Original subtitles

The most expensive town for nightlife in Japan is Ginza.

There are rows of more than 400 exclusive clubs.

Here, there are more than 5000 hostesses engaged in fierce competition.

(Saito Rie-san)

In Ginza, the number one hostess is Saito Rie-san. (Saito Rie-san)

She cannot hear anything at all.

To overcome this she started written communication.

She has been winning the hearts and minds of many customers and comforting them.

She became a well-known popular hostess...

...and her book became a bestseller. That is Saito-san.

[She sold about 200,000 books.]

What is it that made her so popular? [She sold about 200,000 books.]

She has a good heart.

She is kind and considerate; for all that, I'm impressed and amazed by her.

As a hostess, Saito-san's biggest dream came true, however...

...the road there was a long and turbulent one.

Aomori in 2001

Look, look at this.

Rie?!

Rie, you are late.

You skipped a class and went on a date?

Wow?!

[What are you going to do for dinner? -Mom]

I want to ride a motorcycle too.

It's so cute!

- You changed the strap.

- I will be there shortly. See you. - You changed the strap.

Hey!

Are they matching?

Wow!

Well, please take care of Rie.

- You guys are totally in love! - I envy you.

I'm home.

Welcome home.

Where is Rie?

She's not home yet.

She'll be okay. She's already a high school student.

We were thinking about going to a club now.

Ah, hold on.

We will go to a club now.

[We will go to a club. Shouldn't you go home?] We will go to a club now.

Rie, wouldn't it be better if you went home? [We will go to a club. Shouldn't you go home?]

Rie, wouldn't it be better if you went home?

Er, but...

Even though she can't hear anything, she goes to a club?

I guess.

Satoshi, Rie, I'm taking a picture.

Look over here.

Okay.

Satoshi, stop eating... aaah~.

Okay, once again. Here I go!

Ah, hold on a second.

Hello, this is the Saito residence.

Oh, hello. Thanks for calling.

Tomorrow...

...we will gather at 10 o'clock at the townhouse, right?

- Yes, I understand.

- Mom! - Yes, I understand.

Yes, I will pay the fee at that time.

- Mom!! - Yes, yes, I understand.

Yes. Then, I will see you tomorrow.

Excuse me now.

Mom...

Rie is...

Rie?

Rie!!

Rie, what happened?

Rie!

She's hot.

What took my younger sister's hearing...

...was a disease called "meningitis".

It happened in the summer, she was almost 2 years old.

Since that day, our family wheels...

...started to fall off the rails, little by little.

[Where are you?]

Thank you.

Rie...

[I got paid, so let's go have fun! -Masaki.]

Hey, do you want to have a drink with us?

Hey!

You don't have to turn sour.

Who are you texting? Your boyfriend?

Hey, isn't she the wonder girl from a little while ago?

She texted that she is looking forward to it.

Stop it! (Rie has a special talking style.)

What was that?

Hey, she is deaf, so stop it.

So that's why she has such a weird voice?

One more time...

...say something.

One more time.

Stop it. Don't touch me.

Rie!

What are you doing?

Hey!

Rie!!

Rie?!

Until this late...

...where were you?

Mom, don't scold her without giving her a chance to explain.

You were at your friend's house, right?

Rie, tell me the truth.

What do you mean the truth?

Sometimes, even I see the morning come when I play a video game.

You should take care not to be late in the future.

Look, Rie seems sorry.

It's late, so go to sleep.

Sit down!

Where did you go?

Say something.

Do you know why I have tried to teach you how to speak since you were little?

If you don't try to talk, you'll forget how to speak.

Rie. Wait a second, Rie!

Mother wanted to raise her as a normal person.

Can I join? (Rie has a special talking style.)

How Rie-chan speaks...

...is weird.

She's an alien.

If you could... speak, you'll be fine.

Mother was very strict. If you could... speak, you'll be fine.

If you could... speak, you'll be fine.

My...

Both of them, to acquire "words" and "voice training"... My...

...name is... Both of them, to acquire "words" and "voice training"...

...name is...

...practiced again and again.

Rie worked really hard at it, as well.

O-mu-la-i...

Mother taught her how to read lips, instead of sign language...

...to understand words.

Because of that, Rie was able to read the lips of family members.

One more time.

Mother allowed her to study and take culture lessons about anything she could think of.

Rie did as she was told and worked very hard.

But...

You are so good at it.

Rie. Anything is fine...

...just become number 1.

If you come out on top, even though you are deaf...

...everyone will accept you.

You understand? Become number 1.

"Become number 1."

In the process, these words changed and became pressure...

...and I think that it pressed on Rie's mind.

[Hitsudan Hostess - Masthead by Saito Rie] (Note: Hitsudan is written communication.)

[Let's go home together.]

You're annoying.

You're being a nuisance, just like yesterday.

[Let's have a talk.]

Then YOU should say something.

That's right. You're pain in the butt.

[Could you write it down, what you're saying?]

That's too much, Tomoko.

Impressive!

You are the best.

Good.

Bye-bye.

[Rie has had her hearing taken by God.]

Bye-bye. [Rie has had her hearing taken by God.]

[Rie has had her hearing taken by God.]

Well, I can see what they're getting at.

[Don't mind them. You have me.] Well, I can see what they're getting at.

Well, I can see what they're getting at.

It's nothing. I'm just talking to myself.

You know it's good that we are male and female.

You know, we can make eye-contact, and we don't need words.

My parents won't be home until late tonight. [My parents won't be home until late tonight.]

Hey, we've already been together for a month...

...it's almost time for... okay?

You don't need to be shy.

Rie, you are cute.

It'll be fine.

What is it?!

Then, what did you come here for?!

No!

That hurt!

What're you looking at?!

Go home!

It's too much trouble.

A person like you who is deaf, what's there to do aside from sleeping with you?

[Rie has had...]

[...her hearing taken...]

[...by god.]

It's just arrived today.

Please, come inside and look.

Come on, this way.

If you like, you can look at yourself in front of the mirror.

Wow, it suits you very well!

Yes. It's good.

Excuse me!

Do you have this in a different color?

Ah, yes, please wait a minute.

Thank you for waiting.

- This... in a different color...

- Ah, yes. - This... in a different color...

Miss!

You haven't paid for this, have you?

Could you come with me?

Oh, manager. I will call the police.

Thanks.

Yes.

What is your name?

Which school do you go to?

Why did you shoplift?

By any chance...

...are you deaf?

This way please.

This is the girl.

Ah.

She tried to shoplift this a while ago.

I'm sorry.

Not at all.

Well, actually, it was a mistake on our part.

What?

It's fine here, so please look after the shop.

Thank you for coming though.

Oh, no, it's okay.

Sorry for this trouble. Again, I'm very sorry.

Don't do it again.

Masaki!

Masaki.

Is she your new girlfriend?

Be quiet.

Really?! Wow.

By the way, did you gain weight?

Shut up.

She is so cute!

What's going on? Why haven't you been going to school?

Is that true?

Rie.

Can you tell me a reason?

Rie, I won't understand if you keep quiet.

I'm... dropping out.

Dropping out?!

Rie wants to drop out of school.

It was the first time I saw her like this.

Since that day, Mother stopped telling her to go to school.

Rie dropped out of high school.

[A life without challenges is an innocuous life, and a life with challenges is an appreciative life.]

Subtitles by Dramaniac Fansubs

Translator: Tango

Timers: SouthsideIrish, Tango, jasminech

Editors: purple07mars and jasminech

Typesetter & Encoder: moon_kaka

QC: SouthsideIrish

Special thanks to Samshikmomo.

What happened to school?

I see.

Hey hey.

Do you like clothes?

Thank you very much.

[I'm deaf, so I will help you with my gestures. Thank you.]

Well, I want a sweater...

A sweater.

I want a turtle neck one.

Do you carry it?

Yes, that's right! Thank you.

It's cute.

Which one would look good on me?

Wow, this one makes me look slimmer.

Rie-chan.

She has better taste than I do. Which one is better?

Which one do you think is better?

This one? Then I'll take this.

I really like it. Thank you for your help.

Rie... she's become energetic lately.

Right? Don't you think so?

You want a cup of tea?

Well, she is devious.

For me, having Rie's hearty smiles come back...

...made me happy.

I hoped that she would keep that smile forever.

But then, the unimaginable happened.

This is it, right?

Yeah.

[Store Closing Down Sale.]

Ah, you can put those away too. [Store Closing Down Sale.]

Ah, okay. [Store Closing Down Sale.]

[Store Closing Down Sale.]

Excuse me. What is this? [Store Closing Down Sale.]

[Store Closing Down Sale.]

Oh, hello.

It's a bit sudden but, we decided to close the store this week.

We were having a decrease in sales.

I'm sorry that I wasn't helpful.

Does Rie know about this?

[Notice of Store Closure]

Sorry. You go ahead.

Sure.

Rie, long time no see!

I've been thinking about you.

I work at a credit union in front of the station.

Well, it's office work and Hikari goes to a school to be a child-care teacher.

[In the end, we became ordinary people.] In the end, we became ordinary people.

In the end, we became ordinary people.

Rie, you do well too, okay?

To Rie, it probably felt as though the doors to the future that had finally opened, had closed once again.

[All about cochlear implantation]

These last few years, there've been advances in the technology.

If you were able to hear...

...you could work at any job.

It has a high success rate.

You might need a hearing aid but, there are a lot of people who can lead normal lives.

When you get your first pay check, treat me to something.

[If I could hear, I would want to get a driver's license.]

What? I'll pass on sitting in the passenger seat. [If I could hear, I would want to get a driver's license.]

Rie, you have no sense for driving.

Are you going to be okay?

[Aomori University Medical Center]

Rie!

Father!

I left Sapporo first thing in the morning.

Thank goodness I made it.

You will be fine.

Good luck, Rie.

Although our mother doesn't say anything...

...she believes that taking her eyes off Rie caused her deafness and blames herself for it.

But, even though I was with her, I felt I couldn't have helped her...

I have never forgotten this feeling.

I wanted to bring her hearing back...

...and support her for the rest of my life.

[We will start now.] ...and support her for the rest of my life.

We will start now. [We will start now.]

We will start now.

That's the feeling I had.

Saito-san.

Can you hear my voice?

Can you hear what I'm saying?

In Rie-san's case, she lost her hearing before learning to speak.

So, it might be hard for her to distinguish words.

If she had undergone an operation with today's technology when she was little, she would be able to hear.

It's a shame.

No way...

Then... Then, what should we do?

Please...

...make Rie able to hear.

Please doctor...

...let Rie be like a normal person.

Please.

Satoshi.

One more time.

Do the surgery one more time... then she might be cured.

So, please doctor.

Satoshi, stop it.

Absolutely, nothing.

I can't hear...

Can't hear...

Can't hear...

Shit.

[If I could hear...]

[Saito]

It's beautiful weather.

You should change your clothes and come down stairs.

I made your favourite baked apple, so let's have a cup of tea.

Now, here you go.

Let's eat it.

I haven't baked this for a while...

...but it came out pretty well.

Listen, Rie.

There is an oil painting class at the culture center nearby.

I think that it would be better to have a hobby.

Would you like to join the class with me?

Let it heal.

It's alright.

Rie, you can stay home and have an easy going life.

Well, let's eat.

My name is...

One more time, you can do it.

Rie. Anything is fine...

...just become number 1.

If you come out on top, even though you are deaf...

...everyone will accept you.

You understand?

Become number 1.

It's alright.

Rie, you can stay home and have an easy going life.

You idiot! Do you want to die?!

Are you okay?

Are you okay? Your knee is bleeding.

Are you alright? Your knee is bleeding.

It might sting a little.

Are you okay?

Here.

Next, a band-aid... ah, there's none.

Hold on a sec.

[Hiring Hostess]

Thank you for waiting.

If you don't mind...

...please introduce your friend.

You can give this to your friend.

A band-aid.

[Is it possible even though I can't hear?]

[You cannot change the past and others, but you can change the future and yourself.]

How is it?

You can hardly recognize yourself.

However, mama is too nice. (Mama is the owner of the bar.)

It's obviously impossible.

Suzuki-san, she's the one I was telling you about.

Pleased to meet you.

Have a seat.

Excuse me.

It's okay, Rie-chan.

I will do it.

[Sorry.] (Rei's gesture.)

No, no. With carbonated water.

With carbonated water.

Do you understand?

I'm sorry. I will make it.

Shirai-san. Long time no see.

Oh, mama.

You'll be fine.

[I'm sorry.]

I had a feeling that she might have been working at a nightclub.

Recently, you come home late everyday...

...are you okay?

However, I could not ask and confirm what she was doing.

I didn't know what our mother thought of it.

Mother didn't ask her anything about it.

Rie-chan, come here.

Shimada-san, this is Rie-chan.

Ah, mama told me about you, the one who is deaf.

Pleased to meet you.

How old are you?

Right. She can't hear...

How old are you?

[I am 20 years old.]

I see, 20.

[Which month were you born in?]

Which month were you born in?

[I was born in February, an Aquarius.]

Wow, what a coincidence. I'm also an Aquarius.

[Really? That's great!]

Rie-chan, you have very good handwriting. [Really? That's great!]

Rie-chan, you have very good handwriting.

It's unusual for a young person.

"When I was young, I took a calligraphy class. There was also a time that I won an award."

Wow, that's great.

Ah, I see.

"By putting kanji into these squares..." (Note: Kanji are Chinese characters.)

"...how many 4 character idioms can you make?" (Note: Japanese has old idiomatic expressions consisting of four kanji.)

- "Competition!"

- Alright! - "Competition!"

I'm not going to lose this time!

Ready, go!

Let's go.

Okay.

[Treasure every encounter, for it will never recur.]

Well, for Ikegami-san's promotional transfer, cheers!

Cheers!

Good luck!

You guys do your best too!

America, you know. I'm going to America.

You're drunk, aren't you?

Up until now, you thought that I wouldn't notice?

This kind of job!

Quit it right away!

Don't you understand, Rie?

Stop working there!

No! No!

Stop it.

You wear things like this. Drink alcohol and please men!

Cut it out.

Stop it!

What are you doing?!

Satoshi, be quiet.

Stop it. Do you know what time it is?

Stop being a hostess!

Being a hostess is not a job.

I'm not going to quit.

Standing out there is cold, isn't it?

Come inside.

[You can stay here for a while.]

[Thank you.]

Don't worry about it.

Wait a second.

This is...

Ginza.

It's where I worked in the past.

I was cute, wasn't I?

[Still the same.]

Thank you.

Even now, I sometimes think about Ginza.

Ginza is...

...the dream of all hostesses.

The top place in Japan.

[The dream.]

[The top place in Japan.]

[The dream. The top place in Japan.]

[The character for "star" is written as "a day is born". During hard times, look up at the sky. Surely, tomorrow will be born.]

Ahh, Mama.

Please call Rie-chan over here.

Call Rie-chan over.

Here comes Rie-san!

"A life without challenges is an innocuous life..."

"...and a life with challenges is an appreciative life."

Wow, that's impressive, Rie-chan.

I'm happy for you. Wow, that's impressive, Rie-chan.

I'm happy for you.

I'm currently quarrelling with my girlfriend... what should I do?

[Discussion with love.]

Excuse me.

Rie-san.

Thank you for waiting. Rie-san is in.

Satoshi?

I'm going to Rie's place.

I'll go and bring her back.

I'm the same as mother.

It's not good if this goes on.

It's time to come home.

You should think a little bit about how mother feels.

So, we're going now.

Rie.

Rie.

That's enough.

Staying here forever would cause inconveniences.

You can't even see that?

Excuse us.

No!

You're going to continue being a hostess?

[You're the same as mother!]

[Being a hostess is shameful and embarrassing.]

Of course it is!

My younger sister is mixing drinks and giving a phony smile.

Who on earth'd be happy for her?!

[You and mom, you don't know anything.]

[You and mom, you don't know anything.]

What do you mean?

[This job is the first one...]

[...to accept me.]

[I will continue to be a hostess.]

[I will...]

[...continue to be...]

[...a hostess.]

It's alright.

[I will go to Ginza.]

What?

[I will become the number one hostess in Japan.]

[A chance is impossible to save. Either "make an effort" or "give up".]

Shortly, a train will arrive.

Please stay behind the the yellow line.

Ittekimasu. (I'm going.)

Do your best.

You too.

Here.

This too.

[Your friends in Ginza. From Kyoko.] (pen and notepad)

[Become the number one hitsudan hostess in Ginza.] (Note: Hitsudan is written communication.)

Here.

Have a safe trip.

Do your best.

[Ginza]

You look beautiful.

Good evening.

We've been waiting for you.

Segawa-san, please.

Oh, no.

Segawa-san.

This is Rie-chan.

Nice to meet you.

Hmm, that's pretty classy.

So you're the hitsudan hostess that everyone is talking about.

[I'm deaf. I will help you with written communication from my heart. Thank you very much. - Rie.]

Did you make this?

[I'm from Aomori... sorry it's a common thing.]

Ah, that's why you made an apple. (Note: Aomori is well-known place for apples.)

She's fair-skinned and beautiful, isn't she?

Mm, yes.

If you say so, I'm from Yamanashi but there are mountains. (Note: Yama is mountain, and nashi is nothing.)

It's return with a common joke.

You are too much, Segawa-san.

That was funny.

Is it funny?

I like your jokes.

Oh, really? Only jokes?

It sounds yummy.

Yamanashi is well-known for grapes.

Ah, that's right.

It's an excellent...

Hm?

How did you know I like it this way?

[I saw your previous drink.]

Rei-chan, you did well.

Will you have dinner with me?

Thank you very much.

[I think that I will have a good time with you.]

Yes!

I did it!

Oh, sorry about that.

I will show you some magic in return.

Ala Peanut Butter Sandwiches, what is in here?

Ta-dah!

Wow, that's wonderful.

Rie-chan, are 'fancy' and 'love' different?

" 'Fancy' is wanting yourself to be loved."

" 'Love' is showing your true heart."

That's true!

That's amazing, Rie-san!

Rie-san, please teach me some too.

"The important thing is..."

"...not how much you do."

"It's how to do it with your whole heart."

Rie-chan, that's a good one!

Can I keep it? Can I?

Thank you.

"If there is someone next to you, discouragement will change to tenderness."

Tenderness...

Thank you.

I'll come back again.

Thank you for coming.

Come back again. Take care.

Normally, I would take you to a sushi restaurant...

But today, there was something I really wanted to show you.

Ta-dah!

This bridge, I built it!

Well, well, not really.

Well, I made this bridge's... you know...

...just the foundations.

Yeah, yeah.

My very first job.

I started with a small factory in the countryside...

...if I succeed someday...

...I would go to a club in Ginza. That was my dream.

Well...

Ginza was my dream.

What is it?

[Me too.]

Ah, I see.

Then, we're two of a kind.

We really are.

I see. We're two of a kind!

Yay!

We're two of a kind!

[Saito]

Looks like the snow'll pile up.

Yeah.

Mom, it's about next weekend...

What?

Don't tell me you forgot already?

Aunt's 13th memorial service.

You know, uncle asked us to come, remember?

Ah, it's in Tokyo, right?

Yeah.

It's at a temple in Meguro.

Tokyo...

- Good work today. - Good work today.

Oh, Rie-chan, what are you doing?

Ah, sending a text to mama in Aomori.

[To Kyoko-mama, I'm getting used to being in Ginza and trying my best to be the number one hostess. I will talk to you soon.] Ah, sending a text to mama in Aomori.

Ah, sending a text to mama in Aomori.

She must be happy that you are working in Ginza.

Well then, good work today.

Good work today.

We are going to Tokyo next weekend. Please come and meet mother. From Satoshi.

Is something wrong?

From Aomori, coming all the way?

That's great, isn't it?

Oh, in that case...

You should go and eat together at a nice restaurant.

Here.

I'm off now.

[Toyoda-ya in Meguro with father, mother and brother]

Thank you.

Yes, I will take it.

Dad, do you want a beer for now?

Okay.

Umm, there's one too many.

Sorry?

Ah no, it's fine.

May we have a bottle of beer, please?

Yes, understood.

I'm sorry that I didn't tell you.

Well, actually, I told Rie to come.

Rie is coming?

[From: Segawa-san]

[Subject: Good bye]

This is the last text from me. I've had fun times with you. Thank you.

[Did something happen?]

My company has gone bankrupt.

Everything is over already.

[Where are you now?]

I wonder what happened.

This her first time coming to this restaurant, so she might have gotten lost.

This is her answer.

Yo!

Well...

[Difficult]

(Note: Kanji can have a completely different meaning if just one stroke is changed.)

[Happiness]

Ahh.

[Difficult times happen on the way to happiness.]

"Difficult times happen on the way to happiness."

What?

You work so "hard" to become successful, but you don't need lots of stuff to live. # line too long. I'm not entirely sure of the meaning, so I didn't touch this line.

Even though "it" gets "hard", it's just a few inches, anyway.

"It" means...

You're an interesting person, Rie-chan.

That's true.

You got me, Rie-chan.

It's not like my life has been taken...

Alright! One more time...

I'll try starting again.

Then, change that light bulb and the flowers too, please.

Yes.

Excuse me.

I'm sorry, we are closed on Sunday.

Well, is Rie here?

Um, I'm her brother, I'm Rie's older brother.

I see.

They have already left.

I thought that it would be impossible for her...

...when Rie first came here.

Even though she was a hostess in Aomori, this is Ginza, you know - it's a different story.

Yeah.

But you know...

Today, Rie saved a customer who was thinking about committing suicide.

Hitsudan with Rie helps people...

...describe the deep feelings in their hearts.

Hitsudan can exceed verbal communication...

I too, learnt this from Rie.

This month, Rie-chan finally became the number one hostess.

Rie is?

...number one?

To be number one in Ginza, means she's the best in Japan.

The best in Japan...

[I'm sorry that I could not make it while you were in Tokyo...]

[From Saito Rie]

Hasegawa-san, thank you for coming.

A fish!

Ahh, I see.

Saho-chan, you are so smart!

[Dear Mom]

[To Saito Emiko]

I'm home.

Welcome home.

Satoshi, can you get me the portable stove for nabe? (Note: nabe is akin to a stew and a popular winter dish.)

Okay.

(letters from Rie)

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Congrats!

You've done well!

This month too, the number one is Rie-chan!

Rie-san, congrats!

Congratulations.

Well, everyone please work hard again today.

We'll try our best.

Congratulations!

I'll do my best too!

Rie.

This.

If I build a bridge in Osaka, I will invite you to see it.

I'm looking forward to seeing you someday.

Segawa-san was able to restart.

It's a relief.

Restart.

It's all thanks to you.

Rie! Welcome back!

Have you been well?

I'm always hearing about your great successes from Mihara-mama.

[I wanted to tell you face to face. How is everyone?]

Yep. Everyone is the same.

Ahh, thank you.

Mm, yep, let's go.

You have a place you should go to, don't you?

I'm home.

Welcome home.

Mom.

Hmm?

Could you make some tea?

Sure.

Have a seat.

I'll go change.

[I'm sorry.]

[For suddenly visiting, I'm sorry.]

[Did you read my letters?]

[Mom, I need to tell you something.]

[I became the number one hostess in Ginza.]

[Although, you might not like the job...]

[But I finally became number one.]

[Number One]

[Number One]

Anything is fine, just become number 1.

If you come out on top, even though you are deaf...

...everyone will accept you.

You understand?

Become number 1.

[A customer complimented that I have good handwriting.]

[It's because you sent me to a calligraphy class.]

[Mom...]

[Mom, thank you.]

[Please forgive me.]

[I have been hard on you. I'm sorry.]

[Congratulations.]

[Congratulations.]

[Congratulations on being number one. You worked so hard.]

[Rie, you are my pride.]

[You are my precious and special daughter.]

[Mom, thank you for giving birth to me.]

Mom, thank you for giving birth to me.

[I'm really grateful that you raised me.]

I'm really grateful that you raised me.

Rie...

...thank you for coming back.

Mom...

I'm so sorry, Rie.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry...

Thank you.

Mom...

Mom.

Thank you.

Rie, who became number one by hitsudan...

...truly wanted to communicate with her mother.

She expressed her feelings by hitsudan after all.

Those words, each and every one of them...

...held the many feelings that had built up over 25 years...

The feelings in Rie's heart.

Hitsudan between Rie and her mother...

...didn't stop there but continued throughout the whole night.

Hitsudan hostess, Saito Rie-san...

...she is not only a hostess.

She is also successful in other fields. (A tourism ambassador for Aomori)

(A tourism ambassador for Aomori)

Right now, what is the dream she wants most to come true?

[Q: What is your current dream?]

"I would like to provide an environment for disabled people to work at or just visit."

"Something like a cafe or a beauty shop comes to mind."

She shows strength to everyone to defeat adversity.

[This drama is the fictionalization of a true story.]