local soba noodle restaurant.

After her husband died she raised their son...

and ran their restaurant with her mother-in-law.

Your fishcake tastes so good! Better than ours.

Yeah?

I feel like I've closed a chapter.

All I need now is to get my son to learn the trade.

Then I can rest easy.

Seita looks more and more like his father every day.

I see him out on deliveries. Just like his dad when he was young.

The face, maybe. But inside he's still a child.

He'll take over from you, won't he?

No way. He's been helping out since Grandma got sick...

but with him, it's all ping-pong. I don't understand him.

Hello.

You're late!

The noodles get soft. We need to be quick!

Take that to Emura Drafting in Block 2.

What do they pay here?

￥950 an hour. Why?

Part-time work.

For who?

Me.

You?

Don't.

You blow out all your time and get nothing to take away.

But I'm only helping at the shop because Grandma's in the hospital.

I can't deliver soba forever.

But it's a family business. You're lucky.

Move.

Hey!

That's a dud.

That one's good.

Careful!

Should the heir to a soba shop be eating udon noodles?

I prefer thick noodles.

Too much soba all your life, and you're sick of it?

I wouldn't say that.

But somehow eating udon has always relaxed me.

Here.

I guess you can't be seen in an udon place around here.

Don't let your mom catch you.

Good evening.

Welcome.

Hey, you had dinner at home!

So what?

So did you.

Chilled sake? And a fried egg.

Sure.

I can eat what I want!

No problem. There's no law that says you can't eat udon.

I'm going.

I'll put it on my bill.

I'm not a child!

You'll be wanting money from me anyway.

What's he so mad about?

Puberty?

Am I really my dad's son?

What do you mean?

I'm slow at picking up on things. I prefer udon to soba.

Mom always goes on about what a great guy my dad was...

and then says "what happened with you?"

Hand.

Hand?

Soft as whitebait. You've never worked.

You're you, not your dad.

You have to face that someday.

How old were you when he died?

Eight.

I liked him. He was big. He'd ride me on his back.

And play catch?

On his days off.

My folks took turns deserting me.

At least you had him there.

Your dad used to come in here and complain.

Nothing he did was ever as good as your grandpa, he'd say.

Dad?

He didn't want to take over.

He only got serious when he found out your mother was pregnant...

with you.

You're here?

I'll ask, then.

I'll see you later, then.

Thanks.

Why was Seita here?

"Why"?

To see me.

Mother, don't give him money. He's not a child anymore.

I understand.

It's you I don't understand.

What about me?

The longer you take to let a child go...

the worse it will be for you.

Look who's talking!

Good, huh?

Yep.

Really good.

Good evening.

Welcome.

Beer, and two glasses.

Ping-pong again?

Hurry! We're thirsty.

Thanks.

You're good, Saori. You've got a backhand spin like a pro.

You're getting more accurate with your smash.

I think it's been about six months since Rumi first brought Saori here.

They met playing ping-pong at a local recreation center.

Here.

Chilled tofu.

Edamame beans.

Sure.

Are you still going out with that young boyfriend you had?

It's almost a year now.

Yeah?

Doesn't it scare you?

Should it?

He's still young, so he can afford to play the field.

You need to hurry and get married. It's a psychological handicap.

A handicap? It's not a golf game.

A good man's hard to find.

There's a lot of competition for them.

What do you want from a man?

Money, broad-mindedness, and looks.

A spirit of adventure, fun, affection, reliability...

It's like everyone has a catalog of what will make them happy...

and they look for someone who'll fit that.

But it's two different people. Things don't fit at first.

I'm with you.

In spades.

Spades?

I like you.

So for both men and women, isn't it a matter...

of being committed to going forward as a couple?

You're right! I love it!

Master, another sake?

Oh, well.

Just one, though.

Lately, I get so bored listening to people...

This is fun.

I'm honored.

- Here. - Thanks.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

Cheers.

I'm home.

You're still up?

I want to talk to you.

No! I just gave you ￥50,000.

Get me some water.

Thank you.

I want you to meet someone.

Who?

I want to get married.

Sobasei delivery.

Hello.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I talked to Mom.

She won't meet you.

Oh?

She wouldn't listen.

So now what?

We knew it wouldn't be easy.

I'm okay. I can wait.

Thank you.

Right out of the blue like that!

At his age, there's nothing unusual about him having someone.

But she's way older than him.

It'll never work.

No?

I don't get excited unless a woman's over 60.

I love that flaky skin.

And it's so loose!

Keep out of this, you pervert!

Good evening.

Saori!

Hi, Seiko.

I wanted to talk to you!

Hurry and sit down.

Beer to start?

Master, beer.

Sure.

Great!

His mother said this older woman was playing with him...

and she was against it.

What an idiot that mother is! She doesn't even know you.

From the way he talks, she's just not ready to let him go.

I know what you mean. That's the worst kind of mother.

Her son's replaced her husband.

You should meet her, Saori.

But what if it doesn't go well?

Don't worry about that! She'll die before you, anyway.

It's you two who matter.

Saori, I'm on your side.

Welcome.

Oh, Seita.

My son.

Ping-pong again, huh?

The ball goes flying around wherever the racket hits it.

Just like you.

Well said! You're encouraging him to do only what he intends to do.

Quiet in the lower ranks!

Ping-pong?

Sit down.

Listen to this, Saori.

This kid can't handle a real job, and he wants to get married!

And to an older woman. The nerve of the boy!

Want some udon?

He prefers udon, too!

One fried udon, on Seita's bill.

Sure.

Seita...

what about Saori?

What about her?

The boy's a bit shy sometimes.

But I'm his mother so I know.

Your adult charm captivated him the moment he saw you.

Right?

Uh...

You're blushing!

She's gotten to you, hasn't she?

So, I'm sure you'll find somebody nice.

Don't worry about kids. You can be an older mother later.

Seita, I'm not meeting anyone unless it's someone nice like Saori.

Age means nothing between a man and a woman.

That's the truth.

I think so, too.

If that's what two people want.

It's only the people around them who care about age.

If two people...

Wait... Why are you agreeing with me?

I'm marrying her.

That's great!

I'm all for it!

You'll be, like...

"Are you tired, Mother? Shall I massage your shoulders?"

And I'll say, "Oh, are you sure you wouldn't mind?"

And as you're pushing down, you'll say, "Does that hurt?"

And I'll say, "Ah, that feels so good!"

"But where's Seita?"

"At a Neighborhood Association meeting."

"Then he'll be late," I'll say. "Why don't we have a little drink?"

Wouldn't that be great?

Seita! Now you've made her angry.

Now you've made her angry.

Excuse him.

I'm sorry!

It's me.

Mother...

That's me. "Mother."

Master...

cancel the fried #udon.

Sure.

Mom...

Mom!

No, no, and no!

She's 15 years older!

When you're 35, she'll be 50.

When you're 45, in the prime of life, she'll be 60!

She'll look like me!

You said yourself she'd be fine.

I was just...

caught up in the moment.

She's very nice...

but she doesn't suit you.

How would you know?!

You're dizzy with love right now, so you think it'll work.

I'm telling you that marriage isn't that easy.

Whatever happens, we'll keep this place going.

You can't even make soba.

You told Grandma, didn't you?

I know that.

I won't have it.

Whatever you say.

I'll disown you!

I'm not Dad's substitute.

You just don't want another woman taking me away.

What are you talking about?

I'm going for a nap. Go do the shopping.

Um...

Thank you for always washing.

The bowls.

It's no trouble. You don't need to thank me.

Oh, right...

Here.

To settle the stomach. You had soba today.

You usually have rice, so I thought your stomach might be upset.

You're weird.

Thank you.

That day...

you helped me out of a bad mood.

Then I was depressed.

Seita... thanks.

Shall we break up?

It'll never work. I know what your mother means.

I don't.

Let's run away.

I'll work. We'll manage. I'll make you happy.

Can you leave your mother behind?

No, huh?

And I wouldn't love anyone who could.

It's raining.

Take the corner.

- Here? - That's right. Lift it up.

Don't pull.

More this way.

Don't give me orders!

This way! More this way!

There.

Rain?

Looks like it.

A shower.

It's not the sort of thing you say, but I really loved my husband.

At home, he was a bit of a tyrant...

but as we went to sleep he'd whisper "thank you for being with me."

Then he'd start snoring.

Watching him while he slept, I'd start to feel very calm...

and how lucky I was to be able to live with him.

So I loved him all the way through.

Do you think Saori will be the same?

Seiko...

want some soba?

I want you to try this.

There.

It's awful. There's no taste.

What is this?

It's soba that Seita made.

He asked me to taste it.

His grandmother found him a place. He's been there for two months...

learning to make soba.

He's determined to learn the trade, refurbish the restaurant...

and let you take things easy.

It's awful!

Think she's here?

She might be.

Nice, huh?

That's the sound to live by.

Hello? I'm in Tokyo.

Sorry?

Yes.

Yes.

Thank you for coming.

I wanted to introduce myself.

I'm going to stop coming every month. Seven years is long enough.

What was your husband like?

He married me and took our family name.

He was Dad's favorite employee.

Memorials and funerals remind me of my hometown.

When someone dies, the neighborsall pitch in and help.

I'd go with my grandmother to cook for people.

Didn't she have rheumatism? How is she?

Fine, thank you.

She is?

Mrs. Ogawa?

Yes.

Thank you.

I'm Yamada. I work with your son.

You are? Thank you for all you're doing for him.

Not at all. He does a great deal for me.

About what we discussed...

I have it.

There's ￥2 million in here.

I apologize for the trouble his foolishness has caused you.

I hope you'll continue to look after him.

Thank you very much for your help.

I'll be going. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Is there still a bullet train to Fukuoka, do you think?

The last one from Tokyo leaves at 18:50 (6:50 p.m.).

It's gone by now.

You know all about this.

You could still catch the last flight from Haneda.

I hate planes.

Did you arrive today?

I got here about noon.

It's been a long day.

Um, I didn't order the jumbo, you know.

And I only need one spoon.

Did you want to eat with me?

Harumi? What is it?

I'm a little bit worried.

Just wait...

The man who took the money...

said he worked at your son's company?

Yes.

He was wearing a suit?

He was very nicely turned out. He had an air about him.

An air?

Are you certain the man on the phone was in fact your son?

It's a routine question.

Please don't be offended.

"Bring me some money!"

He was howling on the phone like some starving animal.

All I could think was I had to save him.

Like a starving animal?

Howling?

That's terrible! "An animal"...

All right.

I'll inform the station, then. Where can we reach you?

Or your son?

I'll call him myself.

I don't want to shock him with a sudden call from the police.

You don't? All right.

Then call us as soon as you get in touch with him.

We'll probably need him when we file the loss report.

You're sure that's the place?

We have evidence.

He'll show himself.

What's with the dress?

It was my best friend's wedding.

You called me in on my day off.

It's not a "day off." It's "home stand-by."

That's why I came straight here without going home to change.

Watch the monitor.

I prefer my eyes.

It's Carven Ma Griffe.

My perfume. The same as Grace Kelly.

Just step away, okay?

They'll see us!

It's more suspicious if the place is always dark.

If we just act normal they won't think we're watching.

That makes sense.

Hey...

They'll hear us downstairs!

Hey!

Perfect!

You're still doing that? Wow!

I can't settle down till I've done it.

Of course, the next day I've forgotten what I had.

Mice?

This building's really old. Everything rattles by now.

Good evening.

Welcome.

Nice to see you all here.

Are you skipping out on work?

Not even I would skip out on work wearing my uniform.

This is Mrs. Yukiko Ogawa. She's come all the way from Kyushu.

She hasn't eaten since this morning. Could you make her something?

This is "Master."

He'll make anything you ask for.

He will?

The pork soup special, then.

Have anything you like. Don't worry about the cost.

As you can see...

it's a place anyone can drift into.

That'll be fine.

Sure.

I realize we've just met...

but that could have been a "hurry, hurry" scam.

What's that?

I've heard of "it's me" scams...

"Hurry! Hurry!" they say, and get you to bring money.

Here you go.

Very good!

Yeah?

Enjoy your stay.

This is your locker key.

When I woke up today, I never dreamed I'd be staying in a capsule hotel.

Have a good sleep.

We'll be going now.

Thank you for bringing me here.

This is for you. It's not very much, but...

Thanks.

But we couldn't!

Farewell! Goodbye.

Here.

Bye!

Thank you very much!

It's like...

I'm lying in my coffin.

But it'll do.

You always think you'd never get fooled that way.

But you never know, do you?

Is she alone?

It looks that way.

No matter how good your pension is, when you lose that much money,

you don't just bounce back right away.

Someone who did that would rip every hair out of your asshole.

Why a capsule hotel?

She could have stayed here.

Your second floor's empty, right?

Yeah...

Well, uh...

She comes to Tokyo in a panic, and we send her away.

I'd have let her stay with me.

When I had trouble, you let me stay here.

Yeah, but...

A-ha!

Ah, youth!

Michiru, you never saw her.

You have to have some idea before you let someone stay with you.

Welcome.

You didn't go home?

I thought I'd stay on until I talked to my son.

Her?

Come in.

You're sure you don't mind?

Yes.

Once she's said she'll do something, there's no stopping her.

Maybe Yukiko reminds her of her grandmother up in Niigata.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

But that old lady worries me.

You often hear of people being cheated that way...

and I'm sure her son will be furious when he finds out.

"How could you fall for that?!"

And her feelings would be hurt.

But isn't it strange that she hasn't managed to reach him yet?

Yeah.

Does this son really exist?

What do you mean?

We had this customer...

The reservation was for two, but only one elderly woman showed up.

She and her son had been to my place a few years before that.

The son had died, and she was retracing a trip they'd taken together.

Her son was there with her, she said. Very seriously.

Sometimes people just want to float and never come to shore.

Maybe so.

I'd love to be floating now.

I've got some good sake from Shimane.

Want some?

Sure you do.

No?

No, huh?

Yes!

Sure.

You're so annoying!

Such cute pajamas you've lent me!

Thank you.

My grandma sent them to me.

Can't we both sleep in the futon?

I've got this sleeping bag.

Like an explorer.

No, that's fine. Don't change the pillowcase.

No, no...

Are you all right?

I like this smell.

A milk smell, like a baby.

It smells more like drool to me.

It adds spice.

She sent me this, too.

Where's it from?

Niigata.

There.

Cheers.

You're in charge.

Michiru...

Tell the cook to forget the crab and do the dried fish today.

I will.

Oh... what happened with that old lady?

She's taking it easy today.

She is?

Box lunch again, I suppose? I'll go buy some.

No need tonight.

You're working hard.

Sukiyaki? On expenses?

Thanks for your trouble.

It's no trouble.

I don't have to cook it.

A thug I helped out who reformed...

took over his father's business, and now he sends me fine meat.

Appreciate me?

I do!

Your second egg? You eat fast!

It tastes better that way.

That makes sense.

Hey...

That's the third time he's come today.

Is he on the suspect list?

No.

Write him in.

I shouldn't borrow your kitchen without asking.

Or this.

Don't get up yet.

What are you cooking, Grandma?

Excuse me. This is the shrimp.

I really should pay my share.

No, this is for letting me stay at your place.

And I invited you here.

Would you have preferred a bus tour?

All right. I'll take you at your word.

Has your son called?

No.

But "no news is good news," as they say.

You should get in touch, though. Do you know his cell number?

No, I don't.

His address? His landline?

Nope.

You're not being serious.

Do you think this shrimp comes from Tokyo Bay?

Dementia?

I'm starting to think so.

But I can't just tell her to go see a doctor.

Could you arrange for a relative to come from Kyushu and get her?

I understand why you're worried, but surely that's going too far.

Tsutae here doesn't agree.

"Can't do" isn't the same as "won't do."

A public servant should be sincere.

I told Miss Chieko I was worried, and she said to talk to you.

All right, then.

I'll call a man in the Fukuoka Police I was at the Academy with.

As soon as I can.

Camera coming through!

Stand back, please.

Be careful, everyone.

Those photographers are crazy.

Be careful.

Don't push! Be careful here.

Here they come!

Yukiko had indeed been cheated.

With Officer Kogure's help, they found her younger brother...

and arranged for him to come.

Here you go.

My sister doesn't have dementia.

Her problem isn't "forgetting," it's "not forgetting."

She had a husband and a son.

Then she ran off with a man from a cleaning service.

That man was my elder brother.

That makes me...

Her younger brother-in-law?

She heard tell that the son she'd abandoned...

was in Tokyo.

So Yukiko and her son...

have never been in touch?

That's right.

You probably think it's a terrible thing she did...

but she's never forgotten the boy for a second.

Kazuya...

That's her son's name.

My elder brother told me his address.

He was diagnosed with cancer six years ago.

They gave him a year.

So just in case...

he hired a detective agency to find her son.

Without telling her, I called Kazuya when my brother died.

"She's a stranger to me," he said. "I don't want to see her."

He was very clear.

If I'd told her then, she probably wouldn't have fallen for this scam.

But I didn't have the heart to.

Some things you're better off not knowing.

Good evening, Master.

We've filed the loss report and we've caught the perpetrator.

So it's "case closed."

I don't know if the money will come back...

but it's a load off my mind.

Does something still bother you?

Could we maybe arrange a meeting between Yukiko and her son?

That might not be...

I don't mean forcing them to meet.

But isn't there a way they could both be in the same place at the same time?

Is this a trick question?

Here you are.

Wow!

When I talked to that policeman...

I realized, "I've been cheated!

What a fool I've been!"

Even then, I didn't want to go right back home.

I wanted to stay where Kazuya was for a few days.

Just to breathe the same air as him for a little while.

But you're all right now, aren't you? Let's go home.

Can you wait another day?

I have to thank everyone here.

I've got train tickets for early tomorrow afternoon.

Is that all right?

I'll meet you at noon.

Yes?

I'm a police officer. Could I trouble you for a minute?

Come in.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Yes?

It's a bit embarrassing...

I was chasing a bicycle thief.

An expensive Italian bike.

He led me uphill and down here...

and now I'm afraid I'm lost.

Where am I now?

Wait...

Mama!

Do we have a map?

Yeah.

Can you bring it?

Sorry about this.

So that's him...

Who's he, Dad?

That boy!

Google it. Don't you have a smartphone?

No, I'm afraid not.

He's lovely!

Shall I open the window?

Yes, thank you.

You forgot your wallet!

Oh, hello.

Your tire's a bit low, though.

How's the back?

He's such a good father!

They're so silly!

They're laughing.

They're laughing.

No! Don't do that!

That's enough.

It's good you saw your son.

And I'm sorry I misunderstood.

No, it's me who should apologize.

I should have told you more about what was really going on.

That's all right.

It was enough just to see you with a smile.

Michiru...

this isn't much, but...

I couldn't!

Let me do this.

You're a young girl living alone,

and you've had to buy things.

I won't leave unless you take it.

It's paying forward.

In the same way Master helped me...

I want to help someone else when they need it.

I can't see you off tomorrow, so I brought this for the train.

Steamed sweet jellies from our restaurant.

They look good!

You've done so much for me.

Thank you, Michiru!

It's our last night.

Sleep with me?

Good.

What time's your train today?

I'm meeting my brother at noon at Tokyo Station.

You are?

Thank you.

When I left my husband...

I was meeting the other man at the station.

I got myself ready to go.

My son was watching TV.

"I'm just going out shopping," I said. "You wait here."

I walked to the door.

He must have sensed that something wasn't right.

He clutched onto me.

"I'm coming, too!" he said, and wouldn't let go.

I shouted at him. "You're a boy!" I said.

"Act like one!"

"Okay," he said, and after that...

he didn't say anything else.

I've never forgotten...

the look on his face.

I'm a woman who threw away something more important...

than life itself.

But...

I'm really glad I came to Tokyo.

Thank you, Master!

I didn't do anything.

People come to this place because you're here.

I'm glad you let me join in.

Yukiko...

is there anything you'd like to eat before you go?

I'll make it if I can.

The pork soup special, then.

Pork soup?

You had that when you came, too.

I could never bear to have it.

It was my son's favorite.

When I first came in and saw it on your menu board...

for some reason I thought, "Ah! That's what I want!"

It's the first thing on the board,

so you recommend it, don't you?

Yeah.

It's the first dish one old guy I knew ever said he liked.

I can see why.

Here you go.

Thank you.

It's very good.

If I'm ever back this way...

can I order it again?

Of course.

It's been a while.

That pork soup of mine you liked...

A customer came in and said it was really good.

I hope you'll keep watching over the restaurant.

Thanks.

Happy New Year.

Come have a look!

See what we've got.

Great!

Here you go.

Well!

This bonito broth smells good!

Did you quit?

What?

That diary you were keeping of all the food you ate.

I gave that up.

Why?

It's not what you eat, it's who you eat with.

Chu!

Good evening.

Welcome.

Here's the lucky New Year's food!

Master...

Did you forget about the Fox Shrine?

Has it snowed up home yet?

Grandma emailed me when it did.

I'm sure she can't wait to see you.

Take good care of her, you hear?

I will.

Hey, hey, hey!

Are you all right?

I'm sorry.

It's not about "sorry."

Come inside.

What are you doing out here?

Sit down.

As people hurry homeward, their long day done...

my day begins.

I'm open from midnight to 7:00 a.m.

A "midnight diner," it's called.

Do I get customers? More than you'd think.

[Kaoru Kobayashi]

[Aoba Kawai]

[Koichi Sato]

[Sousuke Ikematsu]

[Hijiri Kojima]

[Midoriko Kimura]

[Misako Watanabe]

[Hisashi Igawa]

[Toshiki Ayata] [Mansaku Fuwa]

[Yutaka Matsushige]

[Mikako Tabe]

[Kimiko Yo]

[Joe Odagiri]

[Based on the graphic novel SHINYA SHOKUDO by Yaro Abe]

[Screenplay: Katsuhiko Manabe, Kensaku Kojima, Joji Matsuoka]

[Directed by Joji Matsuoka]

[Subtitles: Ian MacDougall]