I... will bring you to Todai!
- Open it yourself... - Toko!
Maki~ Who's that!?
If you're really sorry, teach me how to study.
I'm a professional specialising in Todai entrance exams.
If you don't teach me, I'll tell the police you attacked me.
Do you want to earn money?
I want to leave this house quickly, even if it's one day earlier.
You don't have to come for classes anymore.
- What will happen to the special advanced class? - I asked Kosaka-sensei for help.
Something hasn't been right with you recently.
I'll seriously earn a lot.
I'm seriously going to become the world's best dancer.
When I said that I need money for my dream, a senior at my part-time job
told me he would introduce me to a more profitable job.
Are you Murai Kazuya? You're under arrest for fraud.
But because my family is poor, I can't even attend school properly.
A dream will only be shot down before it can take flight.
In that case... It's better if I don't dream.
Are you fine with that!?
If you feel frustrated, struggle and get up.
Even if you have to crawl, get up from rock-bottom.
I will make you...
...go to Todai!
People who can look at cherry blossoms and think they're beautiful are lucky.
Are you trash? Everything is your fault!
[March, 2004] Are you trash? Everything is your fault!
[March, 2004] Shut up, idiot! I'll leave this house!
[Happy birthday, Maki-chan]
Since the flowers will fall anyway, there's no need for new ones to bloom.
I would think that every time spring comes.
Ready, now! Alright!
[March, 2016]
Um, where should we place the table?
- Here. - Yes.
- No. - Eh...
- Here? - Ah. Yes.
- And also... - What should we do with this sofa bed?
- Just leave that randomly around. - Yes.
- Um... what are you doing with this? - Don't talk to me.
I'm thinking of the most appropriate line of flow for studying right now.
Leave only the most important things for studying in your room.
You can then reach for them any time you want.
That is the first step to Todai's entrance exam.
"Stylish coordination you can learn from overseas celebrities".
- Wait, that's... - You do this?
- No, that's... - It doesn't suit you.
Eh!? Let me fantasise at least.
Ah, no! Um... I'll handle this myself.
Hey, what's with the ruckus?
What are you doing here when I'm out?
Ah...
What? Are you giving us European furniture as a token of apology?
- No, that's not it. - Then what?
I just thought I want to help your daughter enter Todai.
Ah. Todai.
Eh... eh! Todai!?
Tokyo University.
Right?
[Juken no Cinderella]
[Representative President Igarashi Toru]
Well, somehow it led to this...
If she wants to earn money, it has to be Todai. Something like that.
This girl in Todai? Eh~
Well, she has potential for growth.
I'm a professional after all.
If I didn't see any prospects, I wouldn't reach out in the first place.
Therefore, we will like to have the family's support as well.
What? Do I have to make a "pass exam" headband?
This will be Maki-san's schedule from now on.
Including Saturdays, there are 3 sets of 1.5 hours per day.
I want her to devote this time to studying.
Moreover, there will be individual lessons on Monday and Thursday afternoons.
Therefore, I hope she can limit her part-time work to 5 shifts in a week.
She will have to quit her job at the karaoke house at night.
- Impossible. - Eh?
Teacher, we don't have the extra time for her to study.
With my work and Maki's part-time jobs, we are barely scraping by.
How much is your current part-time hourly pay?
970 yen.
Your annual income is about 1.8 million.
Yes.
Is that okay?
If Maki-san continues to earn from part-time work at this rate,
when she hits 60 years old, her total income is roughly 80 million.
On the other hand, if she graduates from Todai and gets a job at a large company,
her total income at 60 years old...
can be from 300 million to 500 million.
Which is to say, there is a difference of almost 400 million.
From now, the time that Maki-san will spend on studying for the exams...
is approximately 2,000 hours.
2,000 hours for 400 million.
If you calculate the hourly rate for that, how much will it be?
- Eh? - Divide 400 million by 2,000.
- 200 thousand. - As expected of you.
You're quick when it comes to such calculations.
If you consider this for the long term, studying for entrance exams is equivalent to
a high-paying part-time job with an hourly rate of 200 thousand.
Don't you think that this scenario is much better?
I don't understand at all.
You can say anything since it's just all talk.
We're the ones who can barely make ends meet here.
In the first place, do you think I will trust what you say?
You suddenly barged into our house in the middle of the night.
- You're a senseless man. - As I said, that's...
What's your motive?
- Mom. - I can say the same to you.
Why do you believe what this guy says?
There's no way you can ever get into Todai.
I don't know what you're plotting but why don't you try this...
on the rich kids instead?
A classic example of a hopeless parent.
Huh?
Like this, do you intend to push your...
own beliefs onto your child for the whole life?
Hey, what's with this guy? Maki!
- Sorry. - Hmm?
I don't really think I can enter Todai too.
- See? - But...
If I can get out of my current situation, I will take a gamble on the possibility.
- Huh? - This certainly seems shady...
- Hey! - But...
He seems to be an amazing teacher at a cram school, after all.
For the time being, I'll believe in him.
Then, why don't you do as you please?
I won't be responsible if anything happens.
If there's anything, I won't agree.
Will you come to the usual okonomiya place on Thursday at 1 pm?
Yes.
What about your work?
You don't have to come for classes anymore.
What will happen to the special advanced class?
I asked Kosaka-sensei for help.
I'm making time for you despite my busy schedule.
- Be grateful to me. - Yes~
"Yes~"?
Abide by your schedule to study.
I know that.
Thank you very much.
Yakiniku stamina bento and Chinese-style salad. That will be 895 yen.
Here's your change of 105 yen. Thank you very much.
Cutlet curry, a la carte fried chicken and potato salad...
Ah. In that case, the daily set will be cheaper.
Ah. Then, I will have that.
Yes. Curry cutlet and the daily set. That will be 952 yen.
Yes.
- I've received 10,000 yen. - Yes.
- Ah. We're lacking a salad here. - Ah...
Oh no, sorry about that. As expected, we really need Maki-chan here.
Don't say that you want to reduce your shifts. Come here every day.
Please. Sorry. Please.
Sorry about that.
Hey, have you heard about the kid in the night school?
Yes, I heard. He was arrested. How dangerous.
Are you Murai Kazuya? You're under arrest for fraud.
- Scary! We better not talk to them. - Right.
Well, actually some police officers came in the afternoon and asked many questions.
Whether there are any other students who are involved.
That's terrible. Here.
They just decided that on their own.
So... Endo.
You're clean, right?
On your marks...
Hey, Endo! What are you doing? Slow down your pace!
Every last one of them...!
So what should I start with?
What is this?
- Revision questions for middle school? - There are holes in your knowledge.
Let's start with filling up those holes completely.
If I do that, will I make it in time?
"More haste, less speed."
For the next 2 weeks, you shall conquer...
all the questions here. Aren't you excited?
- Ah... - Don't close the book!
I just remembered. This is why I dislike Math.
I can't remember the formulas.
Oh... wait wait wait. Wait!
It's fine, isn't it? This is last week's issue.
No no no no...
I told you to buy this week's issue, didn't I?
Eh!? Why are you angry with me?
Understand? Memorise this within 3 minutes.
[Tora-san and the 48 successive Madonnas] Understand? Memorise this within 3 minutes.
Why do I have to do this? [Tora-san and the 48 successive Madonnas]
If you can do this, you will qualify for Todai. [Tora-san and the 48 successive Madonnas]
If you can do this, you will qualify for Todai.
Huh? Is this a charm?
Do it.
Begin!
Time's up.
Alright, try saying it.
Mitsumoto Sachiko, Sato Orie...
- Shintama... - Aratama.
Aratama Michiyo, Kurihara Komaki, Nagayama Aiko...
What's wrong? Continue.
What? That's all you can do?
Well, this is absolutely impossible. I don't understand the point of it.
Recently, didn't you memorise all the orders of the customers here?
If you can do that, why can't you do this?
Remembering the menu is necessary for my part-time job.
Of course. If you couldn't do that, you wouldn't be able to make a living.
But it's the same for the entrance exam. Your life depends on it.
The entrance exam is about... "Why do I have to remember this?"
It's a repeat of that.
When you have doubts, you can't move forward.
"Even if you tell me that, I can't do what I can't."
Don't give me that look.
I'm not pointing out your faults.
You shall make use of the only hope which you possess.
Hope?
Your ability to memorise will become your strongest weapon.
If you can use your strength in your studies,
the probability of you qualifying for Todai will greatly increase.
Understand? I'm going to say the important point.
- Write it down. - What's this?
Essential points for exams.
Write it in kanji.
Lend it here.
Essential point for exams. Number 1.
Math is about learning by heart.
Eh? Do I memorise the questions?
You fool. Memorise how to solve the problems.
Which formulas you have to use and which methods will lead to the answer.
If you can remember those, you can handle any questions.
Look at this. The explanation is written carefully here.
[Answers & Explanation] Look at this. The explanation is written carefully here.
[Answers & Explanation] Take a good luck at this.
Remember as many ways to solve the questions as possible.
Do you understand?
- Your reply? - Yes...
Hey, Igarashi.
- Hmm? - Your school is in the news.
The conglomerate, Altair Education, has embarked on a new business in education.
The business partners that have been mentioned are...
Tomon Seminar, famous for Todai entrance exams, and...
other private cram schools.
Amazing~ To think it was approached by a conglomerate.
- That's amazing. - I guess.
Ha ha ha...
Ha ha ha!
Ah! Well... I'm beaten.
Who would have thought that Altair Education would release the news first.
But conversely, isn't this good for us?
With this, we can't turn back anymore.
Entry into online business and correspondence course via the internet...
Our study methods will carve out a future for the students in our country.
We'll be getting busy from now, Kosaka-sensei.
Yes.
A toast to our study methods...
What's wrong? Continue.
- Igarashi... - "Our study methods", huh?
How low will you stoop?
I was the one who came up with Tomon's education methods!
This guy here is just copying all my methods!
I already told you about the merger, didn't I?
As you didn't take a decisive stand, I was the one who decided.
It's not that I couldn't take a decisive stand. I was simply not interested.
The study methods that I staked my life to come up with...
would never be communicated properly on the internet.
The face-to-face tuition that we've always insisted on doing...
How can you simply throw that away like that!
Because it's old.
Huh?
With such a convenient tool in the world,
I don't understand the point in having face-to-face tuition anymore.
What!?
Your method is already behind the times.
Is it really better to conduct lessons without seeing the students' faces!?
Hey, Kimura! Do you really agree with that?
I already do.
You've been talking about money all the time.
Saying such sentimental words now doesn't resonate with me at all.
Is that so? In any case, I'm the representative of the company.
I absolutely won't allow any selfish behaviour like that.
"Find the coordinates of the intersection of y=x^2 and y=x+6."
Hmm?
Hmm...
- Maki, do you have a moment? - What?
Oh, sorry. You're right in the middle of studying for Todai.
[Tora-san and the 48 successive Madonnas]
What's this? [Tora-san and the 48 successive Madonnas]
What's this?
Hey. I'm hungry. Will you make something?
- Udon will be great~ - Do it yourself.
Ah... my head hurts.
Ah. Ouch ouch ouch. It hurts~
- Your birthday is coming. - Oh, I forgot.
What? You actually forgot your own birthday.
- Is there anything that you want? - No.
Then shall we go somewhere? Like a day trip to the onsen.
It's fine. You don't have to do anything.
Hey. Look at this.
Don't you think this is good?
My customers told me this.
It's in Chiba but it's near the station.
If we set up a shop here, it'll definitely be profitable!
What should I do...?
Shall we go and take a look next time?
Where will you find the money for this?
That's why I hope that you can help me out here.
Don't you dislike leading a life where we can barely make ends meet?
It's impossible for me. I can't increase my hours of part-time work.
Why?
I already told you I have to study.
Listen, that's enough. Wake up.
I know what that man is scheming.
He's making use of you for promotional purposes, isn't he?
Like "I taught a poor, pitiful girl how to study" and...
then he will release a hypocritical book on it.
If not, he wouldn't teach someone he doesn't know for free.
You've been cheated, you know?
Shall I talk to him once more?
That's enough! You're annoying.
What's with this attitude?
I said that because I'm thinking for you.
You're just like your father.
You have the same bad points as him.
Maki, since I gave birth to you, think of how we can survive.
Thanks for the food.
Look at the reality.
I'm sure you will end up crying.
I'm the one who cares the most about your happiness!
- I'm going to school. - Maki.
Wait. I haven't finished talking!
Maki!
It hurts...
Excuse me for intruding...
Alright.
Yes, third baseman!
You're early today.
Ah!
Please be quiet.
- Um... what about baseball? - Eh?
Club activities.
I quit. I have my entrance exams.
I see.
I'm going to take Todai's entrance exams.
- Todai!? - Eh?
- What? Is it that surprising? - Ah... no.
Since I'm going to take the exams, I might as well aim for the best.
Yeah.
- M. E. - Hmm?
Your name.
Ah... Maki Endo.
Oh... I'm Yuta Okita.
- Hi, Yuta. - Hi, Maki!
What was that?
- Senpai! - Oh.
Thank you very much!
Oh yes. Do you know this?
What's this? "Tora-san".
Ah... my Grandma used to watch that all the time.
Someone told me that if I can memorise all the 48 names,
I can qualify for Todai.
What's that? That's very funny.
- Isn't it? - I mean...
How did Tora-san look like?
Like this?
No. This looks like Tora-san's father instead.
Eh? Tora-san looked like this. Eh~!
I thought this is very similar though.
- Then, Maki Endo. Try drawing it. - No no. It's impossible for me.
At this rate, Tomon will surely come to nothing.
No matter what Kimura says, absolutely don't sell out your shares.
Ah, sorry about that. Please.
[Tomon Seminar Ltd. Shareholders Registry]
Yes, this is also a bolt from the blue for me. [Tomon Seminar Ltd. Shareholders Registry]
Yes, this is also a bolt from the blue for me.
Thank you very much.
The form of y=ax is... Hmm?
Alright.
I'll do my best.
Hmm...
Damn it... quadratic functions!
- Good afternoon. - Welcome.
Welcome. He's already here.
What's with you today? Is there a wedding reception?
Were you charmed by me in a suit?
You look like a debt collector.
By the way, what's going to happen to the cram school?
Huh?
It was on the news recently.
Ah. There is no problem.
More importantly, how far have you progressed?
Are you kidding?
- Just this? - Eh!?
I thought I did my best though.
Hey.
How long did you take to solve a question?
Hmm... 30 minutes?
That's...
You take too much time!
- Eh... isn't that normal? - It's not.
Listen, you're not doing your homework.
- You're sitting for the entrance exams. - But it can't be helped.
There are many things that I don't understand.
As I said, when you don't know...
You should look at explanation at the back. I already told you.
Well, when I look at this, I feel as if I'm cheating...
There's no point if I don't do this on my own.
Are you serious!?
Try doing this question here.
Find the coordinates...
...of the intersection of y=x+2 and y=2x-1.
You can't do it?
I can't.
It can't be helped.
I'll explain it in a way that even you can understand.
1 apple and 5 strawberries have the same price.
1 apple and 3 mandarin oranges also have the same price.
Which is to say, 5 strawberries and 3 mandarin oranges have the same price.
Yeah.
If you consider y as the apples, what will it become?
x+2 and 2x-1 are the same.
Which means x+2 = 2x-1.
Yes. That's the substitution method.
This is the rumoured substitution method.
All that's left is to solve it.
The coordinates of the intersection are x=3, y=5.
Correct.
I did it...
I finally conquered mathematical functions.
As I said, everything has been written here.
- Ah, it's true. - It is.
That's why I told you to hurry up and look at the explanation.
From now, even if you have to do more difficult questions...
As long as you understand the way of thinking,
it will lead you properly to the correct answer.
Conversely, if you don't know the way of thinking, you won't find the answer even after a year.
So that's what you mean.
From now on, think for 5 minutes.
If you still don't know, look at the answer and remember how to solve it in 5 minutes.
You will be able to solve in 10 minutes the questions you previously took 30 minutes for.
Ah. I'm finally convinced.
Hey, you... Trust me more.
Yes.
Yuta!
- Oh, Seina. - Are you going to cram school?
Yeah.
That girl. She's from the night school. Are you close to her?
- Why? - An incident occurred recently.
When the culprit was arrested, she was together with him, I heard.
So I'm wondering if she's clean.
Well, she's totally normal. Or rather, she's a good girl.
I see. If that's the case, it's fine.
Sorry, I have to go.
- See you. - Yeah!
Toko...!?
Well then, it's time to begin.
The topic of discussion today is the merger with Altair Education.
This is Takami, the managing director in charge of M&A for Altair Education...
and his lawyer, Miyama.
Without further ado, I shall explain.
Please wait.
Kimura, I already told you that I won't acknowledge this.
Everyone, this ruckus was...
caused by the selfish actions of some of our executives.
It is not my intention at all.
Tomon Seminar will continue to operate as before.
Please be at ease.
Are you going to ignore my opinion?
Yes.
Let's take a vote quickly.
Is there anyone here who agrees on the business partnership with Altair Education?
Kimura, you bastard...
You understand, don't you? This is our unanimous decision.
Tomon Seminar will become a subsidiary of Altair Education.
Hey. Wait.
What can you convey through lessons where you don't even see the students' faces?
When you look at their faces and talk directly,
you will know what the students are seeking from us, right?
You and you... hey, and you.
Because we did that, the students entered Todai and we have this today, isn't it?
The face-to-face lessons that we were fixated on...
If we do away with that, what else is there?
And what's with you all of a sudden?
What are you plotting?
Taking revenge against your ex-husband?
Eh?
I just came here to do my job as a lawyer.
We'll be in touch with you again regarding this matter.
Time to study.
[Mother]
What?
Hello. Are you Chieko's daughter?
Yes, I am.
Your mother collapsed.
Eh!?
Surprise!
Maki! Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
- Are you surprised? - Of course you will be. You were fooled.
Sorry, I was the one who called.
Come on, come on. The star should sit in the middle!
Over here~
It's true.
As the rumours say, you look like Chieko-chan. You're a beauty.
Right? But you can't go after her.
Yes~
Look, isn't this amazing? Everyone helped to prepare this.
Look~
- Hmm? - Oh!
That's enough!
Mom... why are you like this?
Eh? Why are you angry?
I already told you I don't need anything for my birthday.
And yet, why do you do this?
Don't use me as an excuse to make merry.
Why do you always do such things for yourself?
But I thought Maki would be happy with this...
Because you're like this, Father left us!
Where's Father? He'll come back, right?
Aren't you the one who needs to look at the reality?
What's with wanting to run your own shop?
When you can't even do anything by yourself.
After all, a man probably helped to search for it. Isn't that so?
- Maki! - I knew it!
Do you know why I want to get out of this life quickly?
I... don't want to become someone like you!
What was that!? Jeez..!
Notice of re-examination results
Mom.
I said too much yesterday. Sorry.
Mom?
[I'll do my best with him.]
[I'm borrowing your money.]
Hey.
We'll give you a high severance pay.
It's not about the money.
Oh!
What's wrong?
- My mother left. - Huh?
She took my money and ran off.
Today is the worst day of my life.
What a coincidence.
Me too.
I was booted out of the cram school.
Eh?
I've had enough of this place.
It's farewell.
So what will you do from now?
I don't know. I haven't thought of anything yet.
I guess this is not the time for you to take Todai's entrance exams.
Shall we stop here?
This shady, cram school teacher...
has become just a shady man.
Sorry for dragging you into this.
Mitsumoto Sachiko!
Sato Orie, Aratama Michiyo, Kurihara Komaki, Nagayama Aiko,
Wakao Ayako, Sakakibara Rumi, Ikeuchi Junko, Yoshinaga Sayuri,
Yachigusa Kaoru, Asaoka Ruriko, Kishi Keiko, Yoshinaga Sayuri,
Toake Yukiyo, Asaoko Ruriko, Kashiyama Fumie, Taichi Kiwako,
Kyo Machiko, Maya Kyoko, Fujimura Shiho, Kinomi Nana,
Ohara Reiko, Momoi Kaori, Kagawa Kyoko, Asaoka Ruriko,
Ito Ran, Matsuzaka Keiko, Otonashi Mikiko, Ishida Ayumi,
Tanaka Yuko, Miyako Harumi, Takeshita Keiko, Nakahara Rie,
Ohara Reiko, Higuchi Kanako, Kurihara Komaki, Shihomi Etsuko,
Takeshita Keiko, Akiyoshi Kumiko, Mita Yoshiko, Takeshita Keiko,
Goto Kumiko, Goto Kumiko, Goto Kumiko, Goto Kumiko,
Matsuzaka Keiko, Katase Rino, Asaoka Ruriko.
How about that!
You said you'll help me to earn money, right?
You said you'll grant my wish, didn't you?
Don't drag me into this and then end it as you please!
Make me enter Todai!
I only have this left!
Cherry blossoms surely never thought of falling.
The memory of the beautiful, blooming flowers will...
...make the next flowers bloom again.
[336 days to Todai entrance exams]
Subtitles by carameltz