The person I respect is my father.
Your father? Why?
Scriptwriter: Inoue Yumiko
He works in the civil engineering department of a construction company
Uchino Masaaki
and has been engaged in the building of big bridges both within and outside Japan.
Kamiki Ryunosuke
When I was a child he was always busy with work,
Natsukawa Yui
hence I did not feel much affinity for him.
Upon starting job hunting,
I have come to respect him as a man devoted to his job,
and I want to follow his example.
Thank you. You may go now.
After all people can see through one's lies.
I only prepared a fairly good answer for my job interview.
To be honest, I don't respect my old man.
He might be a successful company man,
but he's the worst father ever.
Tatsuya, why don't you ask your father?
He's the head of Hakuyo Constructions.
That's the largest company in the industry.
I'm sure he must have some good contacts.
I don't wanna take advantage of his connections.
I wish I had a father to rely on, you know!
Since you have such a great dad,
you should have the guts to use his influence!
(Hakuyo Constructions First Tower)
Pardon me, may I talk to Shinjo of the civil engineering department?
Please wait a moment.
Hello! This is our new recruit.
I'm Ogawa. The chief and I will be in charge of this project.
Sir. Shinjo is not here.
Ah, he's out? I'll wait for him, then.
No, Shinjo has resigned.
Resigned?
Resigned... what??!
Dad!
Did you really resign?
Yeah, it's true.
Enough with this silly joke.
I'm neither joking nor lying. Today I voluntarily resigned.
Wait, I don't get it.
How can a college student not understand what I've just said?
Now you're getting defiant. I wanna know what happened.
I used the early retirement program for my severance pay.
In addition to the ordinary retirement money, I'll receive a year's salary.
Moreover, the employment insurance will pay me unemployment benefits for 330 days.
Therefore we can manage for the time being.
I'm going to find a new job before my insurance expires.
That's not the point.
- Why are you so angry? - Huh?
Didn't you say you didn't care about my job?
I was expecting you to say: "Oh, so you quit?",
"Who cares!", or something like that.
Well? because... having a jobless father is a huge problem!
- Kanta is just a grade schooler... - Stop lying.
You said you went to the company today. What did you want?
You never bothered to come.
You can't find a job... so you wanted me to help you, right?
In short, now that I'm unemployed
you can no longer use my connections.
Now your wish won't come true.
That's why you're angry. What a selfish kid!
Will you stop cornering me, speaking as if you saw through my mind?
And who's the selfish one here!
Stop it! Don't quarrel at a time like this.
Honey... what exactly happened?
I just can't believe a workaholic like you has resigned.
I mean, whenever you get drunk
you start talking about the Dontory Bridge you built in Thailand.
When you cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony,
the local kids crossed over it shouting with joy and you cried.
You always said your job was your life.
Tell me, what happened?
And just a few days ago you said you'd do your best for the Great Shirato Bridge...
I didn't agree with the new managing director.
I can't work for that moron!
That was the reason?
How cruel...
You don't even know how I feel.
You see, today they sort of asked me to be the brand manager.
I declined.
Why? Becoming the brand manager of an apparel manufacturer is a huge promotion.
If I accepted, I wouldn't be able to do the housework anymore.
It wasn't easy for me to turn them down.
But I didn't want to inconvenience you and the kids.
And now you're saying you quit because you didn't like your boss?
For that petty reason...
Mom!
C'mon, Mom. You're going to have another chance.
Running away?
Apologize to Mom.
We always thought you had a tough job,
so every time you'd preach, we all put up with you!
Listen... tomorrow, first thing in the morning, go and accept the promotion.
Go and be the brand manager.
But if I do that, I'll be the brand's symbol.
If Kanta gets sick I won't be able to take a day off.
As for the housework...
I'll take care of it.
Huh? You'll cook and do the laundry?!
You were offered a promotion. And I resigned.
In short, it just stands to reason
that I'll be doing the housework.
You can't! You've never even cooked rice since we got married.
When I gave birth to them, you sent your underwear to a dry-cleaner's!
This isn't the right time to be sarcastic.
- That's no sarcasm, it's a fact. - It'll be OK!
- Anyone can do the housework! - Anyone...?
Don't worry, I'm not going insane.
I'll be a househusband, that's in vogue now.
3 meals a day, afternoon naps, watching TV. I'll enjoy my new life to the full.
Enjoy...?
You think you'll have the leisure to nap and watch TV?
Don't underestimate housework.
I am not.
I led about 3,000 employees and subcontractors.
I can definitely cook and do the laundry for 4 people!
It's not just house chores. How about the kids?
And the school events? And the neighborhood association?
Oh, really...
l'll leave it to you, then.
Cleaning, washing, cooking, the kids, everything!
Don't you dare complain about it!
Of course I won't.
I'm going to do it all flawlessly.
And you better not give up.
You can no longer blame it on housekeeping, honey.
Dad has retired.
That alone is a great shock. What's more, he'll be a househusband.
A totally unexpected turn of events.
My problems with job hunting have been completely forgotten.
To put it simply,
an awful season has just begun.
So far, so good.
4 minutes, 55 seconds?
6, 7, 8, 9...
5 minutes.
- What's wrong? - Mm?
Want me to help you?
Ah, no! No need.
It's done. Have a seat.
This is for Mom...
This is for Kanta.
Quite a feast for breakfast, huh...
Tomorrow I'm going to make miso soup too.
- Let's eat. - Yep.
- Itadakimasu. - Eat up.
- It's spicy! - Shh!
It's very tasty!
Really?
Morning! Another interview?
I'm going to the placement office. I know I won't find anything good, though.
Don't go, if that's what you think.
If a company hires people who look down on it
their business won't expand.
In a word, you'd be a drag on them.
Ah, hold on! Hey, hey...
- Is your mother unwell? - Huh?
- Look! - Good morning!
Your father never took out the rubbish before.
Let's go.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- Good morning! - Good morning.
Excuse me... is something wrong with your wife?
No. She has left for work.
I'll take care of the housework from here on.
Oh, my! Has something happened?
Don't worry, we won't cause you any trouble.
Oh, really... Please take this, then.
What? Ah...
Let me see...
Please sign it and pass it to Tabata-san.
Also, today we're on recycling duty.
Tabata-san is...?
Oh, please! Unbelievable. The Tabatas live there!
Ah, I see! Excuse me.
Ah, Tabata, huh...
You don't even know the neighbors!
Ah, wait!
After that shocking night
I was getting more and more irritated.
Just when his precious eldest son is faced with the problem of job hunting,
he up and retired.
In a word, he's abdicating his paternal responsibilities.
Coming!
If I weren't broke, I'd leave home right now.
- Yes? - This is a delivery.
Just a moment, please.
Sorry, I was looking for my seal... huh?
Don't you think he had some reason?
I wish he did. But he just didn't get along with his boss.
My mother criticized him, too.
"How could you quit after 20 years for a reason like that?". It's just absurd.
Which means, I'll have to find a job on my own.
How about you? How did your interview go last week?
I might have failed it, so I'll keep searching.
I'm not giving up. Let's fight together.
You're great. You never lose heart.
No company would hire a depressed person.
Here. Be positive, positive.
"Cinderella"
So, show me your costumes.
Okay?!
Wow? they're lovely!
They're very nice.
- Is yours not ready yet? - No.
If you find it difficult, you can play another role.
He can't, Sensei! After all Shinjo volunteered to play that role!
Right, Shinjo?!
I'll do it properly!
- How's your mother-in-law? - We finally got to hospitalize her!
That's great, good for you!
Shinjo-san!
Is there something you'd like to tell us?
Well... since we have to do this, the quicker the better.
After all time is money.
Are you trying to say we're wasting time?
Not at all. I just think we'd work faster if you stopped chatting.
After all, to boost efficiency...
As members of the neighborhood association, we shall help each other when something happens.
Which implies we have to cultivate our friendship.
Right! We can't just keep quiet and work.
Exactly.
I wish you every success, Shinjo-kun. Cheers!
Thank you!
You've always been so kind to me, Chief.
But things won't be easy from here on.
Be a reliable brand manager.
I will. Because my family depends on me.
On you? Did you divorce or something?
My husband retired and became a househusband.
A househusband?! He worked at a major construction company, right?
It was pretty sudden. I couldn't do anything.
Wow? it takes guts to do that!
Allow me to congratulate you on your promotion.
Oh, no! Why don't you join us?
No, thanks. I believe you two have a lo?t to talk about.
I told you it won't be easy.
When you rise in rank, you have to deal with a lot of otiose things.
I'll do my best.
- Hello! - Oh, Tatsuya.
I said I wouldn't come until I find a job, but...
- Did you come to whine? - Oh? really...
I'm just done for!
If nobody hires me, can I keep working part-time here?
Mm? I'm sure you'll find something, don't worry.
Well, I like this place! I'll help out.
Really? By the way, your girlfriend, Nozomi-chan, right?
- She made a reservation for today. - Nozomi did?
- Good evening! - Here she is. Welcome!
Nozomi got a job offer, so we're celebrating! Give us a discount.
Like grilled food at half price.
- You can't ask that! - Okay.
He said OK! Lucky!
So... you got a job offer?
- Ah? - An offer from Komaki Housings!
YAY!
Why didn't you tell me when we met this morning?
She couldn't, 'cause you haven't found a job yet.
She was considerate. Right?!
Oh, a tablespoonful, huh...
Want me to help you, Dad?
Shut up. Just go and do your homework.
Welcome back.
Wait, dinner's not done yet? It's already 9!
Where have you been?
Working at that izakaya again?
You're running away from your problems?
Your grades don't stand out.
You have no experience.
If you don't find a way to make up for that, nobody's going to offer you a job.
Sit down.
Just sit down.
Since you were a child,
you never kept at club activities.
And you couldn't apply yourself to your entrance exams.
You know why?
Because, at critical moments, you're unable to corner yourself up to breaking point.
Simply put, you do things half-heartedly.
Face your weaknesses. Also...
Being told that by someone who just retired doesn't affect me at all!
Sorry but I want you to leave me alone!
Hey! Tatsuya! Wait a second...
Hot!
It's nothing serious, kid.
Anyways, I'm staying home today.
Don't force him. He always attends when he's well.
I never took a day off for something like this.
You didn't, and yet you quit.
What?
What's he doing?
That's a bra!
Still pretty hot, isn't it?
- See you. - See you.
Ground beef and pork...
Ground beef and...
- Welcome! - Ah, excuse me.
- I'm looking for ground meat... - Sure.
- It's right there. - Thank you.
This, huh...
Huh? 60:40...
70:30...
Huh? Which is it?
The percentage of beef and pork varies depending on what you want to cook.
What?
Ah! Meatballs!
Then you should go with a 50:50.
Okay.
Um?
Why did you retire?
Wait, I'm not trying to pry into your life!
I just heard you had a successful career at Hakuyo Constructions, so...
- I embezzled the company's money... - Huh?
Had an affair with an employee... and hit the president.
- Huh?! - Would that satisfy you?
Making his wife work... what a jerk!
We'll increase the planning & development costs by 8% and reduce the sales promotion costs.
Since our target market is adult women, I want to take the offensive.
If we turn our backs on our distributors, we'll lose our selling area.
Let's go to every single store and explain them our plan.
Let's?! You mean we inferiors should go on a tour of the stores?
We just can't keep catering to your every whim.
Hello? Oh, yes! It's absolutely okay...
I need to tell you something,
What're you doing! Wait, you little...
Wait a second!
Wait a second! What're you doing!
Stop that kid! Stop him!
I'm sorry about today.
Yes, I will finalize the project by tomorrow.
You're drinking at such a place?
I got thirsty, that's all.
You look quite tired.
Housekeeping is tough, isn't it.
I'll get used to it soon.
Listen.
Just for today...
you can whine to your heart's content.
Kidding!
I'm the one who wants to whine.
It's tough... being promoted.
Someone begrudges you, huh?
How do you know?
That happened to me all the time.
I always had to think of a way to avoid envy and jealousy.
What should I do?
Figure it out yourself.
This is what you wanted, after all.
Aren't you cold?
When you were working,
I was always ready to listen to your complaints.
I've never ever complained.
Yeah, that's true but...
I always waited for you to come and do that.
What is it?
Nothing.
What the heck are you doing here!
Kanta-kun stole my daughter's dress.
Is that true?
If you don't believe me, how about asking Tatsuya-kun's friend?
It's true that he tried to steal your neighbor's dress...
I'm sorry!
I know there's a lot going on in this house.
But stealing a girl's dress is going a bit too far.
I dread to think will happen in the future!
I'm truly sorry! I'll be sure to scold him.
I promise you he'll never do something like this again!
Hey, apologize!
Wait. Kanta might have had some reason to do that.
Wait. Reason or not, there are things you must not do!
Anyway, should he do this again, I'm going to call the police!
- I'm so sorry! - Jeez, give me a break!
- How exactly are you bringing him up! - I'm really sorry!
I really don't get this family!
Why didn't you apologize?
Do you realize what you've done!
Dad...
Do you have the right to preach?
Come again?
You said you'd be a perfect househusband,
but you were drinking beer at the park!
Just when Kanta took a day off from school.
You said my attitude's half-hearted,
- but how about you?! - Tatsuya...
You retired and became a careless househusband!
Your attitude as an adult and as a househusband is half-hearted!
Forgive me!
I'm sorry, forgive me!
I know I said too much.
But... I couldn't hold back my anger.
Why am I so furious with my father?
Yesterday I went to your house because I had to tell you something about your father.
Huh? About Dad?
Since I got an offer from a real estate firm, I've done some research into the trade.
And then...
(Great Shirato Bridge's design mistake Hakuyo Constructions will change its subcontractors)
The Great Shirato Bridge's design mistake...
I think my father had undertaken this job.
Have a look. It got exposed just before he quit.
Could this have something to do with his resignation?
Even so, I don't care.
- Huh? - It's none of my concern.
You said you hate workaholics,
but weren't you the most shocked to hear he'd retired?
Well, it did hit me hard since I'm a job hunter.
But I don't care anymore.
I've made up my mind.
If I don't get a job by mid-September, I'm going to work part-time here.
Boss, counting on you!
No way. I put my heart and soul into my work.
I don't want you to work here only because you failed your job hunting.
Sorry. But that's not what I meant...
Go home and keep your promise.
Don't come back until you get a job.
I went to Kanta's school today.
His homeroom teacher said he probably wanted a costume for the school play.
Cinderella
The Prince
Fairy Godmother
Stepsister 1
Stepsister 2
Since he saw me doing the housework,
Shinjo Kanta
he couldn't tell us he'll play a female role.
Maybe he thought I was doing it unwillingly...
Anyways, I have to make his costume.
I'll make it.
Don't worry, leave it to me.
No.
This is a househusband's duty.
I want you to tell me honestly.
Do you want to be a househusband?
You know,
I got pregnant with Tatsuya and married you right after graduating.
I didn't want to be locked up in this house forever.
"No way!", I thought.
However, working to support the family
is way tougher than I thought.
Don't be stubborn.
Why don't you search for a new job?
You'll find something if you try hard.
I'll take care of the chores.
I've always done them anyway.
And if you help out when I'm too busy, we'll definitely manage.
No.
I'll make the costume flawlessly.
Will you teach me?
This is the first time...
you've asked me to teach you something.
Then... unfold the cloth.
Okay.
Great Shirato Bridge's design mistake - The cost of the overlooked flaws
There's some curry rice in the refrigerator, if you're hungry.
Dad...
Why did you retire?
Yous said you didn't get along with your boss...
Was that the truth?
It's done.
It's done? !
Hey! It's ready!
Hey, Kanta! Hurry, Kanta!
- Ta-dah! - Wow?
- It's awesome! - Just in time.
Thank you, Dad!
Wear it and get on stage with confidence.
Don't be ashamed to play a female role.
Become the most feminine and spiteful sister ever!
Listen. What really matters
is enjoying your role from the bottom of your heart!
If you can do that, you won't fear anything!
Okay! Wear it now. Just wear it on your pajamas...
Cinderella! Did you do the laundry?
- And the needlework? Did you wash the dishes? - No, I'm sorry.
Cinderella! How can you be so ugly!
Oh, Kanta!
??You will corrupt my beauty
Sorry.
?? Covered in cinders
??you should sleep forever
??Ugly, ugly, ugly girl
?? Always covered in cinders
??Ugly, ugly, ugly girl
Cinderella! I shall make you happy!
How vexing!
- I'm going home first. - OK.
Kanta...
was surprisingly good.
Yeah.
I'm sure he'll get stronger.
Yeah.
Hey, Dad...
Tell me the real reason you retired.
Why won't you tell me?
It must have something to do with the design mistake of the Great Shirato Bridge.
Didn't they blame it on you and made you quit?
It's nothing I should tell a brat like you.
I'm not a brat!
But if that was the reason,
you must sue them and fight to the end!
Move.
I'm working here.
This stuff...
This stuff is not your job!
Stop lying to yourself!
Cut it out! Stop it!
I said stop it!
You little punk!
Ouch! Ow...
AH? !
I want to know...
about you.
I've always rebelled against you.
But that was because I felt I could never ever beat you.
Actually...
I always admired you!
I...
I was so proud of you!
Dad...
You never attended my sports festivals and parents' days.
But... even when I saw my friends' happy fathers taking videos,
I didn't feel envious at all!
Because I was proud of my father, who was way better than them!
So... if I don't find out why you quit,
I'll never know how to become a working adult!
What a spoiled child...
It was just as you said.
I took full responsibility for that design mistake... and quit.
Luckily, we could deal with it before an accident would occur,
but the construction period was delayed, and the company had a huge loss.
But... that's nonsense.
You weren't responsible for the design mistake.
Weren't you a scapegoat?
Yeah, perhaps.
Still, that job involved thousands of subcontractors.
Someone had to take responsibility in order to settle the matter.
As the leader of that project...
I didn't want to run away.
And my superiors...
hoped my resignation
would solve the problem.
But you said you wanted to build that bridge, didn't you.
Yeah. I wanted...
to build a huge bridge over the sea.
I just...
I wanted to finish that job before quitting.
It was so vexing...
that I cried.
And I hated my colleagues.
I even felt like dying.
I became a househusband...
because I had no energy left to work for another company.
I felt like an empty shell.
I was naive, though.
Housework's not something an empty shell can do.
It's a plain job you don't get praised for.
You make meals everyday,
do the laundry, the cleaning...
and just wait for your family to come back.
Wait for them to come back... with their joys and sorrows.
I've realized...
how much perseverance it takes to do that.
However...
now I know it's an important job.
I thought...
I had striven more than anyone to succeed.
I always looked down on others thinking they were slackers.
When my subordinates confided me their worries,
I would ignore them thinking they just lacked motivation.
But...
I could do my best...
only because someone was waiting patiently for me to return home.
When we build this bridge...
I didn't give a damn
about getting promoted or making money.
"Countless people"
"will cross this bridge"
"and go toward a new world."
That thought made me feel so excited.
Upon retiring
and becoming a househusband...
I remembered those feelings again.
You have to work for your own sake.
High-flown ideas won't take you anywhere.
And yet, when your work is useful to someone,
true joy will definitely fill your heart.
Hey... want to have a match?
A match?
Yeah, a match.
We'll see... who gets to find a job first.
Then...?
I'm going to challenge myself again.
However...
I'm not going to leave the chores to your mother anymore.
After all I've just found out cooking is fun.
You're young.
You'll graduate soon.
You have a big advantage over me.
But I have plenty of experience,
and I'm damn tough.
Looks like it'll be a great match.
I'm in, if you insist.
Okay.
Then...
Here's the gong.
I never thought my father, wearing an apron, would teach me something important one day.
Yet, no matter what,
I have to win this match at any cost.
I want to make goods that will truly please the customers.
That is the reason I am here.
I will put my heart into work...
To put it simply,
now I really think my old man is cool.