License to Live
Scrub right away.
Have you been eating?
The food tastes good.
I see... so you have an appetite.
You're in pretty good shape. You certainly look healthy.
I got enough sleep.
What?
Ten years worth.
Oh...
Yoshii, you know, it's really miraculous.
It's extremely unusual for someone to recover fully
after ten years in a coma.
I see.
Let's see... you're 24 now.
Yes.
When you get out,
the world won't be quite as you remember it.
I see.
Don't worry, you'll recover what you've lost.
Your new life is what counts.
In ten years, I've never forgotten
the sight of your bicycle coming in front of my car.
I've heard enough of your story.
Isn't that called slow motion?
The slow arc as your body fell on the hood of my car.
How it twisted...
Murota san, I've heard enough.
Besides, I don't remember.
I see...
I notified the police immediately,
and called an ambulance.
Under the circumstances I could have run.
And I've paid for everything, even your medical bills.
I'm grateful!
It's been hard for me, too.
You're not the only one who lost ten years of his life.
Don't forget that.
Here's 500,000 Yen. I'd like to put this behind me.
1995: Top Ten News Stories
No more Soviet Union.
Right.
Was it a big deal?
Sort of.
Was Tyson really tough?
Sort of, I guess.
Turns out there weren't any after all...
Martians, I mean.
Nope, no Martians.
Just as well, really.
I got those.
I've really seen enough of those.
You'll have a hard time when you leave.
I don't care.
You shouted try to get as much back as you can.
Get what back?
What do you mean, what?
The ten years?
Yeah.
What about those ten years?
What I lost? What exactly did I lose?
It's just...
If I don't even know what I lost how can I get it back?
Fujimori san,
Yeah?
I guess I have to go home, huh.
Rather not go home?
Not really.
You can't stay in the hospital anymore.
I know that.
Want to go on a trip somewhere?
I just stashed the stuff temporarily. Does it bother you?
Not really.
I'll clean it up eventually.
Are these carp?
Yeah.
Can you eat them?
Sure.
Any good?
No idea. Never eaten one.
Yutaka.
Hey, Yutaka, where are you?
I'm in here.
Want a cup of coffee?
Can you drink coffee?
Or how 'bout a beer?
Coffee.
Hey.
Why don't you take a walk?
Any friends from junior high?
Listen, Yutaka. l'm not your dad and I'm not your mom.
You have to make your own decisions.
Look what's left.
l guess it can stay.
Fujimori san, how long did the dude ranch last?
Well...
This is how it was when I got here.
Three years ago?
Say,
What happened to the ponies?
I have no idea.
Listen, you'll never believe who's here to see me.
Can you guess?
No, you idiot, that's not what I mean.
You're getting closer.
Remember that guy, Yoshii...
Right... exactly. Can you believe it?
Got out of the hospital yesterday.
No, you idiot, I'm serious.
How the hell should I know... Why should I...
Seeing you like this, you haven't changed at all.
You think so?
You're totally normal.
Just like I hadn't seen you for a while.
You've definitely aged.
That's normal. I'm 24 now.
I'm an old man.
Say, Kaneishi got married at 21, he's already got two kids.
Wow, Kaneishi, huh...
Those ten years, did they go by in a flash?
Well...
A lot happened to me, but for Miyashita, it must've gone by in a flash.
To each his own, huh...
To each his own.
Akira, l got some cake.
Downstairs.
Okay.
It's not like there was something in particular.
I know your father and I were destined to be involved.
It's just that at some point that part of destiny is over.
You understand, don't you?
Yeah, well...
Besides, Akira, you're a grown-up now.
One day, I just made up my mind.
And it turned out your father felt the same way.
So it was very simple.
The only problem was who would take custody of you.
I'm fine on my own.
I know that, but legally,
one of us has to.
It doesn't matter to me.
It may not matter to you, but we have to decide.
Why don't you flip a coin?
Don't be silly...
Say, Yoshii...
Yes.
In all seriousness, I think it was great that your parents
made such a quick decision.
Yes.
There's always some reason when two strangers live together.
But I think everyone wants
at least one chance at a different life.
Pretty rough at your house, too.
What? Oh, yeah...
Not my problem.. I'm too busy to notice.
House of Count Dracula
How about a class reunion?
Reunion, huh. I really don't care.
Don't open that!
I'm coming in.
What are you doing?
Invitations. For the reunion.
Reunion?
Why?
No special reason.
Don't have it.
I mean it. Don't.
Exotic Massages
Water, please.
How was it?
It's fun, right?
So, so...
But once is enough.
I see.
Just so, so, huh.
Yeah.
So, once is enough.
Hello.
You've certainly grown.
Yeah.
What a shock. I never believed Yutaka would...
I know.
That's a souvenir.
From Germany?
No, Holland.
I was in Holland for a month.
Have to line them up in order.
Each in order...
When'd you start?
Huh? Oh, this.
About six years ago, I'd say.
Because of me?
No, my own problem.
Problem?
In other words... A problem inside my heart.
I don't expect you to understand.
Just going to buy juice.
I see.
Hey, no grapefruit juice.
Maybe there's some by the park.
This neighborhood sure has changed.
Yeah.
Oh, sold out, huh...
Yutaka, what do you say we give up?
Does it have to be grapefruit?
How about some other kind?
Why are you following me?
What?
I'm fine on my own.
I just...
Yutaka...
- Don't ask me. - What?
In college you couldn't have cared less about fishing, right?
Yeah.
Never dreamed you'd run a fish farm. Even lose your company over it.
Well, you only live once.
Say, Fujimori.
Yeah?
About Yutaka...
What?
Would you look after him?
Find him a job somewhere,
or he could work for you here.
If he wants to live with his mother, that's fine, too.
I can't help him anymore.
Yoshii!
I hate kids. That's why I never had any.
When I see you I'm damn glad, too.
Dammit!
What do you expect me to do!
He's your son!
Dad.
Yutaka. I'm sorry.
For what?
I have to leave for Hokkaido now.
And then on to Africa.
So
you're going away.
Yeah.
Guess what, Dad there's this horse!.
Huh.
It's not a pony. But it seems tame.
I see.
Aren't you going to see your mother?
What?
She lives in the Futaba Apartments in Sumida.
Apartment number 60?
l'll leave her address here.
Coming back?
Yeah.
Try to make up with Fujimori.
Yeah.
Yutaka, I'll teach you how to drive.
Drive? A car?
I'll teach you.
Either you turn, or you stop.
I know that.
You're not cut out for driving.
Really?
You're doing 80.
What? Oh, yeah.
You don't even have a license.
Yeah.
That'll be 1150 Yen.
It's fixed.
Thank you.
Hey, is that a violin?
No. A ukulele.
You're right.
I'm going to be a singer, in New York.
What the hell are you doing!
Who the hell are you!
So you're the horsethief.
What!?
Goddammit!
Wait a minute! I didn't steal this horse. It came here by itself.
Either way, you're a thief.
I'm not a thief. It came so I was taking care of ?it.
Oh, gee. Sorry for putting you out.
Here we go.
You can't.
What the hell are you doing!
You goddamn idiot?
What the hell?
What are you doing!
Cut it out!
A down payment of 100,000 Yen, and 20,000 Yen monthly.
Fujimori san, I'll earn the money to pay you back, I swear.
All right, all right.
Hey, you!
Don't let it die.
Shut up!
Give it a rest.
Everything OK?
It's dead.
I think it's alive.
It's not moving.
If I dance with you my dear
Tonight will last forever
My heart soars with our fleeting love
To this melody of joy
If I sing with you my dear
Tonight will last forever
Moonli\code(01f5)ht shines on my heart filled with love
rime plays it's own song in passing
This moon-shadowed stage
Is our own private ballroom
Even as the trees and flowers slumber
On this exquisite night
Oh, shining light
Love's aroma fills the star-studded sky
Closing my burning eyes
I offer a prayer to the night
This moon-shadowed stage
Is our own private ballroom
Even as the trees and flowers slumber
On this exquisite ni\code(01f5)ht
That's the place. I'm positive.
It's a fish farm.
Hello.
Yes.
Is there a Yoshii living here?
Yes.
May I see him?
lt's sort of...
weird.
Same here.
I was expecting to see Dad.
He's not here. He's in Hokkaido.
I see.
I get it.
Aren't you supposed to be in America?
I was.
But I came right back.
So where were you?
Tokyo.
That's a completely different story.
I've been living with him.
You could've called home.
What for?
...worry...
Who's going to worry?
What do you know?
You spent ten years in the hospital.
So what?
Fujimori san is an old friend of Dad's.
I see.
You never met him before?
No.
Watch out for that root.
Kasaki, are you sure you want to work here?
Yes.
Don't you have other things to do?
No, I don't.
Nothing.
Must be tough.
It is.
You've been with Chizuru for...
Four years.
Five, I guess.
What do you do for money?
We don't have any.
But, I mean
couldn't you sell that sports car?
To you?
No.
Am I a geek?
What?
People are always telling me I'm a geek.
That I'm annoying to be around.
I see.
Supposedly I was a genius 'til junior high.
That must be quite a burden.
Yes, in fact.
You know, I say, it's much easier to be a geek than a genius.
What is it?
Look what I found.
We only had one birthday party for you in the hospital.
When you turned 17.
What a joke. There we were at your bedside.
Singing Happy Birthday, or something. It was too ridiculous.
Hey! I remember.
What?
Maybe it was a dream, but I kind of remember.
You - singing Happy Birthday.
You were in a coma.
But l remember.
Cut it out!
That's impossible.
Do you know where Mom is?
She wasn't in that apartment.
1-6 Asukayama, North District.
She's probably using the name Iwatani.
Iwatani?
Her maiden name.
Oh.
I won't see her.
Kasaki, looks like you're a natural.
You think so?
You fit right in.
Not too geeky?
Not at all.
You think this profession suits me?
Listen, are you watching this?
Not really.
Can l turn it off?
I have to ask you a serious question.
What?
Mom's no longer part of this family,
and Dad's really like financially incompetent.
Incompetent?
He can't handle his own finances.
I think it's about time we made things clear.
I think we'd all feel much better.
What?
In other words
the two of us should legally inherit the house and the property and split it.
fifty-fifty, of course.
I'm sure we can convince Dad.
Say the house is 300 tsubo.
At 50,000 Yen per tsubo,
It'd be 150 million.
Even after taxes that's about 50 million, each?
But...what about...?
What about what?
The dude ranch.
The dude ranch!?
What are you talking about?
Ouch!
Get out! And don't ever come back!
Who's coming back, you idiot?
Who the hell do you think you are! After sleeping for ten years?
Well who the hell are you?
Cut it out. It hurts.
I've had enough! What's wrong with this family!
Oh, excuse me.
See you 'round.
Yes. Thanks for everything.
Get out! What the hell are you doing!
Putting on my shoes? Can't you see!
Get the hell out!
That hurts.
You're just an over-grown kid!
Hey, wait!
Oh, hello. Is this the Iwatani residence?
Um, um, it's me...
Can you tell...? It's me...
Of course you can't tell.
Wow... it really is you...
Wow.
Stop staring at me.
Oh, let me. It's been such a long time...
Wow...
-You have time, right? -Yeah.
Wait inside a minute. I'll just finish up.
Check the stitching on these, OK? And pull any irregulars.
OK, I will.
What about your work?
It's fine. Have a seat.
OK.
-Have some. -OK.
Last night was a real shock.
You calling out of the blue - quite a shock.
Sorry.
What are you up to these days?
I'm living with Fujimori san.
fujimori san?
A friend of Dad's from college.
He runs a fish farm on our land.
Say, did you know Chizuru went to America?
Yeah. But she's back in Japan. I just saw her.
What!? She's in Japan?
I see...
So you saw her.
She seemed fine. Hangin' in there.
I see...
That's a relief.
lwatani san, there's a phone call for you.
l'll take it. Wait for me, OK?
Say, what... Do you have to go?
Yutaka, please come again. My house, next time.
Don't you have someone new?
That doesn't matter.
OK, I'll come again, for real. Sometime soon.
Hey, thanks.
lsn't this area getting risky?
No, to the right...and higher.
Your timing's really fantastic.
You're just in time for the completion of the dude ranch.
Wow, that's amazing.
-You going to Africa right away? -More or less.
But you can stay a couple days, right? We're almost finished.
I see.
They've got sleeping bags.
Oh, E see.
And flashlights, too.
Oh, I see.
How 'bout taking this?
-What? -This.
Africa sounds pretty good, too.
Is this how you want it?
Yeah.
Here's the deed to the property,
my bankbook, and my seal.
Oh, and here's my official seal, too.
You and Chizuru split it. Do whatever you want.
Reunion Horikiji Junior Hi\code(01f5)h
Who showed up?
About 20 in all.
Not bad, right?
But we all got into it, right?
You were too into it, man.
Me? You think so?
Absolutely. You were like a little kid.
They thought you'd been asleep for ten years.
Antique Books
Reminds me of old times.
Used to steal their comic books.
Yeah.
I remember. The combination to this lock.
What do you say?
I could go either way.
I think I'm gonna go.
Yeah?
Thanks, guys, for stickin' around.
-Sure. -Sure.
See you.
Sorry to trouble you, but when Fujimori san returns, please inform
this man in Environmental Protection.
But don't tell fujimori san. This could become a police matter.
And you don't want to be involved.
No sign of him or his truck.
I see.
Got away, huh...
About time we left.
Whatever you do, don't discuss this.
Illegal dumping of industrial waste, willfully and habitually at that.
The press will have a field day. You don't want that, do you?
-Look, a horse. -You're right.
Where'd it come from?
Wasn't this place a fish farm?
It's not open.
l see.
Sorry.
How 'bout a pony ride instead?
Hey, that's not a pony.
I came by to have a look.
I see.
It's finished.
Yeah.
Sure brings back the past.
Over here.
Come over, inside the house.
Just you here?
Yeah.
That's the fish farm but it's closed for now!.
I see.
What are you doing?
What? Just a little...
It's your house.
I fixed a room for you upstairs.
What? It's OK, right?
Yeah...
But Yutaka...
l do exactly as I please.
So you should do the same.
I'm sure it'll work out.
I understand.
Good horsey. Where did you come from?
You don't know?
Thanks for the food.
Try the fish, first.
OK.
Is it good?
-Yeah. -Oh, I'm glad.
Taste good? You sure act like it.
I'm not really a carrot-lover myself.
Try some bamboo?
Here, it's bamboo.
Nowhere else to go, huh?
No.
Stay here awhile.
Is that OK?
Stay until you want to go.
What?
I'm sorry.
What for?
The other day.
Oh, that.
Hey, hand me the plyers.
Oh, and about the color of the roof.
Um, so was this nail a bad idea?
Look what you've done!
Thank you for everything.
Chizuru made the eggs.
I see.
They're fab. For real. Try 'em.
Milk Bar
Thanks.
Can you hand me a clothespin?
If only for a moment.
What?
Just for a moment
couldn't we all be together again?
Yes, well...
l think it's possible.
Of course things can't go back to the way they were,
but it is possible.
Need eggs, right?
It's dinner time.
Thanks for the food.
Kasaki san.
How about running the fish farm?
What?
Fujimori san says you're a natural.
Oh...
Well...
You should if you want to. As a separate business.
We're covered on the ranch.
It's just as I thought.
What?
I'm just a geek.
No, you're not. That's not what I mean.
No, I knew all along.
It's not right for me to be here.
It's fine for you to stay here, but...
No...
No, no. that's OK. I'Il leave soon. Something will work out.
I bet Chizuru will want to stay here.
And you know, that's for the best.
You're her family, after all.
Kasaki, tea.
OK.
For everyone.
Oh, thank you.
It's no bother.
The horse ate an inch of plywood today.
Really? l wonder how it tastes.
The foreign Ministry has notified that the Dolphin,
a filipino ship, bound for Mozambique, sank near Malaysia today.
It has been confirmed that the passengers included
Japanese members of the Holy Volunteers, on their way
to a conference sponsored by religious group's African chapter,
scheduled for later this month.
Although rescue efforts continue, no survivors have been found.
The Japanese passengers feared dead.
The captain's log lists them as follows:
Ichinose Osamu
Kikuchi Eiji
Nabeshima Michiko
Shiga Megumi
Nakatani Yayoi
Yoshii Shinichiro
Oh, no..
What?
These ten are presumed to have been aboard.
We have just learned that The Dolphin..,
Oh no!
...collided with an Indonesian freighter.
Yoshii's residence.
The accident was presumably caused by heavy fog
covering the area,
It's the Foreign Ministry.
Yes, we'll be at this number. Please keep in touch.
Thank you very much.
What did they say?
They don't have any details yet, but they'll keep in touch.
I see.
And bread.
What can you do...
Hello... Yes, this is Yoshii...
What!
Here are the latest pictures from the scene.
Get in here, come, quick! Look! See!
I was in my cabin,
when I suddenly heard this huge bang.
So I just ran outside.
I guess we hit another ship, which was, um, it was,
the other ship had flipped over.
And I thought this is really bad.
Actually, I work as a volunteer...
Look. He's still going.
He's actually enjoying this.
Yes.
Oh no, I'm not angry.
You don't need to.
No, really, it's really OK.
Leaving?
What? Yes, pretty soon.
Come back any time.
OK.
YOSHII DUDE RANCH
Milk please.
A hot dog and orange juice.
I'd like a cup of coffee.
Hey, the convenience store's over here.
I'll get something here.
Milk.
OK.
Murota san, right?
It's you.
It's been awhile.
What are you doing here?
It's my place.
Oh, E see.
Hey, what about you?
Doing road work nearby.
Huh.
That's a coincidence.
-You think it's funny? -No.
Yes it is. Go ahead, laugh.
Here.
I never thought I'd see you again.
Neither did I.
No charge.
Why not?
It's on the house.
Some kind of revenge?
Nothing like that.
I didn't want to see you.
Me either.
C'mon! Hit me.
Why are you doing this!
Oh, no. Just tell me why!
I ruined your life. You ruined mine.
We're fifty-fifty. That's just how it is.
I agreed to that. But you're not allowed to be happy.
Happy...
You don't get it.
Yes I do!
No you don't!
You were just supposed to stay asleep in that hospital!
Probably...
That would've been better.
How's that! What's next!
The horse!
-The horse! -Don't you dare!
C'mon! Hit me!
I came from somewhere
and I will go somewhere.
It's about time l woke up.
fujimori san!
Sorry. Had some things to take care of.
I see.
Anything unusual?
Your fish died. I'm sorry.
Oh...
I can't find anywhere to dump this junk.
Mind if I use your land?
Fine.
Thanks.
Sort of like it was when I first got back.
Yeah...
So, what's next for you?
Wanna come with me?
Yup. One second.
Wait a second.
The horse... What about the horse?
It'll fit.
Not gonna work.
Take your time, there's no rush.
OK...wait a minute.
Hey, you OK?
Yeah. What a shock.
Fujimori san.
Yeah?
Where are we going?
Wherever you want.
Somewhere far away.
You're on.
We'll go far away.
Hey, Yutaka.
Yutaka.
Oh, sorry.
Can you move?
No.
I see. I'll call an ambulance.
Yeah...
Say Fujimori san,
Yeah?
Am I dreaming?
This is no dream. It's all real.
l see.
Did l exist?
Did I really exist?
Yes.
You absolutely existed.