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Episode 254
Hello, I'm calling from Tanokura.
Is this Yuri? It's Hatsuko.
Happy New Year! How are you doing?
I see. Just a minute.
It's Yuri.
The Master and his wife have gone to the hot springs,
and she's watching the house.
Hello! Yuri, it's me.
Yes, I'm busy as usual.
Happy New Year!
I'm glad you're doing well.
Where's Nozomi?
Thanks.
It's long past lunchtime.
I didn't want to bother you while you were concentrating.
Shall I bring your lunch here?
Never mind.
You should eat something.
Never mind me. Go out and have some fun.
After all, it's New Year's. I'll watch the house.
I'm sorry. I was just worried about you.
I won't bother you anymore.
No, it's not that.
I'm just afraid that you were staying here
just to keep me company.
I don't have anywhere to go anyway.
I like it here.
A young woman shouldn't be cooped up here in the mountains.
Shouldn't you go home to your family?
There is nobody waiting for me at home.
Call me if you need anything.
Your mother called.
I didn't tell you because you were working,
but she's looking forward to your coming home for the holidays.
I'd meant to visit them for New Year's,
but I got too caught up in my work.
I feel badly for not being there now.
I have to produce something that's worthy
of being shown in the upcoming exhibit.
So I want to make something that's really me!
Even if I should fail,
I want to be able to say that I've done my best.
I want to make something good, but more than that,
I want my master to be proud of me.
I guess it's going to be just the two of us.
Please, have some.
You have some, too.
This may be the last time we celebrate so quietly.
By next year, there might be a new baby,
and we'd all be running around in a hurry.
I sure hope that will be the case.
But if the new store doesn't work out,
we might not even have a home to celebrate in...
Don't talk like that on New Year's day!
We won't know until we give it a try.
Don't worry.
I'm sure the coming year will be as good as this past one.
It's too late to turn back now,
but maybe we should've just remained a small store
selling fish and vegetables...
Don't talk like that. It's not like you!
I don't think Japan is ready yet to have a self-service store.
If we fail, we'll just start over again from scratch!
You've gone through failures many times,
and you always said each one made you stronger.
That's true...
Then you have nothing to be afraid of.
I've seen the bottom, too.
After what I went through working at the American base,
I can withstand anything!
If we fail, we can always go back to peddling fish.
We can't fail this time.
I'm too old now. I have no more time for failure.
I've opened so many stores in my time,
but this one is going to be my last one.
Everything is riding on this new store.
I feel a responsibility toward Nozomi, too.
What if Nozomi should fail at his pottery career?
I promised his mother...
I told her I'll make sure Nozomi is all right.
If he fails at making pottery, I'll have him go into business.
It's the best for him.
That's why...
That's why I have to make a success
of that new store of ours...
I'll make it a success.
Mother.
Success...
I guess there's never any end to your worries.
Poor thing...
After the holidays, things were busier than ever.
The construction for the new store was progressing,
and Oshin didn't even have the time to be worrying about Nozomi.
Welcome!
Yuri is on the phone.
Really? Excuse me.
Yes, we're so busy.
We're set to open in March, but I still have so much to learn!
I sure hope we can get to open on schedule.
Nozomi never did make it home for the holidays.
The kiln is being fired today.
About 10 of Nozomi's pots are in there.
I'm so happy that I had to call to tell you!
Thanks for letting me know.
Tell him I'll be praying for him.
He has to keep the kiln fired for three full days?
That must be a lot of work... Tell him to take care of himself.
It looks good!
Hello.
What are you going to do with those rice balls?
I have to feed Nozomi. He won't leave the kiln.
Why doesn't he get someone to fill in for him?
You get like that when your own pieces are in the kiln.
One needs determination like that if one wants to succeed.
The Master's wife let me make some carp soup for you.
You stayed up this late?
Everyone is worried.
Shouldn't you let somebody else take over for a while?
The kiln has to fire for another two full days!
You need to get some sleep.
I can go without sleep for a couple of days.
The kiln's fire needs constant attention.
I can't leave its side.
Wipe your brows.
Thanks.
You go on and get some sleep.
You don't want me here?
I love the color of the flames.
Those flames turn lumps of clay into art.
Strange, isn't it?
Do you like pottery?
Before coming here,
I never knew such a world existed.
To watch people turning clay into pottery,
and to watch them being fired.
Although I don't know anything about it,
I've grown to love.
You say strange things for a young girl.
I could never do it,
but if I could, I'd probably sit here like you,
and watch my pieces being fired by the flames.
You could do it, too.
No...
I just want to take care of you, and others who are real potters.
I'm very happy now.
For the very first time in my life...
I realize what happiness is.
Translation: UTB Channel
Thanks to Avallac'h and XrayMind at D-Addicts.