Kota, please. Just get in.
Please, get in. I have something to tell you.
Excuse me, but what are you doing?
- It's none of your business, is it? - Actually,
it is. He's my brother.
Are you Daisuke-kun?
Don't worry, don't worry. He's my son. See ya.
Is it okay to just let him go?
It's not okay, but what am I supposed to do?
I don't know. Report it to the police?
Police? Regardless, she's still his mother.
For now, tell Yozo-san?
That's right. Dad.
I'll go tell Dad.
I'm going to work. Let me know if anything happens. Okay?
Okay.
Dad! I just met this woman Megumi...
I saw something I want online so...
This woman called Megumi just took Kota away. Down below, in a cab, saying see ya.
Oh, yeah?
Oh, yeah? Weren't you looking for her? I'm telling you she was here.
Or rather, how did she know you were here?
Oh, yeah?
Are you listening to me? Kota was taken away, you know.
- That's not good, huh? - Of course it's not good.
- I guess I should call the school. - That's not the problem right now, is it?
How can you be so calm? Weren't you looking for this Megumi woman all this time?
It's only natural she'd want to see him.
He's her only son, after all.
Were you actually keeping in touch with this Megumi woman?
Hello, is this Tsukishima Middle School?
I'm the father of...
That's why she knew of this place?
Oh, is this Samejima Sensei? Just the person I wanted to talk to.
I've been meaning to talk to you once.
In regards to Kota-kun.
What do you mean by that?
It can't be helped that he can't keep up with the studies, but
Kota-kun's always by himself and
won't try to get used to his surroundings.
That's because Kota hadn't been at school for a long time.
I'm aware of that, but
when I asked him why he doesn't want to make friends,
he said it's a waste of time.
Were you actually keeping in touch with each other?
Were you lying to me?
It's a waste of time to make friends, huh?
Hey, answer me.
Don't worry, Kota will come back.
- What? - He'll be back tonight.
Don't worry. Hey, go to work.
The samples are here.
Wow, this is cute.
- This is nice too, isn't it? - Was this Irie-kun's design?
This is pretty good too.
Right? Nagasato...
Nagasato-san?
From what point does it become marriage fraud?
- Good morning, everyone. - Oh, good morning.
I'm sorry for making you worry, but it's all good now.
This time, I registered at a site where they have go-betweens.
It will be all right this time for sure.
- What's going to be all right? - I don't know.
You reported that incident yesterday to the police, right?
- I don't want to talk about that anymore. - What did the police say?
Please don't rub salt into my wound.
Apparently, there were others she was deceiving using marriage as a bait.
Let's forget about that already.
So it isn't considered fraud if they actually get married?
- Huh? - He may never get the money back.
Legally, they're husband and wife after all.
Daisuke, what's the matter?
Kota, what do you want to ride next?
Shall we go to the aquarium?
Seriously, you're such a party pooper.
I'm in middle school now, you know.
Are you going to school every day?
I...
want you to keep your promise.
What should I do?
What about you, Kota?
Do you want to live with me?
Or live with Yo-chan?
I'm terribly sorry.
I'll be heading out there after this to check on the matter.
We'll determine the cause as quickly as possible. Yes.
I'll see you later.
Was that a complaint?
Chief, instead of the Mandheling that was supposed to be loaded,
for some reason, the wrong beans were loaded.
- Wrong beans? - How did that happen?
- I have no idea. Anyway, check the packing list.
I'll go verify the actual goods after I apologize to the client.
Come on, let's move it.
- Oh, hi. - What? Trouble?
Going to apologize to the client, and determine the cause.
- Did you mess up again? - It wasn't me.
Are you all right? Is it a cold?
- My throat's kinda... - Are you all right?
Don't go causing any trouble for her.
- I haven't done anything today...yet. - Yet?
Seriously, I have my hands full with this trouble alone.
- Please don't cause anything else to happen. - I'll loan you this.
It's a power stone I just bought.
They say it has the power to clear your past
and restore troubled relationships.
Go restore the relationship with your client.
Do these things work?
It's all in your mind. The important thing is to believe.
Don't do it. Don't trust her.
That's what I thought too.
That I want to trust this person, that I don't want to let her go.
But in the end, you were completely deceived, huh?
Daisuke, why did you have to open your big mouth?
You're always saying how two's better than one, three's better than two, remember?
To ask for advice if something happens.
Listen. This is my own problem, okay?
I'd like to throw those words right back at you.
You're the one who barged into my space.
- Get a taste of how I felt. - Master.
Let's go talk to the police. It's nothing to be embarrassed about.
- That's right. You should definitely go talk to them. - Stop bugging me! Just leave me alone.
- Yes? - Did you find Kota-kun?
Listen. Tell Ando-kun to get in touch with this client too.
I'm going to check the warehouse in Yokohama tonight and
go to the warehouse in Kobe in the morning.
- What if there's no problem there? - I'll fly straight to the site.
Can you make it back in time? For the presentation the day after tomorrow.
It's approximately 8 hours to Indonesia, right?
3-4 hours to check the factory, so
maybe just in time for the presentation.
In any case, I'll give you a call tomorrow. See you.
Driver, please go.
Ritsuko-san, talk to him.
But that's a matter between husband and wife.
Were you told anything about this Megumi-san?
No, nothing at all.
- Yozo-san. - Yes?
There's no need to tell us, but I'm sure Daisuke-san would like to know.
Right? Who and why his father married. Right?
If you kept an important family matter a secret,
if it was me, I'd be sad.
Kota!
Oh, Kota-kun was on the street out there.
You're back. Thank goodness.
Where's your mother?
You were with her all this time, right?
Where were you all this time?
Amusement park.
- What? - She took the trouble to take you away
- to an amusement park? - Did your mother say anything?
That she may not...
be able to keep it anymore.
Her promise.
Promise?
He's back now so what difference does that make.
What's this promise he's talking about?
- Shut up, shut up, shut up. - Shut up, my ass!
Now, now, both of you.
Why don't you have a serious talk? Just of the two of you.
Just the two of us?
Then Kota-kun, just sit over there and wait. Make yourself at home.
- What? You're going on a business trip now? - Yeah. Can you see if we have any cold medicine?
Would you like to play?
Okay.
Is there something you want to play?
Only at a time like this, you're gonna remain silent like the old days, huh?
Listen.
Megumi-chan...
wanted to be a nurse after she graduated high school, and
enrolled in a nursing school.
Around that time, she fell in love with a guy.
Well, this guy
turned out to be good for nothing, but
she worked hard for him
at bars and other part-time jobs
to provide him with money.
Then she started falling behind on her studies at the nursing school.
Kota's dad too.
As soon as he found out she was pregnant with Kota,
he ran off somewhere.
I don't care about a sob story like that.
But she said
she wanted to start all over again, by going to nursing school again.
Did you pay that school fee?
But...
she assured me that she'd study hard.
Then why did she disappear?
I dunno...
You dunno? You're keeping in touch with her, aren't you?
Well, I was out of touch with her for a while, but
- she calls me once in a while now. - What the hell is that?
You know, I...
believe in
Megumi-chan.
Because
she looked squarely in my face
and promised me.
Oh, really.
Then why don't you bring her?
If you really believe in her, introduce her to me.
I'm saying don't talk about family only when it's convenient for you.
Introduce her to me fair and square.
Yeah, okay.
Okay.
All right. Okay, see you.
People are creatures who
lie and keep secrets.
And by believing the lies,
some people can be happy.
Until that lie is exposed to be a lie.
For the time being, we decided to have Megumi-san come here tomorrow.
That's a good idea.
- Business trip? - Yeah.
Even though she's sick with a cold.
It might be the same thing Yozo-san got. You know, the one that affects your throat.
- You gonna be okay like that? - I'll be fine.
I'll just sleep with 3 layers of masks on the plane.
Makes no sense to me.
Kota, is it true you're not making any friends?
Waste of time.
Hm? Waste of time?
Even if you make friends, you'll end up having to move away again.
That's why it's a waste of time?
New leaves are sprouting.
New leaves sprout,
buds open up,
flowers bloom,
and butterflies and birds fly around.
Spring is wonderful.
Really, huh?
But it ends.
Everything dies when winter comes.
Do you know why?
You see,
it's because winter comes
that the old leaves fall on the ground
and provides nutrients for that soil,
making the soil more fertile
and helps sprout new leaves.
All insects, no matter how tiny,
become nutrients for something.
Kota, you may think
that things like school and friends
are all a waste of time, but
that's not so.
Everything
becomes nutrients for your soul.
And the nutrients that you have stored in here
will give you strength in the future as you go on living.
Painful things, sad things,
they're all nutrients.
Nothing is wasted in this world.
That's right. Since everything's connected.
Everything has its turn, Kota.
We're the old leaves.
Kota, you're the new leaf.
Do you get it?
Hello? This is Kumagai.
The problem wasn't with the distribution at the warehouse here either.
Then the cause is...
I'll have to go to the site and check it out.
Then what do we do about the presentation tomorrow with Avail Japan...
Oh, Takase-san's here right now for a meeting.
Can I talk to him?
Excuse me for a moment.
- Yes? - It's Hanako-san.
- Hello? - Kazuya?
I'm heading out to the airport now, so I don't have much time, but sorry,
can you do the presentation with Tanaka-san if I don't get back in time tomorrow?
- That's fine with me, but are you all right? - Huh?
- You sound kinda stuffed up. Caught a cold? - Oh...yeah.
Kinda. I'll be fine.
If anything happens,
Ando-kun and Chief Tanaka are there too.
- All right. Don't overexert yourself. - Okay. Thanks.
Then here's Tanaka-san.
Please come back, okay?
There's no way I can take your place.
Don't be silly. You're my assistant, aren't you?
- I am, but thinking rationally, I don't think... - Don't worry about it.
No one can talk about the appeal of coffee like Kazuya can.
All you have to do is read out the business plan I prepared.
- But... - You can do it if you try.
Or should I say...
there are times people have to do what they think is impossible.
You'll do just fine. I have faith in you.
All right.
See you.
Hello.
Kota went to Ricchan's place.
I'm sorry for the late introduction.
I'm Yozo-san's wife, Megumi.
So where the heck does the truth end and the lies begin?
I verified yesterday that you two did, in fact, register your marriage.
Also, that shortly before the marriage registration,
2 million yen was withdrawn from Dad's bank account.
- I'll explain that to you. - What's the point in explaining now?
So that was the nursing school fee?
Did you really enroll?
- That's uh... - See?
That was just an excuse to get the money.
- Weren't you deceiving my dad? - No...
It wasn't her. I brought it up.
Because Megumi-chan
was griping with Kota in tow.
That if she could go to nursing school again and get a license,
she could start her life all over again.
But she has to raise Kota so
she doesn't have the time or money.
That's why I told her.
Don't blame Kota for what you can't do.
- That you might as well abandon him then. - Abandon him?
I told her I'll stay with him during that time.
And when she gets her nursing license,
the three of us will live together again.
That's the promise we made.
Kota's agreed as well.
That while Megumi-chan works hard in Tokyo
until she she gets her life in order again, he'll live with me.
Do you like that song?
We used to sing it together.
With your mother?
Song to lift your spirit.
(??Fight by Nakajima Miyuki)
Then why did you disappear?
- Is that a lie too? - No, that's, well...
Why did you?
At year-end there was an exam. For working people.
I thought I'd pass easily since it was only an essay and an interview.
Don't tell me you flunked the exam?
- I flunked. - Oh...you did?
I learned later that with nursing schools, more people take
the exam for working people so it's more competitive than the general entrance exam.
Don't people look up things like that beforehand?
- Do they? - Normally.
Ah, I see.
I was so embarrassed and ashamed of myself...
I didn't know what to tell you, so
I ran away.
- Is that the normal thing to do? - I'm sorry. Uh...
But when I saw Yo-chan and Kota who came all the way to Tokyo,
I thought I couldn't keep going on like this and applied for the general entrance exam.
- Oh, you did? - Yeah...but
this one had tests on academic subjects.
You flunked that too?
I flunked it for the most part.
- For the most part? - There's just one more
test still remaining this weekend.
But if I flunk that one,
they're not admitting any more students this year.
It's hopeless, right? After I've been running away from everything,
even if I decide to work hard suddenly.
Of course, I haven't touched the 2 million yen for school fee.
I found a job too.
I befriended a president of a construction company.
I figured I had nothing to lose so I asked him. His mother's a nurse too
and apparently she raised him singlehandedly...
Give it a try. Nursing school and work.
Of course it won't be easy doing both at the same time. But we'll try to work with you too.
But
if I don't pass the exam, that may not work out either.
I just can't do it.
I want to live up to your guys' expectation,
but I'm getting nowhere.
Megumi-chan.
It's getting so bad that
I'm starting to think it's impossible for me.
That it's a waste of time to even try.
Nothing goes to waste.
Right?
That's right. Nothing goes to waste.
Because all the effort you expended
remains as your nutrients.
Kota-kun told me he still likes that song.
The song he used to sing with you.
Right? The song that lifts your spirit.
I...
I'll be waiting.
With Yozo-san.
Kota.
Megumi-chan, how's this sound?
Why don't you study like crazy from today
and take that last exam.
If you fail, you fail. Then we can think again after that.
Right?
I'll
go to school
and try to make friends too.
Kota, that's awesome.
That's great.
I'm not sure what's going on, but it's a good thing you talked things over.
- Then I'll get going. - Thanks.
Bye now.
Can I verify one thing?
The name of the school you're taking the exam at this weekend.
Tsugumi School of Nursing.
- Date and time of exam. - Daisuke.
It's all right, Yo-chan.
I don't blame you for not trusting me.
The place is about 5 minutes from Senju Station.
The exam is the day after tomorrow, and the subjects are national language, English, science, and math.
This school offers scholarships too
on the condition that you work there upon graduation.
At least it doesn't seem to be a lie.
All right.
I'll give it my best shot.
I won't think about it as a waste of time.
So
please take care of my husband and my son just a little bit longer.
- Please take care of us. - Please take care of us.
You're on a nice pace.
Nagasato-san?
Oh, there you are. Nagasato-san, Tanaka-san's been looking for you.
Good evening.
He's acting a little weird today.
He's in his own world more so than usual.
What's next?
I'm sorry about the other day.
For barging into your favorite beer bar.
That time, I had something on my mind too.
- You're not mad at me? - No.
Besides, I don't like to be mad.
- Thank goodness. - Here's your order.
Is Hanako...-san still on a business trip?
She went to Indonesia.
She found out the cause of the loading mistake at the factory there
and called earlier to say she was on her way back.
Indonesia? All the way there?
Yes. But she doesn't know yet which flight she'll be able to get on.
We don't know if she'll be back in time for the presentation tomorrow.
Oh, yeah?
And so you have a favor to ask me?
As you know, Hanako-san's a nice person.
Is...she?
No one else scolds me severely like she does.
Everyone else gives up on me.
So when Hanako-san tells me to do my best, that she believes in me,
I feel I should do my best. But...
I find it hard to believe that I can take Hanako-san's place.
So uh...
Would you mind telling me?
Hm?
That you'll do fine. You can do it if you try.
But I don't know anything about the work involved.
Please.
Well...
You'll do fine. You can do it if you try, right?
Hanako said she believed in you, right? Then you'll do just fine. Give it your best shot.
You'll do just fine.
You're a nice person too, Nagasato-san.
I just...
Both you and Hanako-san are actually very kind-hearted, but
you try to hide it.
Thank you so much.
Now I can hang in there no matter what happens.
Excuse me~.
Kazuya? I just got in.
I'm on my way to the office.
Welcome home.
- Why are you here? - I heard you were on this flight.
- There's the presentation too. I have my car here. - Okay, thanks.
Tanaka-san will be happy too.
She was so nervous trying to memorize the presentation.
That's why I told you don't overdo it.
You're up early.
You too.
- Hey. - Huh?
Do you really trust her?
Why?
All this time,
Megumi-chan, all by herself,
did her best while raising Kota.
Every time a guy hit Kota,
she hit him back
to protect Kota and
ran away from that guy.
Don't you think it's strange?
Megumi-chan has family and relatives.
So why...
why does Megumi-chan have to
try to survive all by herself?
??Those who don't fight
??may laugh at the song of you who fight
??Fight! From the freezing water...
If someone just lent them a helping hand,
Megumi-chan and Kota could've lived a little bit more comfortably.
Fight!
- Fight~. - Fight!
When I proposed to Megumi-chan,
she got really mad.
Don't be ridiculous.
Marry you? Are you stupid or what!
You know, don't you?
What everyone's saying about me.
That I'm an irresponsible hopeless woman who can't even send her son to school.
Just because you got a little friendly with Kota,
just because you've become a regular customer here,
how can you be such a fool to even consider marrying a loser like me?
Something like this...
will never happen!
Are you satisfied now?
Listen, Megumi-chan.
Don't say things like "a loser like me."
Stop belittling yourself.
Give yourself a pat on the back once in a while.
I told Mom, I mean...
my deceased wife
that I
fell in love with this woman.
But this woman
calls herself "a loser like me, a loser like me,"
and keeps putting herself down, so
I want her to know that that's not true.
Your wife will get mad with a loser like me.
See? There you go again.
You said "a loser like me."
I...
I don't have...
I don't have confidence in myself.
What normal people...
can work hard at normally, I can't do.
But I believe in you.
If you can't believe in yourself,
I'll believe in all of you for you.
That's the Megumi-chan I fell in love with.
I want to be with you.
Let's get married.
I'm sorry.
That I'm such an old man.
People say that Megumi-chan's a hopeless woman, but
what do they know. Megumi-chan has guts.
I...
before my life is over,
I want to
make that mother and child happy.
Otherwise,
do you think I can hand over the money Mom worked so hard to save?
Why didn't you tell me an important thing like that?
I didn't really know the detailed circumstances, and
even if I had told you, you wouldn't have listened, would you?
Probably not, but you could've at least tried to tell me.
Oh, I suppose.
I'll keep that in mind from now on.
But I guess things turned out okay.
She doesn't seem to be a real evil woman or a terrible mother.
Although she's a pretty inept person.
Good morning.
- Kota, good morning. - Good morning.
You want one too?
- Oh, okay. - You don't wanna drink it, huh?
Uh...
Oh, crud. Why won't it write?
Uh...
Use this.
Can I?
Thanks.
Did you know? There's an English test today.
There's no way I'm gonna pass.
Me too. No way.
Are you awake?
- What time is it? - Little before 8:00.
- What about the presentation? - It went smoothly.
Tanaka-san worked really hard.
She said she had to work hard in your place and drummed the business plan into her head
Really?
I'm glad to hear that.
Ritsuko-san went to get your change of clothes.
Since there's a possibility you may have caught an infectious disease abroad,
- she wants you stay here and get tested. - It's just a common cold.
That's what the doctor said too.
He said you're also suffering from fatigue.
You'd better slow down your work pace.
Yeah, I know, but...
You never change, do you?
But it's a relief.
Thank God it wasn't anything serious.
Thanks.
For coming to pick me up.
I appreciate it.
Or should I say...
I was glad to see you.
What?
That's the power stone I had borrowed from my friend.
Power stone? What?
- You believe in these things? - Not really.
Restore troubled relationships, huh?
- Hm? - No, it's nothing.
Gotta return it to her.
They're certainly all young, aren't they?
Did you come to check if I really came?
But of course. It won't do if you lied.
Also...
Kota asked me to bring this to you.
Nagasato Megumi
He said for you to use it when you pass the exam.
Fight!
Please make sure you use it properly.
I will.
I'll see you later.
Even if you truly believed in someone,
it may not always pay off.
Because people can't change that easily.
Even then, perhaps the presence of someone who believes in you
can make people strong.
All done? Let's see.
Woah~ You got it all.
- Kota-kun, you're a genius. - Awesome.
Dad told me to come visit you.
I'm fine now.
It was just a cold and fatigue.
Oh, really.
I'll be discharged later this afternoon.
I can't believe you worked until you dropped.
Can't you at least manage you own health care?
I don't think you have the right tell me how to care for my health.
I'm just telling you to be careful. Being that you're not young any more.
Excuse me? You're already close to being 40, but
I'm still closer to 30.
- No need to force yourself into the younger category. - What?
Did you come all the way here to pick a fight with me?
I'm just worried about you.
Daisuke-san. Did you come to visit her?
A get well gift from my dad.
He said "Eel's the best thing for a cold."
- Why eel? - I'm not sure.
Thanks.
Please, have a seat there.
- I should get going... - I just happened to buy some drinks.
Kazuya said he'll come later with his car.
He's a real conscientious guy, isn't he?
Kazuya-san's such a nice guy.
- That's for sure. There aren't too many like him. - Right?
Yesterday too, he brought Hanako to the hospital.
They were talking together like old friends.
But it seems she told him marriage is out of the question.
Please don't talk about that now.
This is the only time I can sit down and talk to you.
Why can't it be Kazuya-san?
It's not that it can't be Kazuya. I'm just not suited for marriage.
What makes you think so?
- I'll get going. - Daisuke-san, you know what?
She won't tell me anything.
Even when she got the divorce.
No matter what I asked, she remained silent.
Well, I guess there are times talking about it won't do any good.
When Kazuya-san
sent me a Christmas card saying he was coming back,
I just couldn't sit still and
came out from Kawakami Village.
- So that's why you came. - I was hoping
they could work things out again.
Hanako...
how do you feel about Kazuya-san?
Look at these. They'll be ready to eat soon.
- Are you all right? - Yeah, I'm fine.
People keep secrets for a variety of reasons.
Why did I cough?
The moment you realize that someone close to you has a secret,
you'll be distressed.
In the end, you still won't tell me anything.
Excuse me. I'll go pay the bill.
Even if that was secret was kept with no ill intent.