- Didn't he go back to his parents' house? - Parents' house!?
A person who left the town shouldn't be making fun of this!
Bro wasn't like that when he was a kid though.
It's fine if she gets hurt herself,
but she won't bear it if her children are hurt.
Mothers are just made to be like that.
So what was that? Essential point of a fisherman.
As a fisherman, wanting to convey that to the future generations
is the most important spirit.
Whether you have an illness or not, I will aim for Todai.
There are still many things that I want you to teach me.
It will get even tougher from now on but...
- Follow me closely. - Yes.
I'm home~
Ah! Hello, Kuro-chan. Will you come to the shop? What time?
- Hey. - Ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha!
Yeah, yeah. Then, I'll be waiting. Bye~
Hey...
What? Are you getting married to that man?
Huh?
You went to his parents' house. What was that? Did you go and greet his parents?
- What are you saying? - Congratulations.
Huh?
Good for you. You're marrying a rich man! Good job!
I don't know what you mean!
I'm the one who doesn't know what you mean, you idiot!
- Idiot? - What was that?
You said you were deceived by that man but then...
Suddenly, "I'm at Sensei's parents' house so I won't return today".
There's no way I can understand what happened.
Hey, you. Don't tell me you gave that man your precious... "that"...
- "That"? - For free?
For free?
What the heck are you talking about?
It's not a matter of whether I receive money for that or not.
I mean, of course not!
I just thought I'm at fault so I wanted to talk about it...
Is that so! Then...
- Say whatever you like. - Hey...
I thought that life will go the way I intended when I put my mind to it.
The ideals and dreams which I imagined.
However, the reality destroys those dreams.
[Juken no Cinderella]
There are 25 sessions of radiation therapy. 5 times every week, for 5 weeks.
If there are no problems, you can be discharged from hospital next month.
I have to eat the tasteless hospital food for 1 month, huh.
The food here recently is quite good.
I'm looking forward to a foie gras set.
There isn't such a thing here. Later, for the first session of radiation...
Sensei. If you're going to be hospitalised from today, tell me earlier!
I got a scare when I heard about this suddenly.
Yeah.
Then, see you later. A nurse will come to get you.
Got it.
Well, it's a battle for you from here too.
You have to obtain at least a C grade for the centre test.
Tell me. Essential points for exams.
Leave that to me.
[4.5 months to the centre test] Essential point for exams.
Aim to get 85% correct for the centre test and you'll definitely get 80% correct.
Therefore, your goal is...
160 points for Japanese, 170 points for Math, 180 points for English,
80 points for Science and 175 for Social Studies.
A score of 765 out of the total possible score of 900.
- Such a high score? - You can do it!
The centre test is a multiple-choice test where you select the correct answer from the options.
One of the options is definitely correct.
That will surely give you a hint in advance.
Well, it's true if you put it that way...
To take Todai's second test, first of all, in the centre test,
you have to obtain a higher score than the cut-off point.
For people who are applying to universities of a certain level,
the centre test is simply a passing point.
The test that they definitely have to take.
Essential point for exams.
Think of the centre test as filling up a painting with colours.
Until now, we've been focusing on English, Japanese and Math, and painting densely.
From now, we will paint on the blank parts too.
For the centre test, broad and shallow content will extend across all the fields.
That's why we will start on these three subjects from today.
Geography, you bastard! Earth Science, you bastard! Biology, you bastard!
Essential point for exams.
To deal with centre test, do the past-year questions earnestly.
At the same time, use an optical answer sheet with a size similar to the actual one...
...and practise shading it quickly and accurately.
If you shade out of the oval, you will lose points.
Eh, that will be troubling!
The strategy for the centre test is earnest and repeated practice.
Absolutely don't run away from your weak subjects!
Face your weaknesses proactively and fight earnestly!
The moment you get cold feet,
anxiety will strike and you won't be able to move forward.
That's why you should take the initiative yourself!
Um, Igarashi-san. Don't talk loudly in the ward...
Oh, sorry about that.
Well then, complete 5 pages each for Geography, Biology and Earth Science by tomorrow.
- I will complete 10 pages. - How reliable.
- Alright, do your best. - You too, Sensei!
Yeah! Bring it on!
Please refrain from talking loudly in the ward!
Sorry.
- Please go up the step and sit down. - Yes.
Please take off your shoes and lie flat on your back.
Please move up slightly.
[September, 2016] Oh? Where's your mother?
Ah... Mom is busy with work so... [September, 2016]
Ah... Mom is busy with work so...
No... but this is a meeting for the parent, child and teacher.
Please begin.
Who would have expected you to say that you want to go to Todai.
- Are you really serious? - Of course.
Well, it's true that your results have improved by leaps and bounds lately but
for you who couldn't even calculate fractions to enter Todai, a miracle has to happen...
I will make a miracle happen. Yes.
Are you really going to take the entrance exams?
I will really make a miracle happen.
I have to. Yes.
Essential point for exams. For the centre test, fill in everything on the answer sheet.
Listen. To do that, you have to control your pace when doing the questions.
When you attempt the past-year questions,
set the timer to 5 minutes shorter than the given time.
Set the timer.
I can't do anything at all. You've been on my mind, Maki.
Absolutely don't run away from your weak subjects!
You should take the initiative yourself!
Don't run away. Take the initiative.
Alright.
Before I could talk to you, you already noticed me.
Ah... what's up?
Ah, um...
I just thought that we haven't been talking at all recently.
Well, there was the summer break, too.
How do I say this? What I wanted to say is...
For now, let's work hard for the exams. After that, if we both pass...
- Well, I mean... - Sorry!
For saying foolish things like I don't care about the exams.
I didn't consider your feelings at all.
No, not at all... You don't have to apologise.
But I'm studying properly now.
That's something I should do, of course. But I do want us to pass together.
When April comes and if both of us pass...
Yuta!
- Sorry to keep you waiting. - Yeah.
Oh, I'm sorry for disturbing.
Bye.
- Hey, wait. - Hmm?
I think it's better to tell you this.
Yuta and I are dating.
Oh, is that so.
Sorry.
I see.
My break time ended, huh?
Alright, time to focus on studying.
The hospital bed doesn't suit you at all.
What did you say? Of course it doesn't suit me.
- How's your condition? - None the worse.
There aren't any side effects. It's an easy victory.
I see.
You're going to America soon, aren't you? When will you depart?
Hmm... You're going to ask me that?
- They turned me down. - Eh?
The person over there who was supposed to quit will be staying...
...so there is enough manpower, they said.
I am already all prepared over here and yet...
Isn't that terrible? Ah... I knew it.
Nothing good has ever come out from getting involved with you.
- Is that my fault? - Who else could it be?
Hey, you. My students have said that if they put me as their phone's wallpaper,
good luck will come to them.
It didn't come to me though.
- Eh? - What?
Did you use my photo as your phone's wallpaper?
Um... that was just after we got married.
- I see. - Huh?
Even you were cute in the past.
I was just young.
I was just foolish.
- Is that so? - What's with that carefree attitude?
Which photo did you use?
Huh? I don't know.
Ah... hey, wait!
- Igarashi! - Be quiet.
You're regarding us as outsiders. Why didn't you tell us about your illness?
- Sorry. - Komiya, you too.
Why didn't you tell us anything? You were putting on airs.
Your choice of words is strange. There are confidentiality reasons involved.
But you look better than I expected.
Yeah. When we heard from Toko-san...
- We were so shocked. Right? - Yeah.
- I wasted my effort in worrying! - Hey. Worry about me.
Then, I guess you don't need this anymore.
- Why? - Well, I spent 20 thousand on this!
Don't tell me the price.
- Toko-san. - Ah...
Why did you turn down the offer to go to America?
Huh, what are you saying? Of course that didn't happen.
Really?
As I thought, you lied that they turned you down.
Did you do that for Igarashi?
No.
- It's for myself. - Eh?
After all, he doesn't have anyone who can look after him, right?
That's why I just thought that as his ex-wife,
I shouldn't let him inconvenience you all.
Is that so?
Well, it's about bringing this to a conclusion, I guess.
A conclusion... huh.
- What? - Nothing.
I hope you are doing well. I'm calling from Kowa High School.
- I'm Maki's form teacher, Takanashi. - Oh, hello~
Oh, did Maki do something?
Ah, no. As you didn't attend...
the meeting today, I just wanted to speak to you.
- Eh? - Maki-san is really working very hard.
Her grades are improving by leaps and bounds.
- Although she's improved... - Was there a parent and teacher meeting?
- Yes. - I didn't hear.
- Huh? - I didn't hear about that!
Alright.
Ah... I feel terrible...
Ah... damn it! Parent and teacher meeting? I didn't hear about it!
She made a fool of me. Ah... damn it!
[5 weeks later]
The tumour has shrunk after 5 weeks of radiation therapy.
You may be discharged.
It hasn't disappeared... right?
It's a fact that it has shrunk. From now, visit the hospital and
let's continue with the anti-cancer drug treatment.
And have you heard of palliative care?
Do you mean end-of-life care?
...So that means we've already given up.
- That's completely wrong. - Eh?
Until lately, it was thought to be end-of-life care but
that's not the case now.
Stopping pain and suppressing side effects from the anti-cancer drugs...
Without being controlled by your illness...
It enables you to lead a normal lifestyle like the time when you were healthy.
It's intended for you to be yourself... I guess.
Does that mean I can continue to talk down to everyone?
Yes.
- I'm in! - Alright.
Congrats on leaving the hospital!
This is somewhat overly exaggerated.
- You look good in the hat. - Is that so?
Yes~ thanks for waiting!
This is to celebrate your discharge from hospital. Yes.
I can't possibly eat all that.
My appetite has decreased during recuperation.
Eat up and regain your energy~
What's this? How creepy. Are you drunk already?
This person here... When Igarashi-san was hospitalised,
he thought he should do something too and didn't drink a single drop of alcohol.
Huh!?
I thought you shouldn't be the only one suffering.
Hey, you. Since the past, your trifling good nature has always caused you to lose out, huh?
What do you mean by trifling!?
Then, Maki-chan and Toko-chan, please eat a lot on his behalf.
- Eat up. Eat up. - I shall partake~
It's rare to see Igarashi wearing a hat. Let's take a photo.
- It's fine. No thanks. - No, no. Let me take a photo. A photo...
- Why should I!? - A photo. A photo. Hurry up.
The tumour has shrunk.
Even when he was pushed down from the stairs,
he only grazed himself.
His survival ability is comparable to a cockroach's. He will be fine.
Alright, I'm taking it. Yes, cheese.
Alright!
Eh, what do you mean? Why am I not the one?
I'm working hard at my club activities too.
We can only recommend 1 person to Meikyo University. Please understand.
Eh... do you mean you will be recommending another person instead?
Your recent end-semester test results and your academic test results before that have dropped.
From the school's perspective, it's only natural to recommend a better candidate.
- You were really in deep concentration. - Eh, was I really?
Well, when I saw the back view of you working so hard,
I felt rushed to concentrate too. How do I say this? Psyched up?
Yeah... it's like a prayer, I guess.
As long as I study really hard,
Sensei will get better, I feel.
- What do you mean? - Ah... nothing.
- Is that so? - Yes.
Ah, oh yes. Just now, I heard, "Hmm hmm".
- You were mumbling, weren't you? - Ah!
Oh yes. I don't really understand the explanation here...
- Here. This one. - Ah...
Is Maki-chan studying hard?
- Hmm? I don't know. None of my business. - Eh...
You're really a terrible mother.
Welcome.
Chi-chan?
What do you want?
Can you get out of the way?
Ah!
Leave!
That isn't the way to talk to your customers, is it?
I'm returning the money to you, am I not?
You're only paying back the interest.
You're scaring Chi-chan!
- Stop this...! - Why are you getting worked up?
- Cool down with this. - Oh!
Stop it...!
Kuro-chan has sensitive skin...!
Then, before Kuro-chan's skin breaks out...
Return the money by this year.
[December, 2016]
Here are my results of the recent mock test!
C grade!? Eh? Eh!
This is amazing, Maki-chan! We have to celebrate.
Well, this is really a wonderful Christmas present.
Hey, don't be happy too early. From now...
I know.
I'm still lacking points in my weak areas so
I will continue to strengthen them.
- That's it. - I will work harder.
Therefore...
Compliment me a little.
You worked hard.
Alright, let's reserve the whole place for ourselves and celebrate.
Let's have a Christmas party~
- Merry Christmas! - Merry Christmas!
- Here. A tree-style okonomiyaki. - Wow~ amazing!
- It's cute. - Isn't it? Right?
Alright~
- What? - Merry Christmas.
Hey, you should at least knock before you enter the room.
There isn't any Santa who will knock before entering. Santa is always trespassing.
Here you go. A Christmas present.
[Marriage Registration]
[Endo Chieko]
I'm getting married.
Huh!?
Eh, marriage!? With this Kuroda-san?
Kuro-chan. You've met him several times, haven't you?
Why? And why now?
- It's the timing, I guess. - Huh?
Didn't you always say that men are trash, unreliable, untrustworthy and that you should make use of them?
Did I really say all that?
I don't understand.
Kuro-chan has rented an apartment in the neighbourhood.
And so, I will be leaving this place.
Igarashi, it's hard for me to say this but the tumour is bigger than before.
Let's try another medicine. There may be side effects though.
That isn't a big deal.
I'm counting on you, Komiya.
I can't drop the ball here.
I seriously can't believe this.
She has always been unreasonable.
She suddenly left and then came back with a debt. This time round, she's getting married!?
Jeez, this is going way too fast. I have no idea what's happening.
Or rather, it's scary. Jeez, my head is a mess.
Does she even have a lowest limit?
Well, this is certainly unexpected.
That aside, Sensei, you live in an amazing place, as expected.
You don't have many things!
I only come back here to sleep.
I see.
From here, you can certainly feel as if you're close to Tokyo Tower.
I guess.
Probably around the time when I was 5 years old, I guess...
I went up the Tokyo Tower with my parents. The three of us.
At that time, there was... You know, the one with the string...
A floating balloon, right?
- The one with helium inside? - Yes.
I forgot which character it was but...
My father bought it for me so I was very happy.
But the gas in the balloon escaped from it in about a week.
It gradually deflated and couldn't float anymore.
It was really saddening.
Somehow, I felt as if the happy memories had deflated along with the balloon...
A short while later, my father left the house.
I really came to dislike my father.
What were those happy memories for?
At that time, the balloon had deflated so
my father also left us, I guess. I kept thinking that.
They are not related to each other.
But I certainly thought that.
That's why I decided that I won't recall the memories at Tokyo Tower anymore.
But then, recently, Mom told me that the reason Dad left was
because she got herself another man.
- Eh!? - She's the worst, isn't she?
She was lying to me all the time.
And after I found out the truth, I thought...
"Oh? If only Dad had brought me along with him."
I guess Dad disliked me after all.
And I got depressed again.
Somehow, I don't know anymore.
It's not your fault that the balloon deflated.
Besides, the balloon certainly floated, right?
Eh?
You were happy, weren't you?
Yeah.
Don't deny yourself those feelings.
Sensei.
The balloon certainly floated.
Oh, Maki!
- Hey. - Hmm?
Um...
Take this with you!
This is not enough at all!
When will you pay us back in full?
Your daughter is 18 years old, right?
If she helps you, you can return the money immediately.
It's none of her business.
- There's no way it isn't! - I've cut off ties with her!
A child like her who doesn't listen to me...
I don't regard her as my child at all. I'm getting married.
My new husband will be a joint guarantor. He said we will pay back the debt together.
Therefore, wait a little while longer!
I heard from Maki-san. That you're getting married.
What did that girl say?
"Just how selfish is she?"
Ha ha ha... so did you only come to say that?
With this, you should be able to pay back all your debts.
How much do you want to humiliate me until you're satisfied?
I won't accept charity from someone like you.
I see... You're right.
Ah... Sorry, I made a mistake.
Giving charity is not my style.
Alright.
Then, with this money as the bet, will you have a match with me?
- Huh? A match!? - Yes.
- Welcome. - Oh, what's up?
Who is she?
- Endo Maki's mother. - Eh? Maki-chan's mother?
We will be using the area at the back.
You're taking a long time.
Can I make 2 wishes?
Ah... you're praying not only for the success
for the centre test, but also for the second test?
Then, I have 3 wishes. Am I too greedy?
Alright, I'll give another 100 yen.
Eh... you're getting along well.
Seina?
Hey, Yuta. Why...
Why her?
I put my own matters aside and only thought of you wholeheartedly.
Because of that, I failed to be recommended.
Hey. What do you really want?
Do you have a grudge against me?
- Don't instigate Yuta! - Hey!
If you go to Todai together with Yuta,
I will kill myself.
- What are you saying? - I'm serious.
Then, kill yourself.
I'm definitely going to Todai.
That's why it doesn't matter to me whether you die or not.
For me, there's someone I really wish would live no matter what!
Therefore, if you want to die, die and give your life to him.
Can you not say things like your life is ending because of me?
You're just sulking and blaming it on other people.
Nothing will ever start!
Even I actually like Yuta very much.
But I'm not in the situation to say things like that now...
And the two of you are dating so I'm holding back and studying now...
Eh, what do you mean? I'm not dating Seina.
- Huh? - Eh, did you lie to me?
- What lie? - During your most difficult period...
- You relied on me, didn't you? - I just wanted to talk to anyone...
Would anyone do? You actually wanted this girl, right?
What's the difference between us!?
"This girl, this girl". You're annoying.
Ah... how troublesome.
I don't care anymore so can you not get in my way?
Yes!
Maki-chan. This is bad! Igarashi and your mother are...
Eh?
Come to the shop as soon as possible!
Okay.
Maki!
Make your choice. It's either me or her.
Sorry.
I see.
Why don't you go?
Go!
Ah!
Ah, Maki-chan. Maki-chan.
What's this?
- What's happening? - A match.
A match?
Grill 20 pieces of okonomiyaki.
Huh?
Let's have a match to see who can finish eating 10 pieces first.
This is reckless. Your appetite decreased, didn't it?
- Never mind that. Start grilling. - What is this?
If you win, I will give you this money.
And if I lose?
Don't ever come near Maki again.
Fine.
- Eh!? - Usami. Next.
Your pace has slowed down. Is this all you've got?
Huh?
Hey... wait. Why are you two doing such a stupid thing!?
- Shut up! - Shut up!
Be quiet and watch. Come on.
Hey, don't stand there in a daze. Bring the water to me.
Ah... yes.
Here, here, here.
- Over here too! - Yes.
- Alright, 2 pieces are ready. - Hey, you.
- Bring this over. - Yes.
Sensei, are you alright?
- I'm fine. Don't interfere. - Stop this already.
- I won't stop this. - Sensei!
I can't do this anymore.
Are you giving up the match?
It's already impossible for me. My stomach is going to burst.
Oh well, it's not really that bad. Ha ha ha.
Well then, please promise me that you will never come near Maki again.
Fine. I'll give her to you.
Take care.
It's a relief that I no longer have to see your face again.
When I see you, I'm reminded of your father.
I'm reminded of that asshole's face.
You got yourself another man because he's an asshole?
He gambled, borrowed money, drank alcohol and got violent.
He was just a jinx. He truly was.
I was desperate. I couldn't let him take away my last bit of happiness.
What was that? Are you saying that now?
Ah... I feel terrible...
Your mother was crying.
Eh?
Please wait. Are you really fine with this?
About what?
That you won't care about Maki anymore?
If that's the case, why did you accept my match?
Huh? It's obvious, isn't it? I can get money if I win.
Then why did you quit the match when you could still eat?
Did you withdraw because you were thinking for Maki?
It was like this too in the past, wasn't it?
To protect Maki, you relied on another man.
Isn't Maki the last bit of happiness that you wanted to protect?
You're annoying! What is it? What do you want?
You're the one who suggested the match. And it has already ended!
Maki chose you. She cast me aside.
That's why I will cast her aside too.
I can't live for much longer.
What's that?
I've been told that I only have a few months left because of a brain tumour.
Is Igarashi-sensei the person that you wish would live?
I only have this year.
I absolutely have to pass.
Sensei, that's unfair.
There's no way I can ever win against that.
I can't possibly win.
You're wrong.
- I'm the one who can't win. - Huh?
The only thing I can do is to help Maki qualify for Todai.
I can't do anything beyond that.
In the past, I thought that my father was worthless.
I dashed out of my house and came to Tokyo.
After that, I hardly went back.
But this year, I went back home after many years.
What are you trying to say?
I have a home.
My Dad and sister are there. They're the same as usual.
I didn't realise such an obvious thing.
Of how blissful it is to have a place that I can return to.
To Maki-san, you're her one and only mother.
Please become the place that Maki-san can return to.
[January, 2017]
What is the property that keeps the state [January, 2017]
What is the property that keeps the state
of the fluid environment in the body constant?
[10 days to the centre test] of the fluid environment in the body constant?
- Homeostasis. - Alright, you're doing well.
- After that, her mother didn't come back. - I see...
The basic functional unit of the kidney, the nephron...
There are around 1 million nephrons in a kidney.
Correct.
That guy is ill? You've got to be kidding.
Do you think we called you out here to tell you a joke?
I see.
He got his punishment.
Why do you say that? You can't remain obstinate forever...
Shut up! I have nothing to do with him anymore!
That's why I don't care either way!
I won't sympathise with him!
Damn it...
Damn it!
Hold it properly! My body!
[Make Endo Maki qualify for Todai]
[Centre test]
May I not have a stomachache tomorrow.
Oh no!
Ah~ I overslept!
Why did I oversleep on such an important day of all days?
Jeez!
I just came to take my clothes.
While I was making Kuro-chan's bento, I made your bento at the same time.
I've been telling others that my daughter wants to enter Todai.
In that way, my customers will look at me in a different way.
Don't you disgrace me.
I got it.
I'll be going.
Maki!
Do your best!
[University entrance exams centre test venue]
Sensei!
- How's your condition? - Perfect.
- Are you nervous? - Not at all.
Essential point for exams.
To relieve your anxiety, think of all the other candidates as gobies.
Gobies? The fishes?
- Yes. - Why?
There's no way we will lose to gobies.
Go and eat them up.
Yes!
I thought that life will go the way I intended when I put my mind to it.
The ideals and dreams which I imagined.
However, the reality destroys those dreams.
Unfortunately, he may suddenly take a turn for the worse any moment.
Eh...?
I wonder why...?
Even though I already knew this.
However, it's fine even if the opposite happens, isn't it?
Even if there's a moment when a dream smashes the reality.
Right? Endo.
Subtitles by carameltz