Original subtitles

Now that I look at it,

Akira's mom is really pretty.

She might be as pretty as Yu.

You can tell she is classy.

What are her hobbies? Favorite foods?

You just got dumped, and you're already moving on?

He's a womanizer to the core.

Better than being a dunce with women.

I'm not a dunce.

Oh! How is Akira's dad doing?

He's being questioned by the prosecutor, so we can't see him for a while.

I want to see him soon.

-Your mom too. -Yeah.

All right!

It's time to play 3,000 Leagues in Search of Mom!

Akira, where did you go other than Kamakura?

Let's see…

Australia!

Australia?!

-We saw koalas. -Koalas?

-London! -London?

Then Paris, Florence, Costa Rica…

-Where the heck is Costa Rica? -No clue.

That's right, he was a rich brat.

-Change of plans! -What?

Okay, we will go on TV one more time!

On General Television?

Yeah. We'll negotiate with them

-and call out to Mom again. -Okay!

-That's not possible. -Why?

That show ended.

-Are you serious? -I thought it would.

Then how will we find her?

-All right! -What?

-Please give me time to think. -What…

-What to do… -Akira, don't you have to hurry?

Oh! Thank you for the food.

Akira, have a fun and exciting day.

Be nice to girls.

Don't study too much.

Okay.

Man, your mom is really

beautiful.

Bye!

-Bye! -Bye!

What! Manager?

The president just asked me to be

the manager at the Ginza branch.

So you're getting a raise?

Don't tell anyone, but my salary will at least triple.

What! Triple?!

Keep quiet!

KAMA

Hello!

Are you working hard?

Your tacos and eggs.

-Thank you! -No problem.

Ken, can you taste this for us?

-Taste? -We just finished our new menu item.

Try it out. Here.

-Kamameshi. -Kamameshi.

A new item for spring.

All right, let's see.

Wow, it's a cherry blossom!

Ouch!

Why did you order these without asking?

What's wrong? They're popular.

Hello.

Hello. Oh?

-My, my… Welcome, Nozomi. -What's up?

There is

something I want to tell you regarding work.

-Want to buy one? -Huh?

You like the Three Peace logo, right? Want one?

-I guess I'll let you buy it. -She doesn't want it.

Look! It looks good on you! See?

I'll buy it.

See? I sold one!

Magazines are going to interview us like crazy. I'll make this a hit.

The newspaper would be better than magazines.

No, it has to be a fashion magazine.

I'm talking about your search for Akira's mother.

Searching for his mother using the newspaper?

But I don't have any connections.

But you were in the newspaper a few years ago.

Oh! I might have a business card.

Wait, I haven't paid!

Business card…

This way. Business card…

Where did I put it?

Business card…

This one.

Found it.

SHUICHIRO NAKANO

SNOWBOARDING COMPETITION

You actually were amazing, huh?

Of course!

Why are you here?

Huh?

You wanted to talk about your work?

Oh…

I'm leaving the school. I was only called for the third semester.

Seriously? What are you going to do?

I don't know if I should go back home or not.

I see…

You need to call, right?

Right.

What the heck!

Hello, this is Three Peace.

This is Kusumoto, the lawyer.

Oh, Akira's father's lawyer?

Oh, can it be that

-we can visit-- -No.

The police just contacted me saying that

they found his mother.

They found his mother?

-Where was she? -The thing is,

she apparently attempted suicide two days ago by cutting her wrist

at a business hotel in Shinjuku.

Suicide?!

Thankfully, she survived and is doing fine now.

They said she is being treated at a hospital.

I am going to go tell the father now.

Hey…

What do you mean "suicide"?

What do you mean?

Why?

Please, tell me which hospital Akira's mother is at.

She can't have visitors.

Let him see her, please!

I know his mother wants to see him too.

Then why did she try to die?

What? Nozomi?

Yeah.

She's leaving the school.

Oh, right. Nozomi was a parental leave sub, huh?

Her time is up, huh?

I'll miss her.

It doesn't help that the school closing ceremony

-is on my birthday. -Birthday?

Yeah. I'm turning seven.

Oh, really? Then we should have a big birthday party.

-We'll invite Nozomi too. -Okay!

We need a birthday cake then.

I want to eat cake!

Then I can ask Yu for you and make it happen.

Okay. I'll make a jumbo cake to congratulate him.

-Thank you. -Are you giving him a present?

You can't spoil kids.

-This celebration is the best gift. -Exactly.

Hanako, refill!

You made it!

-What? -You've reached one million yen.

Whoa!

-Ken, it was your refill. -You ordered too!

Will you pay up now?

Let's have you pay at Akira's birthday party.

Let's celebrate this milestone at the party.

-Huh? -And aim for two million next!

You know?

They're not going to pay.

You have some nerve to show up in front of us.

We will find Akira's mother before you no matter what.

We won't let you have your way anymore.

Where's Maeda?

What do you want?

Scheming something again, are you? Get out of here.

We don't want to see your face anymore. Leave!

Maeda.

-Listen to me. -I don't want to.

-Maeda. -I don't want to listen to you!

You cornered her into committing suicide!

I've had enough of you and the police.

I won't listen to you--

If you don't want to listen, just come with me.

Let go of me! What's wrong with you!

The police hospital?

The doctor gave his approval,

so we're going to question her.

My subordinates will come pick her up in 30 minutes.

Before they do,

go and talk to her.

MISA IGARASHI

Hurry up. You don't have much time.

You're Akira's mother?

Why did you…

Weren't you going to come pick him up?

Didn't you promise Akira that you would come no matter what?

So why did you do that?

I don't understand at all.

-Why… -I saw

the TV show.

I saw

Akira with you on TV.

Then why didn't you contact me right away?

Akira was laughing and having fun.

He is happier when he is with you.

-That's not… -I'm tired of it all.

Don't be so selfish.

Stop being a baby.

You're his mother, aren't you?

You gave birth to Akira, right?

Then why can't you try

to understand how your own child feels?

Akira

is able to smile because he believes that you will come back for him.

He's smiling because he thinks that

it would make you sad if he's not happy and cheerful.

Deep down…

he's worried…

and anxious.

Isn't that obvious?

You don't even know something that simple?

You're tired of it all?

He's happier with me?

Stop misunderstanding the situation!

The only one who can make Akira happy

is you…

because you are

the only mother he has in this world.

It's not me.

It's not me!

When he first came to my place,

he timidly

handed over

the letter you wrote

with his small, little hands.

To me, a complete stranger.

He wouldn't have

been able to do that unless he trusted you.

That's not all.

He felt bad for us

and ran away from home.

What do you think he said to me

when the police found him?

If I'm there,

I'll cause you trouble.

You won't cause any trouble.

We'll live together

and wait together until your mom comes for you.

All of the emotions that he was holding in just erupted,

and he started bawling inside the police station.

Even the beaded accessory that you made him…

He still treasures it.

He calls it his most treasured possession.

The police asked him if he had any clue where you would be.

But he was worried about you,

so he even lied to the police.

He's still waiting for you right now!

He believes in you and is waiting for you.

In this world…

there are kids

who want to see their parents

and parents who want to see their kids but can't.

But…

that's not the case with you.

You can see Akira.

Those hands are not there for you to hurt yourself.

They're there to embrace Akira.

Akira has been

waiting to get a hug from you.

Akira!

Akira!

Akira…

My husband was caught,

and I had nobody else to rely on.

So I thought I could never make Akira happy like this.

If he's with me,

people might look at him like he's a criminal too.

That's not true.

We might have to live in the shadows.

He's living with his head held high.

How will I support him…

He doesn't care about money.

Akira needs you.

Don't you need Akira too?

Hyuga.

Inspector.

What are you doing here?

You let them meet?

Yes.

Please don't do things behind our backs.

You even tried to let the suspect meet his child the other day.

Why do you do things that may ruin your career?

I cannot understand your actions.

Hyuga…

When Akira's father was arrested, you actually

tried to let them meet?

You didn't betray us?

The mother is not involved in the case.

The questioning should finish in three to four days.

Hyuga.

Thank you very much.

I want to see my daughter now too.

My goodness…

I was really rude to Hyuga today.

Me too.

So his mother is okay?

Yeah.

She's going to come for Akira, right?

Yeah, she definitely will.

When should we tell Akira?

I'm thinking of waiting until they're done questioning her.

True.

We should keep it a secret until they can meet for sure.

When will they finish?

He said three to four days.

That fast, huh?

It's already time to say goodbye.

Akira! It's morning! Wake up!

Why are you dilly-dallying?

You're one hour earlier than usual.

We only have 24 hours in a day.

-Don't waste a single second. -Yeah.

Okay! There!

Okay. Ready…

ZEN, TARO, KEN, AKIRA COOKING, BREAK, LAUNDRY, CLEANING

AKIRA, CLEANING

Akira, that's clean enough.

Hurry up and finish!

Hold it in a little bit more.

What?

I'm going to pee my pants.

All done.

-Okay! -Go ahead.

All right…

Hurry… Don't look.

I heard about your promotion to manager.

Word got around already?

Senpai, please hire me.

No. You just look like a thrift shop employee.

What!

Then what about me?

One, two,

-three… -Whoa!

-3.22 seconds! -Wow!

That's a new record!

-Olympic level! -Wow!

Akira.

It's on the house.

Drink up.

Awesome, Akira!

ZEN, TARO, KEN, AKIRA CLEANING, LAUNDRY, BREAK, COOKING

AKIRA, COOKING

Akira.

-Is the food ready? -Yeah.

The Akira Special.

Whoa! Tomatoes?

-I hate tomatoes! -Bring the plates!

What the heck!

You're a good kid.

-This feels great. -It does.

Remember we did this at the beach too?

-That time was nice too. -"I need to pee."

That felt great too.

Hey! The four of you!

Whoa! Oh, crap!

-Oh, no! -Wait!

-Ken, your bucket! -My bucket!

She's coming!

Run!

ZEN, TARO, KEN, AKIRA BREAK, COOKING, CLEANING, LAUNDRY

AKIRA, LAUNDRY

WASHER TIMER

It broke down again?

Look at you!

Yes!

All done.

Zen, over there too?

Yeah. Make everything white.

Roger!

Why did you randomly start painting?

Why not? This house is always taking care of us.

Akira, are you having fun?

This is fun!

He said it's fun. Otsubo, get to work!

Quit nagging, jeez…

-I'm not nagging! -I'm not cut out for monotonous work.

-You can't even do something this simple? -Shut up.

-Get to work! -Don't spray me.

-Akira, you do it too. -Stop that!

-We did it! -Good job.

We did it.

That was a long day of work!

You didn't do anything.

-Do you like Harajuku? -Yeah, I love it.

Zen, since when have you been living in that house?

-At Three Peace? -Yeah.

I bought it when I was 20, so six years ago.

That would be around the time Akira was born.

Yeah.

Why did you buy that house?

Because ever since I was little, my dream was to live in a big house.

A house with a mom, a dad, and a kid.

I thought that if I lived in a big house,

I could make a family like that. That's why I bought it.

I see.

But now he's swamped with mortgage payments.

When did Ken come?

I came around four years ago.

Ken was fired from the Self-Defense Force

and came to me crying like, "Zen! I have nowhere to go!"

You cried, Ken?

I did not cry! Stop blabbing!

Who cares? Ken was kicked out

of his relative's place

and finally got to join the Self-Defense Force,

but he punched his superior and got fired.

I see.

Before I knew it, I had nowhere to go.

Nowhere to go, huh?

What about you, Taro?

Taro came because Nana ran away from him.

We got divorced.

He came about half a year after Ken. Right?

Something like that.

Did you cry when you came too?

-Of course, I didn't cry! -Taro

got married because he wanted a family, but he failed.

So he came to me on the verge of tears

and said, "I'm all alone again!"

So you did cry?

-I said, I didn't cry! -He was basically crying.

Akira.

Take a good look

at our city.

Harajuku is pretty.

SCHOOL CLOSING CEREMONY HARAJUKU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Thank you very much for the past three months.

As of today,

I have to

leave this school.

But

if I ever get the chance,

I want to teach again someday.

I don't want to quit

such a wonderful job.

Meeting all of you has made me feel that way.

Lastly,

I want you to remember these words.

BE NICE TO PEOPLE

Be nice to people.

I'm sure you have had friends

be nice to you before.

All of you will grow up

and experience all sorts of things.

Not all of them will be fun things.

Sometimes, it'll be painful, sad,

and frustrating.

Sometimes, you will feel like giving up.

But when that happens,

please remember that happy feeling you felt

when your friends were nice to you.

And no matter what happens,

always keep inside your heart

the desire

to be nice to people.

-Yes! -Yes!

Well then…

This is the end of my class.

Stand.

Thank you, Ms. Sakaki.

Thank you, Ms. Sakaki.

Thank you.

-Goodbye. -Goodbye.

Ms. Sakaki.

Mr. Kuwabara.

It was emotional, huh?

Yes.

Being a teacher is really something, isn't it?

Yes.

You want to keep teaching, don't you?

-Yes. -Well then, will you?

Yes.

What?

-Is it good? -It's good.

It's good.

-What was that for! -That hurt!

You two don't deserve that!

I almost fell face-first into there!

Zen, get the phone.

-Get the phone. -I'll eat it myself.

-Don't eat it. -I'm feeding myself.

Hello, this is Three Peace… I mean, Red Line.

Oh, it's you? Get over here already.

-Nozomi? -Yeah.

Huh?

Why?

Fine. I'll go, so wait there.

-What did Nozomi say? -Huh?

Oh…

Head over to Three Peace without me.

YEAR 1, CLASS 1

Good for you.

Thank you.

They even hire people like you, huh?

Huh?

I'm just joking.

Um…

The truth is…

-I… -I like you.

I like you a lot.

You're a major idiot, but you're genuine.

You're not alluring,

but I have fun being with you.

I can be myself around you,

and you catch my attention.

Those are compliments.

Say something.

I like you too.

You're careless, but you can't stand injustice.

You're self-centered, but you think about others too.

You're not nice, but at the same time, you are nice.

Stop crying. If someone sees us, they'll think I'm bullying you.

But…

I thought you hated me.

You always called me stupid.

You even said that I must be wearing a chastity belt.

Stupid…

There you go again, calling me stupid.

This is a classroom…

I know.

What if someone sees us…

Let them watch.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

But you know…

To tell you the truth…

Bro…

I…

misunderstood you.

I'm going to meet her.

Aya?

I'll go listen to her berate me.

This…

Can you give it to the kid?

Yu…

I'm sorry.

The next time you come, bring Aya with you.

Sounds good.

Happy birthday, Akira!

-Congrats on graduating from first grade. -Congrats!

Thank you!

Let's cut the cake.

-Yeah! -One second.

Akira, this is from the police officer.

From Hyuga?

What is it? Try reading it, Akira.

"Happy birthday.

"I will come pick you up tomorrow morning."

LOVE, MOM

It's Mom!

Wow!

Good for you, Akira!

This is the best present, huh?

Yeah!

Yay!

-Yeah! -Yay!

Yes!

-Yes! -Yes!

And goal! I'm a millionaire.

-What the heck! -What!

Ken is penniless again!

-Ken is penniless again! -He's poor even in a game.

-Shut up! -One more time!

Taro begins this time.

Everyone is…

-I'm white. -I quit Mermaid.

-Quit? -Why? Weren't you becoming a manager?

I turned it down.

I'm working part-time at a law firm from the spring.

To become a lawyer?

Yeah.

Up until now,

I just vaguely set that as my goal to prove my dad wrong.

But now, I really want to be a lawyer.

What a go-getter!

Well then,

I will become a lawyer's wife.

What?

-You're dating Nobu. -We broke up.

In the end, I like Taro the best.

Don't just confess out of the blue.

-Why not? -Well, I guess.

-That's okay? -Sure.

All right!

Yu, please marry me!

-Huh? -Don't just propose

out of the blue!

-Sure. -What!

-What! -What!

-You will? -Yeah.

All right! Yes!

I did it!

-All right! -What?

I did it!

Is that how proposals go?

I don't understand at all.

You said you had high standards.

They are high.

-Yes, yes, yes! -Good for you, Ken!

Thank you! All right!

Which means Hyuga will be Ken's brother-in-law.

That's right! He will!

He's going to suddenly show up.

"I had some free time."

Seriously?

Backing out?

No! I am not!

Marrying you

-is my lifetime goal. -Good one, Ken!

I know, right?

I have a goal now too.

I will try to become a pro again!

-Pro? -For snow cycling?

No, snowboarding.

What? But if you do snow cycling,

it's a new sport, so there's a better chance

of becoming a pro at your age.

Yeah, but I like snowboarding the best.

You go out of your way to choose the hard route?

You're so optimistic.

We all are.

This is no time to be laughing.

We're racing over who becomes a professional first.

I know that.

Okay! Today, we will celebrate the beginning of our new adventures!

-Yeah! -Yeah!

Yes?

Akira?

What's wrong, Akira?

I…

want to stay with all of you.

I don't want to say goodbye.

I want to stay here.

I want to be with everyone forever.

Akira…

What are you saying?

You have a real family.

This is

a temporary family.

Lonely people who can't have

their own family and are lost in the world

take a short, little

break here.

That's why

you cannot be here forever.

You have to go back to Mom's place…

and live a happy life.

Listen, Akira.

Your mom might have to experience

a lot of painful things regarding your dad.

Actually,

I'm sure

that will happen.

When that happens…

When that happens, you have to protect her.

Me?

Don't worry.

You can do it.

When you see your mom tomorrow…

you have to show her how strong you've become.

Okay.

Tonight,

let's sleep together.

Don't cry.

There.

Zen.

I want to wear my usual clothes.

Huh?

I'll go in the clothes that you guys bought me.

All right.

Ms. Sakaki?

Hanako?

Yu…

We'll go with you.

Thank you for everything.

Let's go.

-Akira. -We'll accompany you.

Wait!

Harry!

Wait for us!

-Hey! -Hey!

-Hey, wait. -Hey.

Akira!

Let's go.

Mom is coming here?

Yeah.

Akira.

Here you go.

TO AKIRA

Zen.

I sold my car. Here is 330,000 yen.

330,000 yen?

We have to return the one million yen that

Akira thinks he lost.

Here.

I sold my bike. 330,000 yen.

-Actually, I have 330,000 yen too. -What did you sell?

Something…

Akira.

Look.

Good for you. I'll put it away for you.

Don't drop it this time.

We'll still be borrowing the remaining 10,000 yen.

We'll return it one day.

Don't forget until then.

Okay.

Hey, is that…

It's Mom!

Akira.

-Akira! -Mom!

Mom!

-Akira! -Mom!

Mom!

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Akira.

-I'm so sorry. -Mom!

I'm sorry.

Mom!

-Mom. -I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for making you wait so long.

Were you lonely?

No…

Because everyone was with me.

They are all

my friends.

Mom.

I…

I will protect you

until Dad comes back.

So let's

wait for Dad together.

Akira…

Thank you.

Yeah.

Let's

wait for Dad together.

Yeah.

Mr. Maeda…

All of you…

Thank you so much.

I will wait for my husband's return with Akira.

Zen…

Hurry up and go.

This isn't goodbye, okay?

Until we meet again.

Akira.

Let's go.

What’s your name?

Akira.

-Akira Igarashi? -Yeah.

Friends are important.

You won't be lonely if you have friends.

You became friends with us, didn't you?

Tell her what's inside here.

It doesn't matter if you "go broke".

Okay!

Dad!

Because my name is Akira.

Dad gave me that name so that I would be

bright and full of energy.

No matter what happens,

don't stop loving your dad.

Taro is amazing.

He's going to be a lawyer.

Akira.

Thank you.

Sissy! Stupid!

Bye!

Crying won't make you stronger.

You know what Ken meant, right?

Take back what's most important to you, no matter what.

Ken.

I got it back too.

You're strong.

You're a strong man.

WHAT'RE YOU LOOKING AT?

You all are my number one bosses.

I'm going to become a boss when I grow up.

What was the "important thing" you found?

Zen,

Ken,

and

you.

You don't have to win.

As long as you don't run away…

Akira.

Let's

go home.

Zen! I'll make lots of friends!

Taro!

I'll always be bright and full of energy!

Ken!

My most important possession is still with me!

Akira!

We will always be friends, okay?

Okay!

Akira!

Don't give up, no matter what.

Okay!

Akira! A man is all about the heart!

Yes!

-Zen. -Come on.

Take care, Akira!

Make sure you protect your mom!

Be strong!

Let's study together again someday!

Grow up to be a good man!

I'll always be your friend too!

-Akira! Bye! -Akira! Bye!

-Take care, Akira! -Bye.

-Don't forget about us! -Bye!

Akira!

Akira!

Akira!

Let's go.

This is the only thing you had to sell after all.

It's fine.

We have to keep up with Akira.

It's our turn next.

All right, time to go our separate ways.

Bye, Zen.

See you.

All right!

That was the end

of this "family" that lasted one winter.

Three Peace was dissolved.

But I will

never forget

about my three,

cool dads.

-Good. -Look.

There's still a drop of water here.

You're so nitpicky, Hanako.

Yu, when should we have our wedding?

-Pay your whole tab first. -Tab?

YOU REACHED 1,000,000 YEN

It's her condition for marriage.

Wait, I have to pay all of this?

Of course.

You've got to be kidding me!

How many cups do I have to wash?

Yamada, can you get the records regarding warranties against defects?

Yes, of course.

CIVIL CASES REPORTS COMPILATION

Here you go.

Oh, thank you.

You want to become a lawyer too?

Of course.

A popular lawyer.

YEAR 2, CLASS 1

Quiet, everyone! Take your seats. We'll begin class now.

Open your textbooks to…

What?

Ms. Sakaki? Again?

Sorry! I forgot the textbook! One second!

Just a second!

ATTENDANCE BOOK

3 PEACE. IT BRINGS IN MORE HAPPINESS

THAN JUST A SINGULAR PEACE. THAT’S WHY IT’S 3 PEACE

Huh?

What's wrong?

What?

Please take care…

What!

THE END

Subtitle translation by: Kiko Morita