Sweet Season - Episode 1
don't call me 'lover'
autumn in kyoto is beautiful.
Mahiro is following Akira, and runs forward to hold his hand.
Mahiro: it's a beautiful day
Akira: um
there is the ringing sound of small bells. they are checking out some cute
gifts, a little bell on keychain. Akira
holds one up to Mahiro's face, like a earring.
Akira: it has a nice sound
Mahiro: yes it has
Mahiro: "kawaii" (cute)
a temple bell in kyoto chimes once.
nightfall, the bells are ringing
Mahiro: dong, you can always hear the bells toll
Akira: eh?
Mahiro: yokohama. at kachou's alighting bus stop (flashback to a bus trip home after
overtime)
Akira: gas (====> what sort of translation in chinese is this?)
Mahiro: when doing overtime, didn't we often took the same night bus home? to
"kachou"'s stop takes 40 minutes. during which, i was really happy.
back to present time, strolling along kyoto's streets
Mahiro: "otsukare sama deshita, sayonara" (you worked hard - good for
you, goodbye). i always say this, followed by a smile, isn't it? (smiling at
Akira)
Akira: a smile?
Mahiro: you will then say "sayonara"
a pair of ladies in kimonos walk past, jingling away with their small bells
Mahiro: when i cannot hold your hand, (flashback to the bus trip, she is waving
goodbye to Akira) i feel a little sad. and the feeling deepens with each day.
(she looks to the back of the bus and see him at the bus stop looking at her)
at first, that's all there is to it. (they both look at one another until the
bus moves on)
back to the present time
Mahiro: people will always want more
arriving at the hotel
Akira: here we are.
Akira: "konbanwa" (good evening)
proprietor lady: "iya" (yes), "Goto-san wa" (Mr Goto). "oideyasu"
(welcome). thanks for your regular support
Akira: "iie" (no)
proprietor lady: today, there's only the 2 of you?
Akira smiles in assent and gives a slight nod
proprietor lady: please come in
they walk into the traditional guest house (ryokan)
sitting down to dinner, facing one another opposite the table
Mahiro: do you often come here?
Akira: um-hmmm. it's a perk for returning from overseas trips and conferences
Mahiro: makes me really envious
Akira: what's there to envy, it's just work. if i didn't use the company's name,
how can we enter a place such as this? come, let's eat.
Akira starts on his dinner, only to find Mahiro hesitating. he looks at her questioningly
Akira: what's wrong? is there something you don't like about the dishes?
Mahiro shakes her head (so it's not the food, but obviously!)
Mahiro: i can hardly believe that we are here now. "watashi" (i)... never
thought i would do this sort of thing.
Akira: why?
Mahiro: i'm not pretending to be innocent, but feel that i have changed. no. in
truth, i feel guilty. because i have always thought that one should never be
involved in a love affair.
Akira: it's not too late to turn back
Mahiro: can't turn back! can't turn back! it's already... too
late to turn back
both are silent for a moment, looking at one another, waiting for each to speak
up first
Mahiro: Goto-san, what are your feelings?
Akira: i feel the same way. i... when i think of you, i only want to hold your
hand. my feelings are the same as yours... there's no turning back now.
Akira downs a cup of sake to boost his courage. hearing his words, Mahiro gets
up and goes and sits by his left side. she takes his cup and holds it up to
him. he understands the meaning, and pours the wine for her. she drinks it.
====> symbolism of sharing the cup of life? or some japanese marriage ritual?
but you get the meaning one way or another - the love affair has been committed
by more than just words, although their 'journey' was already heading in that
direction.
the camera pans from the dining room (where Mahiro has just drank the wine) to the
bedroom and fades. you get the picture (if not, you are too young to watch this
J-drama).
====> The Japanese Wedding Ceremony: The traditional Shinto ceremony honors the kami, the spirits inherent in the natural world. After a purification ceremony using a special branch called the harai-gushi, the priest calls to the gods to bless the couple. The ceremony ends with a ritual sharing of sake from three flat cups stacked on top of one another. Popularly called san-san-kudo, this ritual can be performed any number of ways, depending on your family's custom. The groom may lead, taking three sips from the first cup, followed by the bride, who also takes three sips from the first cup.
train departing, the 2 lovers are on a train back to tokyo, sitting together, resting, holding hands, with their little bell keychains ringing along with the train vibrations.
it's already night when she arrives home.
a voice in the house says: "okaeri" (welcome home)
the camera pans from the living room TV to the left, and Mahiro sees her grandmother
Mahiro: "obachan" (grandmother), you're here
Fuji: haven't i told you before, not to call me grandma?
Mahiro: you really like to haggle over every detail. "okasan okasan" (mother's
mother) isn't that "obachan"?
Fuji: of course
Mahiro: "omiyage" (native product present)
Grandma (looking at the gift): oh, you've been to kyoto, ah?
Mahiro (looking out the window): took the last 2 days off for a vacation. "okasan
wa"? (where's mother?)
Mahiro turns on the porch lights
Fuji: there's no more soya sauce at home, so she went out to buy some
Mahiro yawns.
Fuji: slept late?
Mahiro: um.
Mahiro (contemplates letting her grandma know of her love affair): "obachan",
yesterday, i...
Fuji: what is it?
just then, the door opens and Mahiro's mother has returned, cancelling all opportunity
of Mahiro sharing with her grandma about her situation
Yayako: i'm home
Fuji: "okaeri"
Yayako: Mahiro, you're home
Mahiro: "tadaima" (here i am; i'm home)
Akira is home too; you can hear the typing sound of a computer keyboard as he
enters his apartment.
Akira: "tadaima"
Chikako: "okaeri"
Chikako: ah Momotaro (Akira's nickname - see later part of this episode for
origin of nickname)
Akira: yes?
Chikako: don't keep your suit yet, i will brush it up for you.
Akira: thank you
Chikako: it's ok
Akira enters the bedroom, takes off his coat, and throws it on the bed. his bell
keychain falls out of the pocket and lands on the floor
back at the Fujitani home
Mahiro: when do we start?
Fuji: not decided yet
Mahiro: why?
Yayako: have to discuss it with your father in detail first
Mahiro: but the road construction has necessitated the repossession of her house
and she cannot find another place to stay. that's why it's perfectly normal
for her to come and stay at our house.
Fuji: this sort of thing cannot be immediately done. i think it's not intentional
of Shinya (her son-in-law) to delay
Yayako: ma!
Mahiro: grandma!
suddenly, it's all quiet, and they look up to see the head of the household
enter the house
Mahiro: husband, you're home very early today
Fuji: "okaeri mase"
Father quietly nods and enters
Fuji: i have to leave now
Mahiro (the bold one, always at loggerheads with her dad): "otosan" (father),
"obachan" has something to discuss with you.
Mahiro: when can she move in with us, since "obachan" is here today?
Shinya: i'm very tired today.
Mahiro: and not just today! "obachan", she-
Fuji: enough, Mahiro-chan. he does not like to be questioned
Shinya: "okasan", what are you trying to say?
Mahiro: have you've done something to be afraid of being questioned?
Yayako: Mahiro! (trying to stop the argument)
Shinya: keep your mouth shut!
Father leaves the room in anger
Chikako finds the bell in the bedroom, and rings it to attract Akira's attention in
the living room
Chikako: is this yours?
Akira: oh, i was thinking of putting it on him (their cat, sitting next to Akira)
Chikako: you've forgotten to buy what i asked you to, only remember about "neko"
(cat)
Akira: jealous of "neko"?
Chikako: does Momotaro like "neko"? it should be dogs, monkeys and
other wild animals
Akira: that's why i call him a wild animal. (carries the cat, talks to it) poor
thing. i should have given you a nice name like dandan or mimi
Chikako: you shouldn't be talking to a cat at your age
Chikako: i am going to sleep now, "oyasumi" (good night)
Akira: "oyasumi"
pensively, Akira holds the bell keychain in his hands and it rings... Mahiro is ringing
her bell keychain too, in bed. but she is not happy either. she puts it on the
table, and flips up her childhood photo
frame. in the photo are 2 children saluting, her brother and she. flashback
to the drowning of her brother. she feels guilty towards him because of her
illicit love affair, and quickly flips the photo down, picks up her bell keychain
and hugs it to sleep.
the next morning, at work.
Akira (entering the office): "ohayo gozaimasu" (good morning)
colleague: "ohayo gozaimasu"
greetings galore...
Yukata (running to Akira): "kachou"
Akira: oi
Yukata: "gozaimasu"
Yukata (shows him a pamphlet): "sumimase", can we double the number
of participants for this tour? there's a whole bunch of people signing up.
Akira: is that so? ok, i will consider it.
Yukata: thanks
Akira: ok, keep up the good work
Yukata: i haven't any other things to do anyway
Akira: why? let's talk about it
Yukata hesitates, and Akira guesses the reason
Akira: is it a woman?
Yukata nods, slightly embarressed. just then, the super smiley Mahiro walks
past them
Mahiro: "ohayo gozaimasu"
Akira: "ohayo"
Yukata: "kachou", i'll leave it up to you, then
Yukata leaves in opposite direction as Mahiro, as he has just been "EX"ed
by her. remember the Mahiro/Yukata scene in the flashback in the prelude?
Akira (calls to Mahiro)
Mahiro: "hai"
Akira (hands over a package): i shall have to trouble you with this
Mahiro: "hai"
she looks over the package and smiles. then she goes into the ladies, sits
on a toilet seat, and opens the package. it's a handphone. the scene switches
over to her calling Akira on her mobile
at home at night, 2 months later.
Chikako: Mahiro, your phone is ringing.
Akira is in the shower and does not respond, so Chikako answers the call
Chikako: hai
on hearing a woman's voice answer the phone, Mahiro hangs up immediately
Yuma flounces into Mahiro's bedroom with a red kimono on and does a turn to show
it off
Yuma: look, what do you think? 'beautiful', right?
Mahiro: very pretty, this dress
Yuma: the one that's pretty should be me, right?
Yuma (sits on bed): actually, i could have worn "onechan"'s , since
i will only wear this for one day (for coming of age; 20).
Mahiro: "otosan" has said he will buy one for you, Yuma
Yuma: that's his nature, to be fair to everyone (ie. buy a kimono for each daughter
on their coming of age)
Mother (also in kimono): "tadaima". it's been very tiring.
Mahiro: "okaeri". it's taken quite a bit of time.
Yuma: yes, it's true. we had to wait a long time at the photo studio
Yayako: Mahiro, "obachan" is here, can you help me get the tea ready?
Mother (to Yuma): go and change out of the kimono while you haven't torn it yet
Yuma: "hai"
Yayako: go
Mahiro: "okasan"
Yayako: "nani" (what)?
Mahiro: "otosan wa"?
Yayako: no problem, say he's working overtime, so he will be coming home late
Mahiro: "so" (really)
Akira carrying cat with bell attached to its collar after his shower
Akira: very relaxing
Chikako: Momotaro, just now, there was a call on your handphone
Akira: who called?
Chikako: when i picked up the phone it was disconnected
Akira: oh.
Akira: oh yes, tomorrow is the start of our vacation. how do you want to spend
it? are you very busy?
Chikako: i have to submit my paper. Kamoshita is too much. he doesn't consider
the needs of the younger generation. still never change, although he has been
promoted to assistant editor. it's a real headache
Akira: does that mean you won't be taking a vacation?
Chikako: you?
Akira: i have an assignment
Chikako: "doko" (where)?
Akira: izumo
Chikako: i see
Chikako: we'll have to "gambatte" (try our best). the mortagage on
our apartment still has 25 years to go. it was not easy getting an apartment,
even though it's not even a sea-facing apartment. still, it's not a bad location
it's now after dinner at Fujitani's. the ladies are having a good time chatting
and laughing. father, who has been working late, came to the door, and hesitates
for a while before going in
Shinya: "tadaima"
ladies: "okaeri mase"
Fuji: i'm sorry to intrude. i'm sorry that i always stay too late each time
i visit. i should leave now (gets up from the dining table)
Yuma (gets up and holds her): "obachan", it's ok, please sit down
Father (pretends he didn't hear his younger daughter): "ah so desuka"
(is that right)? then please take care
Yuma: "otosan", grandma has just come a short while only...
Shinya: i am very tired. is there any more food?
Mother (who has assumed that he would have dinner out since he was working overtime):
you haven't eaten? (pointing at the quite bare table) there's only this left.
i will go and cook something
Shinya: no need (and walks off. Mahiro has been getting angry for some time
now, especially with the way he treated the grandmother, and now she's angry
on behalf of her mother as well)
Yuma: "otosan"
Shinya: today, there were many events happening in the company. i am very tired.
Mahiro: what do you mean by this?
Yayako: Mahiro
Mahiro: i also work very late. it's not just daddy who is working hard
Shinya: what did you say?
Fuji: so sorry, i stayed too late. i really must leave now (gets up quickly)
Father (to Grandma): "okasan", i'm really sorry.
Fuji: "iie". now that i am older, if i am inconsiderate to others,
it will make them detest me.
Shinya: i'm the one who is detestable. (====> asking for it, that silly man
- never spar words with ladies)
Fuji: have you've done that which causes others to detest you?
father is silent, as the faces of the other ladies show the pain of hearing
the words. of course father is detestable! he turns and leaves the room
Fuji: excuse me
Mahiro (suddenly gets up from her chair): "obachan", you needn't leave
for home so soon. if you will wait awhile, i will send you home (she can drive,
and will probably use her dad's car).
Fuji: it's ok, i will call a taxi
Yuma: then i will call one for you
Fuji: "arigato" (thanks)
Grandma (looks towards the father in the other room) so sorry to have disturbed
you when you are tired.
Yuma accompanies grandma out as father re-enters the living room, having changed
out of his office suit.
===> major quarrel coming up shortly...
Shinya: get me a beer
Yayako: "hai"
Mahiro: mother, you are really too much. why didn't you say anything?
Yayako: it's "obachan"'s fault
Shinya: can we have a bit of peace and quiet around here? always quarrelling!
Mahiro: "otosan", "desho" (i thought you'd say that)
Mahiro: everytime "obachan" is here, you will pull a long face.
Shinya: children should keep their mouths shut!
Mahiro: i'm not a child anymore! do you know how old i am?
Shinya: of course. i am your father
Mahiro: sure, now you put on this 'father' role. selfish!
Shinya: what do you mean? acting as a father, what do you mean by that?
Mahiro: after so long, it's only now that you talk about being a father or a
part of the family. well, it's too late! you go where you like, and only when
there's no where else to go that you come home
Yayako: don't say anymore!
Mahiro: "okasan", aren't you angry? always keeping it inside. there
was a time when "otosan" did not return home, didn't you cry non-stop?
can you treat the past like it never happened before? i just don't understand
it!
Yayako: "okasan" is aware of it, but there is no need to bring up
the past.
Mahiro: i know it all. even though i was very young then, i remember everything.
that day-
Yayako: Mahiro
Mahiro: that day, dad skipped our appointment with him and went somewhere else,
i knew all about it. (she gets up to confront her dad, who continues to drink
his beer) he abandoned his family! and only when things came to a head that
he returned. by then, it was too late! even if you wanted to redeem the past,
you cannot.
Shinya: what do you know?
Mahiro: i know it all! with regards to you, "okasan", i completely
do not understand, nor do i care to understand! "demo ne" (but) "onichan"
(elder brother)'s death-
Yayako: Mahiro!
Mahiro: was caused by "otosan", that much i know
Father is really angry now, at the disrespect from his daughter, and gets up
to slap her. Mother, who has been trying to make peace all along, rushes forward
to stop it.
Yayako: "mutoro" (husband), don't (and grabs hold of him)
Mahiro: hit me!
Yayako: "iie"
Mahiro: why don't you hit me?
Yayako: go back to your room
Mahiro pulls her mom away, and she falls
Mahiro: hit me.
her mother knocks against the table, and some of the dinner table things fall
along with her. Mahiro looks and is sorry for her actions, and runs out.
Father (calls after her): Mahiro
Yayako: stop it. (sobbing) we are a family. i just hope we can more united.
father has nothing to add
Mahiro is driving in a car, switching for a good channel. 87.4 yokohama bay.
radio: "konbanwa". here to keep you company every monday through to
friday, yokohama bay...
she stops the car outside the pub, sweet season, which is beside the sea.
man fishing: welcome.
Mahiro: caught anything?
man: no
but as she walks past his seat, he suddenly gets some action
man: got it!
he reels the fish in
man: quite big
Mahiro laughs and shares in his delight.
it's a big pub, with live band, and quite crowded. she looks for an empty table
and sits down. the proprietor comes by to take her order
Mahiro: "konbanwa"
proprietor: why are you sitting here? alone?
Mahiro: eh?
proprietor points to the bar counter. she looks in his direction
proprietor (shouts across the room): Akira! (even louder) Akira!
Akira (sitting at the bar counter, eating): ah?
Akira looks towards the proprietor and sees Mahiro, just as she too has caught sight
of him. she is very glad to see him, and gets up. he's happy to see her too,
and waves his food-laden fork to acknowledge her.
now they are sitting together at the counter.
Mahiro: "terebashi" (telepathy)
Akira: yes. have you been here by yourself before?
Mahiro: no. "hajimete" (first time)
Akira: what happened?
Mahiro: why?
Akira: "iya" ('nothing', in this context)
Mahiro: unconsciously, i thought of coming here
Akira: "chotto matte ne" (please wait awhile)
the camera focuses on a sweet season
matchbox. this will be significant in a later episode. Akira gets up and
goes to the jukebox. this bar has lots of "gaijin" (foreigners), strangely
enough, so you can hear english in the background. Mahiro walks up to Akira,
browsing over the jukebox selection.
Mahiro: found it?
the fisherman walks in with his catch
proprietor: how long are you going to fish?
the fisherman recognises Mahiro as he walks past, and smiles at her to acknowledge
that. she smiles back at him. he shows the fish to the proprietor
proprietor: you caught this yourself? then eat it yourself. come on.
Akira (having chosen the song and is listening to it): it's a sentimental favourite
Mahiro (grabs his hand): let's dance
Akira (pulls his hand away in embarressment): no way
Mahiro (grabs his hand again): let's dance
Akira: don't want to
Mahiro puts up clenched fists
Mahiro: let's bet on it. i know - scissors, stone, paper.
Akira: one... two... three!
Akira shows a stone, which sinks into Mahiro's paper. she wins.
Akira (redundant question): must i really dance?
they slow dance to the song Akira had selected from the jukebox
Akira: when i was still studying, i listened to this song a lot
Mahiro: with your wife?
Akira: eh?
Mahiro: just kidding
Akira: no, it's with my university rowboat team
Mahiro: you used to compete in rowing?
Akira: um
Akira: that's why i was nicknamed 'Momotaro'
Mahiro: 'Momotaro'?
Akira: originally, our team members were very weak. i couldn't bear to see continue
like this, so i joined them, figuring that if i'm in it, then i will want to
do my best. so everyday, i would...
Akira demonstrates the rowing position.
Mahiro: row and row, row and row?
Akira: right
Mahiro: Momotaro
she smiles when she uses his nickname, and hugs him.
Mahiro: "kawaii" (====> cute nickname)
Akira: why? actually, only my wife calls me that. (====> thinks double quick
time) oh, sorry
Mahiro: why?
Akira: didn't feel right. (====> i think he was actually saying "i didn't
consider your feelings when i said my nickname was only for my wife to use")
Mahiro: oh!
Mahiro looks at a poster on a column, with a photo of a woman's face
Mahiro: my school mate.
on closer look, Mahiro's school mate is a DJ, Saki
Koma Subara
Akira: Saki Koma Subara...
Mahiro: ...is a good friend of mine in high school
Akira: um
Mahiro: she entered the broadcasting world, said she definitely wanted to be a DJ,
and now she's done it.
they have left the pub, and are looking at the street vendors selling yummy
stuff
Mahiro: but as for me, i have not accomplished anything.
Mahiro (describing herself): i am very envious of those who can endure suffering,
or those who like a particular thing
Akira: do you like to travel?
Mahiro: um
Akira: "nani" (why)?
Mahiro: a journey, when you look at it, has a start point and a finish point.
Akira: oh?
Mahiro: when you travel, you can really feel you have purpose, moving in a definite
direction, towards your destination. it's makes you feel alive.
drinking coffee sitting on some apartment steps
Akira: how do you feel, usually?
Mahiro: i don't know who i am. at home, i'm not an obedient child. being an elder
sister, i am not competent. i don't have friends who think i am worthy of praise.
and when it comes to love... (====> oops! yeah, she's not too successful
in love either, having to make do with a married man)
they have moved onto an overhead bridge overlooking the city
Mahiro (realising what she had just said might be hurtful to Akira): that's not what
i meant!
Akira: um
Mahiro: my father's a planner at a construction firm, so he travels often. from
the time when i was a child, he is seldom home. so my mother often cries (she
didn't mention that her mom cries because the hubby is unfaithful)
walking along the road leading back to Sweet Season
Akira: will tomorrow be ok?
Akira (suddenly hops around to face her, hands in pockets - too cold): don't go!
Mahiro: no? i am so happy, the words won't come out. (====> talking rubbish
now, like reciting from travel brochure...) spring time go kyoto, winter go
to a hot spring. these are the ideal seasonal places for lovers. sorry, i am
talking nonsense.
Akira: lovers?
Akira: ok, then we'll meet tomorrow at 12.
Mahiro (salutes): ok
she's packed, and looking around.
Mahiro (talks to her brother's photo - it's a family pic): "onichan",
i've done exactly what father did. i mustn't, right?
daybreak
Mother (to Yuma): quickly, you're going to be late
Yuma: "onechan wa"? (where's elder sister?)
Mahiro is sneaking down the stairs with her hand luggage
Yayako: still sleeping. she's very tired
Yuma: "otosan", fetch me to the gathering, ok? (====> this is the
"coming of age" day)
Shinya: ah?
Yayako: cannot, Yuma. your father has a business trip
Yuma: where are you going?
Shinya: izu
Yuma: going to izu sounds a bit suspicious (for a business trip).
Father keeping quiet, trying to smoke a cigarette
Yayako: it's not a business trip, right? it's a golfing trip, right?
Father messes it up, and coughs (inhales too deeply)
Yuma: daddy, you're smoking again!
Father tries to stop coughing by drinking some water, only to spill it all over
his pants!
Mother goes over to help him
Yuma (to her father): you really can't take a joke
Mahiro grabs her bag and opens the door to leave, but just then, her mom is helping
her dad change, and while walking to the bathroom, spots her leaving.
Yayako: Mahiro!
Mahiro freezes, caught in the act
Shinya: where are you going?
Mahiro: just going out for a short while
Shinya: going where?
Mahiro keeps quiet
Shinya: going somewhere that you can't tell your parents?
Mahiro ignores him (====> pot calling the kettle black!) and leaves without goodbye
Yayako: Mahiro!
Mother lets Father go and get cleaned up on his own, while she goes and talks to her
daughter
Yayako: what is it?
Mahiro: today, i have work. even though it's the holidays.
Yayako: "ah so"
Mahiro: "okasan"
Yayako: "nani" (what is it?)
Mahiro: i may not be coming home for dinner tonight
Yayako: take care
Mahiro walks off, and Mother goes and see how Father is doing in the bathroom. he's brushing
his pants
Yayako: she says she has work to do during the holidays. why don't you take it (the
pants) off so i can dry it for you?
Mahiro is waiting for the bus, by the roadside. it overlooks a large expanse of built-up area (they live up on a hill, as most japanese do)
Akira is waiting for Mahiro at the train station, lighting up a cigarette.
he checks his watch, it's 12:10 pm. she's late. suddenly, a group of tourists
come in.
guide (holding up a bright orange flag): please follow me. we have to be on
this side to catch the train. don't get lost now.
Mahiro is walking up the stairs as the tourists follow the guide across the
platform, so Akira cannot see her coming. at last, the tourists finish crossing,
and they see each other.
Akira: i thought you wouldn't come
Mahiro: "gomen nasai" (i'm sorry)
Akira (grabs her hand): let's go
Mahiro gives a sweet smile and a small nod of her head in agreement
as they are walking off, a voice is heard from the tour group: Fujitani-san!
that's her family name, so both turn to look in the direction of the voice
voice again: has anyone seen Fujitani-san? he's late, that's really troublesome.
can someone please get Fujitani-san on the phone?
as the couple walk off in the opposite direction, father is running towards
the tour group. they pass each other on opposite sides of the station and do
not see each other.
in the train
Akira: i am going to buy a "bento" (lunch box), would you like a juice?
Mahiro: no, just stay with me
she cuddles up to Akira as the cabin door opens to reveal father just back from
the dining cabin with some snacks, counting his change
they arrive at their hotel, a ryokan with hot spring spa, and they
sign the hotel register, first Akira, then Mahiro
hotel staff: "arigato gozaimasu" (polite form of thank you)
hotel staff (to a lady staff in kimono): take care of Goto-san and company
lady staff: yes. (to Akira) "okaeri mashita", please follow me
hotel staff (bows to Akira): "douzo" (please)
hotel staff (to another guest): "sumimase"!
as they walk off, the tour group arrives
tour guide asks father (the section chief of the group of tourists) to sign
in first: "kachou", "kachou", please sign in
tour guide to others: please queue up behind. once you have registered, you
can then go to your rooms.
father spots the hotel chit for Akira and Mahiro, and notes the coincidence
of his daughter's name (but she didn't put her family name, just her given name)
so he assumed as the hotel staff did that she is Akira's wife (and so can't
be his own daughter who is unmarried)
hottubbing time! but not very fun, the sexes are kept separated
Mahiro (to Akira): can i come over?
Akira: wouldn't it be embarrassing if others came in?
Mahiro is all by herself, so is Akira, in the other bath, as father enters the
male bath
Akira: someone's here
Father (asks Akira): can i come in?
Mahiro (recognises the voice of her dad but does not respond, since she couldn't
see for sure, neither would she want to respond in her situation)
Akira (to her father): of course
Akira (to Mahiro): you can go up first
Mahiro: "hai"
Father in the spa, looks up in surprise, as the voice of the lady sounds like
his daughter's, so he decides to verify his suspicions by talking to Akira
Father (to Akira): it's nice in here. are you here as husband and wife?
Akira (caught by surprise by the questioning): yes, and you?
Shinya: only the men, the tour group type
Akira: "so desuka" (is that really)
Shinya: i really envy you
Akira: eh?
Shinya: "iie". it's just that i've never toured with my wife.
Akira: oh, ha ha. i guess you can say that again. (changing the subject) the
temperature of the water's just right.
done with the spa, now it's time for dinner. Akira enters their room, to find
Mahiro on the phone. she motions to him to be silent
Mahiro: Saki (remember the DJ poster in the Sweet Season bar?) Koma Saki? we
played together in high school. (Akira hugs her from behind, but she's quite
serious now on the phone. she's establishing her alibi with her mom) it's late,
so i'm staying over at her place. "okasan", it's fine. um. i know.
"jaa" (bye, see you tomorrow)
Akira: calling home?
Mahiro: sorry
Akira: no. i should be the one saying sorry. are you ok?
Mahiro: um. it's necessary to lie to conceal our love affair
Akira (his turn to say um): um
Mahiro (trying to cheer them up): let's have a beer!
Akira: oh. ok.
Mahiro gets the beer bottle, but can't find the bottle opener.
Mahiro: where is it?
Akira: "nani" (what?)
Mahiro: bottle opener's missing. i'll get one
Akira: let me
Mahiro: uh um. "iie"
she walks out to the reception. there are 3 other men also going the same way
behind her. father is seen leaving his room, but then it slams shut, and he's
forgotten something
Shinya: oh no, the key!
Mahiro gets the bottle opener from the hotel staff.
hotel staff (apologies for not checking the the bottle opener is in the guest
room): very sorry about this. (looks outside). it's snowing
Mahiro looks too and is very glad it's snowing. she moves to get a closer look,
as Father runs to the reception to get another key to his room
Shinya: i've left my key inside my room
hotel staff: your room is...
Shinya: number 306
hotel staff: please wait awhile
Shinya: i'm sorry
Mahiro leaves with the bottle opener, as Father turns from the counter to look
at the snowing scene. Mahiro takes the lift to her floor, and walking past the
open corridor, she slows down to look at the snowing.
flashback to the drowning, and of the bus stopping where Akira alights, Mahiro's
family photo, her drowned brother, the family fight after her grandma left the
house, Mahiro alighting from the bus to hug Akira, she remembers all that.on
the other side, Akira is also watching the falling snow and sees her.
Akira: Fujitani
Mahiro: "gomen nasai"
Akira: you're finally back. i was worried you could't find your way back
Akira walks over to her
Mahiro: i was watching the snow
Akira: ah...
Mahiro: "haji" (first) "yuki" (snow)
Akira: no wonder it's so cold
Akira: if there's snow tomorrow, we can have a snowball fight. oh yes, next
time, let's go hokkaido.
Mahiro: Goto-san wa?
Akira: um. been there a few times while a student
Mahiro: "okusan" (wife) to?
Mahiro: how are things between your wife and you?
Akira: ok. everything is fine between us
Mahiro: is that so?
the non-verbal clues are obvious, he's crossed
his arms in defensive posture, while she's touching her hands in front (pleading)
Mahiro: i've always pretended that the one i love, Goto-san, just happens to
be married, that's all. i tell myself, 'this cannot be helped'. but no matter
how i try to justify it, an affair is an affair. it cannot be set right. let's
break up.
serious moment broken by the theme song, very bad video editing here. Akira
looks at Mahiro, who's in tears.
Akira: Fujitani
Mahiro: i don't want to lie anymore. Goto-san, i don't want you to lie about
us as well. i don't want you to suffer on-
Akira: you mustn't take things into your own hands! i.. i-
Mahiro: i am very troubled. this causes me to be very troubled. if we continue
on this way, there will be a lot of heartache, much more...
Akira: then let it hurt even more
Mahiro looks at Akira in surprise at his answer, she had expected a simple breakup
Akira: i have deliberately sought after this kind of pain
they kiss as the snow falls. father is walking back to his room, passing Goto's
room and spots the couple kissing. taken aback, the 'old-fashioned' man, he
takes a step back, but out of curiousity, peeks at them again. Akira is now
hugging Mahiro, so Father can only see the back of the woman. but Mahiro's face
is reflected in the glass, and Father can see a blurry face
Father (to himself): Mahiro?
it's morning, and the train is running through the countryside. Akira is alone in the train. flashback to last night: Mahiro proposes a breakup. Akira rejects that even though he knows it will cause them more pain.
he gets up and walks out of the cabin to make a phone call
scene switches back to the hotel, father comes out of a lift. he recalls the face the night before, but since he didn't get a good look, he wanted to verify what he saw.
Akira (on his mobile): it's me, sorry. is it finished? all done. don't worry about me. "ima" (now)? i'm alone.
Father is now outside the room where Akira and Mahiro stayed the night before.
he rings the doorbell and knocks on the door, but there is no answer. he opens
the door, and finds the room empty save for the maid. she indicates that there
is no one in
Shinya: "iie, douzo, sumimase" (no, excuse me)
he gets out of the room in a hurry
Akira (still on his mobile): tonight, i will be home early. um. "jaa"
Mahiro pops by. she went to buy them both a drink. (====> and you thought
they went their separate ways!)
Mahiro: "okusan" (wife)?
Akira: um
Mahiro offers Akira a canned drink
Akira: because my wife left me an urgent message
Mahiro nods and smiles. they go back to their seat. the cabin seems pretty empty,
just the 2 of them.
Mahiro: i don't feel like going to work today, neither do i want to go back
home. i just want to be with you, together.
Akira: Fujitani
Mahiro: that's not possible, right?
Akira: we can't not work. there a meeting in 2 hours' time.
Mahiro (acting silly now, going all business-like): HIS travel agency, "kachou"
Goto Akira!
Akira: yes
Mahiro: work with heart and strength, win superiors' approval and subordinates'
respect. goes back home to his still under mortgage apartment, where his wife
and cat are waiting for him, Goto "kachou"!
Mahiro: and when you're with me, who are you
then?
Akira: don't bully me.
Akira (gets a cigarette out): last night, you said you want to split up... (puts
cigarette in his mouth) that's not for real, right? (he lights the cigarette
as Mahiro smiles at the fact the Akira didn't register the seriousness of the
night's conversation)
Akira didn't take the first puff too well, he starts coughing, and Mahiro is
immediately concerned
Mahiro: "chotto..." (drink a bit) (she offers him a drink to stop
the coughing) are you ok?
Akira takes the drink
Mahiro: really (Akira stops coughing after drinking some water). are you ok?
Akira takes another cigarette to puff, but Mahiro takes it right out of his
mouth
Mahiro: you're smoking too much
Akira: what does it matter? i don't smoke at home
Mahiro watches him light up again, and leans back into her seat with a smile
Akira: "nani"?
Mahiro (shakes her head, still smiling): um mmm
they alight at the tokyo train station, and Mahiro goes to the lockers with
2 bags (his and hers) all are taken, but there is a man there taking his stuff
out of one locker
Mahiro: lucky
she goes to that locker, but the man is still using it for other purposes. tough
luck, which gets worse, cos her ex, Yukata, is watching from the top of the
stairs. he notices she has 2 bags, which means he has stiff competition (====>
ha ha, personal joke there). he spots a can on the floor, and kicks it down
the stairs to where she is standing (still looking for a locker) Mahiro looks
up, but he has gone
phone rings in the Fujitani household, and the lady of the house goes to answer
it.
Yayako: "hai", Fujitani". eh? Koma Subara-san? (DJ friend of
Mahiro, the overnight alibi she spun is about to come unravelled) ah, Saki-chan!
"iie", and the same to you. eh? oh no, she went out the day before
(====> the mother didn't let on that Mahiro lied to her, since Saki wouldn't
have called and asked for Mahiro!) she said she was going to a friend's place.
back in the office for Akira and Mahiro. she's late for work
Mahiro: "sumimase"
Akira: tardiness is due to a lack of responsibility
Mahiro: "hai"
Akira: no matter what the reason is. this job requires that you are never late.
Akira's superior comes walking down to him
Akira's superior (smiling at him): Goto, forget it, because of the long weekend
due to the holidays, these things are bound to happen.
Akira (to his superior): "kachou"
Akira's superior (to Mahiro): having fun is also a experience.
Mahiro: "hai"
Akira's superior: but, must find a good man, eh?
Mahiro: "hai"
Akira's superior (paternal pat on Akira's back): you too, eh?
Akira: "hai"
Akira's superior: Goto, come and see me in a short while
Akira: "jaa" (yes)
Akira (to Mahiro): so in future, please be more punctual
Mahiro (bowing): "hai"
Akira walks off, but Mahiro catches up with him
Mahiro: "kachou", i've thrown away your travel bag
Akira: what?
Mahiro: all the lockers were taken, and you had left first by yourself
Akira: but you told me to go first-
Mahiro: even so, a person would usually stay
Akira superior: Goto-san
Akira: "hai"
Akira has to go now, so he waves goodbye to Mahiro and runs off
Mahiro: "kachou"!
Akira stops and turns back, she holds up a set of keys and jingles them with
a smile on her face. she's just kidding him. those are the locker keys, and
she throws it over to him. he catches it with a smile on his face.
Mother is sweeping the garden. scenes of the harbor.
Mahiro: "okasan"
Yayako: Mahiro
Mahiro: "tadaima"
Yayako: it's early, "okaeri nasai"
surprised, her mother continues to sweep the garden
Mahiro: what's wrong?
Yayako: you must be wanting dinner now. "otosan" said he'll be back
around 7 o'clock, so let's eat together.
they walk into the house
Mahiro: Yuma wa (where's Yuma)?
Yayako: skiing. she went right after the ceremony (seijin no hi)
Mahiro: "so"(really)?
Mahiro: is monday Yuma's birthday?
Yayako: eh, "obachan" will be coming, so please remember to come home
early
Mahiro: i know
Mahiro about to go upstairs and unpack, but thought she had better embellish
her lie about staying over at her friend's place, not aware that her mom already
know she's out with another
Mahiro: Saki...
Yayako: eh?
Mahiro: Koma Saki
Mahiro: i called yesterday to tell you i was staying over at her place, remember?
i haven't seen her for a while now, she's completely changed. a successful person
will always change. when we were in high school, we often studied together.
Mother (at least she didn't have to lie regarding this aspect of the past):
yes, indeed
Mahiro (big time lying now): she said she missed the night snacks you prepared
for us. she said it's been a long time since she's seen you
Yayako: "so"?
Mahiro: i am going to change now.
Mother (going to bring up Saki's call to her): Mahiro, this morning...
Mahiro: "nani"?
Mother (decides not to): nothing, you go and get changed then
Mahiro: um
Mahiro goes up to her room, turns on the radio (====> theme song plays, yeah, like real, right?) as she takes off her coat, she sees a note on her table: 1/15 PM 10:00, Yukata called. turning over the note, there's another: 1/16 AM 9:00 Koma Saki called. now she realises her bluff has been called.
*** End of first episode ***
