l keep losing more and more things that are important to me.
Sometimes love isn't the answer for everything.
Mr. Kurata...
La, la, la, hop
And step
To the north, jump
And jump
And jump, jump
To the northern sky that melts my heart away
Embrace flowers, hopes and love
A springtime of once in a lifetime encounters
Dazzling happenings, you are there
The blue sky
The vast sky
Goes on forever
When we're sad let's go to the north
Let's get some fresh air
Let's enjoy delicious food
lt'll bring smiles to our faces
La, la, la, hop
And step
To the north, jump
And jump
And jump, jump
My name is Atsuko Akanegi.
l was born and raised in Hakodate.
SHlRAHATA FlSHERY Main Street Branch l was born and raised in Hakodate.
Crab Beach Boiled Fresh Scallops You're energetic as usual!
AKANEGl (FRESH) You're energetic as usual!
AKANEGl (FRESH) Here in this town with lots of hills,
l run a fish market with my mother.
Squid Crab AKANEGl FRESH FlSH MARKET l run a fish market with my mother.
Squid Crab AKANEGl FRESH FlSH MARKET My father left us the market when he died.
We have salted sea urchin My father left us the market when he died.
URASAKl MARKET
Thank you, come again!
URASAKl MARKET Well, of course l'd love to hang out with some nice guys, Thank you, come again!
URASAKl MARKET Well, of course l'd love to hang out with some nice guys,
URASAKl MARKET just like any other 20-year old girl would.
But for now...
Move! Move! Move!
Are you all right?
Y... yeah...
But for now, it looks like l don't have time for that. Y... yeah...
But for now, it looks like l don't have time for that.
Hakodate Atsuko Akanegi Part 1
Squid Crab AKANEGl FRESH FlSH MARKET
Welcome, customers! Welcome, customers!
Do you guys have squid?
Ah, l'm so sorry, not today.
We do have really good rock fish though!
Okay, l'll take some.
Thanks, come again!
Akanegi Fresh Fish Market, thank you for calling!
What? Okay, hold on a second.
Atsuko!
Yeah?
Excuse me for a second.
Hello?
Hey, Atsuko, it's me.
l'm going to a party with some friends from college tonight.
They said they made a reservation at that red brick restaurant,
but we don't have enough girls at the party.
l'm so sorry to keep you waiting. but we don't have enough girls at the party.
l'm so sorry to keep you waiting. Will you come?
Oh, no problem. Will you come?
l don't mind if you have to wait till the shop closes.
Hey, it sounds like you can hope for a lot in terms of the guys.
Thank you very much! Hey, it sounds like you can hope for a lot in terms of the guys.
Hey, Atsuko! Hey, it sounds like you can hope for a lot in terms of the guys.
Hey, Atsuko! Memeko told me she got real hotties this time!
Sorry, l'm a little busy right now. Memeko told me she got real hotties this time!
l'll talk to you later, okay? Memeko told me she got real hotties this time!
Jeez...
l'd assume everyone knows this is a busy time of the day for us.
What do you expect? She's a college student!
Must be nice to be able to go to college on your parents' money, huh?
Can l get some fish scraps and scallops?
Hi, welcome!
Mr. Kurata!
And this is for you.
Straight From The Coast
Charlie Parker?!
Straight From The Coast You can have it.
Straight From The Coast Are you serious?
Straight From The Coast You said you wanted to check it out the other day, right?
Straight From The Coast Thank you so much!
Straight From The Coast l'll give you some extra scallops!
Straight From The Coast Oh, l didn't mean to...
lt's just a token of my appreciation!
That's a best hits album. lf you like that one, l can bring you other albums too.
Really?
Here you go.
See you later.
Thank you for coming!
Look, you.
Don't go receiving or borrowing stuff from strangers like him!
Why do you say that?
This business is all about customers.
We don't want people to start saying funny things about our business, you know?
Mr. Kurata isn't a bad person or anything!
Decent people don't just loaf around in the middle of the day like that!
Thank you for calling, Akanegi...
Well, well, oh thank you so much as usual!
Yes... Sure... Thank you so much.
Atsuko, go to Jinguji's for delivery!
What? l've already gone there for delivery today.
They said they just got some last-minute guests.
Everybody's talking about the bad economy,
but an established inn doesn't need to worry about that, huh?
Sorry, but make it a rush delivery!
Huge catch! Sorry, but make it a rush delivery!
Huge catch! All right, all right.
Hello!
Jinguji Inn l'm from Akanegi Fresh Fish Market!
Service Entrance l'm from Akanegi Fresh Fish Market!
Thanks a lot!
l'm so sorry to make you come up here twice today.
No problem!
Atsuko!
Oh, hi, Minoru...
You seem pretty busy, huh?
l called you several times but you were always gone, so...
Sorry about that.
lt's about time for you to give up and get a cell phone.
That way we can talk to each other anytime, you know?
l don't like cell phones.
People call you whenever they want, with no regard for whether it's inconvenient for you.
Besides, l think it's a waste of money.
l don't mind paying for yours at all...
There's no reason to have you do that much for me!
We're engaged!
lf we'll be together eventually, a cell phone or two...
ls it impossible to date someone without cell phones?
No, it's not like that, but...
When you want to talk to me, please call me at the shop.
Excuse me.
Thanks for coming!
Hey, Atsuko!
You're not aggressive enough, Sir.
l think so too.
AKANEGl FRESH FlSH MARKET
What do you think, Dad? You know, about Minoru...
l know he's not a bad person.
He's the heir to a long-established inn too.
l don't think it's a bad offer.
But l'm still too young to be married.
All my friends are fooling around doing whatever they want out there, so why...
Besides,
what's going to happen to the shop you left us if l get married?
Mom and l work hard together, but it's still hectic all the time.
So there's no way Mom can run the store by herself.
Stop worrying about things you shouldn't and go to bed!
Mom?!
l can manage a small shop like this by myself just fine.
Actually, l might even be better off doing it without a certain someone
who spills the squid all over right after we get them from the market.
Who told you that?
Oh, it's famous.
l doubt there's anyone in Hakodate who doesn't know about it!
No way!
First of all, what would you do about the delivery if l wasn't here?
l can just hire someone.
We don't have that kind of money! We can't even afford a cell phone!
Oh, that's nothing!
Let me tell you something!
Minoru is about the only guy out there who's willing to marry a tomboy like you!
What? How could you say that to your own daughter?!
See, it's because you get all loud, idiot!
l was born with this loud voice!
Who did you get that from anyway?
l'd love to meet your parents! Goodness...
Come on, let's go to bed. We have to get up early again tomorrow.
Okay...
HAKODATE
You're now listening to Shoko Saibara's Cappuccino Break.
Well, today's topic is, ''Me And My Boyfriend: Reasons to Date, Reasons to Break Up.''
Let's see,
from lovey-dovey messages about what attracted you to him,
to venting your anger by sharing the cruel things he said during the breakup,
anything goes!
AKANEGl FRESH FlSH MARKET
So send me your...
AKANEGl FRESH FlSH MARKET
Mr. Kurata!
Oh, hey, Atsuko!
What are you doing here?
Well, l happened to find a great bargain over there.
Used Records Well, l happened to find a great bargain over there.
Used Records
l went in just intending to peek around a bit, but...
Can l give you a hand?
Well, but...
l just finished the delivery, so l'm not busy at all.
But well...
Ehime Oranges
Actually that's not all of it... There's...
Wow, you really helped me out.
l wasn't going to buy this many, but...
The people who run the store have no idea what they're selling.
They do things like sell Art Pepper records for only 500 yen!
lt was nothing but extremely rare items l can't get anywhere else.
l just stopped by there for no particular reason,
but l felt some kind of destiny, or like, a premonition, you know?
You're like a little kid, Mr. Kurata.
Who, me?
Yeah, you were really excited just now.
l guess maybe l did get carried away by it all.
lt's so different to see you like this, somehow.
How do l usually act?
Well, you're more mature, or something...
C'mon now, l'm way over forty, you know.
You don't look that way at all!
You look around thirty if you don't talk!
Only if l don't talk, huh?
l didn't mean it that way!
Oh, my place is over that hill.
Okay!
The Orthodox Church
Goryokaku Tower
You can just leave them over there.
Okay.
Wow...
Pretty shocking, isn't it? l know it's really bleak inside.
No, not at all.
l've never visited a single man's apartment before,
so this is so new to me.
Whoa...
Are you okay?
Sorry!
Hey, Meuniere!
You know you're not supposed to scare guests like that!
Meuniere?
That's his name.
You see, that's what he happened to be eating when l found him.
Hey, stop it!
Hey, l said stop!
Do you want to go get something to eat?
Oh, no, l didn't mean to...
No need to hold back.
Let me buy you dinner for all the hard work you did for me.
What do you feel like eating?
Okay then...
The Ramen Shop with a Long Line: HAKODATE GORO! Okay then...
The Ramen Shop with a Long Line: HAKODATE GORO!
Are you sure this is where you wanted to come?
People are always lined up for this place, so l've been curious.
But it's tough for a girl to come to a place like this alone, right?
lf we're talking about a ramen expedition, l can come out with you any time you like.
The Ramen Shop with a Long Line: HAKODATE GORO! lf we're talking about a ramen expedition, l can come out with you any time you like.
Welcome! Are you ready to order?
Hakodate DRAFT BEER
Let's see...
Hakodate DRAFT BEER l'll have a milk pudding!
Hakodate DRAFT BEER Huh? We didn't come here for ramen?!
Hakodate DRAFT BEER What are you talking about?
Hakodate DRAFT BEER This place is famous for its milk pudding!
Hakodate DRAFT BEER What?!
This is so good!
This is the best!
OUR FAMOUS MlLK PUDDlNG Once You Try lt, You Gotta Have MOOOOOre! 200 yen This is the best!
OUR FAMOUS MlLK PUDDlNG Once You Try lt, You Gotta Have MOOOOOre! 200 yen
Well, l guess l'll have a milk pudding too.
OUR FAMOUS MlLK PUDDlNG Once You Try lt, You Gotta Have MOOOOOre! 200 yen Certainly!
Like l said, you can't just ask something like that without warning!
l understand that, but we're not volunteers either...
l'm home.
Oh hello, you must be Mrs. Akanegi's daughter.
We'll Take Care of Your Dreams and Future NAlWA BANK Sales Department Toshiaki Nitani My name is Nitani, and l'm from Naiwa Bank,
We'll Take Care of Your Dreams and Future NAlWA BANK Sales Department Toshiaki Nitani the bank that takes care of everyone's dreams and futures.
We'll Take Care of Your Dreams and Future NAlWA BANK Sales Department Toshiaki Nitani This guy just told me he'd close us down if we don't pay off our debt.
We'll Take Care of Your Dreams and Future NAIWA BANK This guy just told me he'd close us down if we don't pay off our debt.
What?!
No, l didn't go that far.
However, it seems you've fallen behind your loan payment schedule.
So l was saying it might be a good idea to think about selling off your collateral.
So you see, it was just a suggestion and...
l can't pay what l can't pay!
Mom!
l'm sorry, but is it possible for you to wait a little longer?
Well, actually my superiors have instructed me to collect
at least the first 400,000 yen by the end of this month.
Four hundred thousand?!
Frankly, with just your current business turnover you're not even able to keep up with the interest,
never mind the principal, right?
Since this area is pretty close to the train station, l think you'll find a buyer right away.
l'll leave some informational materials with you.
Please try giving this matter positive consideration.
l'm sorry you had to see that embarrassing scene.
No, l shouldn't have dragged you around with me at a time like this.
We ended up selling our house when my father died.
We couldn't pay the inheritance tax.
This time it's the shop.
l keep losing more and more things that are important to me.
But it's not like it's already decided that you'll sell it, right?
That's true, but...
You have the choice to give up anytime,
but once you let something go, it will never come back to you.
That includes memories and everything else.
Yeah...
Mr. Kurata...
Atsuko!
Minoru?
l heard. So people from the bank came to collect the debt?
Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?
Because this doesn't have anything to do with you.
You better believe it does!
You're going to become a member of the Jinguji family some day.
So it's only natural for us to assume your debt repayments, right?
l can't have you do that!
Then let's do this: l'll buy the business.
That way, you can pay off your debt,
and you and your mother won't have to deal with ice cold water all day
and have tough times like you are, right?
So...
Atsuko!
How can you be so selfish?
l never ever thought of my work as ''tough times!'' Not even once!
Atsuko...
l appreciate your concern,
but l haven't decided yet that l'm going to get married,
and there's no reason to have you do that much for me.
So please stay out of this!
SHlRAHATA FlSHERY Central Street
Hey, what's wrong, Atsuko? You look down today.
Hmm? Oh, no, Ma'am, l'm fine!
Move! Move! Move!
Ow, ow, ow!
Squid Crab AKANEGl FRESH FlSH MARKET
What in the world were you thinking?
lt looks like we have to cancel today's deliveries, huh?
l'll still go!
Now how are you supposed to drive with your foot like that?
Oh hi, welco...
Oh, it's you.
What happened?
Well, what you see is exactly what happened!
Oh yeah, Mr. Kurata!
Yes?
Can l ask you a favor?
l'm sorry to ask you this.
That's all right. l wasn't doing anything anyway.
Oh, make a right at that light.
As you wish!
Atsuko...
You really helped me a lot.
Thanks to you l got to take it easy today!
Why don't you come work at our shop?
l'll do it for 2,000,000 yen an hour.
Man, that's a lot! What are you, an F-1 driver or something?
Just joking.
l'll help you out until your foot gets better.
For free, of course.
Are you serious?
Then l have to make sure my foot doesn't get better! Slap! Slap!
You know... l wonder why God works in such an unfair way?
When l was a kid, l wanted to become a pop star.
l'd always stand on the crates at the shop and sing songs.
l bet you were adorable.
But l haven't done that at all lately.
These days l'm just too busy working at the shop all day long.
l don't even have time to go do karaoke.
All my friends are busy partying with boys from other colleges,
and traveling overseas every chance they get.
Oh, so you want to party with boys, huh?
No, it's not like that!
That's not what l meant... That's not what l meant...
l just think, if my father had lived,
l could've gone to college and hung out with friends and stuff too.
You know, had a normal youth.
Would you mind hanging out with me after work?
What?
You can do that much for me for working for free, can't you?
Well...
Where are we going?
Mr. Kurata?
We're almost there.
lt's so pretty!
l come here a lot when l'm depressed or lonely.
You do?
For some reason, looking at the view from here at night relaxes me.
When l think that someone is living at each of those lights, it makes me feel like l'm not alone.
l've been here on outings before, but l don't think l've ever seen the scenery at night.
Maybe that's just the way it is...
What?
Here, take this.
Eat this when you get hungry.
Thanks.
See you later!
Who is he?
That guy?
Mr. Kurata...
He's been helping us with deliveries.
Why?
Why would you get help from some man from God only knows where?
l'll find a part-timer for you.
l don't think it's a good idea to hang out with him.
What gives you the right to say stuff like that, Minoru?
Or are you going to make the deliveries for us instead?
You know l'd never do such a thing!
What's that?
Don't cause trouble for me, please.
l'm just saying this because l care about you.
Then just leave me alone.
Atsuko...
You worry too much, Minoru. l'm not a kid, you know?
All right...
l think l'll come by again soon to make it official with your mother.
l'll be looking forward to it.
Wait! What do you mean? Minoru!
AKANEGl FRESH FlSH MARKET
Betrothal gift?
We have to take care of the debt,
and Mr. Jinguji said he really wants to hurry things along, so...
l never heard anything about that!
But you're Minoru's arranged bride,
so sooner or later you're going to marry him anyway, right?
Why do we have to rush?
Marriage is a lifelong commitment, right?
That's exactly why.
Of course, being with someone you love for the rest of your life is the best way,
but sometimes love isn't the answer for everything.
Please understand, Atsuko.
l don't want you to have any regrets about the marriage...
Can't you stop being so selfish?
l don't want to! l'll never get married!
Atsuko! Atsuko!
l want to see you
l want to see that gaze of yours
Don't be afraid of getting hurt
l want to see that soft-breeze smile
As you look up to the sky
That gentle smile
l will never forget the day we kissed
l want to be in love forever
That endless sky
l can walk anywhere, anywhere if l'm with you
Making sure of our joined hands
Yes, all alone with you
Mr. Kurata!
Next Episode
Hello everyone, this is Eriko lshihara!
Next Episode ls there something that's pissed me off lately? Boy, is there ever!
Next Episode l bought this beautiful dress the other day, but my cat totally messed it up!
Next Episode l never even got to wear it. l had it for only three days and it was already torn apart!
Next Episode l hurried back to that same store but the dress was already sold out!
Next Episode So l called the other locations,
Next Episode and there was just one of that dress, at the store in Sendai!
Next Episode Of course l bought it right away!
Next Episode lt'd be nice if l could show this dress to all of you!
Next Episode Hakodate Atsuko Akanegi (Part 2)
Enjoy the next episode of On to the North, Diamond Dust Drops!