Hey, Akane-chan! Yes.
Where did you put that thing? That thing. What's "The thing"?
You know... That thing. I have no clue about what you're saying.
Geez... Look, the thing. That thing.
That thing? Yes, that thing!
I'm a little busy right now? Can't you put that off until later?
Ah...Ah... What?
What? What was I looking for again? Wait a minute...
I'm trying to remember. Let's see... Let's see.
Humm... What?
That's it. That. What is it?
Excuse me. Welcome!
Oh...
My, you look great! But, I still see some traces.
Ah... Excuse me, but... Who might you be?
I'm Sakaguchi.
Sakaguchi...
Sakaguchi Kyoko.
Um... I guess you don't remember.
Sakaguchi from the Tatami store.
Kyoko-san... Kyoko-san!?
Really?
"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".
Help yourself. Thank you.
It's delicious.
How have you been?
I've been good, thankfully. What about you, Tokuzo-kun?
Oh, me? Feeling great is my redeeming feature.
They're doing a Japanese sweets fair at Matsumura department store,
so I got some Modern Monaka (Wafer cake filled w. bean jam).
I heard about your sweets store,
so I wondered how you were doing and somehow I felt nostalgic.
By the way, when did you get back?
It's my first time here since I moved away. I was quite shocked.
The International Theater has turned into a hotel,
and both the Genkikan Theater and the Jintan tower are gone.
But you see, even now, when you go into the back alleys,
it seems like time has stopped in that old era.
I see. If you'd like I could show you around.
Really?
Only if it's okay with you, though.
But what about your store?
It's no problem. The stocking up is alread over.
Besides, it's okay if I leave her in charge of the store.
Right?
Sure.
I'm sorry about that.
Okay, I'm off.
Take your time. Yeah.
Shall we go?
Akane-chan?
Oh, you startled me. Yes.
Who is she?
I'm not sure, but if I had to guess,
I'd say she's his first love. First love?
But, I think he'll be okay this time .
That's his favorite tie.
(Back-alleys Love)
"Kyoko-san is an only child of the owners of a Tatami store near where I used to live.
Since my parents were always busy at our Japanese confectionery store,
she often came to hang out with me.
She's beautiful and kind".
You must've been surprised when I suddenly disappeared.
I'm so sorry. My dad had forbidden me to talk to anyone...
Ah... Somehow, in my child's mind, I guessed that was the situation.
Indeed...
It was around the time of the oil crisis, so 1973.
40 years have already passed.
Asakusa has also changed completely.
You haven't changed, though.
Isn't a bit rude to say I haven't changed, Takuzo-kun?
I mean, the last time we saw each other you were 22.
Oh, sorry for my rudeness.
"Asakusa is crowded with foreign tourists,
but as you cross the Kototoi street,
things get unbelievably quiet.
The back-alleys are familiar to the locals, who call it the interior of Asakusa.
Matsuchiyama is a unique temple with a crest depicting a drawstring pouch
and two daikon radishes.
The drawstring pouch signifies thriving business.
...And the two radishes are a symbol of marital harmony and sound health".
It's unique, isn't it?
Say, Takuzo-kun, do you remember?
You must've been 3yo at the time.
You were mad at your father and stormed out of your house.
Everyone was worried that you might've have fallen into the Sumida river,
but when they found you, you were sound asleep in that temple over there.
Really? What a punishment that must've been...
Thank you for helping me at that time.
It's just a good memory now.
"She's someone I longed for.
Now, Kyoko-san and I are taking a walk in the town of Asakusa.
What is this feeling that's making my chest hurt?"
"Kyoko-san suddenly disappeared when the tatami shop
that was run by her father went down.
Back then, all I could think about
was Kyoko-san's smile, and because of her absence,
I lost the motivation to study and play. I had only realized what a special person
she was after I'd lost her".
What have you been doing since then?
My parents have divorced,
and I went to live in a relative's house in Osaka with my mother.
I've worked as a waitress and in a canned food factory...
I did all sorts of things, really.
It must have been tough.
Say... Are you married?
I was. Just once, but...
I think once is enough.
Any children? I have one daughter.
Really? Well, if she takes to her mother,
I'm sure she's beautiful.
You don't need to compliment such an old lady like myself.
Oh, c'mon... You're no old lady, Kyoko-san.
Even now, you're still very beautiful.
Well, of all the people in the world,
you'd be the best person to know if I was lying, right?
Yes, I remember well, wolf Taku-chan.
Huh? Because when you lie, your nose grows bigger.
See? No...
Even if you lie, you'be be caught right away. Same as always, huh?
"Kyoko-san... The memories I have from that time,
are all with you. And that's no lie".
I really mean it.
Ah... Ah...
If you please.
"When I was a boy, whenever I wanted to see a geisha,
I would often wander around here, even though I'd never meet them".
Hey, Takuzo-kun, do you remember?
Once, you were so charmed by a geisha,
that you hit your head in a telephone pole, and had to get four stitches.
Ohh... That actually happened, huh?
Kyoko-san, you do remember everything, huh?
When you get to a certain age, you often remember things from the past, don't you?
Yes...
But, since you're still young that probably doesn't happen to you.
Not really. I'm definitely not young anymore...
It's true, though. Just like you said,
it's hard to forget the movies you watched
or the music you listened to when you were young and more sensitive.
Yes. I still remember the last scene of "Gone with the Wind", word for word.
"Tomorrow is another day".
Ah... For me it's Tora-san. (A movie series character - Otoko wa Tsurai yo)
I can tell you the names of all 48 Madonnas. (Each film had a different actress)
That's so like you, Takuzo-kun.
Ha...
Ah... We've been walking for quite a while. You must be tired, no?
Should we rest for a while? Yeah, I suppose.
This is it.
Just beans, vegetable gelatin and black honey.
Just these three simple ingredients,
make for an exquisite combination.
Tokuzo-kun, you also grew up to like the taste of beans, didn't you?
What?
Whenever you ordered bean jam and fruit,
you'd always leave the cherries until the very end.
Really, was that how it was?
Did you forget?
"At the time, I remembered something else...
I had just started the first year of junior high school,
and while I was eating bean jam and fruit at this store,
and holding in my hand two tickets for the Hanayashiki Amusement park
with the pocket money I had diligently saved,
I asked Kyoko-san on a date".
"Asking out someone ten years older than me...
Thinking about it now, I was quite precocious back then.
...And her answer was: "OK".
However, that promise remains unfulfilled".
Delicious. It's delicious, right?
"I wonder if Kyoko-san still remembers that promise"
What is it?
Oh, it's nothing...
Kyoko-san, why did you decide to come back here?
I wanted to see this city again for one last time.
What?
"Last time?"
"What does she mean by 'last time'?"
"Last time?"
"What does she mean by 'last time'?"
"Could it be that Kyoko-san has an incurable disease
and has only a little time left to live?"
Takuzo-kun, thank you for what you did today.
I had lots of fun.
Oh, me too.
Somehow, I want to turn back time.
Turn back time, huh?
If I could go back,
I'd want to return to that time once again.
"What?"
Well, I'll see you around.
I'll see you.
"I'll see you. That's what we said the last time we saw each other."
"Can you leave it like this, Takuzo?
This feels exactly like the last time".
Kyoko-san?
What is it?
Would you come with me to the Hanayashiki amusement park, next time?
Hanayashiki? Yes.
"I'm troubling her.
I knew it. You're inviting Kyoko-san...
...a sick person to an amusement park... You idiot!
What the heck am I doing?"
It's ridiculous, right?
A full-grown adult in an amusement park...
More than that, taking care of our health is much more important, isn't it?
Our health?
You said you wanted to see this town one last time, didn't you?
What kind of illness do you have?
Thank you for worrying about me, but...
I feel great. Say what?
That's a terrible way to treat an old lady.
It's not that... Then, why did you say "last time"?
When you reach this age, you suddenly start hearing
about your classmates' deaths more often than not.
So I might have been somewhat sentimental,
and exaggerated things a little bit.
Ah...
"I really did it this time, but...
I'm really, really glad that I misunderstood things".
I was very happy that you invited me, but...
Was that supposed to be a farewell gift for a dying woman?
No, no... Absolutely not!
In that case, why don't we go to that Hanayashiki?
You're okay with it?
I'll hold you to that promise.
"Pinky promise, if I lie, I will swallow 1000 needles..."
"Kyoko-san's singing voice...
It feels just like I've returned to that time".
"...And cut my finger".
Well then...
See you.
It seems you've been having a lot of misunderstandings lately, huh?
Well, I mean, when you're told something like "for the last time",
anyone would think that, wouldn't they?
But, isn't it great that it was a misunderstanding? Of course.
Excuse me. Welcome!
Is Takuzo Kururi-san here?
Yes, that's me.
My name's Mika Aijima. I'm the daughter of Kyoko Sakaguchi.
Yes.
My mother's condition is progressing rapidly,
so would you prefer to have a better memory of her? (or should I continue?)
Well, when you put it like that...
She seems to remember things that happened long ago quite vividly,
but she can't even remember what happened yesterday.
You see, my mother is not aware of her condition.
And the doctor tells us that we shouldn't confuse her.
Kururi-san... Please, understand.
Is this about that older person you were longing for?
I could finally meet with her... Finally.
Will you meet her again?
I promised her...
...that we would go together to the Hanayashiki amusement park.
Still... She probably has forgotten that promise already.
If she forgot about it,
I'll make some new memories for her again.
I really like that side of you, Taku-san.
"I wonder if I should've really come... No, I'm supposed to come".
Ah...
Kyoko-san!
Takuzo-kun. Ah...
My daughter told me to come here.
Your daughter?
Long time no see!
It's been a while.
"As expected, she doesn't remember meeting me the other day..."
It's strange, isn't it? Somehow, it doesn't feel like a long time.
Really?
What do you wanted to see me about?
You don't remember? About our promise?
A promise?
Sure. I remember.
You do? The Hanayashiki!
Oh...
Kyoko-san, you remembered?
Of course I did!
The one from the other day. The other day?
You invited me while you were eating that bean jam and fruit in Umemura, right?
You asked me if I wanted to go with you to the Hanayashiki amusement park.
What?
What, you forgot about it?
This is...
"It's the tickets I gave her for the Hanayashiki".
I took good care of them.
Kyoko-san... You remembered about something from that long ago?
That happiness... You'll never forget it for the rest of your life.
At that time, whenever I got home,
my parents were always fighting about some debt.
I was crying everyday.
That was when I got your invitation.
It made so happy.
So, I thought that I would certainly return to this city someday,
and go together with you to the Hanayashiki.
Because of those words...
I was able to get by and move forward.
Takuzo-kun... Thank you so much for that.
Kyoko-san...
That's kind of embarrassing for this old lady...
That's nothing to feel embarrassed about.
Kyoko-san, you've always been my Madonna.
Shall we go?
It's been so long since I've had this much fun.
Thank you so much for that!
It's nothing.
I'm the one who should be thankful.
Thank you so much for keeping me company today.
Kyoko-san... Can I see you again?
"Tomorrow is another day".
Tomorrow is another day.
Takuzo-kun? Never forget, all right?
I won't.
"Kyoko-san may have understood".
Come tomorrow, today's memories
may be completely gone..."
Welcome back.
I'm back.
How was it?
I was able to fulfill my promise.
English subs by Gabriel F. Visit d-addicts.com forum and support fan subs