Switched places? Aso-san.
Did Touru do something to you?
I can't go out with you, Shogo-san-san.
Do you like Touru-kun? I like him
Then why didn't you tell me? Isn't that awful? You knew how I felt, right?
Ever since we switched, all you've done is get in my way.
I wish I could have followed Mom and Dad
Ah...
Here.
Ahh.
I'm sorry for going out with you.
It's hard to think about dreams for the future again, isn't it?
Eh? Aso-san. You asked me
about it the other day, didn't you? Yeah.
There was nothing I wanted to do even when I was young.
I ended up letting go of the dream I finally found.
Today's the anniversary of my friend's death.
I think it's been 20 years since he died in a racing accident.
After he died, I was afraid to move on.
What a shameful story.
Oh, I'm sorry for being so serious.
No problem.
I'll walk you home.
It's okay.
Thank you for the drink.
[phone ringing]
[Godzilla mobile]
You can sleep here for today.
The remote control for the heater is here.
Feel free to use the refrigerator, too.
Shoko-san, I was worried about you.
Well, I don't think it's bad to have quarells in a relationship though
Good night then.
I'm glad. Thanks, Suka-chan.
I'll go check on her again tomorrow morning.
Suka-chan, I have a favor to ask...
Can you not tell Miwa about it?
I know. Thanks.
Bye.
(Cicada sounds)
Konya wa Kokoro Dake Daite
Episode 5 [Two Mothers] (8 episodes)
Oh, good morning. Were you able to sleep?
Oh no. What's wrong?
My back hurts like hell.
Ouch, ouch... I guess the sofa was too hard.
It gets worse when you're over 40. That's the worst
How are those muffins? I baked them first thing in the morning.
You used regular butter, right?
You should use unsalted butter. It's too salty.
I see. I'll try that.
You know a lot, don't you, Miwa?
I used to make sweets with my mom.
So you two were close.
I was just acting the good girl.
I think everyone acts a little.
It's necessary to survive in this world.
Especially when you're young, school and family are all that matters in society.
That person doesn't understand that at all.
No, I don't think Shoko-san has any bad intentions either.
What does Goji like about that woman?
What part? Outside? Inside?
Hmm, looks and substance are two things in one.
So it's hard to say which is which.
Does that mean you get nervous when you see my sleeping face?
Disgusting! Oh, sorry.
I don't think so...
I understand. Well, in the end...
It's fun and relieving to be together with someone
I wonder if that part is true
It's not about logic.
Do you want to eat it? Ahn.
(laughs)
Yamamura-san.
Please go put together the questionnaire for the graduation album by tomorrow.
But this is Yamada-san's job, right?
Yamada-san's not feeling well.
Yeah. Another thing
The length of your skirt still hasn't been fixed.
I fixed it. Where?
It's too short no matter how you look at it.
You're also preparing for the internal entrance exam.
Aren't you self-aware?
Again? Tamura has her sights completely on Hiro, doesn't she?
Hiro...
I hate this.
Why do I have to do it all myself?
Ah Standing is hard.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Then, please take care of the rest.
Oh, wait a minute.
Souvenirs from Hokkaido. I didn't give them to you yesterday.
Thank you.
Ah, it's cute.
I've been thinking about what you said yesterday.
If I had looked different...
For instance... if I were a young girl. Would you have done the same thing?
But I realized there's no point in thinking about it.
I just want to talk more and know more about you.
That's all.
(sound of door opening)
Where's Fukao? Ah, he's upstairs...
Michiru. Why didn't you call me back?
Let's talk upstairs.
Can't you talk in front of this person?
Let's stop already.
It's better to break up. It's better for both of us.
Are you serious? Yeah.
Good.
You saved me the trouble bringing this up
A man who gets involved with old women,
I'd rather not have that. Hey.
Aren't you embarrassed about your age?
I think there's some kind of misunderstanding. I...
You think you're a good person but you're just an annoying old lady.
Aso-san?
Michiru-san! Wait.
It's a misunderstanding. I have nothing to do with Fukao-san...
How dare you?
She said it wasn't true, so it's not true, right?
You even have Touru-kun wrapped around your finger.
That's not true... Just as well.
You're a junior, you should do something about Shogo-kun.
Eh? He's so persistent and troublesome
He wants me to marry him because he's quitting college and getting a job.
He's out of his mind. He only slept with me once.
Please don't talk like that. He's a serious person.
He's only 20, right? He's too childish to talk like that
Isn't it you who's childish, Michiru-san?
Huh? Even 20-year-olds fall in love with people.
You're too old to understand something like that?
What are you talking about? Just because Fukao-san was a little cold to you,
you can't just go messing around with a younger man like that.
Is that what an adult does? I'm really disappointed.
Michiru-san, you're so lame.
Are you okay?
I'm not okay, but...
I'm fine.
They say it's bad for your back if it's too soft
Here we go.
Ahh!
Chief Editor, what are you doing? Uh...
Eh? What?
Huh?
I'm just getting a change of clothes.
Ah, ouch!
Ouch...
Let me do it
I've done this a few times with my lower back, so it's become a habit.
Oh no, something's creaking.
I think it'll get worse if you keep sleeping on that couch.
Why don't you stay here?
I'll rent an apartment when I get enough money from my part-time job.
Miwa... I'm sorry.
I'll do my best on the exam.
DAY OF INTERNAL ENTRANCE EXAM
Stay calm. It's okay. I've done all I can do.
What? Pervert? There was a commotion at the station.
The girl was wearing our uniform.
We will now begin the guidance for the internal entrance exam for Eika Joshi Gakuin University.
First, during the exam, the only thing you can leave on your desk is a graphite pencil...
What happened to Hiro?
(sound of door opening)
Sorry. I'm late.
Please wait.
The start time is 8:10. You're 3 minutes too late.
You're late. You're not qualified to take the test.
Please leave the room.
I was molested on the train.
So I was taken to the station office...
Do you think that kind of excuse will work? It's true!
The written exam starts at 8:30, right? There's still time...
It's not enough if you can make it in time for the written exam.
The guidance is also a part of the exam.
Yamamura-san.
During the interview, you said, "I don't care about the department,
as long as I can go to university." You said that, didn't you?
That kind of carelessness is reflected in your daily actions!
You're wrong.
It's not lax.
Right now, we're searching for our purpose in life, right?
These kids are going to college.
and are going to encounter all kinds of possibilities.
How can a teacher deprive them of that possibility because they're only three minutes late?
If you can't be punctual, you can't make it in society.
If you're going to start talking about society...
isn't it important to have the attitude of not crying yourself to sleep when you're molested?
It's wrong for you to wear such a short skirt!
It's like asking to be touched.
Ah I see. Jealousy.
I understand. High school girls are so bright and shiny, they have nothing to be afraid of.
They say harsh things to older women.
I can totally understand why you're upset.
But that doesn't mean you can't nip a student's future in the bud.
There's no limit to your arrogance!
Tamura-sensei, what's wrong?
Yamamura-san was 3 minutes late for the guidance...
There's still time for the written exam.
Hurry up and take your seat. Yes.
Hello...
Miwa, I see you've left.
Why don't you sit down?
Ah...
I'd like a beer, but I can't drink, so I'll have coffee.
I had an internal entrance exam today.
I'm out of energy.
Hey, have you heard from your senpai?
Shogo-san?
Did something happen?
I didn't know that was going on.
We're here. Michiru-san lives in a gorgeous apartment, doesn't she?
Hey.
Senpai!
Touru, Miwa-chan. What are you doing here?
Michiru-san.
You're late. I've been waiting for you.
That's enough. You're bothering me.
If you come here again, I'll report you to the police.
Michiru-san! Senpai!
I know Michiru-san is saying these things, but I know she doesn't really mean it.
Because I said I'd quit college and go to work.
She's being cold on purpose because she's thinking of me.
Shogo-san, weren't you planning on becoming an architect.
and give your parents a house as a present?
You might regret it for the rest of your life if you quit college because of your temporary feelings.
I think so too. Thank you for worrying about me.
But I'll be fine.
Dad. Today, I finished the internal entrance exam. You don't have to worry about anything.
It'll be okay, right?
Please, God... seriously please!
She didn't pass? Unfortunately.
Does that mean I didn't get enough points on the test?
No, it's an overall evaluation based on the written exam and the internal application.
She's been following the school rules.
She haven't been late or absent for the past three years. Why?
There's still time before the general entrance exam in February.
We'll support you as much as we can.
I'm sorry, Miwa. I don't want to hear anything. Leave me alone.
That's too bad.
Miwa.
I'm sorry, Hiro.
Because you stood up for me.
Tamura gave you a hard time, and...
If that's why you failed the exam, then I...
It's not Hiro's fault.
How's Miwa after that?
She's been holed up in her room for a week since then.
No matter how much I apologize, she won't talk to me.
I've done something I can't take back.
I took away her future, didn't I?
There's still the general entrance exam.
You can make up for it from now on.
[phone ringing]
[amswering machine] I'm not home at the moment. Please leave a message.
Hello. This is Maoka.
I just got back to Japan. I'll be there tomorrow afternoon.
Then give my regards to Miwa.
Tomorrow?
It's just so cold in London this winter.
I think it's the coldest in 50 years.
Thank you for the souvenir.
Shall I open it?
Last week's snow was amazing.
What? Yeah. Oh, I see.
How's it going? Have you gotten used to living here?
Well.
I'm sorry for troubling you to take care of her.
I haven't taken care of her at all.
Rather, she's been causing me a lot of trouble.
Well, it's been 12 years since we've seen each other.
I'm sure it won't be easy for you to get over that, but...
That's right.
Here are the materials from the university in London. What?
I was planning to take Miwa with me from the start.
You should come to London right after you graduate.
That's impossible. Why?
Well, that's... She said she doesn't want to.
Don't you care about her feelings? Hm?
Because you said you want to go to college via internal advancement,
Dad and I gave up on taking you with us.
But... the advancement didn't work out, did it?
Then why?
I want to go to a Japanese university.
There's still the general entrance exam... Enough with the selfishness.
Please, just wait a little longer. No.
She's asking you this much, so listen to her!
It's none of your business. It is. It's a big deal!
When I say no, it means no.
I understand.
If I fail the general entrance exam too, then I'll go to London.
[voice in head] Wait, what are you talking about?
[voice in head] If you don't make it, you'll have no choice, right?
So please.
I beg you!
That's a promise.
What are you going to do if you fail? I'll do my best to pass.
Why so sneaky?
Nothing.
I'm staying at my parents' house until the new year. Miwa, come with me.
Please do. Shuntaro wants to meet you too.
Sorry, I'll stay here.
Miwa-chan...
I'll be able to study better if I stay here.
Yeah.
Why did you make that promise?
I mean, if things don't go back to the way they were...
You're going to be taken to London.
I know, right? Living with your ex-husband and remarried partner.
I mean, what kind of punishment is that?
Then why? Don't worry. I'll do my best.
I'll probably be able to handle English literature.
Why are you doing this...
Because you screwed up on the written exam!
Sorry.
Aso-san. Are you feeling okay already?
I'm sorry, I need to take today off.
Please let me come back to work tomorrow.
I'm looking forward to working with you.
Where's Touru-kun?
He's taking a day off today too. His exams are coming up.
Exams...
That's right.
Ahh.
I feel most at home here.
Are you busy with your translation work?
Ah, I think I'll stop translating now.
Huh?
I think I'm more suited to working at the café.
If possible, I'd like to work here forever.
I'd be more than happy to.
If it's okay with Aso-san, please stay forever.
Oh no. I'm going to take you seriously. I'm serious.
There are only about 9 hours left in this year.
I'm back. I've collected various pamphlets from the university.
I'll leave them here for you to look over.
You're serious about applying.
Oh, I just went to the supermarket and bought a pack of New Year snacks.
It was expensive, but I splurged.
(Intercom)
I'm sorry to drop by so suddenly
I know it's not my place to ask, but...
Are these all handmade?
I'm not so confident about the black beans.
Miwa-chan was in charge of making this every year, right?
I'm sorry if it's not to your taste.
Unlike Shoko-san, I don't have any talent.
I can only do this kind of thing.
That's not true. Eh?
You're a perfect mother, unlike me.
I hear it all the time from Miwa.
She's glad she was raised by you.
I think so too.
That's right.
I'm glad I'm mom's daughter.
She's an unfit mother. She's nothing compared to my mom.
Miwa-chan.
I'm sorry for bothering you so suddenly.
No problem.
Thank you, Shoko-san. Eh?
You didn't tell her about me, did you?
That thing.
That thing?
I was prepared for it,
when she was going to live with Shoko-san
I was sure she would find out. I knew that day would finally come.
Next Episode
I did a really bad thing.
The one who's to blame is the mother who abandoned her daughter.
The two of you are perfect for each other.
I'm really sorry.
Why didn't you take me with you back then?