Why are you here?
Finally we meet.
I think you do meet people that you are destined to meet.
Takuto.
Hey you.
- I'm sorry. - What happened?
I got a leg cramp.
[Get leg cramps often.]
[Difficulty in raising arms.]
It's probably cervical spondylosis.
But since you are young, I can't tell at this point.
Let's keep an eye on it for a while.
Can you come back in three months?
But please come back right away if you get any new symptoms.
Yes.
I'm very grateful to have a young volunteer like you.
- Hanako-san. - Yes.
It's time for your bath.
Thank you.
It felt really nice and I had fun.
Thank you very much.
- See you soon. - Yes.
Your aromatherapy massage is very popular.
Yes.
Speaking of which, I need to talk to you about that.
Do you think you can come more often when you are available?
I'm looking for a full-time job and I also work at a restaurant chain.
I'm wondering if you could work for us as a part-timer instead of a volunteer.
What?
So I decided to quit the restaurant and take the part-time nursing job.
I see.
It was uncomfortable working at the restaurant lately.
I felt like students working there were thinking, 'I hope I won't be like her.'
It could just be paranoia.
I see.
Hey, you've been acting nervous.
No... I don't think so.
You really don't need to worry about it.
Yes.
If you come see her once, she won't say anything anymore.
Yes.
What a handsome man you are.
Why do you like Megumi?
Hey, Mom.
Why does Megumi get such a charming boyfriend?
I wish I was younger.
What?
You are slender and tall too.
Do you mind getting a plate from the cabinet?
There is a plate that I like although we barely use it.
Please wait.
Megu, can you help me for a second?
I'm having trouble raising my left arm.
Really? You are?
I'm fine though.
- Did you go see a doctor? - I did.
Please take care of yourself.
- Thank you very much. Is it this one? - Yes, that one.
- Here. - Thank you.
You are too good for Megumi.
But please take care of her, Takuto-kun.
- Mom, please. - Don't be embarrassed.
Yes.
I'm coming in.
Something smells very nice.
Yes, it's aroma oil.
Does it feel good?
Yeah, it feels good.
Thank you. It looked like my mom had a good time.
I did too.
I felt at home being here and I'm full too.
I know she was so excited, but she made too much fried chicken.
I loved it.
Really?
Yeah.
I'm glad.
Hmm? What is it?
What? Nothing.
You smiled. What is it?
When I was a kid, every time when I felt down, my mom made fried chicken for me.
After eating it I forgot all the things that were bothering me.
There were times I pretended to feel down, so she would make fried chicken.
You could just tell her that you wanted to eat fried chicken.
You are right.
But that's so sweet.
You think it's sweet?
Okay, now the other side.
[Sawada Takuto] [Age 23, Fall]
- Good morning. - Good morning. Have a good day.
Geez.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I feel like I have less strength in my left hand.
And my left calf twitches sometimes.
I see.
I suggest that you see a neurologist.
A neurologist.
There are many diseases that orthopedics can't detect.
[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]
There are no neurologists at this hospital, so I will write you a referral.
Yes.
[Kanto Medical University Hospital]
[Neurologist Dr. Tanimoto Kazushi] Raise your arms at shoulder height.
Stay in this position.
[The motor neurons]
[Found abnormalities]
You will feel a little prick.
Regarding the result of the exams and the course of treatment...
I would like to discuss with you as well as your family.
Could I be the only one?
I thought I had asked you to bring your family.
I don't have a family.
I'll listen to it by myself.
I understand.
The result of the exams shows abnormalities in the...
motor neurons that control muscles in your body.
They cause difficulty in moving your body, leading to muscular atrophy.
With the current medical technology there is no cure.
You will need to manage living with this disease for the long term.
The symptoms change as the disease progresses.
So we need to manage it accordingly.
Currently you only have some movement disorders in your limbs.
When the disease progresses, the muscles all over your body will weaken.
You will have difficulty talking and swallowing food.
When the symptoms progress more...
there will be a respiratory problem.
In order to keep living, you will be required to be on a ventilator.
Without a ventilator...
in most cases, in three to five years from the onset of symptoms...
patients will have paralyzed respiratory muscles and die.
ALS.
Yes.
Correct, the name of the disease is ALS.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
It's named as one of the most intractable diseases.
I'm sure you are gravely scared.
But it is important for you to understand the disease correctly...
and accept it.
Oh, you are back.
Subtitles by DramaFever
[The Hours Of My Life]
How is your arm?
I don't want you to scratch our merchandise again.
I went to see a doctor, but nothing was serious.
But I don't have strength in my hand and can't raise my arm for a while.
Why?
Well, it's kind of like a frozen shoulder.
You are too young for that.
I apologize for causing trouble.
I want to say 'you are causing trouble...'
but I would be a bad guy if I said that to a sick person.
I will do whatever I can.
Then can you arrange the deliveries?
Yes.
What's going on?
You can drink them.
I can't drink them all.
What a high-maintenance brother he is.
[Hospital Director, Sawada Akio]
[We provide reliable medical services that eliminate anxieties from patients.]
Yes.
It's Takuto.
This is unusual.
Are you doing well?
Um, yeah.
Are you calling me about that?
What?
I thought you decided to work in the hospital's administrative office.
Um... well...
No?
Have you ever misdiagnosed a patient?
Huh?
Misdiagnosis.
Why are you talking about this?
How many times have you done it?
What is the probability?
0.1 percent? 0.01 percent?
Never. Zero.
It can't be 0 percent.
I have made wrong decisions, but...
What about it?
No, nothing. Bye.
By the way, Takuto called me yesterday.
What did he say?
I wasn't sure.
I see.
I should go to Tokyo again.
Since I worry about Riku-chan too.
How long are you going to take care of him?
I have nothing else to do.
Don't you have a hobby?
What about the thing you were doing with fabrics?
Hawaiian quilting? I quit doing it over a year ago.
[Nikko / Kinugawa Hot Spring] Here.
Hot spring?
- Hot spring? - Hot spring?
Yeah, let's go.
What? But why?
Why not? Let's go since I got a bonus.
- Are you taking me there? - Yeah.
No, it's a waste of money.
You should put it into your savings.
It's okay. Let's go.
- Can I see it? - Here.
Hot spring, huh?
You should go. Since he wants to take you there.
Just looking at a booklet of a hot spring makes me happy.
I had to look at a life insurance booklet the other day.
Ah, did he come to you too? Omura from college.
He got a job at a life insurance company.
No.
He's been contacting every single person he knows.
He was crying when he asked me to buy one.
- Did you buy it? - No.
I don't have kids. I'm not even married.
No one will suffer even if I die.
But you need medical insurance just in case you become sick.
For yourself.
Do you have one?
Not yet. I have to get a full-time job first.
Then I'll get insurance.
That sounds very you, Megumi. Very down-to-earth.
Although I have a big debt. A debt called a scholarship.
That's tough.
Do you have insurance, Takuto?
No.
Right. We are young.
I'm not planning on getting sick for a while.
Hey, how about this place?
So expensive.
- We should enjoy... - But...
If I go to a luxury place like that I would feel uncomfortable.
That sounds very you, Megu.
You mean I can never have a leisurely life?
No.
Hey.
I just want to tell you, I'm not jealous at all.
- Stop pretending. - It's true.
- It's done. - Yes.
Let's eat.
Ah, don't use your own chopsticks.
What? I don't have a disease.
That's not the point. It just doesn't feel good.
It's okay to use them for the first serving, right?
Hina-chan, did you find a boyfriend?
No.
I'm telling you this because it's you, Hina-chan.
I've never had a girlfriend in my life.
Yeah.
What do you mean 'yeah?'
That was what I've always thought.
I see.
This is just 'what if' but...
How about us?
What about us?
If we start seeing each other...
What part of you do you think is Ed?
What? Is that really what you want?
You've got some nerve. Don't you know who you are, Mamo-chan?
Well, then...
How about this?
What is it?
Well...
What is it?
Can I do it with you just once?
Would you like some coffee?
Yes.
H-hey...
These...
Ta-da.
I bought them.
Nice.
They are nice, aren't they?
Yeah.
What's up, Sumire-chan?
I'm a little bored.
Come in.
The boys in my class are so childish. They fight over worthless things.
Sumire-chan from next door.
She looks older but she is in sixth grade.
Good evening.
Your girlfriend?
Yeah, it's Hongo Megumi-san.
Please.
She said her parents aren't back from work yet.
I see.
Would you like some juice?
No, I'll have some coffee.
What?
Are you sure you want coffee?
- Would you like some milk? - Black please.
What?
Sure.
You are popular.
What?
Hot spring?
Yes.
This is the best time for you two, isn't it?
Yes.
I didn't know you were the kind of man who would say 'yes' to that.
You are making me feel embarrassed.
I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can.
Sounds erotic.
Do you have a girlfriend, Shige-senpai?
Huh?
Actually there is a girl that I like.
But she has a boyfriend.
I didn't know you were the kind of man who would care about that kind of thing.
You are right.
Should I go...
for her?
Yes.
I won't hold back.
- Do you have a cramp? - Yes.
- You get cramps a lot lately. - I'm okay. I'm okay.
I'm totally fine.
It's such a beautiful day. It feels very nice.
Yes.
Would you like to ride on this?
No, I'd like to walk for a little longer...
with my own legs.
Sure.
Takuto. Square.
All right.
I'll take a break.
Cut back.
Come on, guys.
Hey. Takuto.
- Hey, are you okay? - Hey.
Can you hear me?
Takuto.
They said you can go home when the infusion is done.
I'm sorry for causing trouble.
No worries.
Should I tell Megumi-chan?
Please don't.
Okay.
You should leave before me, Senpai.
Yeah.
Did something happen to you?
Something?
Well...
I'm psyched about going to the hot spring.
Megumi-chan.
- Sorry to contact you suddenly. - It's okay.
Are you working hard looking for a full-time job?
Yes.
I thought you might want to take a break sometimes.
Thank you for waiting.
Let's eat.
Yours didn't come with soup?
No.
Here.
- But that's... - You should have it.
It will make you warm.
I'm sorry.
Don't be sorry. I would prefer you say 'thank you.'
You are right. Thank you.
I'll drink it.
- Um... - Huh?
I don't know if I should ask you this...
Ask me anything.
For instance...
If you went to a hot spring with your girlfriend...
- For instance, right? - Yes, for instance.
After the bath, would you prefer to see her with makeup or without?
Of course without makeup.
Really?
You are worried about that?
But you don't wear makeup, Megumi-chan.
What?
Are you wearing some?
Of course I am.
- Where are you wearing? - Please stop.
- I can't believe it. - Please don't look.
[Neurology Ward]
What is it?
'A?'
'Shi?'
Does your leg hurt?
Hold on, okay?
Sawada-san?
- Wow. - Amazing.
Whoa, the smell is strong up close.
- The smell is awful. - It is.
Let's take a picture together.
Good idea.
- Ready? - Yes.
- It's a nice one. - It's nice.
Ah, let's do this one.
Seriously?
I'll take one.
[Kusatsu] This is bad.
- I like it. - We both look scary.
I hit it.
One, two...
You got it.
[Smart Ball]
Two points.
Ten points. Yes.
Let's go.
So cold.
So cold. All right.
Nice.
It's amazing. Let's go in.
Do you think this hot spring will help heal your arm?
I wonder.
I hope it will.
Sorry. Sorry.
I got a lot.
- Welcome home, Riku-chan. - I'm home.
If you are hungry, you can eat anytime.
Do you know if Takuto will be late?
He won't come home tonight. He went to a hot spring.
Hot spring? Is it a company trip or something?
No, with his girlfriend.
I see. What kind of person is she? Have you met her?
Yeah, she comes here and stays over.
What?
Is she distracting you from studying?
No.
How about you, Riku-chan? Are you seeing anyone?
No.
You have to be careful. Not all girls who approach you are nice.
Don't worry.
How about friends?
Did you make any?
Yeah. Um, I'm hungry.
I'll cook right away.
I haven't made deep-fried food for a while.
I don't do it anymore since you left home, Riku-chan.
I'm so satisfied.
You are?
The bath was so nice and the food was delicious.
Same for me.
Although there wasn't any fried chicken.
I like this side better.
When do you think you can get your strength back?
It looks like not for a while.
I hope it gets better soon.
Yeah.
Hey, I've decided something.
What is it?
I want to learn about nursing care properly.
What is this all of a sudden?
Recently I helped an elderly woman who still can walk but is usually in a wheelchair.
When I saw her doing her best to walk with a cane...
I wondered how it feels like to be in her situation.
How would I feel if I started losing strength to do things on my own?
- That's why... - It happens when you get old.
I'm sorry.
Is something wrong?
No, I'm sorry. It's nothing.
What were you saying?
So it made me think that I want to care for people as my profession.
This is the first time I actually have something in mind to do.
Until now, I just wanted to be a full-time employee.
So I'm going to stop looking for a full-time job.
I'm sure the more I care for people the more I will realize how difficult it is.
But I want to learn how to do things one by one.
Takuto?
It's okay.
Welcome home.
I'm home.
Wait, Megumi.
How was it?
You, lucky girl.
Dr. Tanimoto doesn't see patients today.
- The days he can are... - But is the doctor here?
Is this an emergency?
I need to talk to him. I want to talk to the doctor.
Ah, Dr. Tanimoto.
Yes.
A death-row inmate spends everyday waiting for the execution...
without knowing when it happens.
Do I have to spend the rest of my life without knowing when the day comes?
Well, you are the first patient who likened himself to an inmate.
I've never even shoplifted, let alone murder.
Most people don't do that.
I haven't done many things in my life that people would praise me for.
But I also haven't done anything to bother other people either.
Could it be a misdiagnosis?
I had no problem at a health check-up I had before I started working for my company.
You can't always detect ALS from regular check-ups.
I read online that it's difficult to diagnose ALS.
That in many cases it takes a year to be diagnosed.
Isn't it strange that I was diagnosed for ALS right away?
One of the reasons why it takes time to diagnose ALS is that...
there aren't many doctors that have seen many ALS cases.
But I have seen many ALS patients.
But there aren't many cases, right?
Right.
Four to six people out of 100,000, according to the internet.
On top of that, it's rare for young people like myself to have it.
Yes.
It doesn't make sense.
You are right. It doesn't make sense.
I just can't believe...
that my left arm will never go back to the way it was before.
I feel like if I sleep overnight, it works normally when I wake up.
I saw...
a man on a ventilator.
He can't move on his own.
Right.
He can't eat.
Right.
He can't talk.
Right.
He breathes using a machine.
Right.
He can't do anything but he is fully conscious.
Right, but it doesn't happen instantly.
But it could happen as early as a year, right?
Sawada-san, even as ALS progresses and your body stops moving...
each patient's life is different.
They are living their own life.
How can you say that they are living?
It's okay with me.
Even now, it's not that I have something I want to do.
I'm empty inside and superficial.
I've lived without thinking much.
I hang out with friends just to have fun at each moment.
Even my parents...
They aren't expecting anything from me. They have my younger brother.
I don't have anything precious that I want to protect.
No one needs me.
I'll be going.
Take care of yourself.
Welcome home.
Mom came yesterday. She just left.
That's dinner.
She made too much.
I ate it since she thinks I like fried chicken.
But I took some digestive medicine right after she left.
Can you make sure to put the left-overs in the fridge?
Help me.
[Sawada Takuto] [Age 23, Winter]
Subtitles by DramaFever
ALS. Does Megumi-chan know about this?
I don't need to tell her.
If you weren't Takuto's girlfriend, I'd want you to be my girlfriend.
- Today is the last time. - What do you mean?
I can't see you anymore.
I'm Mizushima Mamo-chan's girlfriend. Do you have something to say?
If you haven't had dinner yet, why don't you eat with us?
- Maybe he will propose to you. - Propose?
I think Megu will be happy with you, Shige-senpai.
I can't think of my future with you, Megu.