Will you come to France with me?
I guess that's a no.
You asked so suddenly, I surprised.
Sorry. You're right.
I'll be leaving Japan in 3 weeks.
It'll be 3 or 4 years before I return.
I'm going to age quite a bit during that time.
A Mid-life Proposal is just looking out
for yourself as you count down the rest of your time.
I want to taste the sweetness of love one more time.
I'll be ok from here. Don't force yourself.
I'll be happy if we can go together, but
I'll be alright if I have to go alone. I got it.
But I never want to taste it's bitterness ever again.
Commeration party? A gathering to commerate
you three's 40th birthday.
This is a turning point in life afterall. A turning point huh?
You guys have climbed up from your horrible 39th birthday.
I suppose.
You don't have a theme you want to do?
Ichiko. How about celebrating the fact that you found a publisher for your book?
Ah~ Now way, no way. I'm not done writing it yet.
Then, Natsu and Mitsu, Mother Daughter fashion show.
Wha~ No way. If it just Mitsuki, that'll be fine.
Well then, How about a wedding ceremony for Mari and Naitou.
I don't know about that. Marriage is just a piece of paper.
Naitou and I
have Fuu-chan. Look isn't it cute?
Ahh~ It's cute. Cute.
As long as I have Fuu-chan, I don't need anything else.
Ahh~ You're in love.
What's wrong Miyake? You mad?
I'm not mad.
Ichiko... Hm? Live strong.
We should live together when we're old so we can help each other.
What's this about? What's this about!?
You are my eyes and ears. I'm not alone when your around.
I got it! The theme for the birthday party could be
announcing the formation of a group home from age 40. How about it?
Group home? Group home Ichiko.
Do just go about using people's names.
From now on, whenever something happens we gather at Ichiko's place,
Drink, relax, if something good happens, we congratulate, and
if it's something bad, we cheer you up. Naming aside,
Doesn't everyone wish to have a companion as they get older?
Yes. Yes. That's exactly it.
As you turn 50, 60, you won't be afraid of getting old because
you won't be alone.
Get married. Have a family.
I can have the happiness that I envisioned back in High School.
This may be my last chance.
Will you come to France with me?
I want to think about it a bit more.
You can come after I've left. I won't begin working right away.
I know it took a while but I can make you happy now.
Sorry.
It was a bitter kiss of atonement.
Ichiko!
I thought you forgot about me.
Would you like to take a look?
Akira shown me everything he's seen and everywhere he's been
by using the viewfinder.
I became Akira's eyes.
His 8-month trip became our 8-month trip.
I wanted to show you this.
Yeah.
Welcome home.
I'm home.
He knew I was waiting for him.
Mitsuki! You're too fast!
I'll go ahead!
Finally made it.
This is mine.
Yeah. What do you think?
You've done it Mitsuki. Congrats.
Having you around is truely
a pleasure! Yeah!
People can not live alone. They gather to support each other.
1 year after our terrible 39th,
The day of Natsu, Mari, and mine's joint 40th birthday party has
finally come.
Let's toast to Group Home Ichiko.
What's that?
It's a Utopia that we can create.
Right? I suppose.
Then let's toast to everyone's bubbly homes not going away.
Cheers!
Ah... hi.
Good evening.
Hello. Come in.
Where's the baby? My husband is watching her.
Megumi. Megumi-chan.
Ah. You smiled. You smiled.
He's completely in love with my daughter.
That's good. You seem happy. Yeah. You don't need to worry about us.
OK. Come in, Come in.
I bet you're shocked. Kotaro and Niwa Fusae
were invited by me. What were you thinking!?
In this small world, you were going to run into them anyway.
You still didn't...
OK. Everyone attention.
Uh, Here we will here from the birthday girls
their reflection of themselves after 40 years.
Are we "girl" age? Do just throw labels on us.
We'll start from Natsu.
Mitsuki come up with me.
Uh, I guess I'm the leadoff batter.
Um, Last year on my birthday. My husband suddenly disappeared.
I'm sorry for being a inconvenience and for worrying everyone.
Up until the divorce was settled, there were a lot of struggles.
But Mitsuki and I have combined our power and the two of use will make it.
Woo! Good for you beautiful mother and daughter.
Oh stop it! Keep going.
But the fact that Igarashi Kengo is Mitsuki's father will not change.
That's why from here on out, I hope that
Mitsuki feels free to build a relationship with her father.
I truly feel this way.
I never thought that I would have to go from housewife
to breadwinner of the household but, I have now become a full-time employee
at the Supermarket I work at!
Thanks.
It's just that I need to try my best to do it all on my own.
I have to be strong and independant.
I've cause pain for Mitsuki and I've said some mean things to everyone...
I'm sorry for the mean things I've said to everyone.
But being this way is not good for my health so,
I'll try my best not to strain myself from here on out.
So I want to enjoy life more and more.
Is that ok? It's ok.
Thanks.
My 40th has been my best birthday!
I'm truly glad.
Next is Mari.
Let's see... Lots of things went on with me as well but,
Now my work partner, Naitou, and I
live together under one roof.
Where's Naitou?
He had some important business to attend to that he could back out of no matter what.
It's unfortunate but he won't be able to attend.
That's sad Mari. Fool! Sorry.
It's the truth.
I would have liked for him to hear my reflection of 40 years.
Yes. It's Naitou.
Come in.
Hello.
Ah May I have a second?
Go ahead. Excuse me.
I met with my daughter today. Huh?
I told her that I found someone that I want to marry.
Mari... Let's get Married.
Thanks.
But this is a weird feeling.
I'm not at all...
You're not happy?
No.
It's not that I don't want to get married.
It's just I think I'm plenty happy already.
When I like someone, I love and love that person
and then that person doesn't return that love
Causing me pain.
It happens over and over again.
But with you I work and eat
and play with Fuu-chan...
I began to notice that I'm always happy.
I won't love painfully anymore.
So I'll no longer seek a ring and will live a calm love life.
So I'm in no rush.
Your daughter will have to wait a little longer,
Thanks.
That's wonderful Mari!
That's good.
And Lastly, it's Ichiko's turn.
Knock 'em out.
Ah~ I was touched by Natsu and Mari's speeches earlier.
I'll try to match theirs.
Um, This will be about my past several years of unfortunate birthdays.
Just before my 37th birthday, My mother succumbed to her illness and passed away.
A little before my 38th birthday,
I broke up with my boyfriend of 7 years and ruined my chances of getting married.
And so a bit before my 39th birthday,
I began writing a novel based on my life.
Forever single, without a lover;
Questioning whether my life would
be ok like this.
The title, Bitter Sugar, comes
from words my Mother used to say to me.
So Kotaro isn't coming? Yeah.
We shouldn't have made all this. It's fine, I'll eat it tomorrow.
You plan to eat this tomorrow and the day after all by yourself?
There's nothing wrong with it just being me.
Sugar isn't always sweet you know. Huh?
Sugar that is supposed to be sweet can suddenly turn bitter.
When that starts to happen, be careful.
You'd think that it would be a given but the truth is
we often think nothing of it.
Well haha... There's no point in saying it.
Bitter sugar...
Alright! Let's eat. Until we can't eat anymore.
Let's eat.
After that I broke up with him and tasted bitter regret.
And so I'm afraid of tasting that bitterness again.
So I move forward one step at a time.
But there's something I kinda understand.
Bitterness is something that needs to be seasoned with sweetness.
Because of difficult and painful experiences
The small things we do everyday can bring happiness.
I think that what my mother was trying to tell me.
Kentaro. Ah.
I have completely turned my back to the pain of you and I breaking up.
But that pain has helped me grow.
Thanks. Same here.
Fusae. Yes.
I'm going to be frank.
I didn't like you.
I was envious of you because you do whatever is in your heart.
I didn't want to live my life that way.
But from here on out, I'm going to live the way I feel.
So I wish you happiness. Yes.
I can't live now if I keep looking into the future to figure out
by when I must get married or when I must have children.
I'm going to live in the now. In this instant.
I want to take lots of picture and watch them pile up.
This is my reflection.
I'm taking it. Ok, now smile smile.
I'm going to count down 3, 2, 1. Smile!
Here we go. 3, 2, 1!
Ready and...!
Ichiko, Mari, Natsu. Happy 40th birthday.
It's over. Yeah.
I had no idea how the reflections would turn out.
You didn't notice that what came out your mouth was your hearts voice.
You may be right. Just kidding.
I didn't have the power to persuade you to share all your secrets.
Hmhmhm.
Hey. Hm?
I have one request. Hm?
The constipation song. We heard it last year too.
Shh.
As the years add on the pains of love and life increases.
But sweetness alone doesn't bring happiness. Just like bitterness doesn't control sadness.
Don't worry about me. Run. What are you saying? Shh!
Maybe in here! We'll be caught. Hurry!
Let's go.
Hey they're here! This way!
From here on, no matter how many time we taste the bitterness,
we'll continue to move forward.
No matter where it takes us, it's our lives afterall.
This is a story of beginning to understand "Me."
Like a heroine standing in a city.
No one knows the true end.
Precious things gently pressed against my chest.
I will certainly meet my ideal man.
I want to try to draw that scene.
This story continues with bated breath,
Like a heroine in a film,
No one knows their last.
Alone in a silent bathroom,
I see the hesitant person in the mirror and
I want to tell them "It'll be alright."
Thanks for watching. Subtitled by: Fudgey_Lumpkins