I want it to end.
ASURA
It was definitely the boy who was on the phone.
Dad was in such a good mood.
He and Tomoko Tsuchiya must be back together.
If it cheers Dad up, who cares?
I can't accept it as easily as you.
That's only because you worry about Takao.
It's not that!
I mean
that woman is seeing two men at once, right?
If the genders were reversed, it wouldn't seem all that rare.
Yeah, but… can people really do that?
You make it sound graphic, but it's not like that.
They might stop by for a cup of tea
or help you open a jar that's closed too tight.
Open a jar, eh?
I used to have my son do it for me.
After he left for Sendai, I was forced to ask visiting salesmen.
When I did, they all made the same face.
Face?
"She hasn't got one."
Got what?
A man.
Oh, I see.
It can be depressing.
You'll understand when you become a widow.
Don't wish that on me! We still haven't paid off our mortgage.
A cheating husband is better than no husband.
There she is.
Don't tell Takiko.
Of course not! I know how uptight she is.
She'd only raise a fuss again.
I forgot the envelope.
After I asked you so many times?
That's why I went looking for one.
There's never a stationery shop when you need one!
I guess not.
-Here it is. -You bought a big one again.
We could fit a million yen in that.
We're her sisters. We should stick to something plain.
She's right.
It's easy for you to say when you're just giving orders.
-Want some tea? -No.
Oh?
Here.
-Put it here. -Okay.
That'll do.
-Now the money. -Right. The money.
Money, money…
Will 10,000 yen be fine?
I think it's fine.
Is it really enough?
The oldest will hand it over.
Yeah? All right.
Wait. Our names.
Does it matter? I'll say it's from all of us.
It was from all three of us last time too.
But Sakiko only thanked you, remember?
I told her it was from all of us!
Are you sure you didn't whisper it?
We'll write our names. Pen, please.
-Forget it. -I have one.
No, we'll do it right.
That was fast.
You had one ready?
Of course.
You're always so well-prepared.
Anyway, I'm glad we're all here.
It's hard to go in there alone.
Write it lower.
-Huh? -Leave room for the ribbon.
-What are you-- -They'll overlap.
It's too late now.
-I wrote it already. -Whatever.
You're saying it's my fault?
If you weren't so dang greedy.
When have I been greedy?
Your fur coats and your diamond rings.
Everything I have, he bought on his own.
-You ain't-- -I never asked him for anything.
He said buying stuff motivated him.
The dead tell no tales.
You'll say anything now.
Ma'am, what did you
just say?
Huh? How could you say that?
Your son is still alive!
Don't say anything that may bring bad luck.
The one he wanted to treat the most
was you, ma'am.
He talked about the hard life you had.
How his father died young, and you fought to raise your children.
He said you'd never been to a hot spring or eaten at a restaurant.
That the money he won would give you a better life.
I ain't never asked my son to get beat so I could live in luxury!
That's not true.
You showed off to all your Buddhist friends.
-Not as much as you! -When did I show off?
All that stuff with your sisters.
I thought it would make him happy!
They've always looked down on him.
Shouldn't I give him the chance to say, "Look at me now"?
If he'd quit then, this wouldn't have happened.
When is "then"?
Huh? When?
You knew he wasn't healthy.
You knew, didn't you?
You knew, and you made him do it anyway.
You are one scary woman. Really.
If only Hide hadn't met a woman like you.
Who is it?
Oh! Come in!
You're all here.
It's us, the Golden Trio.
Oh, hello.
Thank you for taking the time to visit.
Ma'am, can you bring some hot water?
Sure.
-Don't trouble yourselves. -Can't I have tea with my sisters?
-Please. -All right.
-Oh, excuse me. -No, excuse us.
Best wishes. From all three of us.
Wishes are square these days, huh?
-Thank you very much. -Not at all.
I brought round wishes too.
I thought you'd need change.
Way to one-up us.
This is why you're the scariest, Makiko.
You always have to be the good girl.
What are you saying?
I appreciate it.
You need coins in hospitals.
You seem okay.
Oh, I'm great.
I don't think I've ever been better.
Hide, my sisters came to see you!
-Can he hear us? -He might respond to voices.
Oh, sit down. Get comfortable.
Here!
Thanks.
Humans really are strange creatures.
Even the best doctors can't guarantee whether someone will recover or not.
He may stay like this forever--
Is this today's paper? Oh well.
But no one can guarantee that he won't just wake up one day.
Amazing, right?
Even now, his facial hair grows,
and his toenails develop almost faster than before.
Well, there's nowhere else for the nutrition to--
Tsunako!
His nails aren't dirty.
-Wait, I didn't-- -I clean him every day.
-They're not a dead man's nails. -Wait.
They're a living man's nails.
-I didn't mean-- -Takiko's always been a hygiene freak.
Even as a girl, she'd scream over hair or nails.
Yeah, she definitely did.
You know crab claws, right?
-Crab claws? -Crab claws?
Yeah. Not the ones that are hollow.
The ones filled to the brim with meat.
That's how I feel right now.
I think this is the most I've ever felt like husband and wife.
After all, he's not going anywhere.
He's always by my side.
A crab claw filled to the brim, huh?
Are you filled to the brim?
I am indeed!
Thanks to all of you.
And you, Takiko?
To the brim, of course! She's a newlywed.
With her long legs, she's a king crab worth 5,000 yen.
Not the frozen ones?
Once you boil them, it doesn't matter.
Mom,
if you're ever sad,
I'll make you smile.
If you're in pain, I'll soothe it.
If anyone tries to bully you,
I'll drive them away.
Got it?
Thank you.
I wonder if I'll live to see you
become a mother yourself.
Sakiko.
Oh, Mrs. Jinnai!
Over here.
Thank you for everything.
You haven't paid your hospital fees yet, right?
I'm sorry. I'll bring the money tomo--
I think there might be a spot in a shared room open.
A shared room?
Private rooms get expensive.
Maybe a shared room would be better for the long haul.
It'd be a change of mood too.
Right.
KNIT COFFEE
Don't pull on it.
-There. You smiled. -I didn't.
Yes, you did.
-See? -Whoa! Careful.
This is good.
What's that?
A drawing?
Show me.
"My…"
"My Daddy."
Won't your dad get mad about this?
You know, your new dad.
What's wrong?
What is it?
I don't have a new dad.
Huh? What'd you say?
I don't have a new dad.
What?
Mommy said to keep it secret from you.
WORLD FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATION MATCH
HIDEMITSU JINNAI VS. ROBERT ARES JR.
-Good work today. -It's cold, huh?
It sure is!
Hey, it's open.
Ma'am, the mouth is open.
What?
Oh, sorry.
No, I mean--
Huh?
Oh, no. How embarrassing.
I'm so embarrassed…
Are you okay?
Um, are you okay?
Good evening.
You'll feel better if you talk about it.
That's what I always tell my students.
Students?
You're a teacher then?
Yeah.
Junior high?
-No. -High school?
College?
Elementary school?
"Once upon a time,
there was a man named Gengoro."
"Gengoro had a very mysterious drum."
"If you tapped on one end of the drum
and said, 'Grow my nose,'
your nose would indeed grow."
"However, the drum
could only be used
if it was to make others happy."
What kind of drum did Gengoro have?
He had a very mysterious drum.
What was mysterious about it?
If you said, "Grow my nose" while tapping it,
your nose would grow.
Yes. That's correct.
Will I really feel better if I talk?
Yes.
Could I have a couple orders for home?
Two take-home sushi orders coming up.
Your wife likes conger eel and egg, right?
Yeah.
I'll put some extra in.
Thanks.
I hadn't seen him smile like that
for a long time.
Well, your dad
also grew up without a father, right?
He must see himself in that boy.
What's your point?
I should forgive him?
The yarn.
No, that's not what I mean.
You always take his side.
Well…
-It doesn't affect you, does it? -No, but…
Why are you so mad then?
That smile.
Why can't he show it at home?
Did he ever smile for my mom?
Fat chance.
Is that how men are?
No, uh… Not me.
I always show you my biggest smile.
My biggest smile.
No good?
Is that him?
Coming!
I've only had conveyor belt sushi recently.
Those dry up too quickly.
Exactly.
That's why I always check the tuna from different angles,
so I can see the freshness before I take one.
Okay, let's eat.
What about you, sir?
Oh, I ate already.
-Well then. Thank you for the meal. -Sure.
This isn't from the neighborhood sushi place, is it?
No.
"Ogi-zushi."
-What'll it be? -The one in Hiroo?
-I'll start with the white ones. -Yeah.
Didn't Mom like that place?
-Wow. -Did someone join you?
This is good.
I wouldn't eat with animals, would I?
Is this… flounder?
Hey, he's gonna choke again.
No, I'm--
I, uh… thought you were gonna toss it.
Why would I do that?
Dad!
What?
This doesn't mean I forgive you.
Takiko.
You can eat sushi with whoever you want,
but don't do anything Mom wouldn't approve of.
Yeah. I know.
-I know you're letting us live here. -Taki.
But I'll still speak my mind.
Sure.
It's good!
Wait.
Is this marinated?
It's medium-fatty tuna.
It is?
Did you drown it in soy sauce?
Maybe.
One bunch, 148 yen.
Dad sure is late. I wonder what he's doing right now.
Next, light bulbs…
Hey, do Dad's meetings really go on this late?
Don't distract me, okay?
I lose count.
Two 60-watt bulbs…
Dad sure is late.
That was 190 yen.
The "f" in Father stands for "failure to come home."
The "m" in Mother stands for "Mrs. Oblivious."
The "y" in Yoko stands for "you should mind your own business."
Too many syllables.
I've never been good at haiku or things.
The monthly gas bill…
Wouldn't it be great
if you could look into a machine like this and see what others are doing?
What?
For example…
What's Dad doing now?
He's either at a meeting or drinking at a bar.
No, that's not it.
He's with someone.
It doesn't seem to be a man.
I think it's someone I know.
Stop it.
-Why? -"Why?" Because I said so.
Aren't I free to imagine?
They put a man on the moon,
so how come they can't invent a machine like that?
You really are stupid.
Why?
If you can see them, they can see you.
Oh, right.
Do you want someone peeking on you while you're bathing?
No way.
See?
I think your brother got the smarts.
If you say so.
His grades stink though.
Hey, that's mine!
-No! Go away! -Hold it!
Get your own!
There aren't any more!
-Stay back! -No way.
Yum, that's good.
I hate you.
Fine. You can have it. I'm such a kind big brother.
"And then, far down below,
he saw a pure blue lake."
"Gengoro cried out,
and his eyes spun."
"Then he tumbled,
head over heels,
from atop the bridge of heaven."
Excuse me!
Excuse me.
Is Mr. Takezawa here?
Mr. Takezawa?
-Mr. Takezawa, you have visitors! -Huh?
Oh, what's up?
Since we came all the way to Ochanomizu, can you step out?
Huh?
We want you to visit Sakiko with us.
Oh, uh… I already went once.
She's in a bad state. She could use encouragement.
Seeing you would cheer her up.
Are you busy?
No, there's nothing important going on.
No one would care if I stepped out.
-Shall we go then? -Yeah.
HE-NO-HE-NO-MO-HE-JI
A doodle?
Whoa! You startled me!
-We're the startled ones. -Oh?
What the heck is this?
It's a good luck charm.
-A charm? -Yeah.
The nurses taught me.
Look.
If the face changes its expression,
it means his feet are moving.
-Oh, wow. -I thought maybe the face would smile.
Thank you.
You better chin up too, Dad.
What?
If a man ends up like this, he's through.
Whatever my sisters say, don't let it get you down.
What's that mean?
Huh?
Yes?
I'm coming!
What am I doing?
Hello? Satomi residence.
Excuse me, I'm Tsunako Mitamura's neighbor.
Is this her sister?
-Yes, I'm her younger sister. -Oh!
Your sister attempted a lovers' suicide.
-With gas. She inhaled gas! -Suicide?
With that man who often comes by.
Oh, it's awful.
I thought I smelled something, but…
-Huh? A suicide? -Are they okay?
Excuse me.
I'm Tsunako Mitamura's sister.
-Is she-- -Over there.
Right. Thank you.
Sis.
Don't even think about calling it a suicide.
The gas pipe came loose.
I understand.
It was an accident.
Funny, isn't it?
Laugh all you want.
It's not that.
HE-NO-HE-NO-MO-HE-JI
Your feet.
What?
The soles.
The soles of your feet.
Oh… that.
After I saw Sakiko's charm, I wanted to try it myself.
You really are young at heart.
I wasn't expecting to end up here.
I'll bet the paramedics were surprised.
A patient with doodles on her feet.
What about him?
Welcome back.
I think I've got a cold.
A cold?
My head is throbbing, and I've got chills.
Sounds like a fever.
Oh, don't bother.
Measuring won't bring my temperature down.
Well, have some medicine then.
I just need sleep!
Watch out!
Huh?
Next time, wear a pair that look the same on both sides.
What?
Your socks.
I don't know where you took them off, but this one is inside out.
Leave them be!
Huh? What are you--
HE-NO-HE-NO-MO-HE-JI
Is this some sort of charm?
Don't be silly.
What magic were you hoping for?
Wait, that's not--
It's not a charm or anything.
I fell asleep drunk,
and some girl
drew it on me as a prank.
I thought only young girls worked at the bars in Ginza.
What?
Young people these days don't draw doodles like this.
Whoever drew it
must be up there in years.
I'll take… that cold medicine.
Chills down your spine, perhaps?
Uh, yeah. A little.
Man, it's cold. My head aches too.
I'd better get to sleep.
Man, sleep's the only thing that will cure this one.
A hospital visit?
-Yeah. -The two of us?
I'm the only one who hasn't been once.
Yeah, but…
You remember what happened.
-Even so-- -Besides…
Like…
To only go now,
after our circumstances are reversed…
What will Sakiko think?
None of that matters.
I'm family now.
He's… my brother.
You're right.
Let's go then.
Yeah.
Thanks.
For what?
Nothing.
Hello?
Is this the Jinnai residence?
Yes, it is. Who's calling?
Good evening.
Good evening. Who is this?
That voice sounds like Mrs. Jinnai.
Thank you for the other night.
"The other night?"
After you left, I realized you looked familiar.
I checked a sports magazine,
and there was champion Hidemitsu Jinnai.
Who is this?
I told you. From the other night.
I'm afraid I don't understand.
What's the reason for your call?
I was hoping we could make an arrangement.
One million yen will do.
Hey! Toyoko?
Toyoko!
Damn it.
Where the heck did you go?
I just took a little stroll.
It's rather cold, but the weather is nice this morning.
A marker?
HE-NO-HE-NO-MO-HE-JI
Thank goodness you're okay.
This could have been a funeral.
We'd be negotiating altar sizes right about now.
I think we should live together.
Together?
I was planning to rent an apartment when I got married.
You should move in with us.
Oh, that's right. I got these as a gift, but…
It's your favorite, Makiko.
Don't worry. They don't smell like gas.
Who knows what might happen.
As long as Masaki is offering,
shouldn't you let him fulfill his familial duty?
I appreciate your concern, but it's ten years too soon.
-Ten years? -Ten years?
I'm not ready to be treated like an old lady.
For now, I'd prefer to live alone.
I still earn enough to support myself too.
Is that wrong?
It's not wrong, but…
-Even so-- -The heater!
I'll get an electric one.
Okay?
Perfect, right?
Let's eat.
Yum. These really are good.
Eat up.
The bus is late.
Yeah, it's been three minutes already.
Thanks for today.
I'm glad it was nothing more than this.
Still, you didn't have to bring Takao. It's embarrassing.
He said he wanted to come!
He likes to be in charge.
Plus, he's crazy about you.
Oh? Is that so?
You know darn well.
I was never his type to begin with.
Well, I happen to like your face.
Mean it or not, I'm flattered!
When I woke up in that hospital bed last night,
-Yours was the first face I-- -Sorry to disappoint.
You would have preferred Mr. Jar Opener.
You're wrong.
I was relieved. I'm glad it was your face.
Is that so?
Yeah.
-Sis… -Huh?
Are you sure you didn't…
No sign of that bus.
Shall we walk to the station?
No, it's fine.
I don't mind this sort of thing.
I guess
I like to wait.
Welcome.
Mommy?
Let's go home.
Where's Daddy?
Daddy… can't come anymore.
Oh.
I'm back.
Welcome home.
-Is something wrong? -There was a phone call.
From whom?
They asked for you to call as soon as you got home.
"Yaguchi Book Store"?
They didn't say why?
No.
I'm very sorry!
I'll pay what she owes.
I know it doesn't make up for it, but please--
I have no intention of making this public.
I swear, she's never laid a hand on other people's things before.
In my line of work,
I can tell the difference between impulse and a seasoned criminal.
I won't let this happen again.
You've gotten taller.
Yeah.
I'll pass you soon, Mom.
I'll bet you didn't notice.
I'm sorry.
I've been so wrapped up with your father…
So what happened?
What brought this on?
You don't know?
Huh?
If I tell you, will you tell me?
What?
You should ask for help.
About what? To whom?
To me! About everything.
It doesn't work that way.
You can't keep everything to yourself.
I never know what you're thinking.
You have to peek like this, huh?
Yeah.
If you end up like Grandma, it'll be too late.
You're right.
I won't know if you don't tell me.
I get it.
Just don't do this again, okay?
Okay.
We're back.
Who's here? A guest?
Yeah. It's her.
Sorry to intrude.
-Who? -The tennis woman.
Would you have preferred coffee or black tea?
No, green tea is fine.
I'm getting married this March.
-Married? -Yes.
To whom?
It's no one you know.
Does my husband know?
I haven't told him yet.
Oh, I see.
I'd like you two
to be the go-betweens.
Go-betweens?
I was aware that you were suspicious of me.
Denying it to you directly seems strange,
but quitting in secret while suspicion remained
didn't seem right either.
So, you're getting married.
Is that the truth?
You're suspicious of that too?
I'm asking you to be the go-between, so we can clear this misunderstanding.
I was convinced
you were the one my husband is seeing.
Was I wrong?
You were.
If you say you're not the culprit,
then who is?
It's like a detective show.
Indeed.
As for that, please ask Mr. Satomi directly.
Is there really someone like that in his life?
I'm back.
Welcome home.
You didn't retrieve the paper.
Late as always, aren't you?
Hey.
This was on the floor.
-Can you put it there for me? -Sure.
Where were you all this time?
At your girlfriend's?
What's her name? What's she like?
-Come on. -I know you have one.
-At least tell me her name. -Look--
It's on my mind so much, I shoplifted at the supermarket today.
Shoplifted? You?
I put canned fruit in my bag without even realizing it.
Pineapples and peaches.
Which supermarket?
Hibari.
I got interrogated by a young man and a guy in his fifties.
I told them my husband has a mistress,
and I can't bear to be at home when he's late, and they forgave me.
-I'm not cheating. -Liar!
Why don't you ask Mr. Katsumata to look into it?
I've never liked doing research.
She was here just now.
"She"?
Who do you mean?
Who do you think?
I asked you.
Are there so many that you can't guess which?
Idiot. That's not what I meant.
Keiko Akagi.
Oh? What did she want?
Sakiko!
The nurse said you were out here.
Are you okay?
I did something stupid.
I don't know what to do now.
Why did I reveal my true feelings…
to some stranger?
Why did I let him take my arm and follow after him?
I don't even know myself.
When it was over, I concocted reasons.
When you visited that day,
I tried to act nonchalant.
When really…
I felt crushed,
and I wanted to cry.
I forced myself to impress you.
But watching him lie there like a corpse left me angry.
"Is this the best you can do?"
"Is this what you want?"
Maybe that's what I wanted to say.
"I'm out here being wicked, you know."
But all of that
is just an excuse.
In reality,
maybe my feelings…
and my body…
were both starving.
You don't have to say more.
I'll handle it.
What?
It shouldn't be you, Sakiko.
This will be the only time.
Yes. I understand.
Huh? Who are you?
-Excuse me-- -Please listen to what she has to say.
Hey, wait a minute.
W-What? Let go.
There's nothing to be scared of.
He was champion before,
but now… he's nothing but a living corpse.
Hold it.
My sister
strokes his hands like this and talks in her most cheerful voice,
just like when he was alive.
In hopes that he'll respond!
-Take a good look. -No, I--
If this face smiles,
it means his feet have moved.
My sister told me that.
It would be easier if he were dead.
Though she'd cry at first, there'd be hope for the future.
But he's alive.
He might live three or five years more.
How would you feel?
Wandering the city at night…
If some charming man grabbed my arm,
even I…
I'd follow him too.
If you're gonna threaten someone, find someone happy!
If you're gonna extort someone, find someone who can pay!
But to target someone who cries at the first push,
who's struggling just to survive…
You're disgusting!
Takiko!
Hey, Mom always pinched the salt from a higher angle.
-What? Like this? -No, not that.
Like this!
That's not it either. Like this!
Are you sure?
From up here.
Sakiko, you help too!
No, thanks. My hands get itchy.
Whatever. Okay then.
It'll taste better with more kelp.
-You're right. -One more?
-Yeah, one more. -Right.
-Have some tea. -Oh, thanks.
-Here. -Three more.
Three more?
-Takiko. -Yeah?
You should rest a bit.
For the baby's sake.
I'm fine. It's better to be a little active.
It looks like a boy from the shape.
How can you tell in this kimono?
Your face says it's gonna be a boy.
That's superstition!
-Have some tea. -Sure.
Thanks.
You look like your mother doing that.
Come on, it's just the kimono!
Here.
-It was a keepsake after all. -Dad's right.
How do I put it?
-You look homely, or… -Like a housewife.
-Sakiko! -That was Tsunako, not me!
Who cares, as long as she's happy.
-Mr. Katsumata's a gentleman too. -Right?
I guess.
He does make breakfast and dinner for me.
Say that so my husband can hear it!
Yeah, but… men only come home and act kind when they feel guilty.
Is that true?
No, it's not like that for me.
Mr. Katsumata is different.
But when they buy you coats…
Or bring sushi home…
Hello? Hi there.
What's up? Doing well?
Yeah.
Should I add the cabbage now?
-It needs more salt. -More?
Too little and it'll rot easier.
I can't tell if those four
get along or not.
What? Oh…
Watch, Takiko.
They're Asura, aren't they?
What?
Women are like Asura.
Asura?
Asura are Indian deities.
On the outside, they embody all that is virtuous.
But they're scornful too.
-Did you say something? -Did you say something?
-No, it's nothing. -Huh?
-He says we're Asura. -Nothing.
-What's that? -They're gods.
-How stupid. -We'd better watch out.
Right?
-What? -You got something to say?
-They're talking bad about us. -Right?
Ma'am!
I think the face smiled.
Look!
See?
Look.
It smiled!
-It smiled! -Hide!
Oh, yes!
Hide smiled!
You look beautiful.
Thank you very much.
Congratulations, Keiko!
You look so pretty, Keiko!
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
the newlyweds will carry the flame of love
and light candles at each table.
So about the… you know.
The woman you're seeing.
I don't really believe you, you know.
Subtitle translation by: Brad Plumb