The 7 years I spent with you was a mistake.
Don't come to see me anymore.
Then you must be proud of your mommy.
This knee tingles.
What are you going to do about Waku. Do you even consider yourself a mother?
I hate you, Mommy. I hate you!
Why didn't you go with Mom?
If Wak-kun went away too,
Daddy will be all alone.
Wak-kun's up.
Daddy, they're Usagi Sennin* (*Usagi-Rabbit; Sennin-Taoist deity/sage/immortal)
They live on the moon.
This one's Usagi Sennin and this one's Usagi Sennin too.
If you make a wish, they make it come true.
Are you ready for school?
Today's PE day. Gym clothes.
Gym clothes?
[Handout for PTA]?
-And Wak-kun has to go to the hospital. -Hospital?
This knee tingles.
The doctor told me to come again if it still tingled next Monday.
You’re fine. It happens to kids all the time.
Yes, Sawamoto.
What time’s the press conference? Who’s going?
Okay, got it. I’m on my way. "Waku Art Class"
Kids who waste food won’t grow big, you know.
Alright~.
Wak-kun bathroom.
If something happens, you can call my cell phone, right?
-Daddy. -What?
-And…and… -I don’t have time. Hurry up.
Will it just be the two of us?
Is it going to be just Daddy and Wak-kun today and tomorrow and always?
Dad has to go to work.
Sawamoto Waku-kun. Remember? The kid who got hurt at school.
-He hasn't come to the outpatient clinic yet? -No.
He hasn't...
Kuramoto's at the Marunouchi Police press conference.
Also, regarding the Koutou-ku arson incident,
it seems...um...the inspection of the scene is taking longer than expected.
-Is there a need to report that now? -I'm sorry.
Also, um...
Keep is short. Say it in one sentence.
Yes. Tani-san's covering the Koutou-ku incident. In place of Kojima.
[Kojima attempted suicide this morning at home.]
I'm no spring chicken, so go easy on me, huh, Chief?
-Hello, Sawamoto. -This is Hosokawa, Waku-kun’s teacher.
I called your home, but was unable to reach your wife.
If it’s about the handout, I’ll have him bring it in tomorrow.
No, Waku-kun
said his knee hurts and didn't participate in PE today again.
If it's because of the accident at school the other day,
-we, as the school...that is... -Let me call you back later.
[Daddy is a very strange creature.]
[He has a mouth, but there are words he can’t say.]
[Please give me a hand.]
Did you need something?
[Please help me.]
No.
I'm going to the press conference.
[I was in the wrong.] "Kojima - Off"
[I'm sorry.]
Excuse me.
[Please tell me.]
Where is the art classroom?
[Thank you.]
Thank you.
[They’re easy words even first graders can say.]
I’m going to be late today, so I’ll take him to the hospital some other day.
[There are some words that Daddy just can't say.]
Wak-kun.
Where's Wak-kun's mommy?
She's off today.
-Did you decide what snacks to buy for the field trip? -Not yet.
Do you want to go buy them with me?
-Yes. Promise for sure? -Promise for sure.
-Shinpei Sensei, good bye. -Bye bye.
-Wak-kun, bye bye. -Bye bye.
Peisen.
I'm sorry I was late today.
-Wak-kun, did you come by yourself?/N-Yes.
Why are rabbit's ears long?
That's so that they can hear well... isn't it?
Rabbits probably have really good hearing.
No, they don't.
Owls are the ones who can hear really well.
Is that right?
This ear and this ear are placed different.
Byong~
Like a radar, they can hear faraway noises too.
Is that right? I've been enlightened.
Wak-kun, are you eating properly?
Yes.
Daddy!
I told you to be a good boy and stay home.
Dad has to go back to work right away.
-He's Peisen. -Peisen?
Nice to meet you.
I’m Yukimura Shinpei, professor at the Tokyo Art University.
Yes.
I’ve been holding a workshop for children since last year, and
since Wak-kun came by himself today...
My wife hasn't been feeling well lately.
Ah...I see.
We should get going.
Peisen, bye bye.
What's wrong?
Marie Laurencin. Do you know this verse she wrote?
More pitiful than an unfortunate woman,
or a forsaken woman, or a woman who died,
is a forgotten woman.
They said they’ll contact me when there’s an opening, but it's already my fourth interview.
I guess it's pretty tough, as expected.
But I’m fine. I still have quite a bit of
money I saved before I got married.
And it's fun for me just to be able to discuss paintings at these interviews.
I’d forgotten for a long time
how wonderful it feels to freely say
what I want.
Don't you have to go get him?
It's not too late yet.
Shall we go eat?
Sensei.
I'm sorry I didn't come until the Monday after Monday after Monday.
We have been awaiting your visit for a long time.
Oh, I'm Maruyama, the pediatrician.
-Does this hurt? -It doesn't hurt. It just tingles.
Isn't it growing pains?
Happens to kids all the time, doesn't it?
I'm a little concerned.
Waku-kun, let’s do a little prick and find out, shall we?
Daddy. Daddy.
Excuse me.
Daddy!
So what’s happening with the Koutou-ku incident?
Alright.
Be prepared for the press conference anytime.
Why are they making us wait so long.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
-So what was it? -Let's talk over there.
Can you wait here a little longer?
-Here she comes. -Sensei.
Wak-kun.
-Stay with him for a bit, okay? -Yes.
This way please.
Hello.
Where's the other family member?
Pardon?
Where's Waku-kun's mother?
My wife is ill right now.
Excuse me, but what does she have?
Um... Does that have anything to do with the test results?
Can you stop beating around the bush and get to the point.
I have to return to work.
Your son needs to be hospitalized immediately.
What?
Waku-kun's blood
has an abnormal number of white blood cells.
We suspect it might be a blood disease.
We need to run some tests,so please make arrangements to have him hospitalized immediately.
Hospitalized?
Sawamoto-san?
Sawamoto-san.
What's the name of the disease?
Tell me what it is.
We're not positive yet.
Let's run some more tests tomorrow.
This is Sawamoto Waku-kun, who will be staying at the hospital starting today.
Okay, let's go.
This is the hospital gown.
Please have him change. I'll be back shortly.
-Is Wak-kun sick? -It's not a big deal.
-Am I going to be hospitalized? -Yeah.
Until when?
Until you're done with the tests tomorrow.
-Can I go home right after the tests? -Yes, so be a good boy.
Are you leaving?
I'll be back soon.
Let's wait here together, okay?
[Waku-kun's blood
has an abnormal number of white blood cells.]
[We suspect it might be a blood disease.]
Can't you sleep?
I counted a lot of sheep, but...
When I was little, I used to look at the sky too when I couldn't sleep.
I'd connect the stars with my finger.
When you connect the stars, they start looking like different things.
Sometimes it looks like a bear, sometimes a sheep.
Did Onee-chan sleep alone too?
I guess there were times I did.
Wak-kun's okay alone. Daddy will be here tomorrow too.
Yeah, you're right.
You can see Daddy when tomorrow comes.
Good night.
3, 2, 1.
I'm still at the hospital.
Did Waku-kun's father come yesterday?
He brought some change of clothes and left right away.
I thought he was going to be here for the bone marrow biopsy.
About that, he called a little while ago
and said that he just can't get away from work, so give him a call when the results are out.
Work, huh...
Wak-kun, your daddy got real busy at work, so
he said he'll come later. Let's get through the tests with me, okay?
You wanna know something?
You're getting a shot today.
They're gonna stick a humongous needle in your butt.
You want me to help you escape?
I talked to you previously when I was covering a story.
I was wondering if you could refer me to a hematology specialist.
Yes. I have an urgent question.
Yes. Thank you.
Go back to your room, everyone.
Ah...Can't do it...
Now!
Let's go.
Look.
Babies.
Oh, there's Taiyou!
Really, Tai-chan. Enough already.
You're going to get a scolding from the nurse again.
I did it for him...
...I'm sorry. Let's go back.
Don't blame your friend. Let's go.
-What a nag... -Did you say nag?
Mommy...
I'd like to know about the current state of hematology in Japan.
There isn't much difference in the treatments in Japan and abroad anymore.
When the needle goes in, it will feel like something's pressing down firmly.
When the blood is drawn, you'll feel a pull.
Hello, Sawamoto.
This is Ninomiya, the lawyer. I'm calling in regards to your divorce.
Have you had the chance to sign the divorce papers yet?
I can't be bothered with that right now.
-Okay, I'm going to draw it. -You're going to feel a slight pull.
Let's take another deep breath.
"Sawamoto Kaori (Mother)"
The number you have called
is not currently in use. Please verify your number
and call again.
Mommy...
Wak-kun's mommy went out.
I see.
She went out and then didn't come back.
-Sawamoto-san. -Sorry I'm late.
Daddy!
-Does Wak-kun still have to stay here? -You can go home soon if you're a good boy.
If I asked Usagi Sennin, would I get better?
-What about the field trip? Can I go to the ranch? -If you're a good boy.
Dad has to talk to the doctor. Hurry up and go to sleep.
This way please.
Sawamoto-san, can I talk to you for a minute?
Sorry, I don't have much time.
And your wife?
My wife is still ill
and can't be here.
Let me get straight to the point then.
Your son has acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).
It's a disease where the lymphocytes in the blood become malignant
and multiply at an abnormal rate, crowding out the normal cells.
In some cases... the patient may not survive.
However, I want you to know that
these days, approximately 80 percent of the patients with ALL
recover completely with chemotherapy.
Let's start the treatment immediately by administering anti-cancer drugs.
At a minimum, a six-month hospitalization will be necessary.
I researched a variety of literature, both domestic
international, dealing with pediatric leukemia.
In my own way, I believe I've gained enough general knowledge.
With that in mind,
I'd like to know the treatment policy of this hospital.
I haven't decided yet whether he'll be receiving treatment here.
I'm amazed. You're indeed a journalist,
to research this much in such a short time.
Sawamoto-san.
If you have the time to be doing this,
isn't there something else you should be doing?
What Wak-kun's feeling now,
have you even given it a thought?
He was thrown into a place he knows nothing about,
and was made to go through painful procedures he knows nothing about,
and yet, even then, his father doesn't show up no matter how much he waits.
For Waku's sake I...
For Waku-kun's sake.
Is that really what it is?
It seems Waku-kun's mother isn't really ill.
It's true that...
my wife and I are in the process of getting a divorce.
But what does that have to do with this?
Family support is critical for a hospital stay.
When you're at work,
the mother may be able to support....
I have no intention of getting my wife's support.
That's your feeling, isn't it?
What about Waku-kun, himself?
Does he really not need his mother?
I'm available anytime to answer any questions about the disease or the treatment.
Please feel free to get a second opinion as well.
But first, please take the time to
to properly face your child who is before your eyes.
Right now, your son undoubtedly... needs you more than anyone else.
There's usagi*-san on the moon (*rabbit)
-pounding mochi. -How long has usagi-san been there?
Maybe since wa~y before Mommy was born.
Then he's a grandpa usagi, huh?
He's Usagi Sennin.
But there are two of them so they're not lonely.
Thanks.
Usagi sennin.
For 6 years, he was my everything.
If it wasn't for him, I...
would have been able to leave that house
much sooner and much more easily.
I have to try harder for him.
I can't destroy the family.
I feel bad for him.
Because I'm his mother.
With those thoughts, I endured all that time.
Only for Waku's sake.
But he didn't choose to come with me.
I...was abandoned by him.
-No, that's... -Don't say anything.
I...I can't see him anymore.
Waku-kun, himself,
does he really not need his mother?
I have a question I'd like to ask.
Do you have a Sawamoto Kaori or
a Amamiya Kaori working there?
Thank you very much for seeing me today.
I'll touch base with you again, maybe next week.
Yes. Thank you very much.
Sensei.
[Waku-kun came by himself today.]
He's not there? But...he was there just a few minutes ago...
Waku...
Sensei! Sensei, wake up.
Waku-kun disappeared!
Waku!
Looks like the criminal has already escaped.
-Waku. -Sh~. Quiet, we'll get scolded.
Waku...
You shouldn't be here. It's time for everyone to be sleeping.
How can I be a baby again?
How can I go back into Mommy's tummy again?
Why are you asking that?
If I'm born again, I'll be a good boy.
Good boy?
Because Wak-kun's a bad boy, Wak-kun got sick, right?
Because Wak-kun's a bad boy,
Mommy went away, right?
Why do you think that?
Green peas.
Green peas?
Wak-kun always
throws away the green peas in the toilet.
Mommy makes it for me but I throw it away.
The other day I ate two ice creams behind Mommy's back too.
I said I hated Mommy.
Because Wak-kun's a bad boy,
Usagi Sennin won't make my wish come true either.
Because Wak-kun's a bad boy...
Waku.
Where do you think Dad went today?
-To see Usagi Sennin. -That's a lie...
It's not a lie.
Dad's a great journalist
so I have special connections to the moon too.
You know I'm an amazing journalist, right?
Sennin...said that
Mom going away
and getting sick
isn't Waku's fault.
It's not your fault at all.
What about the green peas?
Sennin said he secretly leaves his green peas too.
It seems there are wishes that are even hard for Sennin to grant.
About your illness, you won't get better right away.
It's going to take some time. You'll have to be hospitalized for a while.
Still, if you work hard and beat the disease,
you'll be healthy again.
Also,
Mom probably won't come back.
She won't be coming back to Waku and Dad anymore.
You asked me if it was just the two of us.
Today and tomorrow and always, if it was going to be just the two of us.
That's right. It'll be just the two of us from now on.
Today and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
Dad will be right by Waku's side.
If we're together, it shouldn't be scary or lonely.
Like Usagi Sennin?
Daddy...
Will you stay with me when I get a shot?
For sure? Promise for sure?
It's a promise for sure.
Oh, I forgot to tell you one more thing.
What is it?
Once, before you took a bath,
I peed in the bathtub.
Did Sennin say that was alright too?
Don't ever do it again.
Wak-kun, let's blow some bubbles.
Okay, I'm going to draw some blood now.
It's going to sting just a little.
1, 2, 3.
Are you sure you don't have to let his mother know?
I'll raise my son by myself.
Excuse me, I have to get back to work.
I'll entrust him to your care for a while.
Anti-cancer drugs not only destroy cancerous cells
but normal cells as well.
Why don't you let your wife take care of the child.
Is Wak-kun's hair gonna fall out?
Please let me transfer. It doesn't matter what kind of work.
To a post where I can leave at 5 in the evening.