5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
Welcome home!
What a surprise!
I'm home.
I'm surprised, too.
You really do come home at the same time each day, don't you?
The library closes at the same time every day,
so I can get home at the same time as well.
Ah, that's great, isn't it?
Takumi-san, the bath is ready, so you and Yuji-kun can take your bath now.
Uh. Okay.
Is there something wrong?
Ah, no, nothing at all.
I'll go now.
Ah, what are we having for dinner?
Eggplant with wrapped meat, green peppers and shitake mushrooms stuffed with meat.
Sounds delicious.
Mama, the soup is boiling over!
No! It can't be!
Takkun, hurry up, I wanna to take a bath.
All right, all right.
Hurry up!
Here you go.
Thanks for dinner.
You're very welcome.
Hey, Mama. We still haven't decided on a name for our puppy.
What should we do?
Ah, what are you doing?
You had green peppers left over? Don't you like them?
Yeah.
Why?
Because they're bitter...
...they have a strange color...
...and they don't taste very good.
When you say things like that, the 'Pepper Star Man' gets lonely.
What's that? The 'Pepper Star Man?'
For the sake of keeping Yuji-kun healthy, he came from a distant planet. Interested?
Nope.
Really?
That's too bad...
The 'Pepper Star Man' is so sad...
It's so delicious this way, too...
Mama of the past would've sent me to the closet.
She could get so angry.
What are you doing?
Ah, nothing.
It's nothing at all.
I must have scared you.
I'm sorry.
Good night.
"Even though the three members of this family are always together,
"still, there are times when I feel we are distant from one another.
"Takumi-san, how do you feel?"
"Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu" "Now, I'm Coming To Be With You"
Episode 04: "Haha no Ai" - "Mother's Love"
Ah, Takumi-san, you can take this with you if you like.
Ah... I'm sorry.
Ah, thank you.
Not at all.
Yuji-kun! It's morning!
I'm sorry! It won't happen again!
What's wrong?
Did you have a dream?
What was it about?
All right, get up and eat your breakfast.
Wash your face.
This morning, I had a dream.
What about?
Mama scolded me in the dream.
I didn't want to eat the green peppers, so I hid them then threw them away.
But Mama found them.
That's just what used to happen in the past, wasn't it?
If I told her the food was bad, she would get really angry.
At times like that, Mama could get angry, couldn't she?
"Get into that closet!" she'd say.
When I was dreaming, I was remembering the Mama of the past.
Bye, I have to go.
Be careful.
Hey, Takkun!
When Mama went to the Planet Akabui, I get the feeling she changed a little.
Of course she did.
It's because she lost parts of her memories.
I see. That's right.
Is there anything else?
Nope. Nothing. I'm leaving!
Ah, by the way, Yuji.
You probably didn't mean to say it earlier, but...
It isn't 'Planet Akabui,' it's 'Planet Archive.'
I know!
A..ka...BUI!
Ah, hey!
Don't do that, Oshikko.
"Yuji's Growth Record"
Yuji-kun.
I want to stop practicing the piano.
But my Mama won't let me.
I wish we could go someplace far away together where there are no pianos.
I'm sorry!
Please help me!
Please!
"Wedding gift cup.
Yuji, 3 years, 3 months old.
Wanting our attention, he deliberately broke it."
"Fork used to feed him baby food. 2 years, 8 months old.
Got angry with him when he wouldn't eat his green peppers."
I guess he doesn't like to eat green peppers after all.
"Enokida Mio"
From me?
Thank you very much.
Yuji-kun didn't stop by this time.
When school finishes, he goes home and house-sits.
By himself?
He got his first pet dog. He's ecstatic about taking care of it.
Today's special is croquettes. One for 150 yen. And then slippers are...
It's a little late, so why don't we eat our lunch?
Okay.
Um...
If you'd like, here.
It's just as easy to make two as it is to make one.
I'm sorry.
I just happen to have one today.
Obento? Okay. (Obento = boxed lunch)
Well then, so it won't go to waste, I'll eat it for you.
Tomo-chan, you sure you want it?
Of course!
Wow, looks good!
It's great.
You could, without a doubt, make money off this bento!
I'm glad you like it. Have some apples, too.
That's just like you.
Hmm. Great!
That Obento, someone made it for him.
Only a woman would make a package like that.
Here. Mariko-san has plenty.
So... since when?
Eh?
You met a woman. That's what's happened, isn't it?
Congratulations.
No, it's not like that.
Don't give me that!
Tell me what your type is.
Is she like this?
Or maybe like this?
Please stop.
Yuji-kun, wait!
Mama!
You're making me angry, girl! What do you think you're doing?
Stop right there! Hey!
Hurry and come with me!
Your piano teacher is waiting!
Please! I want to stop!
Listen! You begged to have ballet, Japanese dance, abacus training and calligraphy!
And then you quit them all just because you get bored.
Do you think that is good?
Hey! Come on!
I'm going to have to tell your father about it this time!
I don't like it!
You don't hate it!
"Starting tomorrow, a rain front will move up to the north,
"bringing widespread and heavy rains to the mountain areas."
Good work.
Ah, we've come back.
You've been looking a lot sharper lately.
Eh?
Well, your shirts are all ironed now.
They were always wrinkled looking and with the back hanging out before.
Could it be your "Season of Love?"
No...
Mari-chan, what do you think?
I don't know...
If it's cut this finely, he won't recognize it.
Hey!
What are you doing?
I have my reasons.
I see.
Don't you get any customers in your store?
Can't you tell you just pierced my heart with a jagged edge?
Why do you want to stab me with something so painful for?
Because, Shun-chan, I never see you with any friends.
Maybe it's because no one wants to be with you...
YUJI!
Don't you know the difference between saying good and bad things?!
Hey! What are you doing?
- This punk... - Dear, go finish weeding before it starts raining.
Yuji-kun! You got really dirty, didn't you?
Really?
Yeah. Won't your Mama scold you?
I want Mama to scold me.
That's not what we were talking about right now...
Are you going to finish weeding or not?
- I will... - Then hurry up. Time's running out.
Next time it rains, that field will be weed heaven!
Hey! I'm going to weed the field!
Are you laughing at me?!
I'm home!
Ah, welcome home.
Anything happen at school?
Not really...
What's wrong?
I got dirty!
Ah! Ala, alala...
We'll have to wash it, won't we?
What's this?
Today's dinner. You can't eat it just yet.
I love hamburgers!
Ah!
What is this...?
The 'Pepper Star Man' was here, wasn't he?
I can tell, no matter how small it is.
But it's so good for your body...
I'm not interested in getting along with the 'Pepper Star Man.'
A leaf broke off!
Ah, Yuji-kun, do you remember anything about this?
No, I don't.
Mama doesn't scold me about anything anymore.
It was better before, when she sent me in here after scolding me.
Maybe she forgot and left it on the luggage rack of the train from the Planet Archive.
Rena-chan's mother can get really upset.
I'd welcome that.
Sorry you caught me doing that.
Ah, come back!!
Next month, there's a Physical Education Conference in the town, right?
I'm going to be running in the relay.
Are you finished with work?
Yeah.
Sensei, you're a runner.
But I'm annoyed they picked me to be the anchor.
Sensei...
Yes.
To tell the truth, I'm concerned I still find it difficult...
...to talk to Mio about the various things that bother me.
I see.
She's sure to notice someday,
and she'll feel hurt by it once more.
And you think that it will make her sad again?
That's right.
Let's see...
What can you do?
Well perhaps, you could try whispering one or two things to her.
"Whispering?"
That's right.
Like this. Train me next time.
Like in how to pass the baton.
I couldn't do that!
Why not? In junior high you had a great record.
Sensei, you already know why not!
I've said nothing about sprinting, now have I?
Cruising along slowly will be good enough.
Just like whispering to Mio-san.
You'll be fine!
I think Mio-san wants to hear what you have to say.
How can you say that?
You're in love with her, aren't you?
Be confident in yourself.
Sensei, is there anything I can do to help?
I'm fine.
It's for an annual flower arrangement party. You'll be surprised.
How will it look?
Okay, time for the show.
It's beautiful!
That girl, what would she have said?
I get more excited with each passing year, so she's probably laughing at me...
I think Mio would have appreciated it.
The hydrangeas she planted were very important to her.
That would be nice...
Okay, let's eat.
Our stomachs are always empty after working, aren't they?
Yes. Thanks for the food.
These are your favorites, aren't they?
They are.
Well then, welcome! Cheers!
Hey, this boiled mackerel was made with miso by my husband.
He did?
However, he made a mistake by putting in too much miso, and it is very salty.
But he worked very hard on it for you, Mariko-san, so I had to serve it.
The shock is such that it's as if you've been hit on the back of the head with a bat.
What's this, are you abusing me again?
No, I wouldn't do that.
It'll make it just that much more delicious!
Yuji-kun is steadily becoming more responsible with time, isn't he?
After school, he would usually stop by the library
and then he and Aio-kun would go home together.
But now he goes straight home and takes care of the house by himself.
That's very admirable of him.
Of course, Yuji-kun was brought up to be responsible,
and I'm very happy about that.
But...
After losing a mother and now having to hurry to be an adult,
I feel just a bit sorry for him.
I'm sure he wants to be spoiled more, be told he's being selfish and scold him more,
and give him the attention he craves.
I wonder, surely, if there's still time to do that.
I'm sure there is.
I keep wanting to tell Takumi-san not to miss those signs from Yuji,
but I really haven't had the chance.
It's not always easy, is it?
I'm sure he's fine.
I suppose...
You're right.
When Yuji is taking care of the house by himself, what does he do?
I wonder if it's okay to leave him alone in the house like that.
He's started raising a pet dog...
What? Really? I didn't know that.
What kind of dog is it?
I don't know that much...
It does hit you in the back of the head.
It does?!
I'm sorry.
It's very good!
So you were the one who put this box together.
Takumi-san, did you know about it?
No, I didn't.
But now that I see it again, some memories come back.
I seemed to sense something today as well.
Thank you for the Obento today.
But I don't want you straining yourself like that every morning.
Take it easy and get more sleep.
I'm fine.
You always were the master at making warm memories.
When I see this cup that Yuji broke and this fork, I...
Ah, those things...
When I hold it like this, I get a warm feeling as well.
You do.
Would you like to try and drink some mint tea from this cup?
That'd be nice.
Ah, umm... This was also in the box, but...
It was a four leaf clover, but one of the leaves came off.
This is...
Do you remember it?
This clover brought me a lot of good luck.
"Good luck?"
During the summer of our 3rd year of junior high,
at the last track and field tournament.
Hey, who are you rooting for, Mio?
It's a secret! How about you, Mariko?
It's a secret!
"That day my physical condition was at its worst.
But, in those days, it was all I had."
Here...
That... was you.
This is best, for when you're exhausted.
I couldn't even get myself to say "Thank you..."
"ENOKIDA Mio"
"Giving me a four leaf clover,
"was certainly just an obligation after seeing him.
"A little, I thought."
On your marks!
"In the district tournament, I won a prize for 6th place.
"It was all thanks to you.
"I think so even now."
This was... from that time?
Yeah.
Then why was it in this box?
Probably, when we got married, you found it in my stuff and took it back.
What is it?
Such an important memory...
That was a long time ago...
I see... I gave to you.
Sensei, can you do this with rice?
It's just right for a glue.
This is great!
Papa and Mama's clover memory.
Did your Papa whisper it to her?
Eh?
Did Papa whisper to Mama?
- To Mama? - Yeah.
What are you talking about, Sensei?
Sorry. I misunderstood. Forgive me.
Ah, that should do it.
AH!
What is it, Sensei?
I'm sorry! Another leaf from the clover broke off...
Eh!?
I was just trying to put it back together, when...
What'll we do?!
Hey, Yuji!
What are you doing?
"Rather Delicious Cake House"
You look like a tired 40 year old salaryman with a bad back.
I see.
"I see?" What kind of answer is that?
I don't have time for you right now.
I see...
Our customers all left, so we'll pack up for the time being.
Looks like the weather is going to be bad for awhile anyway.
All right.
Also, I canceled our next service station, so we can go back to the library.
Will it bother you if we change the order?
All right. For the time being, let's go to the next station.
We have to follow the order.
I'm sorry.
"From this evening, extending to midnight, extreme thunderstorms are expected.
"We expect flooding rivers for the next few days. Use caution when approaching rivers."
Welcome back. It's slow here, so I'm going home.
Take care.
Good work.
Terrible weather, huh?
Ah, it's Takumi.
Takumi-san...
Because of the rain today, I'll be a bit late coming home.
I'm worried because Yuji-kun hasn't come home yet.
It's coming down very hard here.
All right. I'll come back right away. Until I get back, wait in the house.
It's no good for you to go out alone. All right?
Something happen?
I'm worried because Yuji hasn't come home yet.
Excuse me!
Ah! Yuji-kun's mother!
Yuji-kun... Have you seen Yuji?
Some time ago. Didn't he get back to your home by now?
Mio? Where's Yuji?
Mio?
Mio?!
Yuji-kun!
Mama!
Don't move!!
Don't move from there!
Yuji!
Grab hold of me!
How could you worry me like this?! Why did you do that?!
Thank God.
Mama...
Here.
I'm sorry...
I'm sorry I worried you.
Yuji.
Mio!
Yuji!
Are you okay? Were you hurt?
Mama saved me.
Yuji found...
It's really inexcusable of me for worrying you.
Hey, Yuji! I'm on the phone here! Shh!
Sorry. I'm sorry.
Geez... Sorry if we worried you.
In any case, I'm glad you found him!
Was he hurt?
I see. Goodbye.
Ah, thank you for letting me know.
"Hey, who are you rooting for, Mio?"
"It's a secret! How about you, Mariko?"
"It's a secret!"
The three of us used to search for four leaf clovers together.
We did?
You used to tell me that finding a four leaf clover would bring us good luck.
I did?
Today, when you called out to Yuji,
I'm sure it was thanks to this clover.
I bet he was happy to have it,
because when you called out to him, you said "Yuji."
Can I see you for a minute?
Yes.
Um, about the bedroom hangers...
Yes.
About that... normally most people might like to see them facing to the left,
but I... well...
I prefer to have them facing to the right.
Ah!
The other day I moved the hangers. Was that it?
That's right.
Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't realize...
And now, about lunch...
Actually, since I was 10,
I've always had just bread and milk. It's sort of my own pace.
Your own "pace?"
Yeah. Like always leaving the house at the same time,
and returning at the same time.
It's like a promise I've made to myself.
If the order around me changes in any way, my physical condition goes awry.
I feel terrible that you have to put up with someone like me...
It's really inexcusable of me.
I'm sorry.
Ah, you shouldn't say that.
But, I think you're the one I trouble the most.
I told you I wanted to get to know you better.
Whenever something affects you, please tell me right away.
I want to know more about both you and Yuji.
Knowing things about the two of you would make me feel good.
That's what I think.
Thank you.
"Takumi-san, having made contact with your heart,
"I felt at ease and relieved.
"I'm sure you'll agree that understanding is the beginning of everything."
Sensei!
What is it?
I...
...spoke to Mio.
Really? You whispered?
Good for you!
All right! Let's go!
Okay!
Sensei, raise your thighs more!
"Takumi-san...
"I am happy."
Wow! Yuji ate green peppers! Congratulations!
I swallowed them for the first time.
How were they?
Crunchy, crunchy, Totto ga totto!
I see!
Hey, let's do the "Spinning Dance!"
All right, all right! We're so happy!
Raa Taa Taa, Raa Taa Taa, Spinning Dance!
All right!
What's going on?
Yuji finally became friends with the 'Pepper Star Man.'
Let's all praise him, please.
Takkun, green peppers taste good.
You're great. Well, let's eat some.
Just one more.
Well, just one more.
Okay, eat one more still.
NO!
What are you doing?
Could it be that Takumi-san isn't good friends with 'Pepper Star Man' either?
Yeah...
Why didn't you say anything, even after promising...
Or was that a lie, too...
No, it wasn't...
I don't know you anymore!
When the Mama of the past got angry, it felt just like that.
That's right...
I'm not angry!
You know, Mama looks scary.
Takkun, Takkun! It's time!
Yuji! Your big hugs!
Big hug! Once more, big hug! Again, big hug! Complete big hug!
Big hugs are done!
Have a good day!
- Takkun, hurry! - We're off.
Have a nice day!
Ah, Takumi-san?
The green peppers you didn't eat? I'll wrap them and keep them for later.
Yes.
Have a nice day!
We're going!
Ima nanishiteru kana Even now, at least
Kimi mo miteiru kana I can still see you
Ame wa yami sora ni kakaru AACHI After the rain, an arch hangs in the sky
Niji de tsunakaru kimi to boku A rainbow connecting both you and me
Naninani o shittari What do you know
Naninani o shirana kattari What don't you know
Tomattari maeni susundari It stops then moves forward
Ushiro ni sagattari Then falls behind
Mizukara KOROGARU toki mo are ba There are times when you tumble
Te wo karite KOROGARU toki mo aru Times when you tumble, by your own hand
KARAN KORON mata hirogaru Karan, koron and again it spreads along
KARAN, KORON mata KOROGARU Karan, koron and again it tumbles on
Sora to umi ga gasanatta Sky and sea pile up
Ano shima no youna On that island
Hanaretemo onaji iro ni Leaving behind the same color
Yasashiku mazari au Tenderly blended to match
Hora yorizou KIZUNA By these close bonds
Ippo ippo tada mae e Step by step to what we had before
Ippo ippo ho haba awase Step by step each step brings us together
Korohisou nara sou kono te tsukame If I tumble, yes, I'll grasp this hand
Say Wo! Wo! Wo! Minna de uta e Say Wo! Wo! Wo! Everyone sing along
Original Air Date: July 24, 2005