I'm going to fight so you'll be able to smile again, Yoko.
I'm going to see Yoko, the sun.
- Hi! - Shige!
Have you married?
No . . . I'm a teacher at the Ariakeyama National School now.
Something good will happen.
That's why we want to give it to you, Yoko Sensei.
Sunshine Chapter 9 "A MARRIAGE MEETING AND A MAUDLIN DRINKER" Episode 49
Would you like some tea, Dad?
Sounds good. How's this?
Did you fix it for me? I'm so happy!
I thought we couldn't use it anymore, but since we've had it since Mom
was alive, I wondered what I'd do without it.
Thank you.
I'm so glad! This makes me so happy.
I'll fix the tea.
Hello.
Okay! It's time to stage my attack.
It's good.
Excuse me!
Coming!
Yes?
Hello.
Hello. What brought you here?
I'm sorry for coming over without any warning.
Hello . . . who is it?
Well . . .
Are you Yoko's father?
Yes.
My name is Maruyama.
I'm terribly sorry for barging in on you like this.
It's okay. I don't mind, but . . .
Yoko and I seem to be stangely destined to meet,
and we keep running into each other by coincidence.
That's right.
Actually, I just had to come here today
to talk to you both and ask you for a favor.
Here you are.
It's nothing much, but this is something from Matsumoto.
It's soba manju (buckwheat sweet bean-jam cakes).
Thank you. That was kind of you.
So, Ms. Maruyama . . . what is it you wanted to talk about?
Yes. I run a soba noodle
restaurant in Matsumoto called "Maru-an." I'm Maruyama Tokuko.
Oh, Maru-an?
I was there once for a company meeting. We used one of your second-floor rooms.
Oh, is that right? Thank you!
Not at all. The soba was exquisite.
Thank you.
But right now, we can't get the buckwheat flour, so
we do what ever we can to stay in business, but we're managing somehow.
Is that right? I see.
Yes.
Oh, it seems we've gotten off the subject. I'm sorry.
No . . . that's okay.
Huh?
Is anything wrong?
I don't know . . .
I feel like I've forgotten something.
Really?
No . . . it's okay. Let me continue.
What?
Mr. Sudo . . .
Yes.
Yoko . . . your daughter . . .
Please let me have your daughter.
I'm sorry!
We have a son named Kazunari.
Won't you let me have Yoko for his bride?
What?
Please let me have her.
Wait . . . what?
You won't agree to it?
It's not that I won't agree to it.
I just don't have any idea what's going on.
That's right . . . pardon me!
Please calm down, Ms. Maruyama.
Thank you.
Please drink your tea.
Thank you.
Are you okay?
Thank you.
Wh-what's wrong?
What I forgot!
Did you remember?
Yes.
I forgot when I came!
What did you forget?
My husband . . . I forgot him at home.
What?
I'm so sorry.
Oh . . . it's terrible!
Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
Maru-an
I thought you were going out with Mom somewhere.
Huh?
So she forgot you again.
Yeah.
Where were you going?
Well . . .
she told me not to tell you.
Oh, no?
His name is Kazunari.
He's 24. Three years older than you, Yoko.
He was drafted into service after graduating from a trade school in Matsumoto.
He was stationed in a regiment in Matsumoto, but was released from service and came home.
But the way things are,
he'll probably be called into the military again.
It may sound strange coming from his mother, but
he's a good man.
He's serious, and hardly talks, but
he works hard, and he's kind-hearted.
But why my Yoko, Ms. Maruyama?
Let me see . . .
the first time I met you, Yoko, was when you were in high school, right?
That's right.
Ever since then, I've thought
about how adorable you are.
And some day, when it's time for my son to take a bride,
I thought it would be nice if it were a nice girl like you.
He's my only son, so when he gets married,
she'll become my daughter, right?
I thought if I spent my life with a girl like this,
it would surely be fun.
I definitely want you to
continue as a school teacher.
It's an important and very respectable occupation.
And I love a woman who works.
I want you to keep on teaching. No . . . you have to keep on teaching.
Please . . . please . . . I'm asking you.
What can I say?
Please . . . raise your head, Ms. Maruyama.
Okay.
Thank you.
Ms. Maruyama?
Yes?
Thank you.
It makes me happy to know that you think of me that way.
I'm really happy. Thank you so much.
Not at all.
But this is the first time something like this has come up for me.
To be honest, I haven't thought that much about marriage.
And besides, it's so sudden that I'm a little confused.
Yes, I'm sure you are.
I'm sorry.
No . . . I'm really happy that you feel that way.
But I want to talk it over carefully with my father
before giving you an answer.
Yes . . . but of course!
I really liked you, too, Ms. Maruyama.
I've always thought you were a wonderful person.
Thank you.
Thank you!
I'm so glad I came.
- Excuse me. - Yes?
May I . . .
offer incense
to your wife . . . to Yoko's mother?
Yes.
Your mother was very beautiful, wasn't she?
Yes.
I asked your mother, too.
I told her that I'd take good care of her daughter.
What?
She said it was all right.
You musn't lie, Ms. Maruyama.
I'm sorry. It was a lie.
I'm sorry!
That was so rude of me.
I'm truly sorry!
It was a real surprise attack.
Sunshine
Then Iet me continue.
Let me have your daughter.
- What? - You won't agree?
It's not that I won't agree to it.
I just don't know what's going on.
Sunshine Chapter 9 "A MARRIAGE MEETING AND A MAUDLIN DRINKER" Episode 50
I'm really sorry for dropping in on you like this,
and creating such a commotion.
Not at all. Take care.
Thank you.
I hope you'll consider my proposal.
Pardon the intrusion. If you'll excuse me.
Excuse me!
Thank you.
I'm sorry, I know it's so sudden.
It's okay.
Thank you . . . for listening to what I had to say.
I'll see you again.
I'll see you.
She left.
I'm exhausted. What was that, anyway?
Showing up here all of a sudden, and asking something like that.
On top of that, it's as if
she's the one you're going to marry, isn't it?
Besides, you don't know what kind of man he is.
I'm sure he's not a bad person, but
it's a bit absurd, isn't it?
What do you want to do? If you like, I can turn it down for you.
Oh . . .
But . . .
But do you . . . ?
Do you want to at least go and meet him?
If that's what you want.
What?
Well, I guess if you don't meet him,
you won't know what kind of person he is.
Dad . . .
What? Tell me everything. Because this is something very important.
Can I go out for a little while?
- Huh? - I'm going out for a while.
I'm stepping out!
Thank you.
What's wrong? Are you okay?
I ran all the way here.
You did? Did anything happen?
Machiko . . . well . . . today . . .
Yes?
To think that Yoko . . .
After all, I'm Yoko, the sun.
Congratulations, Yoko!
Thank you . . . but we haven't gone that far yet.
But you're interested, aren't you?
Hmm, I don't know yet.
From what you just told me, his mother sounds like a fun person.
She really is wonderful.
She's so pretty, and somehow adorable, too.
I see. Isn't that great? Congratulations!
Thanks. I told you . . . it's too early for that.
What is he like?
I won't fall for that again.
That's too bad.
It's embarrassing.
I'll make some tea.
Thank you.
It felt as if I'd gone back to being a girl again after all this time.
I was so happy.
Talking with Machiko like this,
I felt so cheerful and lighthearted. I enjoyed it.
What are you going to do? You'll go to a marriage meeting, won't you?
I don't know . . .
My father said I won't know unless I meet him.
Subtitles brought to you by NHK Timing brought to you by The Sunshine Lovers @ Viki
I see. But that's true, isn't it?
I wonder. I think it's rather sudden, and I don't really need to, but
my father said I should at least meet him.
I see.
That's right.
Your father insists . . . ?
Yes.
I didn't say anything.
You didn't?
What is it?
I didn't say anything.
It's the truth! It was my father who...
I didn't say it was a lie.
You're so cute, Yoko.
I'm sorry. I didn't even consider your feelings.
My feelings?
After all, with all that's going on with your fiance . . .
you still haven't been able to contact him
since he went to Europe, have you?
I'm sorry to do this to you at a time like this.
Yoko . . .
There's no need for that kind of restraint between us.
Got it?
I do.
Would you quit teaching?
No . . . she asked me to keep on working.
She did? Aren't you glad? Congratulations!
Thanks.
It looks like it's been decided.
That's not so!
Yoko, actually, I . . .
decided to work while waiting to hear from him.
- Really? - Right now, while the men are all off to war,
women should do whatever they can in their place.
I know that, but . . .
I was hired to start work from tomorrow!
What kind of work?
It's . . .
- Good morning! - Good morning!
Everyone was surprised.
After all, she was the daughter of the emperor of Azumino.
But the war brought about changes like this.
During that time, women were working at all sorts of jobs
in place of the men who were off at war.
In my entire lifetime,
it might have been an era when women were out in the world the most.
Good morning! Here's your mail.
Machiko continued this job until the end of the war.
And she would be delivering
the saddest piece of mail with her own hands.
There you go doing that kind of work again.
I don't see what's wrong.
Take a look.
I see. Thank you.
We're going to see them tomorrow.
- Do you understand? - I understand.
You'd better not leave me behind.
What do you mean? It won't be any good if you're not there, will it?
I guess not.
Now . . . I'm
just going ahead with everything myself, but is that okay with you?
Don't ask me after you've decided.
That's true, but . . .
If she's someone you picked, then there's no mistake.
That's so. I'm confident, but
you must have some idea about what kind of girl you like or dislike.
It would be nice if it were someone who loves soba.
When I asked her to come eat here once,
she was really happy, and said that she loved soba noodles.
Really? That's good, isn't it?
- Also . . . - Also?
It would be nice if she were someone who treasured things.
I think it'll be okay. She seemed like she does.
If she's someone who can get along with you, then it's fine with me.
After all, I'll probably be going off to war again soon. We won't be able to live together.
Stop that!
You have a long life ahead of you.
It's not like the war will last forever.
Think in terms of when you come home.
Mom . . .
I know.
As long as you do.
I hope it works out.
Right?
Autumn 1943
And then the day of the marriage meeting.
Looks like a beautiful day.
Even though it was a marriage meeting, considering the times,
there wasn't anything showy about it.
Even my clothes were just my regular clothes.
But I did wear my nicest outfit. That's about all.
I'm right here.
Why don't you give the order?
One . . .
- two . . . - three.
Let's go!
I'm Maruyama Kazunari. I'm pleased to meet you.
I'm Sudo Yoko. I'm pleased to meet you.
I thought he looked like a nice man.
Sunshine
You're going to the marriage meeting, right?
One . . . two . . . three.
I'm Sudo Yoko. I'm pleased to meet you.
I'm Maruyama Kazunari.
Sunshine Chapter 9 "A MARRIAGE MEETING AND A MAUDLIN DRINKER" Episode 51
Yoko has two older brothers.
My eldest son, Haruki, is at the Nagoya Teikoku University Medical School.
My second son, Shigeki, is a petty officer with the Navy flying corps,
and is presently on active duty.
That must be hard on you.
And that's the Sudo family.
Everyone's doing so well, aren't they?
I know that a family like ours is no comparison to yours
when it comes to social status, but...
What are you saying?
In times like this, social status has no bearing on anything, does it?
The citizens of our nation are all the same in doing their best.
Thank you.
My son is our only son,
so he's been raised as the heir to our soba restaurant since he was a little boy.
And he loves our work.
Do you?
Yes.
But I think it was good that I was drafted into military service.
Do you like soba?
What?
Yes, I love it.
I'm so glad! Anyone who loves soba can't be bad.
Right.
Which means that there isn't a bad person in Shinshu, is there?
That's right.
That time I went to eat your soba, it was delicious.
It was, right?
Do you call it "pheasant soba" where you have pheasant meat on top of the noodles?
Did you eat that?
The pheasant soba noodles is...
Once he starts talking about soba, he'll talk until the sun comes up.
I'm sorry!
Come on!
- Um . . . - Yes?
- You went to Azumino Girls' High School, didn't you? - Yes.
Did you enjoy it?
I did. I enjoyed every day so much it was like a dream.
You did?
Um . . . wasn't there an Iida Sensei teaching there?
Iida Sensei?
Iida . . .
Do you know him?
You know . . . Mr. Good Taste?
Huh?
Oh, that's right!
Good Taste?
Yes. He was one of our customers. After eating,
and I'm sorry, it's the enemy's language, but he'd say "good taste."
Good taste. Delicious!
Oh . . . Octopus!
What?
No, I'm sorry.
What is that?
Octopus?
Do you mean tako (octopus)? Was that his nickname?
Yes.
Tako! His hair was like an octopus, right?
Tako . . .
Was he really like an octopus?
Yes. Even his name was Iida Kotaro.
IiDAKO Taro?
No . . . IiDA KOtaro.
Oh, is that it?
No wonder you called him tako.
He was like an octopus.
Did he always say something in English, then follow with Japanese like that?
Yes, he always did. "Stand up!" "Tachinasai!"
Is that right?
What a strange quirk of fate . . .
that Mr. Good Taste was your teacher.
That's so true.
How's your work at the national school?
Well . . .
I became a teacher in the year that it changed to a national school.
To be honest, I was bewildered at first.
It was entirely different from what I had learned at teaching school.
I see.
Right now, the number of hours we spend studying keeps decreasing.
We mostly do military drills and volunteer labor.
But I know that can't be helped in times like this.
The children are trying their best, too.
I can't do anything. There's nothing I can do for them.
All I can do is be there with the children,
and cry along with them when they're suffering.
Your students are lucky, aren't they?
No . . . because I really can't do anything.
Lately, the food situation just keeps getting worse.
It's painful for me to see the children always feeling hungry.
They need to eat a lot at this age,
but with all the required drills and volunteer work keeping them so busy, they're always feeling hungry.
I wish I could feed them until their stomachs are full,
but I can't . . . that's why
it's so painful to watch.
I'm sorry. It's indiscreet to say
that it's painful, isn't it?
And inappropriate at an occasion like this. I'm sorry!
That's okay.
Dad . . . come on!
This is the time you should talk about soba or something.
Oh, oh . . . huh?
I can't think of anything right now.
You're useless when we really need you.
She's asking too much, isn't she?
That's right.
What a time to start agreeing with each other!
Please pardon our intrusion today.
Not at all. Thank you for coming out of your way to be here.
I don't think we can expect an answer from you right here.
We'll be waiting to hear from you.
All right. We'll contact you.
Shall we go?
Kazunari?
What's wrong, Kazunari?
What is it?
I'm sorry.
Kazunari!
What are you sorry about?
Please forget
this proposal.
Wait! What are you saying?
- But... - Let him talk.
Yoko . . .
you're a wonderful person.
I realized that you're more
wonderful than I deserve.
The more I talked to you, the more I realized that.
To be honest . . . I . . .
somehow took this proposal too lightly.
I took it too simply.
I'm at that age, and I'm the eldest son.
That's why . . .
I thought I needed a wife,
and that I should get married.
That's about all I thought about.
I . . .
know that I'll . . .
definitely be called into service again.
I'll be going off to war.
I . . .
don't want a wonderful person . . .
like you, Yoko . . .
to end up a widow.
No.
I can't do that.
That's why . . .
I want you to forget about this proposal.
I'm terribly sorry.
Yoko . . . are you okay?
Yes.
I'm sorry.
Huh?
For what?
I did, too.
I took it too lightly, too.
I feel ashamed.
I think I let it go to my head.
Shigeki is risking his life to fight on the frontlines, and here I am.
That has nothing to do with this.
Shigeki would want you to be happy. I know that.
Yes. I realize that.
But . . . that man,
Mr. Maruyama,
is facing his life
more seriously.
Compared to him, I'm just a child.
I see . . .
He was a good man, wasn't he?
Yes.
He was wonderful.
This was the course of events of the marriage meeting.
But . . .
Sunshine To be continued . . .