♬～(theme song)
♬～
(Masa) Sakurako failed the entrance exams at music school,
she has decided to continue her studies
under professor Saionji for a year in Tokyo
before taking the entrance exams again
she couldn't count on the financial support from her family,
she has to support herself from work, it was difficult to practice the piano
(Mari) ah,she is finally up (Sakurako) how can you dance and sing
carefree every single night!?
(Yasuji) we are just so shallow
Sakurako was at her wit's end,
(Togo Sugi) and learned the toughness of life from a painter, Togo
(Togo) these people here are not staying
in Tokyo for careless easy life
they love painting and want to paint so much, that's why they are here
I want to take the entrance exams once more! I can't give up like this
(Fueko) no matter what happens to you, even if you die from hunger,
it's none of my concern!
♬～
even Fueko has given up on Sakurako,
it was Iso who paid for her expensive piano lesson
(Iso) do your best
Many difficulties lie ahead of her,
Sakurako must do her best for Iso who gave her
financial support in secret
April, 1938 good morning! (children) Furronier!
Furronier... no, it's Marronier apartment where Sakurako moved in,
they gave her discount for her rent
in exchange for do the cleaning every morning
♬～
good morning
please get up! please get up! (Mari) shut up!
they say "The early bird catches the worm obtained" please get up!
ah! "The early bird catches....
(Yasuji Matsuoka) I know it's not true from my experience
so I go back to sleep, good night I need to clean under there!
please get up! ah, money!
right it's not right!
this is my money! (Yae) good morning, Sakurako chan
good morning!
You have your first lesson with professor Saionji today, Sakurako chan
(Hatsumi) I see! all the best! thanks
(Hatsumi Onodera) if you study under the professor,
you'll surely pass the exams next year!
I'll do my best!
(Mari Tachibana) Life is not that easy.
♬～
why do you say that! don't worry about her
♬～
Sakurako is to have professor Saionji's first lesson at last
after overcoming various difficulty
hello, how do you do?
(Matsuo) Shizu san is at the kitchen door
I am Arimori, Sakurako Arimori
Miss Arimori your lesson is from 3 o'clock
yes I came a little early
is it too early?
this way, please yes
(female student A) is that really?
(Ruriko) that's right the professor is...
my name is Sakurako Arimori nice to meet you all
(Ruriko Iwamizawa) how do you do? why don't you sit there?
ah...
(flashback) how can you be so excited about passing just 1st stage exam?
I hope to see you at the entrance ceremony.
we met at the entrance exam, right?
at the result of the 1st stage at Toko Conservatorium of Music
did we?
well... you are here doesn't mean you fail, if I may ask?
I've been learning from the professor in this class since I was 4 years old
how can I possibly fail?
I came here to say hello to everyone today
how about you? did you pass?
I.. am going to study under the professor here for a year
and try it again next year
I see
♬～
(laughter) (female student B) stop it
♬～(piano)
that is so good! professor Saionji
plays so well (laughter)
your name was Sakurako san? you have a good sense of humor
have a look from that door
♬～(piano)
that child plays the piano so well,
Sakurako was astonished to find the high standard in Tokyo
(knock) (Saionji) come in
hello
I'm Sakurako Arimori I look forward to working with you for a year
so do I
you didn't give me any specific assignment,
so I prepared the set piece for the entrance exam
is that okay, sir? sure
here we go
(Saionji) um, it smells nice
this is lavender tea that is said to calm you down
would you like some? well, but how about the lesson...
3 pm you want to stop everything
and listen to the wind pardon...
do you have to play the piano? yes, I do
then please play your favorite tune
something mellow
yes
♬～(Home! Sweet Home!)
let's go
♬～(Home! Sweet Home!)
sir, sir, sir! ah
I dozed off I felt so good
(door opens) (Tatsuhiko) excuse me
(Saionji) yes
sir, I brought you the information on informal social gathering
ah! Arimori
oh, I got it you are both from Okazaki
♬～
I was worried about you as you didn't come back you are still in Tokyo
the professor said
"why don't you try it next year?"
but... what's wrong?
nothing, see you ah, wait
where are you living now? Marronier apartment
that apartment!? why are you still there?
with these people!
don't say that! they are all kind
when I told them,
I wanted to stay in Tokyo they bargained my rent as well as found me a job
job... don't they send you money?
I failed the exams
they won't send me money at all
my situation is different from you, Tatsuhiko san
see you! wait a minute!
♬～
(postman) mail thank you very much
♬～
(Sakurako Arimori) ah, Sakura chan!
"aunt Iso, thank you very much for covering my tuition for the lesson
I am really grateful
I am enjoying my new life in Tokyo
and studying hard every day."
that's so annoying! that's enough!
"there are some difficulties,
but the fact I can study music every day
so my joy always come at the top
how is everyone over there? are they okay?
I hope to come home for the first anniversary of father's death
and reconcile with Fue nechan (older sister) sincerely"
(Tokujiro) hello, I'm coming in yes
here's Miso pickles of the meat thank you very much!
ah, the first anniversary of Genichiro's death is just around the corner...
I wonder what Sakurako is doing in Tokyo
really instead of wasting her time on music
she should come home right
(Tokujiro) come back soon
excuse me
you surprised me who told you about this?
from Hatsumi san at school
excuse me (Izo) welcome!
come to restaurant and say "excuse me" isn't right
(Tatsuhiko) true (Ruriko) hello
I was in the same class with Tatsuhiko san in musicology
then he said
"he was to visit Sakurako's restaurant"
interesting restaurant
I'll bring some water now (Ruriko) no, thanks
I want to speak to Sakurako san
what is it?
please give up professor Saionji's lesson
wait a second you came here to say that?
let me speak
Sakurako san, what would you like to be in the future?
I... if you go to his class,
you want to be a professional musician, right?
that is right
I think it's impossible, no, just impossible
because my piano isn't good enough?
it's beyond your technique
if you have to work in a place like this
to support yourself,
even with professor Saionji's best support
it's impossible to become a professional musician
♬～
I'll be frank with you poor people can't become musicians
♬～