1945, the year in which so many things happened, came to an end.
It was New Year's Day, 1946.
Isn't it great to put out the New Year's pine decoration?
It is, isn't it?
Sunshine Chapter 14 "PREPARING FOR HAPPINESS" Episode 82
Written by: OKADA Yoshikazu
Music by: WATANABE Toshiyuki
Narrator: WAKAO Ayako
Maruyama Yoko: INOUE Mao
Maruyama Kazunari: KORA Kengo
Tsutsui Ikuko: MITSUSHIMA Hikari
Sudo Shigeki: NAGAYAMA Kento
Soma Machiko: MAIKO
Miyamoto Takeo: EMOTO Tokio
Sudo Ryoichi: TERAWAKI Yasufumi
Maruyama Michio: KUSHIDA Kazuyoshi
Maruyama Tokuko: HIGUCHI Kanako
Isn't it great to put out the New Year's pine decoration?
It is, isn't it? Somehow just this much makes you feel happy, doesn't it?
It does.
I hope this year turns out to be a good year.
It will. I just feel that it will.
Do you really think so?
Yes. That's how I feel.
Really? Do your feelings usually come true?
Yes . . . usually.
Do they?
I hope this year sad things don't happen like last year.
That's true.
Right . . . I've had enough of that.
But right now, I'm totally happy.
Because you came home.
That's not good, Yoko. You musn't be satisfied with just that much happiness.
We're going to be even more happy.
Even more happy?
Right.
I can't imagine that!
Oh, excuse me. I'm sorry for interrupting you.
It seems that the "ozoni" soup is ready, so
Tokuko asked me to call you two.
I hope the two of you will be more and more happy!
Come on in.
Okay, I brought them.
What were you doing?
Oh, I'm sorry.
The world has changed, hasn't it, Yoko?
Huh? Well . . .
I understand.
It's wonderful that the two of you get along so well, but . . .
Then what?
All the two of you do is flirt, flirt, flirt, flirt, flirt, flirt, flirt, flirt . . . !
How many times did I just say it?
About six times.
I suppose that's enough, right?
What are you saying?
Stop blushing, Yoko! Come here and sit down.
Okay, okay, okay!
Let's eat! This is something like "ozoni" (mochi) soup.
Thank you!
It's something like "ozoni" soup, isn't it?
What do mean by "something like" it?
After all, there's no mochi in it.
I know, but . . .
Look at this fine fishcake!
You shouldn't say that!
Happy New Year!
Let's eat.
So it's New Year's . . .
It just doesn't feel like it, does it? We had no soba to eat on New Year's Eve, or mochi on New Year's Day.
But compared to last year, it's heaven. Heaven!
That's true, isn't it Yoko? Aren't you glad?
Are you going to get into that again?
It's so much fun to tease Yoko, isn't it?
That's true.
I don't care already.
It isn't funny.
It's funny.
That's enough.
That face is funny!
Hello!
Is this a restaurant?
He's asking if this is a restaurant.
We are not open for business.
Oh, excuse me. No.
Would you like some canned food?
We don't need any!
No. I don't need anything.
Okay.
That was scary! I was holding my breath the whole time.
Not only is their country big,
but their bodies are big too, aren't they?
That's true. They're the "red demons." (American soldiers were portrayed as demons from the story "Momotaro" during WWII.)
Well then, does that make Yoko "Momotaro?" (Momotaro defeats the demons in the folk story.)
She's Momotaro!
Thank you, Yoko.
Well, let's eat!
You're right. Let's eat.
This is delicious. This soup that's . . . something like "ozoni."
Is that so?
I was so surprised!
That's how the first year after the war's end started.
Everyone greeted the end of the war in different ways.
Shigeki was trying to move forward . . . even if it was a little bit at a time.
Study of Aircraft
Oh, I'm glad! I'm so glad!
I'm happy, Mr. Sudo. I'm so happy!
Are you? Thanks. I'm indebted to you.
What are you saying?
I'm so happy!
Thank you. Thank you!
My father was to be in charge of the new cotton spinning factory that the "emperor of Azumino" had just started.
This is just the beginning.
We're just getting started.
Right now, I'm excited.
Now that the foolish era has ended . . .
from now, without any government or country, it's a new era!
Just watch me. I'm going to expand.
Do your best.
What are you saying? You're in this, too.
Emperor . . .
I was so happy . . .
to have you offer me a job, and say you needed my skills. I was happy.
Were you?
However . . .
I can't feel the same way you do.
I'm glad that the war is over, but . . .
I can't use this to find happiness.
I can't be carried away with it. I don't want to be.
I want you . . . to understand that.
That's what I like about you!
Okay, okay, very good! Thank you, thank you!
I love you, Mr. Sudo!
What are you saying? Do you really understand?
I understand, I understand. Yes, I do!
Hey, Takeo!
Huh?
How long are you going to just lie around like that?
Don't bother me! Let me do what I want on New Year's Day.
What are you saying? You've been like that ever since you came home.
That's right! I've had enough!
We don't have enough to feed someone who won't work! Get going!
Get off my back! I'm completely empty!
What are you saying? Your head has always been empty.
I'm not talking about my head. I'm talking about my heart!
More importantly, in this house,
our family treasury is empty.
Never mind!
Happy New Year!
Thanks for coming.
Welcome. Yoko . . . go upstairs.
Go ahead.
No . . . you're coming, too.
No, I'll . . .
That's right. This is all about Kazunari today.
Come with us! We're going to borrow him.
Enjoy yourselves!
Go ahead, Kazunari!
Excuse us for a bit.
Okay.
Pardon me.
Me too.
You sit here, Yoko.
Okay.
Machiko, you sit there.
Okay.
And you're over here, Kazunari. Come on.
Move forward a little.
You didn't really have to surround me.
What is it?
I was just thinking how nice it is to hear laughter.
It is, isn't it?
Especially when it's girls.
That's true. They're so adorable!
He won't be able to take it, and will come running back here.
I wonder . . .
You get along well, don't you?
What? Not really . . .
You mean you do.
No, we don't.
They're like newlyweds, right?
What do you like most about Yoko?
Huh?
Oh . . . um . . .
What? Isn't there anything at all?
No, it's not that . . .
That's right . . .
. . . excuse me for a moment. Pardon me.
Make yourselves at home.
Sunshine
I just don't want any more sad things to happen like last year.
That's true.
Right . . . I've had enough of that.
Sunshine Chapter 14 "PREPARING FOR HAPPINESS" Episode 83
How have you two been?
- Fine. - I'm just fine.
You are? I'm glad.
Thank you.
But, you know . . .
the world has been hectic lately, hasn't it?
It really has.
That's true. It's so hard to keep up.
I lost my job at the post office because
the men have come back from the war.
Is that right?
So I decided to work at something else.
It's just a job as a subordinate worker in an office . . .
Really? Where will you be working?
At a spinning factory.
Really? Did your father arrange it?
No. The thing is . . .
It's the competitor to her father's company!
What?
He was going on and on about the war ending,
and it was irritating me.
And when I told him I wanted to work,
he told me to come and work at his company.
So I told him that since I was smart I'd be able to find a job by myself.
What kind of face did he make when you said that?
Well . . .
I feel a little sorry for him, don't you?
I do.
But it's okay.
How about you, Ikuko? What have you been up to?
Right now, you could say I'm still studying, or preparing myself.
When I went to Tokyo the last time,
I thought I'd fulfill my dreams if I only went there,
but reality was really harsh.
So this time, I'm going to study hard, and go back to Tokyo.
I thought I need to be more cultured and educated.
Really?
My dad wants to open up his bookstore again.
So now, while I'm organizing the books, I've been reading.
Like the foreign books that we couldn't sell during the war.
That's a good idea.
Come over sometime.
It's really interesting no matter which book I read.
That's true. We can read anything we want, can't we?
That's right.
But, you know . . . I've been thinking lately . . .
that maybe I wasn't meant to be stuck here in Japan.
It's such a nice day today, isn't it?
It certainly is. It feels so good.
What is that supposed to mean?
- After all . . . - I agree.
You mean you question what I was meant to be?
No we don't . . . do we, Yoko?
During the war, these two had suffered a lot,
so I was so happy that we could laugh together like this.
Did you hear? Women will have voting rights soon.
I heard. It's awesome!
I wouldn't miss going to vote.
From now on, it's going to be an era for women.
Maybe so . . .
It is. We're soon going to be able to do a lot of different things.
We are?
Is your father going to run for office, Machiko? I've heard rumors.
What?
It sounds like something he'd do . . .
I definitely wouldn't vote for him.
Shall I run for office someday, too?
What?
But it wasn't all happy.
Guess who!
Yoko Sensei.
So you knew? Are you helping out?
Yes, I was.
- Welcome back. - I'm home.
Ms. Miyashita?
Ms. Miyashita? Are you home?
Ms. Miyashita?
Excuse me . . . do you know
where Ms. Miyashita is?
I'm Miyashita.
Are you Miyashita Kenzo's . . . ?
Yes . . . I'm his wife.
Miyashita Kenzo
Notification of Death
No!
The war is over . . .
even after it's over . . . why?
How?
Everyone was speechless.
No one knew what to say.
Good night.
- Good night! - Good night.
Kazu . . .
good night.
Good night.
I'm sorry . . .
for pounding the table earlier.
It's okay.
Kenzo was
three years older than me.
I really like him.
He as like an older brother to me.
He taught me a lot of things.
When he married Keiko,
and he brought her over here,
he looked so happy.
He was so proud.
He said if it upset me,
I should hurry and find me a wife, too.
I told him that I'd find a wife who was
just as pretty as Keiko,
and show him.
That's why . . .
that's why I . . .
wanted to brag about you.
It must really have tormented him . . .
wondering why he had to die.
He must have wanted to come home.
Please tell me about him.
Tell me about the man who was
Keiko's husband and like a brother to you.
Please tell me.
I never met him, but
I can meet him through your stories.
Please introduce me to him.
Please.
Kenzo was a genius at playing.
He'd always think of something to play.
That's why when I played with Kenzo, it was
just so much fun.
I got into trouble, too.
What kind?
Once a freight train broke down, and stopped on the tracks.
Early in the morning, he said we should go and take a look at it.
Then . . .
When we got there, the door to a car was open, so Kenzo said,
"Hey, let's get on!"
Once we got on, we saw some delicious-looking grapes right there.
We took a few.
What? You mean you stole some?
While we were eating them, the train suddenly started moving,
so we panicked, an jumped off.
But we still had the grapes,
and Mom found them.
Mom really scared me then!
I can imagine.
She made Kenzo and me stand next to each other,
and stick out our butts, and she gave us a good whack!
We both started crying so hard.
She said she wouldn't hold back, even for someone else's son.
That really hurt then.
Not long after, Keiko and Shoichi
went home to her family in Shiojiri.
Sunshine
In April of 1946,
Maru-An re-opened for business.
Here you are. Thank you for waiting.
Oh! Welcome!
Sunshine Chapter 14 "PREPARING FOR HAPPINESS" Episode 84
Even though Maru-An had re-opened for business,
we didn't have buckwheat for soba noodles.
We could only serve simmered vegetables with whatever vegetables we could get.
Even so, Dad and Mom seemed to be so happy.
- Just a little more, right? - Just a little.
Here's what brought about the decision to
open the business again.
It was about a month before . . .
It's delicious!
It is tasty, isn't it?
It's good!
Isn't it? Isn't it?
You sure look happy when someone praises
what you cooked, don't you?
Of course!
That's right.
After all, that's his only redeeming trait.
That's right . . . that's my only . . . hey!
What are you saying?
You should say that I'm a true artisan.
I guess that's a better way of saying it, isn't it?
But when Dad looks so happy, he looks like a little kid, doesn't he?
A little kid?
He looks just like my kids at school when I pat them on the head, and tell them they did a good job.
Michio . . . you did a good job!
Stop that!
Come on, now . . .
Excuse me!
Isn't the restaurant open?
I'm sorry!
It's just that while passing by, I smelled something so warm and delicious.
And I could hear the sound of laughter coming from inside.
I'm sorry.
Well, that sure looks delicious.
Well, then . . .
would you like to try a little bit? Okay?
Sure, it's okay.
Really?
Yoko . . . go get some.
Get a chair.
- Come in! - Thank you!
Here, have a seat.
Thank you.
Thank you. So,
I have some rice balls. Just rice balls . . .
so I would be so grateful if I could have this simmered dish.
I can understand . . .
When you have a warm side dish, it makes you happy, right?
That's true. Especially for guys like me who are walking around all day long.
I see.
Here you go.
Thank you.
Go ahead.
It's so delicious!
I'm glad.
At the time, that was all that happened.
But . . . a few days after that . . .
This is really delicious.
What's going on?
He was asked to do it.
He was asked?
That's right.
They want to serve soba to important people from the occupation forces coming to Matsumoto, so
he was asked to make them.
Just to make them?
That's right. That's all.
It's good buckwheat, isn't it?
It's good soba.
It's just what I expected, Dad.
Right.
Here you are.
Thank you.
But it seems . . . like a waste, doesn't it?
Making that just for the occupation forces . . .
They wouldn't know the taste of Shinshu soba.
That's true, isn't it?
Yes.
Dad . . . ? Let's open the restaurant.
What?
Open it?
There are other people like that man the other day.
So why not just make whatever you can like the simmered vegetables, and open the shop again?
You should be doing something with your hands, Dad.
It'll be fine even if it doesn't turn out to be profitable.
Yoko and I will work outside and make enough money to live on.
So you should open the shop together.
Right, Yoko?
You're right.
It's better for Maru-An to be open for business, after all.
I have to watch you crying your eyes out just because you could
make soba after a long while.
Be quiet!
He's right.
After all, you have no other redeeming qualities.
It's hard to watch you crying like that.
Isn't it, Yoko?
That's right. It'd be unbearable to watch you crying your eyes out again.
Not you too, Yoko!
You don't want Yoko to tell you that, right?
This is what brought about the re-opening of Maru-An after the war.
You're crying!
But it'd be a long time before we'd be able to serve
soba noodles again.
April 1946
It was the new school year, and the school was starting to change in a big way.
Please sit down, everyone.
A new principal came to the school.
I didn't really care for this man.
Listen, everyone.
What we have to respect from now on is . . .
. . . individuality. Individuality.
In the classroom, I want you to put more emphasis on
what each of your students is thinking.
Instead of the foolish way of teaching in the past
where we drilled a single answer into every student, it'll be different from now on.
I really didn't care for him.
It's rare, isn't it? You saying you don't care for something twice.
But right after the war, there were a lot of people like that.
People who always felt that Japan would lose the war.
Those kind of people.
Of course, there were a lot of people who knew the truth.
But when they act as if they had defeated the devil,
and throw it in our faces, it's really so unpleasant.
I see. But there are people like that, aren't there?
When something doesn't work out at work,
they'll say, "Didn't I tell you? I knew that
it would turn out like that." People who
talk like that after it fails.
That's right. People like that.
Like that.
And besides that, the new principal
wanted to get Natsuko Sensei and me to quit.
Really?
A lot of men had come back from the war, right?
So they needed to find work for those people.
That's why during that time, all the women were losing their jobs.
Is that right?
Right? Like that.
Yoko . . . I don't think you're using the phrase
"like that" quite the right way.
Is that right?
It's difficult, isn't it?
But our classes after the war were so interesting.
I felt like I was learning the new way of teaching along with my students.
Oh?
Right? Like that.
Oh? Is that wrong?
Maruyama Yoko
Okay. From today, when we write horizontally, we write from left to right.
Why?
You may make mistakes at the beginning, but let's get used to doing it together.
Yes.
So . . . please write your names in your notebook.
Yes.
Sensei! I can't seem to do it right.
Don't rush. Just take your time.
It's difficult.
Do your best.
That's very good!
Mochizuki Tetsushi . . .
Oshima Akira . . .
This was the first time the class president
was chosen by election.
Tsutsui Ichiro . . .
That's all of them.
Okay. Stand up, Ichiro.
Yes.
Tsutsui Ichiro . . . you'll be the first class president of this class.
I'm counting on you.
Do your best, Ichiro!
Subtitles adapted from original English subtitles created by Nippon Golden Network Timing brought to you by The Sunshine Lovers @ Viki
You were off a little bit.
Yoko!
I'm home.
What's up? Did you have a fight with Kazunari?
What? That's not it!
We only have a half day of classes on Saturday, so I came to see how you're doing.
Is that it?
How have you been, Shige?
Lately, I've been helping out in Takeo's family fields a little bit.
Really?
It's a way for us to get food supplies, too.
Right.
Is that so? I see.
Excuse me. May I ask you something?
Yes? What is it?
Is the Sudo Clinic in Azumino around here?
The Sudo Clinic?
That time . . . ?
This was one of the most important events for the Maruyamas.
Why?
What?
When will it be born?
I'm happy.
I'm so happy!
Yoko . . . congratulations!
Sunshine To be continued . . .