January 20, 1999
Twice in the last two weeks I have almost died...
Once I tried to stop a man from killing himself
and once a hunter shot at me!
Too weird... all of it.
Don't make everything my fault!
Gimme a break!
Your walk has changed, you're strutting your stuff!
Looking good! Is this my work...? I am too good!
Something is going on with me.
An uncharacteristic hopefulness... But even
Forget this "even so" stuff!
Listen to me and go like a rocket!
Quit breaking in on my monologue!
I think something good will happen to you today!
I had a super bowel movement this morning...!
Shut up! And quit following me, you pest!
I wouldn't stand there...
I'm not obeying you...
Anyway if you don't do as I say, you're gonna die.
Speaking of which the order is later again...
Ah! I dropped my change...
This is my angel...? I can't believe it.
Excuse me...
Are you sure, sir?
Yes. It came to me in a flash...
Didn't you say Rikarin did that for you, too?
Oh, yeah! I fell hopelessly in love with those...
What're you talking about...!
Mr. Amakasu, Ms. Tsuyuzaki,
you did a great job on that microfilm incident.
Mr. Amakasu, I'm making you a full-time employee.
I got a flash of inspiration... Please stay.
No?
Sir! I am very happy! Thank you!
Our company policy is: Never lie. Abide by it.
Sir, you said you'd make me Division Chief...
What happened to that postcard I had...?
Look at you! You lie all over the place!
You're still section chief.
Excuse me... Father, they're finished.
Oh, the program for the company's 27th anniversary?
Super! My koto number is on the program!!
Mr. Amakasu, I hear you're good at playing piano...?
I wanted something classy like that.
[Amakasu Shiro on piano: Chopin's Farewell Concerto]
Father, I've e-mailed these to all our clients.
Looking forward to hearing you play!
Me? The piano...?
Chopin's Farewell Concerto...
The president hates like crazy to be embarrassed.
He's even fired guys for fit.
Fired? Are you serious?
Here he makes you full-time and now you're fired.
I'm gonna go to Owada and tell him.
I'll never be able to play that piece.
Shiro, this came from your uncle.
[Tendo Yoshimi]
The world is so cruel...
Now, back to the news...
This guy has a lot of time on his hands...
Mr. Amakasu Shiro was hired by the Mono Company!
Congratulations!
How did he know?
More importantly, it's here! The third assignment!
"By 3:00 PM the day after tomorrow, Jan. 22,"
"if an older woman does not embrace you and thank you,"
"you'll die instantly!"
January 22nd...
Right. January 22nd.
Anyway, just find some lady,
make her grab you and say thank you! Go for it!
That's all for the news tonight from Tendo...
Did you watch?
Will you knock it off!
I've been searching high and low for a woman,
and I can't find one!
Last time was a kiss, this time an embrace with thanks?
What is this?
How should I know?!
Need a man? This guy will do anything!
I can't believe you. Do as you please.
Anyway, can you say that I haven't done you any good?
Just try, will you!
Okay, I'll try...
Maybe.
No! Like this: I'll try my best!!
I'll try my best...
You're so sad! Anyway, hang in there.
Pardon me, do you need a man...? Hello!
It's a masher! A masher'!
Why you little brat...
Get outta here!
A masher! A creep!
Ai, what are you doing?
Listen, you should train your kid a little better...
I'm so sorry.
What a darling child! Like an angel...!
Hey, this is fun.
Here's your office key. Don't lose it.
And this Tengenji Bag Shop:
doesn't look like their order will be on time,
so go cancel their contract for the next order.
Oh, by the way, the piano...
Oh, Koharu! I've been meaning to apologize...
I'm sorry about the other day.
It's okay... Can you really play the piano?
No. Not at all.
I'll teach you.
Really?
Thank you!
Come to my house at 8:00 PM.
Go to your house...?
Listen, if you try anything strange, I'll kill you!
No, I won't! Never.
See you at 8:00.
Hello?
I'm Amakasu, from the Mono Company.
Nice to meet you! I'm Tengenji Ruri.
An older woman...
"By 3:00 PM the day after tomorrow, Jan. 22,"
"if an older woman does not embrace you and thank you,"
"you'll die instantly!"
Great!
What're you looking at, you dirty man?
Sorry the place is such a mess...!
Not at all...
Is this your daughter?
An how old...?
I'm five!
Five, are you! And Mrs. Tengenji...?
Mama's thirty-three!
Thirty-three...
This is business, honey, so go in the back room.
Are you here about the order...?
I have 30 more to go, and I'll make sure they're done.
If I lose the Mono account, this shop is finished.
Don't tell me you're all by yourself here?
I'll get it done.
I'll help you.
And in exchange...
In exchange?
Um... never mind. Let me help you!
Done!
They're all off-center... I'll do this part.
You have to keep your arm steady for this.
Um... No. It's okay..
I'm really fine here. thank you for your help.
But I haven't asked you...
What?
Forget it. I'll do that!
I'll get if for you! That dangerous!
This one?
She's gonna put her arms around me and say thanks...!
Please!
Mom... I'm hungry.
I'm okay... Here you are.
Thank you so much.
Too late...!
No, nothing.
Shall I make something for dinner?
This is good!
How come you're such a good cook?
After Dad died, my mom ran a diner in the country.
I was the unsuccessful one of all my brothers,
so all I could do to please Mom was cook.
She'd yell at me to study more
but it was: "Who cares?"
"I can't compete with my brothers."
You're always saying things like that.
I guess so... I don't have much confidence.
I'm talking only about me. Where's your husband?
He's... out.
Ah! I hafta go!
I'll stop by before I go to work tomorrow.
I'll come tomorrow.
Promise?
No time! See you tomorrow!
Oh! HO!
[HELP YOURSELF]
I didn't make it in time...
Goro, I mustn't fall in love with a human.
But what shall I do?
What're you up to?
Don't scare me like that!
You're no one to talk!
What's that?
Piano. I've got to play piano at the party tomorrow.
Are you nuts! Piano? All off the point!
And tomorrow, can you help make bags?
What? Are you stupid?
Piano, bags... What things other than your goal are you doing!
But if the bags are finished in time,
Ruri will be grateful.
Ruri?... Hold it! How old is this Ruri?
Thirty-three.
Shiro! I think you're catching on!
I've got a flash!
What's this...?
From little Ai...
Take a look!
I wrote out your priorities for the next two days.
First, you make valises.
Then, Ruri takes you in her arms and says,
"Oh, thank you! Thank you!"
Therefore, you get to keep living!
Where's the piano?
What?
Piano.
Down here.
Why so small? If I can't play, I'll get fired!
And Koharu has offered to teach me how to play...
Koharu, Koharu! Who cares about Koharu!
If you don't clear this hurdle by 3:00 PM two days from now,
you're gonna drop dead! And I'll be in deep trouble!
Anyway, get it right!
I don't get these notes...
This is impossible!
Anyway, let's get you embraced today! I'll set it up.
Okay, fine. I'll leave it to you.
Is this the place? Now, stand back and watch me!
You think you're, that good?
Idiot! I'll show you how a master does it!
Mr. Amakasu!
Good morning.
I told you didn't need to come...
No, I'll help.
And who is this?
My uncle. He wants to help, too.
Haven't I seen you before...?
No, never!
You in the army...?
What's the matter?
She's not the one.
Not the one?
If she embraces you, I'll never forgive you.
What? You were so hot that I get a hug from someone!
Right! I am! But let's find someone else.
Why?
Never mind.
It's the masher'!
That's a little harsh...
I came like I promised!
Come on in!
I'm going home.
Let him go, you old coot!
Are you okay?!
I love children.
Mr. Amakasu...
Didn't you come yesterday to cancel the contract?
Mr. Samejima just called.
Oh, shoot.
Even knowing that...?
But if we make the deadline...
If you try, things work out!
Who cares? It's not going to work.
I guess I don't think that for other people...
Shiro, we ought to be going now...
What are you talking about?
We shouldn't bother the lady...
Oh, no. Shiro's very good at making bags.
Shiro...? She called him Shiro...?!
What's with him?
What on earth are you doing?
Practicing for the party.
Knock it off, and get back to work.
Maybe I should work here!
What's wrong?
I was just remembering what it was like
to work together like this, with him.
I'm sorry. I lied to you.
My husband died... two years ago in an accident.
I see...
My husband used to play this all the time...
I can't play at all, though.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of his death,
January 22nd...
January 22nd.
He had such dreams for the future.
We were going to open a shop in New York...
God can be cruel.
It should've been me instead of him.
I've always avoided the hard parts of life.
No matter what I did, it didn't make any difference.
Somebody terrific like your husband should live, not me.
Don't talk like that! You're a fine person.
You've done so much for me.
I had almost given up on the shop, but now I think
I might hang in there a little longer.
I did that...? I'm sorry.
What're you apologizing for.
It's nothing...
Were almost done. Let's keep working.
Uh-oh! That she might put her arms around him!
But...
Leave me alone.
What're you doing here for two hours?
Thinking.
All done!
Done! Thanks so much.
You worked hard.
I'm sorry, for everything. I'll keep on slugging.
I have to go back to the office.
Ai, I'll come again. Let's promise.
Shiro.
I'm sorry I can't return the favor...
What're you doing?
I've been arrested.
You know him?
I don't care about my assignment.
"Who cares?" again?
That's not it. I suddenly realized
you should be nice just to get someone's gratitude.
I was toying with Ruri's feelings.
Just to get someone to hug me and thank me...
You shouldn't be aware of that result.
I've always been looking for the reward.
But that's not it. It's not the result.
Maybe I'll die if I don't do the assignment,
but for me now, I've gotta do what I've gotta do.
You said some great things!
Lend me that...
I've got stuff to do!
Hey, don't go off on a fling!
And you've gotta vouch for me!
Our boss! The greatest man on earth!
Still won't get you anything...
Oh? I want that Division Chief spot so bad...?
Hey, High School! Where have you been?!
Amakasu, I'm really looking forward to your piano piece.
I have a favor to ask.
A favor?
Please keep the contract with Tengenji Bag Shop.
No way! They're not delivering on time.
They've gotta make the deadlines!
The bags will be here! They're all done!
They'll be delivered today.
Sir, if you cut the contract, they'll go under.
Even banks are going under.
We can't look after everybody or we'll go under.
Right.
Please!
Her husband died and she's carrying on all alone,
while caring for a little girl.
Her bags are fabulous! She puts her heart into them.
She'll work hard, so if at all possible...
Idiot!
I ask the favor, too.
How about this, Father?
If, tomorrow, he plays the piano piece perfectly,
then the contract stands.
If he makes a mistake, the contract is null and void.
And Tengenji goes bankrupt.
Let's see his resolve.
Fine! Let's see his resolve.
Thank you!
Koharu!
I'm sorry about yesterday.
8:00 o'clock, okay?
You have to do it, right?
Why can't you learn this?!
That's pretty strict.
It's gonna be the real thing!
If you mess up even one note,
then Tengenji goes bankrupt!
I know that...
Don't answer back! Keep practicing!
No!
Why can't you do it?!
You've got this finger wrong...
I'll go buy something for dinner. Keep practicing.
Hello, Amakasu here... Sure I'll be right there.
Hey, gotta a buck?
Sorry, I'm in a hurry...
I've only got tonight! I can't stay here!
Cool off in there a while.
Hey!
Now I can't practice!
This is the worst...
No! HO!
The number of keys is wrong!
Do you have something to do with piano?
He's a professor at the Imperial Music College.
Why' re you here?
Because you left me here!
I can't worry about that!
If I make a mistake, Ruri's shop will go bankrupt!
What? How do you come up with these things?!
Because I'm useless.
Try it now.
No! One more.
[January 22, 1999]
A little early for all that noise...!
Oh, no... I'll never make it.
Is that chandelier going to be all right?
Probably.
Kenichi?
Mother! You, shouldn't be out of your room...
When is Kenichi coming back?
Father is dead. Remember?
What's all this?
I thought we'd use them for prizes. Make folks happy.
Stupid. Even kids wouldn't be happy...
Thank you for waiting.
Welcome to Mono Company's 27th Anniversary Party!
First, we welcome President Yuki!
Amakasu Shiro. You're free to go.
Don't worry. You can play it.
Shiro!
Koharu!
Are you all right?!
Thank you! What a help you are!
Satoru called me... What dreadful injuries!
Can you play the piano with that hand?
I'm fine. Let's hurry or we'll be late.
Shiro!
Uncle!
They let you out?
Never mind. Just get in.
And Shiro?
I don't really know, but...
Don't worry so much about making a mistake.
Don't play with your hands, play with your heart.
Hey, quit that... I'm gonna get mad...
What is that Shiro doing!?
Driver can you hurry a little more?
Owada, you are too kind.
Sir, you're made my life worth living.
Give him another hand!
Hello.
Will you come listen to Shiro play the piano?
He'll play for you if it costs him his life.
For me?
Almost time to wrap up.
What about the piano number?
An1akasu's?
Give him another minute or two.
I'm sorry to be late!
Shiro!
I'm sorry about last night.
I heard. You had a rough time.
You're late so you won't play.
Never mind him. Go on and play.
Oh, Shiro...
Doing fine...
Which one is it...?
Shiro! Remember!
Don't play with your hands, play with your heart.
Did it!
Damn!
Mr. Amakasu!
Twenty seconds left!
Kenichi!
You remembered my favorite song! Thank you!
Sir? What about the Tengenji Bag Shop?
You handle it.
Shiro! Good Job! Such a moving assignment!
When Ruri fell, I wasn't sure what would happen!
But an older woman is an older woman! Great!
Gimme a break!
The key was heart!
Ruri picked up on your kind intentions...
Unreal! You murderer!
Next will be January 29.
Shiro!
Uh... Hold it!
You did that for me! Thank you!
Not what I wanted...!
Ah! Koharu...!
Another one cleared...