Original subtitles

Natsu lost her parents in the war and became an orphan.

One day, she was brought to Tokachi, Hokkaido by her father's comrade.

This is a family who migrated north as pioneers.

Please let me work here.

This way she can stay here at ease.

- She didn't say that! - I did!

- She just did. - It's okay, Na-chan.

Clearly, she's an outsider.

You'll start work at dawn tomorrow.

Good morning!

Just raise your head, stand up straight, and live here confidently.

(August 1955, Showa Year 30)

Nobuya-san...

Years ago, I ran away from here using this path.

You ran away?

Yup.

It was not long after I first arrived here.

Why?

Was life here rough?

I wanted to see my brother really badly.

(Showa Year 21: June 1946)

Goodbye.

Natsu left the Shibata home.

(Natsuzora)

Week 2 "Natsu, open the gates to your dreams!" Episode 7

twitter: elowcn justenya @ d-addicts

Good morning!

Morning!

Looking pretty today as usual, Fujiko-chan!

I know!

Hey!

When is Na-chan supposed to work until?

She's going to be late for school.

Where is she?

Could she have overslept this morning?

What are you talking about?

She got up ages ago.

What's going on?

Eh? What do you mean?

The bag she brought with her from Tokyo is gone.

- So what's going on? - I don't know!

Oi, she's not here?

That's why--

Did anything happen?

Dunno.

Nothing happened.

Just yesterday she was fine.

Ah, yesterday Yumiko said some strange things.

Strange?

You said she did something to Akemi, was that true?

It's true.

What did she do?

She made Akemi cry!

Made Akemi cry?

You definitely got it wrong!

Akemi, did Natsu Nee-chan do anything to you?

You see, Akemi cries even if you don't do anything to her!

I don't get that girl either!

No matter what they say to her at school, she never gets mad.

I don't get her at all!

Tokyo.

Eh?

She must have gone to Tokyo.

To Tokyo, by herself?

No way...

Natsu finally made it to Obihiro.

However, she didn't have a cent on her.

She didn't have anything to eat,

nor did she have money to buy a ticket to Tokyo.

She intended to earn the money herself.

At that time, I suddenly thought of the streets of Ueno, filled with vagrant children.

(Ueno, Tokyo)

Take him away.

Oi, Natsu, Chiharu, let's get going.

Onii-chan!

Let's go.

(Ueno Free Market)

American soldiers!

Give me chocolate!

Chocolate! Chocolate!

- I'll give you chocolate too, okay? - Thank you, thank you!

I was the most modern lad in the village

I came into Tokyo's Ginza all passionate and pleased with myself

- Oh, Japanese Chaplin! - My style at the time...

was a blue suit, red necktie

bowler hat, round spectacles, and loose sailor trousers.

Bravo, bravo!

My brother Saitaro would often build relationships with the Americans

and brings lots of amazing things back.

Then he would mark up the price and sell the goods on the black market.

If we keep making money like this,

one day we'll be able to rebuild Mother and Father's shop, Natsu.

- Really? - Yup!

I'll definitely make it happen.

And then you, me, and Chiharu will live there together.

I'll definitely let Father's store live on.

Ah, Nobu should live with us too.

- Nevermind, I'm not part of your family anyway. - No!

- Nobu-san has to live with us. - Live together!

Thanks.

You're already part of our family. Don't be such a stranger.

Clearly you're the one who forgot about me.

Sorry...

I got something!

- Awesome! - It's a koi fish (carp)!

I haven't seen one in so long!

Alrighty~

By the way Natsu, I bought something nice.

- Eh? - Here you go.

It's shoe polish from America.

With this, you'll get many more customers.

I'm sorry, you'll have to work hard for a bit longer.

Do your best with this.

It's okay.

Shoe shining is my thing.

Leave it to me.

Chiharu, let's work hard together!

Yep!

Thanks.

Ganbare!

We didn't have much at all,

but we were able to find happiness in small things.

Until that day...

The police are here! The police are here!

No one move!

From now on, we will protect you.

- Nobuya, it's the police! I'll leave Natsu to you. - I got it. Natsu, come on!

Na-chan, I'll distract them.

You make a run for it.

No! Nobu-san, come with us!

I will definitely go find you.

No matter where you are, I'll find you.

Later.

Nobu-san!

Let me go!

Nobu-san!

Don't move! Freeze!

After that day, our lives changed again.

Let go!

Thank you.

Here you go.

Thank you! I love America!

Shoe shining! Irasshai!

Are you by yourself?

Where'd you come from?

Come here for a second.

Leave it, come with us.

What is it?

Nothing.

Oi, anyone around?

Ah, what's up?

Would you happen to be Fujiko-san?

And you're the son-in-law... Takeo-san?

Shibata-san's whole family came this time?

"This time"? Yes, hello.

Nevermind about that. Is Natsu here?

- Natsu? - Yes, did she come by?

What happened to her?

She disappeared.

Eh?!

She didn't come here?

Where did you come from?

Tokyo.

T-Tokyo?!

(Obihiro Police)

Who did you come here with?

I came alone.

I don't really get it...

So why did you come to Obihiro?

I don't know what to do when you won't say anything.

I'm begging you...

please send me back to Tokyo.

Eh?

Let me return to Tokyo! Please!

Do you still have people in Tokyo?

My family.

My brother.

Where in Tokyo is he?

An orphanage in Asakusa.

An orphanage?

- The girl who ate ice cream here... - Is gone?

Ice cream?

Father brought her here?

Yes, Shibata-san has always helped our store out.

Father-in-law... bought ice cream for Na-chan?

Why didn't you say so?

Yummy!

- Keep this a secret from everyone else. - Alright.

Even so, she ran away?

Ungrateful, isn't it?

No, she was forced to do a lot of work before that.

Are you saying it's my fault?

Ah, no...

Just who exactly is this kid?

She's the daughter of one of my comrades who died.

I brought her here from a Tokyo orphanage.

She's my responsibility.

Um... what about the police?

Eh?

If she ran away, she could have been brought into police shelter.

- Right! - Father.

Regardless...

why don't we shelter you for the night?

A girl alone at the market...

it's very dangerous.

Um...

excuse me, but I need the restroom.

Are you okay?

Hurry, hurry.

Shoe shining! Welcome!

Is Natsu here?

- Natsu? - The girl that visited last time.

What happened to her?

She ran away.

Eh?

(Ohibiro Police) Why don't we shelter you for the night?

- Um... - Eh?

Excuse me, I need the restroom.

Are you okay?

Quickly.

This way.

(Natsuzora)

Week 2 "Natsu, open the gates to your dreams!" Episode 8

She ran away?

She said she needed the restroom, so I let her go.

I didn't expect...

She escaped.

Why would she run away?

What did you do to her?

I didn't do anything!

What the heck are you saying?

Just... we told her we'd shelter her.

I see...

She must've thought she was being sent to an institution.

Institution?

In Tokyo, she was rounded up by the police

and forcefully sent to an orphanage.

What does "rounded up" mean?

The police rounded up all the war orphans and sent them to orphanages.

Rather than truly protecting the children,

they're more concerned about cleaning the streets.

They treat them like stray dogs!

Hey, you!

Don't make the police out to be villains.

Besides, didn't that kid run away because she hated your household?

So what the heck are you going on about?

How'd it go?

- It was a no go. - She ran away from the police.

- She really knows how to flee... - Mother, let's not run our mouth.

We looked all over the black market, but couldn't find her.

Maybe she's not around here anymore.

I said she was a fast runner.

But she's just a kid, how far could she run?

- I'm home! - Ah, Yukijiro.

What's happening?

Did you see that girl?

The one that Shibata Ojii-san brought to eat ice cream.

- Ah... Yumiko-chan? - Idiot, that was Na-chan.

- The real Yumiko is over there. - Eh?

Ah~ she's even cuter than Na-chan.

- Obviously. - Forget that, did you see Na-chan?

No, why?

It seems she really intends to return to Tokyo.

That's why she was trying to make money polishing shoes.

She wanted to see her brother that badly...

Those siblings are bound by blood.

The war is to blame for all of this.

When I first met them at the orphanage...

(Asakusa Orphanage) Move it, out of the way!

Excuse me.

Nice to meet you, I'm Shibata Takeo.

Your father and I were comrades.

We were always together on the battlefield.

We had a really good relationship.

You guys are Okuhara Saitaro and Na-chan, right?

I looked for you guys everywhere!

I finally found you.

From what your father said, there should be a younger sister too, right?

Don't tell me...

Chiharu is with a relative.

Relative?

Only her?

They said she's still young, so it should be okay...

and took her.

So that's how it is...

That must be upsetting.

We finally made some money,

but the orphanage took it all.

Jerks.

Onii-chan, it's okay.

Chiharu must be leading a happy life.

It's better than here.

So...

what are you doing here?

Ah...

Actually, your father left a letter with me.

I wanted to give it to you.

This didn't go through the military censors.

It's a genuine letter from your father.

It is filled with his feelings for all of you.

A drawing from Father!

He was quite an artist.

He drew sketches for everyone in the troops.

He was super popular.

Outgoing too... he was an interesting person.

He'd even draw interesting sketches of the commanding officer everyone disliked.

Even on the dismal battlefield...

there would be laughter as long as he was around.

Over time, we all somehow ended up asking him to draw portraits of our family members.

Your father...

would listen carefully to their descriptions

and then meticulously draw a portrait that seemed alive.

Because of that, everyone was happy.

Thank you very much.

Hey, um...

if you wish, would you like to come with me?

I live in Hokkaido.

It's a very vast place.

Much more open than here.

I'm about to head back there...

so would you two like to come?

I made a promise with your father.

No matter what happened, we would help each other out.

Oji-san!

Saitaro-kun...

Can I leave Natsu in your care?

What about you?

If I left too...

Chiharu would be too pitiful.

I wouldn't be able to go get her.

Of course, one day, I'll definitely go get Natsu.

Therefore, until then...

It'll be fine, Natsu! Just bear with it for a bit.

I'll write to you.

I'll work really hard

and I'll definitely go get you one day.

I'll go with Chiharu.

Therefore... wait for me at Oji-san's home.

Alright?

Oji-san, I'm depending on you.

Please let Natsu be happy.

I'll never forgive you if she isn't!

Keep that in mind!

Yes!

And then, she stopped crying and came with me.

Now that I think about it,

she simply wanted to lessen the burden on her brother.

That's why she held everything in.

It can't be helped that she wants to see her brother so badly.

She must be really angry.

Being brought all over the place by grownups...

It's not as simple as anger.

She didn't have it in her to be angry.

There was nothing she could do.

It was the only way she could survive.

At that age...

The freedom to be angry is a privilege.

People get angry when protecting their happiness.

Right now, that girl doesn't even have that bit of emotion.

She hates conflict. She doesn't feel anger anymore.

She just wants a place to take shelter.

Tenyo-kun!

Okuhara... Natsu?

What are you doing here?

My brother is shopping in Ohibiro,

so I'm fishing here.

You have an older brother too?

You?

Yeah, I also came with family.

Family... as in Shibata Yumiko?

Yeah.

They're shopping.

And I'm waiting here.

Anyway, I'm going to go search again.

Wait.

She's a smart kid.

If she wants to survive on her own...

she needs water.

Yosh~! I got one!

Hai.

Looks delicious!

Hey, will you give me a fish?

Of course. Are you gonna eat it?

Yup.

By yourself?

I'll wait for them.

I'm kind of hungry.

Did something happen with the Shibatas?

Nothing.

Why?

Because you seem lonely.

I'm not.

Tenyo!

Nii-chan!

Who's that?

A classmate.

She's here with her family too.

(Yamada Yohei) Hello.

Hi.

- Let's head back. - Okay.

Let's go back together.

It's okay, I'll wait here.

Okay.

Then, I'll see you at school tomorrow.

See you at school.

I got it.

Here, take this.

Thanks!

Natsu, don't smile in such a lonely way.

- Natsu! - Na-chan!

- Na-chan! - Natsu!

Na-chan!

What's wrong?

I don't have any faith.

Eh?

I don't have faith that I can become her mother.

As long as that child is living in someone else's home,

she'll never get over the pain of losing her own family.

To her, living with her brother and sister is the most ideal.

Either way, we first need to find her.

That's true.

Natsu!

- Na-chan! - Natsu-san!

(Natsuzora)

Week 2 "Natsu, open the gates to your dreams!" Episode 9

Saitaro, Natsu, Chiharu...

I am currently on a battlefront far, far away.

I've left my beloved wife behind, and you beloved children.

I am fighting in order to protect all of you.

Every single day, I wish I could see you all.

The battlefield is truly detestful.

Absolute shit.

Those bastards.

Hurry up and let us go home!

That's what I'm always thinking.

I'm always thinking of all of you and wanting to be there with you.

If you've received this letter, it means I'm not here anymore.

Even so, I'm with you.

So don't be too sad.

I've finally returned to all of you.

Now, we're together at last.

Let's go to Asakusa together!

Let's go to the Kanda Festival (a Shinto festival) together.

Because of our family business,

we've never gone to celebrate all together before, have we?

From now on, we'll always be together.

"I raise my head up to the dusk, and stare up at that shining blue sky"

"When evening is nigh"

"we start on the path towards home."

"Our family isn't so big, but it's happy"

"It's filled with the glow of love."

"I miss my family, my blue heaven."

"I miss my family..."

"my blue heaven."

I had a waking dream.

It was perhaps the first dream I created with my imagination.

Natsu!

Na-chan.

Na-chan!

Na-chan...

Why?

Why don't I have any family?

Why don't I?

Why?

Why don't I have any family?

Let it out.

You should be angry!

Stupid!

Shit!

Stupid!

You no longer have any family by your side.

But you have us.

We're with you.

Ojii-san! Ojii-san!

Oji-san,

Oba-san,

everyone, I'm sorry!

You're really such a silly girl!

Next time you decide to disappear, I won't forgive you!

Got it?

Yes.

Alright.

Come on.

Here.

Let's go home.

Delicious!

Isn't it?

Yes.

I really feel in this moment that the war is truly over.

That dramatic? It's just a dessert.

For sure. It tastes like peace.

I see now.

Now I get why you and this old man aren't cut from the same cloth.

Eh?

Shut up already and eat.

You see?

What do you mean, "shut up"?

Na-chan,

I'm going to tell you all sorts of things about this Ojii-san.

He likes to be inconspicuous when he's enjoying sweets and being nice to people.

Shut up, jeez.

It's nice isn't it, having a daughter who understands you so well?

You're the most annoying one!

Yumiko-chan is eating milk!

That's right, this is milk.

It's made from milk.

But it isn't milk.

It's ice cream!

It's a totally different thing.

No, it is milk.

I guess Yumiko will have milk if it's made like this.

Yes, more people will enjoy milk if it's made into this!

Well, madam, that would be our specialty.

That's right, isn't it?

Just leave the sweets to us!

Milk will become more important in future desserts.

We'll be relying on you guys to supply it.

Yosh~ I'll create more milk-based desserts for Yumiko-chan's sake!

I'm not interested.

Grandpa...

please teach me how to milk cows!

What's this all of a sudden?

Alright.

Yumiko, want to join us?

No way!

If you make me... I'll run away from home.

What are you saying?

That day seemed like a dream to Natsu.

Natsu...

as promised, I'm always here with you.

Thank goodness you're alright.

It's rare for the barn to be empty when it's milking time.

You understand what I'm saying, right, Na-chan?

Yukichi-san, Kikusuke-san, I'm sorry for making you worry.

It's nothing.

We're mates.

Yes!

There's not much, but why don't you two eat before leaving?

I'm back!

I'm sorry.

I'm okay.

I'm sure Onii-chan and Chiharu are okay too.

Right?

They must be.

So it's okay.

I'll stay here.

I can just stay here, right?

Nastu.

Yes.

Come here for a sec.

What is that?

My dream.

A butter churn.

Butter churn?

A tool to turn milk into butter.

I want to make Japan's number one-- no, no.

The world's number one butter.

The world's number one butter?

What is that?

My dream.

A butter churn.

Butter churn?

A tool to turn milk into butter.

- Butter... - That' right.

I want to make Japan's number one-- no, no.

The world's number one butter.

The world's numbter one butter?

(Natsuzora)

Week 2

"Natsu, open the gates to your dreams!" Episode 9

In 1902, I left Toyama for Hokkaido on my own.

I was 18.

I arrived in Tokachi and put all my effort into working the desolate land.

The land here was all volcanic ash...

it was difficult to make it fertile.

At the time, there were the Banseisha, who were the first pioneers in Tokachi.

I decided to go learn from them.

I was convinced to raise cattle.

The Banseisha made butter.

Made butter...

The first time I tasted butter, I decided to keep living on.

A new era is about to begin in this vast, northern land.

I feel it.

"I want to make delicious butter as well!"

My dream began from then.

When you grow up,

I'm sure Japanese people will consume butter habitually.

Even then, our farm's milk must make the best butter.

That... is my dream.

I want to make butter too!

Is that so?

Yes!

Want to have a go at it?

Eh?

Yes!

The next morning, the Shibatas' eldest son Teruo had his first try at milking cows.

Watch out! Are you okay?

This isn't working.

It's fine.

It's common for them to kick over the pails.

Teruo, you don't have to rush things.

This will be your work for the rest of your life.

Yes.

Although, isn't it great that Teruo voluntarily asked to be taught?

The second generation.

Dad...

the second generation is Takeo-san.

Eh? Oops.

Apologies! I talk too much.

- Pardon me! - No, it's fine.

It's more upsetting if you apologise sincerely.

Don't worry about it.

I'm so sorry!

Sorry!

This time...

we'll be making butter.

- Butter? - Yes.

- Make it here? - Yes.

That makes me nostalgic... Shibata-san's butter.

What is it, did you find a buyer?

Not yet, no.

Either way, I've decided to make it again.

- Right, Natsu? - Yes!

Na-chan wants to make butter too, huh?

It's really wasteful.

Making butter is wasteful?

Yes, exactly.

Just making a small stick of butter requires many pails of milk.

Really?

However, I still want to try it.

Father's butter.

Butter?

He's going to make that smelly thing again?

Eh?

Smelly?

It's gross! The dairy smell is even stronger than in milk.

I'll never eat it.

I'd like to eat it.

Have you had butter before?

Yes, my father made it before.

He was a chef, wasn't he?

That's right!

He made hotcakes.

Hotcakes paired with butter...

What's that?

It's made with wheat flour.

If we had wheat flour, we could make it.

Hey, we're gonna be late for school.

Right. Even if we had wheat flour, we don't have the time.

- Ittekimasu! - Itterasshai!

Grandpa is making butter again because of Na-chan.

Why?

I have no idea.

It's better if you don't say you want to eat it.

I can't?

Because it wastes too much milk!

I see.

It's just milk.

Who cares what you do with it?

Yumiko! You have no idea how hard Grandpa works!

What is this?

Acting like he owns the place.

Boys are always so stingy like that, aren't they?

And so, the next Sunday, Natsu and the gang began making butter.

You retrieve the cream from the milk

and then churn it like this.

Eventually, solid pieces will form.

That would be butter.

Want to try?

Yes!

Sit.

Yes, keep the pace.

Yes, good job.

Churn it like that for about 30 minutes.

You're having so much fun, Na-chan.

- Ganbare, Natsu! - Maybe 40 minutes.

Oba-san, the butter's been made!

Ojii-san's butter is finished!

I'm just about done here too!

Here, you've all been waiting.

- Steamed potatoes? - Yes.

I had this when I was a child.

Mother's the one who came up with the idea, right?

Grandma?

That's right.

If you put butter on the potatoes, they'll taste delicious.

I think of Grandma just looking at this.

She was a huge fan.

Although she passed away too early...

Alright, eat up!

What?

She died eating this stuff?

Idiot!

Butter is good for you.

Hai, itadakimasu.

Itadakimasu!

What... this is delicious!

It's amazing!

- Delicious! - Right?

It carries the fragrance of the milk.

Yumiko, have it while it's hot.

These parts with the butter are the best.

No, I don't want it!

It really is yummy.

- I don't want it. - Enough, Yumiko, just try it.

What do you think?

Isn't it good?

Yay, Yumiko is willing to have milk!

This is great, Yumiko!

It's butter...

not milk!

Here it comes!

Put the butter on!

Add some honey...

- Let's pour it all! - Yes!

Here we are~! I've kept you waiting!

So these are hotcakes?

Yup. Right, Na-chan?

I had them before in Tokyo too.

You've been to Tokyo?

Before the war, I apprenticed there for a bit.

Alright, dig in!

Itadakimasu!

I'm impressed you managed to make these.

When I was grinding flour, there was some leftover.

That's what I used to make them.

I also added some heated honey.

It's good!

Yummy!

It's really good!

What do you think, Yumiko-chan?

It's my family's butter, naturally it tastes good.

Yumiko! Is butter something to be arrogant about?

I can't believe our butter could make something so delicious!

Yes, that's so true.

Is this family trying to make us indebted to them?

Madam, it tastes good because of his talented skills.

Why, I know that of course!

I for one don't like the stink of butter.

I mean, it's butter.

But it's fresh, so it smells much better compared with packaged butter.

Also, it's soft and robust.

Shibata-san...

please sell your butter to us.

Tokachi's confectionaries will enter the era of butter from now on.

I didn't make this butter.

Eh?

We'll wait until the kids grow up to pioneer it.

Pioneer?

Teruo and Natsu can think about how we'll sell it,

and how to make even better butter.

That's also my dream.

So you're not selling?

Then Yukijiro, when you grow up, make sure to buy their butter.

Natsu reveled in the butter, and in Ojii-san's dream.

And then...

Students!

Next week, our school is holding a movie screening!

Awesome!

It's gonna be a chanbara (samurai movie), right?

Sensei, it's gonna be a chanbara, right?

No, this time, the movie will be an animation that everyone has been anticipating!

Will this be your first time seeing an animated movie?

Although I've only seen one once myself...

please look forward to it!

- Okay! - Chanbaras are better!

Alright, make sure to invite your family to come join us.

- Okay! - Chanbaras are better!

Alright then, goodbye everyone.

- Goodbye, Sensei! - Chanbara, chanbara!

Hey, what's an animated movie like?

You've never seen one?

No. You have?

I have.

Do they put cartoon drawings on the screen?

The drawings move.

Drawings move, huh?

I knew it!

- I really look forward to it! - Yup.

Natsu was about to experience the coming of another dream.

Natsu, it's beginning.

Natsu, it's beginning.

("Popeye The Sailor Meets Ali Baba's 40 Thieves")

(Natsuzora)

Week 2 "Natsu, open the gate to your dreams!" Episode 11

Open sesame.

- Hey, what are you doing? - Eh?

Don't tell me you peed your pants.

I was holding it the whole time.

I'm gonna go first.

Tenyo-kun!

Mr. Postman!

You're from the Shibata farm.

You and Tenyo are friends?

Yes.

You two know each other?

Yes... because of a letter.

I still haven't gotten any letters?

(Yamada Shoji) Yes, seems like it.

If you get something, I'll be sure to deliver it immediately.

You must be the child who came from Tokyo.

Yes.

You must have been through a lot.

Get along well with Tenyo!

I will.

Ah, that was interesting, wasn't it?

Eh?

The animation just now. It was so cool!

Really?

You found it boring?

Not at all!

The ones I saw in the past were all black and white.

This one was in colour.

Colourful movies are amazing!

As expected, American movies are so advanced.

My brother told me

that in America, there's an animation called "Disney."

- I heard that it's awesome. - Wha~ I wish I could see it!

However, at the same time that they invented that,

they also invented the bomb.

What will the future be like if the school keeps lionising America?

Continuously receiving such cruel American and British education...

Dear!

Na-chan, let's go.

Where's Yumiko?

The restroom.

Ah, the postman!

Hello, Shibata-san.

I'm his wife.

I was hearing how my son and Natsu are good friends.

- Thank you. - Likewise.

So that's how it was?

Yes.

Then we'll be on our way.

Goodbye, please excuse us.

Goodbye.

Feel free to come over to my house to play.

Eh?

We have art supplies.

You can come and draw.

- Can I really? - Of course.

Tenyo...

with our circumstances, we can't really host her properly, can we?

It won't work out?

Um, if it's not too much trouble, please let her go.

Naturally, we're not opposed.

Yes... you're welcome any time.

One day, after school,

Natsu went home with Tenyo to his house.

Tenyo's home was very small.

The horse stable is over there. Let's go.

Whoa, amazing!

You painted these?

No, my brother did.

- Your brother? - Yup.

In middle school, he joined the art club.

They're amazing, aren't they?

Even though we don't have much, Father still buys supplies for Nii-chan.

Mine are over there.

This one here is of a horse that died.

Is that why it's in black?

No, that's not the reason.

It's because black paint is cheaper than red or yellow.

Also, Nii-chan doesn't use it much.

Do you want to paint anything?

Nii-chan says I can use any of the stuff over here.

Ah, it's okay.

You're already here.

It's alright. Didn't you want to paint?

Next time.

I'll be happy just watching you paint today.

Okay.

Are you surprised at how poor I am?

Not at all.

I don't even have a home.

I see.

Itadakimasu!

It's so cold and delicious!

Our land never really yielded good crop... so it's been rough.

No matter how much we cultivate the land here, it's still barren.

Father has completely lost faith in it.

Is that so?

That's why he found a job at the post office.

My mother goes to help out in neighbouring fields

so she can bring food back to us.

Even like this...

we'll probably only last until this fall.

Eh?

I'm leaving this place.

Are you going back to Tokyo?

Don't know.

But I can't stay here anymore.

There's nothing to do but leave a land that can't produce any crops.

At least...

if that horse were still alive...

I can't do anything on my own!

To farmers...

horsepower is absolutely crucial.

It's a pity, but...

Screw this!

Do you want to become a farmer?

Of course I do!

I want to keep living here!

I like this place!

I want to win over this piece of land.

I want to win...

Damn it!

Damn it! Damn it!

Damn it!

It's the "Takuhoku Agricultural Corps."

Takuhoku Agricultural Corps?

What's that?

Ah, you must not know because you were at the front.

Basically, the Japanese government encouraged families who lost their homes in air raids

to emigrate to Hokkaido and pioneer the land.

That must be what brought Na-chan's classmate's family here.

But even if they came, most of the land had already been cultivated.

- People had already staked their claims. - True.

So in the end, many of those people went back to Tokyo.

Nothing you can do about it...

infertile land, you know.

Na-chan?

What?

I have a favour to ask.

Please help Tenyo-kun.

Help him with what?

Help him fertilize his land.

His parents have already given up, haven't they?

But Tenyo-kun said even so, he's going to keep trying.

He said it loud and clear.

He wants to win over the land.

- Win over the land? - Yes.

Please help him do so!

It's impossible.

That land is too barren.

You haven't even seen it yet.

I know without seeing it.

It was like this for Ojii-san in the beginning too, right?

You felt the land was completely infertile.

Natsu...

don't meddle in his matters.

Liar!

Ojii-san...

even if you keep working hard on your own,

one day, you'll need to ask for help from someone too, right?

Tenyo-kun is fighting on his own right now!

He's fighting the land by himself!

Who will help him?

Na-chan, I understand.

Where's Na-chan?

I think she went to her room.

I see.

I think Tenyo-kun's family is leaving.

She's anxious about that.

Tenyo-kun is leaving?

So she asked Father to help them.

She did such a thing?

She's a kindhearted child.

Does she like him?

Does she like him...

Eh?!

She must like him. Tenyo-kun.

Is that true? I thought so.

No way, no way, like him? She's just a kid!

It's you who thinks she's just a kid, isn't it?

Eh?

She must not want to be parted from the boy she likes.

No, you're the one who's taking her to be a child.

I don't think she'd get upset over something that simple.

Then what's the reason?

Ah, well...

She probably feels, how should I put it...

Only she knows the reason she's upset.

That's enough. Don't keep speculating.

You're the one speculating, aren't you?

What?

I mean...

I didn't understand it myself.

Why was I so upset?

Natsu,

it's because right now, you're very happy.

I have a favour to ask.

Please help Tenyo-kun.

Please help him win over the land!

That's impossible.

That land is too barren.

Tenyo-kun is fighting on his own!

He's fighting the land by himself!

Who is willing to help him?

Today...

let's go take a look at that land.

Eh?

Thank you, Ojii-san!

If you got it, then get back to work!

Yes!

(Natsuzora)

Week 2 "Natsu, open the gate to your dreams!" Episode 12

Ojii-san!

Hello!

How is it?

It's as I expected.

No matter what you do to this land, it won't produce any crops.

Is there really nothing that can be done?

You can't continue on like this, anyway.

Then what should he do?

To be honest, I've cultivated many infertile pastures like this.

Then it'll be okay!

It'll be okay, right?

Tenyo-kun will work hard.

Yes.

Hold on.

Will you work on your own? What about your parents?

I'll meet your parents tonight and have a chat with them.

Okay.

Ojii-san, thank you.

It's milking time. Let's go.

Yes.

I'm off then. Tenyo-kun, see you tonight.

What is it?

Nothing.

From that point on,

whenever I was by Ojii-san's side,

even if we didn't say anything, I felt a lot of pride.

That evening, Natsu's family gathered at Tenyo-kun's house.

Madam...

These are just some small things, it's not much.

There's dried herring, potatoes, and our homemade butter.

You went to so much trouble, thank you!

You've really helped us a lot!

I didn't bring much, I apologise.

We just happened to make the butter a few days ago, so I brought some.

You can steam the potatoes and have them with the butter.

It's super yummy.

Say...

Since you're from Tokyo, you must not be used to our winters yet.

How should I say this?

You must have suffered a lot living in this house.

You're all strong.

We picked some stones from the river,

warmed them with a fire, and held them while we slept.

I see.

But even so, our backs were cold as ice.

When we woke up, we found frost on the childrens' backs.

I don't want them to suffer like this anymore.

If we can't find a way this year, we'll have to leave.

By the way, have you considered raising cattle?

Cattle?

For milking.

More and more people here are farming and raising cattle at the same time.

Cow manure is very good fertiliser to begin with,

and if one business doesn't work out, the other one can make up for it.

I understand that concept,

but... where is one supposed to obtain cows?

That...

I don't know what my son told your daughter

He probably said he wanted to stay here...

but that's just chat between children.

Not the intention of the adults.

Why can't you take their words seriously?

Father!

I came here because Natsu asked.

If she hadn't, I wouldn't have come.

So what about it?

Isn't that your family's business?

- That's right, Father-- - This isn't my business.

What I'm saying is this is something Natsu cares about.

Why can't you listen sincerely to what the children think?

Your son

must be like Natsu and have his own ideas.

So then listen to them.

What are you trying to say?

The soil here is truly lackluster.

You planted crops this year as well, correct?

It won't yield anything next year.

The soil's nature doesn't change easily like that.

Father, what is your point?

You keep saying discouraging things!

Regardless, if you have the motivation, it's not impossible.

It could take 3 to 5 years or more.

Even so, are you willing?

Don't say impossible things!

I want to try!

Father...

even so, I want to try!

I'll do my best.

You can keep going at your job right now.

I will do it!

Tenyo, you have to think of everyone else too.

What kind of bullshit is that?!

What will happen to your children thanks to your ignorant ideas?

Do you want to ruin the rest of their lives?

At the very least...

right now you should respect the child's opinion.

Don't take it as child's talk.

Rather, you should be listening seriously!

Father...

Father!

Tenyo really wants to farm the land properly.

When that horse died, he was the most upset.

Dear,

you actually want to stay here too, don't you?

You don't want to leave either, right?

The only reason you're giving up is because you're thinking of our family's future, right?

After all, it took a lot for us to finally decide to come back then.

Everyone, I'll be relying on you!

First,

get rid of that tree stump.

And then...

and then draw the water from the river upstream

to flood the acidity out of this soil.

Though of course, that could take several years.

But no matter how many years it takes,

we will make this land bountiful!

We are going to turn this desolate land

into a beautiful place that our children will be proud of!

Yes!

Pull up! Pull up!

1, 2!

1, 2!

Ganbatte!

1, 2!

Ganbare!

Tenyo!

It's finally moving!

It was as if they were chanting a song before me.

It was as if I heard the powerful song of the pioneers.

- 1, 2! - Pull up!

A bit more, more!

- Have you cleaned the stable? - Yes.

From now on, this horse is yours.

It will come of great use when you start plowing the fields.

What about money?

You raise this horse.

Pay me back once you start making money.

Yes!

What is it, Natsu?

Ojii-chan, you're the best.

And just like that...

nine years flew by.

Tenyo-kun!

Na-chan!

Natsu's life is just beginning.

Right now, this is the prime of her youth.

Natsu,

grow up without abandon!

We'll keep going next week!