Hello, this is Kururia's shop.
Please wait a moment.
It's Miyashita-san. Okay...
All right, all right!
Well, hello! Yes, yes, Ken-chan. Sure.
No, no. I was actually thinking of calling you.
Yes, it's okay. Welcome!
What!?
Wait a second! That can't be, Ken-chan!
That can't happen all of a sudden! That's going to be a problem for me!
What!?
All right! Okay then...
I won't be buying any more chestnuts from you, Ken-chan!
What the heck are you talking about! Well I'm relieved, too!
Go to hell, you bastard!
That freaking bastard. Geez!
Akane-chan... Hum?
Chestnut sweet bean jelly and chestnut sponge cake are banned for a while.
Take this off.
Ah!
Oh, my apologies. Hello.
I'm really sorry. You must've been taken by surprise.
Oh... He has the temperament of a true Tokyoite craftsman,
so this is more like a greeting to them.
Excuse me...
What would it be...
Are you the owner of this establishment?
Ah... Yes.
I'm the owner, Takuzo Kururi.
Takuzo Kururi-san...
Excuse me, but... Could you please come with me?
Say what? I'm begging you!
Please go out with me.
"Tokyo is a wonderful city.
No matter your age, chance encounters are waiting for you.
How many times have I fallen in love?
And so, today too..."
(Kagurazaka Love)
"Am I picking her up?"
"Or is it the other way around?"
Excuse me... Yes?
I didn't catch your name.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Hum... My name's Chisato Sasano.
Sasano-san? Yes.
My apologies. Not a problem.
"Could it possibly be that she fell in love with me at first sight?
No way... That would never happen".
Here we are... Kagurazaka.
It's been a while...
Do you have a moment? Yes.
You see, this here is called Kagurazaka street.
Yes.
In the morning, it's a one-way street downhill,
but by noon it becomes a one-way street uphill.
Really?
It was so that Kakuei Tanaka, who lived in Mejiro,
could go to the House of Parliament in the morning...
...And the other way when he would return home at night.
At least, that's how the story goes.
Wow, really? Yeah...
Well, maybe the story started
because that's the kind of person Kakuei-san was, don't you think?
You're a well-informed person, aren't you Takuzo-san?
Here it is.
Go ahead. Thanks.
So? Any progress?
No. Eventually, Tamura-san contacted me and dropped out.
If we don't decide on the role of Yaku Saheiji as it is,
Kiritani-san will cancel the performance. What should we do?
Excuse me... Chisato-san?
Who's that man? Ah, this person is...
This way. Huh? What?
This is our new Saheiji! What!?
Sa...Saheiji?
Saheiji? This old man!?
The new Saheiji has to be this person.
I just thought I couldn't come back here and tell you it was impossible.
Wait, what? What!?
Who's he?
I never saw him. An actor?
"I guess it wasn't love at first sight.
And here I was, all happy about it..."
I know that what I'm asking for is unreasonable.
But, I couldn't get anyone better for the role of Saheiji right now...
No, that's really impossible for me.
You see, I'm just an old man from a Japanese confectionary store.
"If you want to know, Chisato-san is the main actress of this theatrical troupe.
It had been two weeks since the rehearsals for the performance started,
when suddenly, the man acting as her lover got into a disagreement
with the director and dropped out.
With things left this way, the production couldn't continue,
so she went scouting for a substitute and found me".
You'll be fine. Saheiji is just like the Takuzo-san
who shouted "Go to hell".
No. You see, that thing has nothing to do with this.
Listen, I really won't be of much use to you,
so you'll have to excuse me. Is this the new Saheiji?
He's perfect, isn't he, Kiritani?
No, really. I told you I can't do it.
Isn't that great. Yeah, he looks solemn.
And his mustache is perfect for a ruthless moneylender.
Ruthless moneylender? Right?
If Takuzo-san was Saheiji, I feel like I could love him, too.
Whaaat! Well, for me too, it would be a pleasure.
I wish you could just try and do it.
Just... Do it... Just try and do it, you say...
We're begging you. We're begging you.
Yeaaaah... Takuzo-san.
"I... I hate it".
"I definitely hate it".
"Definitely..."
He's really going to act? So it seems...
Just a while ago he was saying that he wasn't any good at that,
but since he was invited by a beatiful woman... Takuzo-san has a soft spot for beautiful women.
I'm just helping someone, you know.
You see, they told me I just need to be there.
Then I said "If that's the case..."
Okay, I'm off. Where to?
To rehearse.
Rehearse.
You have to pay for that.
No, no, that's not it!
How many times do I have to tell you? Getting cold feet, Amateur-san?
Excuse me... I can't hear you.
I can't hear you unless you speak like this!
One more time.
Okay... Action!
"Please, just forget about me".
"Wait".
What is that? Does she have dust on her sleeve?
Well...
That's not how Saheiji talks! Wrong. Wrong, wrong!
How long have you been living? Amateur!
I don't want you in this play.
You can't seem to do anything right, so I'm wondering if you've been
standing there like that for the last 50 years.
I'm so sorry!
Kiritani's words were very harsh. No, he's right.
I'm really just an amateur.
I'm verry sorry, but please, look for someone else.
It can't be anyone else.
"Can I really be up to the task now?"
Should we go on a date, Takuzo-san?
A date?
As Tae and Saheiji.
Let's go for a walk on Kagurazaka street.
It's actually the first time I've come to Akagi Shrine.
Even though it was Tae and Saheiji's meeting place.
The Akagi Shrine was built in the Meiji era,
where Shoyo Tsubouchi and others held theatrical study sessions.
It seems there was also one aspect of this place where cultural art originated,
with Hogetsu Shimamura and Sumako Matsui as regular visitors.
Wow, no one in our theatrical troupe knows anything like that.
You really know your stuff.
Well...
"Oh God, am I a man who never learns?"
It's been a while since I've been on a date.
Huh?
Oh, I'm sorry. It's just a date for the role.
It's been too long for me.
"Huh... So, does that mean she doesn't have a boyfriend right now?
Is that it?"
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Ah, it looks delicious! I've never eaten meat like this before.
This meat is called Japanese Black beef,
which is raised on the island of Oki, north of Shimane prefecture.
Itadakimasu.
Enjoy.
Yum! It's delicious! Right?
I've never eaten something so delicious on a date.
So tasty!
"What a fool.
Any man should be happy to treat such a beautiful woman.
That's right. She's an actress.
Surely she says this to please the man she's with".
Couldn't we order just one bottle of wine?
Certainly.
Thank you very much.
So you drink? Just a little.
I'm always either doing part-time, rehearsing, or performing...
All around me, people are falling in love, getting married and having children.
Only me... It's only me who stays the same.
I'm being confined by the theatrical troupe... for the play.
Yeah, but... You do like it, don't you? The play?
I do!
I do. I might be a masochist, though.
I like it. I like being confined.
Are you all right? I'm fine, just fine.
Seat down. Seat down.
"This is not good. She's completely drunk.
But I don't dislike it either.
Because then, she could depend on me".
Oops... It's okay. I can walk.
Just be careful. Yes.
Takuzo-san? Yes?
"She feels soft.
...And warm.
Just as I expected, this isn't acting.
Is this okay for me?
No way... I can't. I can't".
Takuzo-san? Yes.
Why don't we go to the park?
"I don't even know
if I really like or hate
thinking like this".
"You definitely hate it".
"I never expected much with rehearsing,
but this was pathetic".
"You definitely hate it".
Haa...
Hey, do you know
what kind of feelings you should be conveying here?
Let's see...
Even though you're saying you hate it, the truth is you actually like it...
So, you understand that.
I wonder if you'll understand the rest...
"You definitely hate it".
Chisato-san?
Wait, Chisato-san?
Let's try to talk like this as Tae and Saheiji.
"I see. A pseudo love affair, huh?"
Okay.
"I don't even know
if I really like or hate
thinking like this".
"You definitely hate it".
"That's right. I definitely hate it".
"What does this look mean?
Is this acting?"
I hate it.
"I can't. I can't. This is just acting.
This is acting.
She's an actress. Just an actress".
"No. This doesn't feel like a play, at all.
As I expected, up to this point..."
"Saheiji-san?" "Yes".
"Look at me".
"Will you keep watching me forever?"
"I will".
"I can't take it anymore...
I... I am..."
"I'm completely defeated, Chisato-san".
There's certainly a chance there.
Am I right?
Araki-kun. It sure looks like it, right?
There's a chance, but your partner is an actress, isn't it?
That's right. The heroine is my role's lover. I guess this is a common story.
Well... Usually, actresses
marry their co-stars or young businessmen, right?
Young businessmen, huh...
Well, you could say I'm also a business... A middle-aged businessman.
Middle-aged or rather an aging businessman?
Araki-kun!
But, if things went that far,
wouldn't it be nice to just go for it? No way...
Blooming flowers must be loved with great care.
That flower might be waiting to be picked, you know?
I see...
Oh, that reminds me...
There's going to be another performance next week, so do you want to buy a ticket?
No, thanks.
Akane-chan? Good evening. Ah, Reiko-san.
I'm sorry, but he won't be coming again today.
Oh... I just happened to be passing by.
Just passing by? Yeah.
I see... My, Taku-chan went out again, huh.
Right? But I'm already used to it.
Reiko-san?
Oh... I'll see you again, Akane-chan.
Be careful on your way home. See ya.
Bye.
Okay... Action!
"You got that?" "Yes, sir!" "People are money".
"Money is everything". "Yes, sir!"
"Those without money are scraps".
"If you get that, no need for more talk".
"That's the one... That's the one who's going to hell!"
"You definitely hate it".
"That's true".
"I definitely hate it".
"I hate it".
"Tae-san?"
What's happening? He's like a completely different person.
Such emotion, those two.
He changed completely. Two weeks ago he was just a Japanese sweets confectioner.
"I feel hot.
What is this elation that's pushing at the back of my heart?
I feel like Saheiji is still lingering inside me..."
You did it, Takuzo-san!
No, I'm still a ways to go.
Still, it's just like what you were saying,
"if you don't give up you'll understand somehow".
You understand, right? Not really.
Takuzo-san? Oh.
That was quite good.
Thank you very much!
Well, I'll do my best not to die until the actual performance.
No, no... You don't need to do that.
This role is really not meant for you, after all.
I'll need you to step down after today. Thank you for your hard work.
Wait... Come on, Kiritani!
What went wrong?
Wasn't he doing great? You said so just now...
Good for an amateur.
However, acting couldn't be done in a day or two.
An amateur is an amateur, after all.
In the end, you were never going to like anyone who played Saheiji.
Even Tamura-san...
Wrong!
In that case, who's going to do it? Who will be good enough?
I'll do it.
Kiritani-san!
I finally understand it.
I can't let anyone else do it.
I am Saheiji.
Chisato!
Chisato! Chisato!
You're selfish. You're way too selfish!
I'm sorry, Chisato.
Am I not good enough as your co-star?
Do it yourself.
"Were those two dating?
She said she was being confined by the theatrical troupe, but I wonder
if it wasn't he the one being confined. It was all about a man, after all..."
Yes, hello? Ah, Reiko.
What's wrong?
That's so like you, Taku-chan.
The usual misunderstanding - that's what you're trying to say.
It's not that...
I think that person also liked you a bit, Taku-chan.
Somehow, you seem to be very popular.
You're wrong. She was never available from the start.
I don't think so.
I don't need to be comforted by my former wife, you know.
You see, even after we separated I never forgot about what we had.
Hey now...
Oh, didn't you have something you wanted to talk to me about?
Hum... Not anymore.
That's not fair. Tell me.
You called to say you wanted to talk, right? That's why you came.
Yeah, I just wanted to see you for a bit. Huh?
Thank you. Reiko...
Well, I guess I'll be going. Come on, now. Wait, Reiko!
See ya. Wait... Reiko!
Oh, thank you for the treat. No, no...
What was that about?
(3 weeks later)
Excuse me. Welcome...
Chestnut spongecake revival.
Oh...
I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the performance.
Somehow, we managed to finish it without any problems.
Thanks to you.
Nonsense. I didn't do anything.
No, it's because you were there,
so he was once again motivated to act.
Oh, I'm sorry...
But please, believe this...
There was no lie in the feelings that you portrayed as Saheiji.
It was as if Takuzan-san was Saheiji.
I definitely...
"Definitely..."
"You definitely..."
"Hate it".
You let me have a good dream.
Thank you for that.
Keep doing your best, okay?
I will.
Thank you very much.
"Thank you". I'll get this and will have a break.
Okay.
"You definitely... ...hate it" - don't you?
Akane! Watch out, Akane!
Ahh! No throwing!
Akane! No lunch break for you! I'll have it anyway.
English subs by Gabriel F. Visit d-addicts.com forum and support fan subs