Original subtitles

Madam pussycat, how are you today?

Where are you going?

Let's have a chat.

Hey.

So cute!

Ha!

CALL ME CHIHIRO

Okay. One salmon bento and one chicken. Thank you very much.

Okay.

- And there. Thanks. - Thank you.

Chihiro, where's my garlic stir-fry?

- And here it is. - Oh, thank you.

- Once again, liver and garlic... - Huh?

...for stamina, no?

Oh, well. How else will I satisfy you tonight?

A dirty old man like you should have a short life. So, extra soy sauce today!

Oh, so harsh.

- See you. - See you next time.

You handle male customers well,

as we'd expect from a former sex worker.

- Thank you so much. - It's not a compliment.

Here's your fried chicken. Thank you for coming back.

- Hang on, Nagai. Who... - Hmm?

Who told you that?

One salmon, three chicken next.

Coming up. She told me herself, right?

Hmm? About what?

Why did you tell her, Chihiro?

I went through the trouble of keeping it a secret.

You're so kind. Thank you very much.

You shouldn't be so understanding.

Once Nagai knows, everybody knows.

Mmm... don't worry about such things.

- Most of them know already. - What?

Right?

Right!

So, αβ equals c over a.

The quadratic equation form,

ax squared plus bx plus c.

We first take out the common factor a.

a(x squared plus bx/a plus c/a).

Substituting this here,

then we get...

a{x squared-(α+β)x+αβ}.

Like this.

Then...

Ew! So dirty!

Hey, old man, you listening?

- This guy stinks. - Ugh!

Old man?

- This is our playing spot. - Do you hear us? Hey!

- Are you leaving? - Hey, don't ignore me, stinky.

Hey!

Hi!

- Hmm? - Huh?

Well, you look like you're having fun.

May I play too?

Huh? Oh, crap.

Wait. Wait for me.

Old man, are you from around here?

Where do you come from?

Hello?

Would you share this bento with me?

Noko Noko bento tastes somehow different from other shops.

Nagai, the old lady who works there, has such a bad attitude,

and so, sometimes I think,

"Just die, would you?"

You know? But her pickled plums are so delicious.

You know, the really sour and salty ones?

They're so...

salty and sour.

They make everything else taste so much better, don't they?

Do you think that I'm boring?

You don't eat pickled plums?

Ah, what a pity!

Okay, if you insist.

Old man,

would you like to take a bath?

Is beer okay with you?

Huh?

What?

You're going?

My shirt looks good on you.

Bye, then!

- Oh my God! You got this? - Yeah. Why?

Wow! Isn't it from the latest series?

You know, those graphics are amazing!

I know, right?

- They're amazing. - Look! I bought one too.

What? Oh my God. Let me see! Let me see!

Oh, wow! It looks so great.

His smile is so good.

Usually, he's so serious.

- Hey! The theme from the last series. - Ah...

- Oh, that song is divine. - Oh God, is anime all we can sing?

- Where did you buy this? Online? - Yeah.

I'm so jealous! Ugh!

- I should get one. - Go on.

Really? I think I might.

- Looks great. - Yeah.

He looks so amazing in the latest season.

- So good... - I can't decide.

YOUR DAD'S COMING HOME EARLY.

Who's that? Your parents?

Huh? Uh...

My mother.

I mean, your family gets along so well!

- Mmm. And her father's so cool. - I know.

- Mm-hmm. - He came in for Parents' Day.

He's so tall.

And you still go out as a family, right?

- We do. - Oh!

- That's awesome. - That's nice. So Izesura, wanna go out?

- Hmm? - Huh?

- Hmm? - Hmm?

- Oh... - Oh, is this how the battle begins?

Are we fighting? Should we fight?

So...

Kuniko.

Before, you said you'd like to try pottery?

I found somewhere.

In the summer break, I'll take you.

Thank you.

That's nice, isn't it, Kuniko?

Mmm.

A friend of a colleague...

He runs a pottery school.

So I asked...

Oh, I'm sorry. I'll bring it now.

Hey, can you do this?

Can you do it?

Sure can. Watch this.

- You did it! - Told you so.

Fall, fall, fall, fall, fall!

Fall, fall!

Fall, fall, fall, fall, fall!

Hey, that's Chihiro.

Do you know her?

- She's famous. - Yeah.

She's the one who works at the bento shop, isn't she?

I heard she used to work in a massage parlor.

- Yeah. - Huh?

Can you eat fried chicken sold by a hooker? Not me.

Hey? Why not?

- I think it's sexy. - Sexy?

Think about it. Fried chicken made by a hooker.

Finger-lickin' good.

HOMEMADE TASTE NOKO NOKO BENTO

Chicken... uh... bento, please.

One?

Uh, yes.

One.

Huh?

No photographs?

Uh... excuse me.

No, no. Honestly, uh... Whoa!

What the...

Who was she?

- Don't know. One of my fans? - Ooh.

Ah, so you're also popular with the girls.

Are you guys finished for the day?

Yeah. We're going for a drink. You wanna come?

I can't.

- I have a date. Sorry. - Ah! You've got a boyfriend?

It's a secret.

But another time.

Hey?

Don't be kidding.

We'll ask again.

We're going. See you.

- See you. - See you. Come on.

She might actually come with us!

Hi, what can I get you? The usual salmon?

Yes. Salmon, please.

Okay.

One salmon bento.

Coming up.

I'm impressed you found such a good place.

Mmm...

KEISUKE WHERE ARE YOU? GIMME A CALL OR TEXT.

Ah... smells good!

This bamboo is harvested fresh.

Bamboo shoots remind me of Tae.

She always loved doing this.

She sure did.

How's she doing?

Well, she can't see anything anymore.

She can only sense light.

Oh.

Hello, old man?

Here's today's lunch.

Huh?

Hello?

Hello?

Old man!

Old man!

Hmm... did you move on already?

Mmm.

Oh my, these are good.

Mmm!

Mmm!

THE PHARAOH'S TOMB

TOKIMEKI TONIGHT

THE LEGEND OF IZARON

TERROR NEWSPAPER TSURUBARA TSURUBARA

TOWARD THE TERRA

Keith Anyan

still looks handsome.

Sorry

for being here uninvited.

Are these yours?

Terra?

Do you like it?

Mmm.

Oh, yeah.

I think it's divine.

Divine?

Keith.

He's so great.

He's my favorite also.

Hey.

Basil! Oh, God!

- It's been a long time. - Mmm!

- I brought wine. - Thank you. Shall we?

- What's with the obscene house? - Hmm? It's not obscene.

Look at the reflected lights on the water. It's obscene.

Come in.

I will, thank you.

Your room's unprotected, as always.

You think?

- So, what are you doing? - Hmm?

For work?

I work at a bento shop.

Hey? You sell bentos?

I think it suits me.

Oh yeah, a girl I work with said there's some guy looking for you.

He's got your photo and has been asking around,

"Has anyone seen this girl?"

Hmm...

Do you know who he could be?

Well, you know how I was.

Always number one, yeah?

You quit suddenly without telling your regulars.

Anyone hold a grudge?

That's the nature of that world.

Besides, always leave them wanting more, as they say.

Well, yeah, but...

I did hear a rumor you moved around different shops.

But a bento shop is unexpected.

Hey!

What's wrong?

It's my shop.

Hmm?

My partner disappeared and took the money.

- How much? - All of it.

I was so excited about having my own shop.

And now I have to start all over again.

I guess when it comes to character, I have...

no judgment.

The exception is you.

You can come here anytime to talk.

If you want to work in a bento shop, I know people.

Hey? Me? Selling bentos?

You are kidding!

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CRYPTIDS

Hey, lady, what are you doing?

Well, what does it look like?

I'm reading a book.

Okay.

Be careful.

You know, around here,

there are lots of poisonous snakes.

- Mmm. - Like that!

What is this?

Aw, you're no fun!

Give it back!

Give it back, granny!

Let go, you old bag!

How about you shut it?

Shut up, old bag!

You don't mess around with adults.

What are you doing?

Let go of me, granny.

Let go!

- One hamburger bento, please. - I didn't know you had a kid.

He's not mine.

Hmm! What's his name?

What's your name?

Makoto.

Makoto, he said.

Huh.

Hey!

Aren't you going to say grace?

Thank you for the food.

Your arm, is it okay?

Don't worry, it's okay.

It's not the first time.

Have you been stabbed before?

I have.

It was right here.

Wanna look?

Who stabbed you?

Hmm...

Someone who liked me a little too much.

Liked you? Why?

You know, you're right.

It's a mystery.

I'm sorry.

Well, that doesn't count.

If you apologize, you have to look the person in the eye.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

- You're forgiven. - Stop it!

Stop it!

Excuse me.

Can I stand with you?

Sure.

Um...

Aren't you going to ask me anything?

Why?

Do you want me to ask you something?

It's not that I wanted you to.

People get curious, usually.

Things like name, age, intentions...

Don't you worry if you don't know who someone is?

I've never relied on that sort of thing.

Huh?

Besides, you never know if they're telling you the truth.

That's how it was

as a sex worker.

Oh.

If you want to know who someone is, look into their eyes.

Just kidding.

But seriously, I think you're an okay kid.

Parents?

Oh. Yes.

Mmm.

SATOKO: KARAOKE TODAY? MIHARU: SURE

SATOKO: YOU WATCH SE-YUGU?

MANA: YOU BET MIHARU: RANFIL DESCENDED!

Now, a plus b over 2 is the arithmetic mean of a and b.

...and the square root of a times b is called geometric mean.

The inequality of arithmetic and geometric means...

MIHARU: TOTALLY SATOKO: YUGU ALWAYS SAVES THE DAY!

MIHARU: PRICELESS SATOKO: AND YUGU'S EYES AT THE END!

MANA: DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS! SATOKO: WHAT DID YOU THINK, OKAJI?

...when a is greater than zero, b is greater than zero.

(a+b)/2 is greater than or equal to the square root of a times b.

Note that we have equality...

I'M NOT REALLY INTO SE-YUGU LATELY

...if and only if a=b.

Okay, you must memorize that first.

I'M NOT REALLY INTO SE-YUGU LATELY

Bounded by...

So...

Next, we'll look at the difference of two squares.

Here's where we start calculating. Okay.

DOESN'T IT SEEM LIKE THEY'RE REHASHING STUFF WE'VE SEEN BEFORE?

Divided by four.

I'm home.

I'm so tired.

Mmm.

I feel sick.

Aya, is your mother going to be in the hospital for long?

Mmm.

It looks like it might be a while.

- Oh. - Mmm.

How nice if she could be home.

Yeah.

- How about you, Tae? - Hmm?

Are you going to be returning?

To the bento shop?

Ooh, I don't know.

Is there anything I could do without my eyes?

Mm-hmm.

I think there is.

- Really? - Mmm.

I heard the new bento girl is excellent.

So, I wonder now,

uh...

Is there even a place for me to return to at the shop?

I'm sure there is.

They say she's a weird girl,

but a lot of fun, though.

- She's weird? - Mm-hmm.

- Oh, is this the middle? I can't tell. - It looks right.

- That's it, yeah. - Mmm. Okay. Now I feel it.

- Does it look right? - Yeah.

Now I'm doing the crease.

- Okay. - That's good.

So the old man... Have you seen him lately?

Oh. The Master?

Master?

The homeless man who often used to come here, right?

You call him the Master?

Just in my mind, of course.

I've never spoken to him.

Master, huh?

It suits him.

Hmm.

He's not here.

Thank you for this food.

- Yakitori here... - Chinese characters for Basil?

Don't sumo wrestlers do that?

Huh? It's cool...

And we use stage names too, like sumo.

Mmm. I guess so.

- Here. One try, please. - Okay.

One try, 100 yen.

- Here, this side up. - Okay.

- Here. One, please. - Thank you.

Ooh.

Good luck.

Aw.

One more try.

Sure.

Oh. You've caught so many!

Oh.

Ah...

You never let your prey escape?

Hang on, are you sure these aren't faulty?

Boss?

Wha... My God, Chihiro!

- What the hell are you doing here? - What are you doing here?

Hey? Well, I work here!

So then...

- You're alive? - Of course.

What are you doing here, boss?

Yeah.

Well, uh...

after you left I, um...

got a divorce.

Is that so?

Yeah.

And being free of obligations, I went into the fish business.

And when I say fish, I mean tropical aquariums.

Yeah, that one.

And really, I was sick of that world...

The underground.

- It is! - Mm-hmm.

And you? What are you doing?

I work at a bento shop, if you can believe that?

Bento? No way.

- Chihiro, the bento girl. - Thank you, come again.

Oh boy!

I'd be frightened you'd poison them!

Eh? No. That's mean.

I'm popular there! So rude...

Chihiro, you're full of it.

I bet only popular with the old and blind.

Shut up!

Honey, did you sleep with your boss?

Huh? I did not!

Oh, it sure looked like it to me.

Oh?

Hey? Honey, you're so bad!

You haven't changed.

Hey...

What? How did you get five?

Huh?

Ugh. You're subtracting from four, so you should've got less than four.

Why?

No. Not "why?"

Look, you subtract seven from 11, okay?

Then you subtract from there.

And then... What?

Why did you add here?

THIRD-GRADE MATH 3. DIVISION

MAKOTO SATAKE

You're pretty dumb, aren't you, kid?

Shut up, ugly.

Huh?

You're way rude!

I think your brain is broken.

It's so sad.

You're ugly with no personality.

Huh?

What are you talking about?

I'm helping you study, idiot.

I never asked you to, ugly!

- Huh? - Oh, you two get along so well!

- Hey! We do not. - No, we don't.

- Hey, I want that. - No, it's mine.

What? No.

- Ah. Come on, trade with me. - Makoto, have you finished your homework?

- No. - I've been trying, but he ignores me,

and writes random numbers.

- Hey. - Aw. Don't do that.

- You have to teach him properly. - I am doing it properly!

But he won't listen to me at all.

- Makoto? - So, it's your fault!

- Are you trying? - Yes, I'm trying.

- No, he's lying. He's not trying at all! - You're the one who's doing it wrong!

What? I'm the only one who's trying at all!

Okaji, if you eat that now will you be able to eat at home tonight?

What?

Is your mother a terrible cook or something?

Mm-mm.

It's the opposite.

Hmm?

No, my mom is a really good cook.

She's a certified chef.

She makes perfect meals.

Except...

Except?

When I sit at the table,

I taste nothing.

Um...

she really takes care of me,

and I'm grateful.

Mmm.

Maybe that's her idea of the perfect wife?

Or your dad's idea of the perfect wife.

I don't understand people like that.

Hmm?

When I was a kid,

I saw some norimaki and imagined it was delicious.

So I tried to make them myself.

I made a mess of them,

but they were delicious.

They say food tastes better when you eat with someone else.

Sometimes with the wrong people, things can taste bad.

But with the right people,

the food will taste delicious.

My mother makes stir-fried noodles.

It's really delicious.

Really delicious, huh?

Mmm. Really delicious.

Years ago,

a client of mine told me

that he thought we were all aliens in human bodies.

- Aliens in human bodies? - Yeah.

They say that we're all human.

It's not true.

Actually, we all come from different planets.

So really, it's no wonder we can't understand each other.

Even families?

What about lovers?

What about friends?

It's no use.

You know?

It doesn't matter,

because we're all from different planets.

Don't you think it makes a lot of sense?

We're all aliens.

Although they must exist somewhere.

What?

Some people from my planet.

Same as me.

Of course.

For instance, Okaji and Makoto, right here.

Huh? No way. We're definitely from different planets!

Of course.

- Here. - What's this?

A treasure map.

A treasure map?

Go there and see.

Makoto!

- Makoto is this... - Hey!

Take that!

- What are you doing? - Take that!

- Come on, get up. - Hold on.

I'm leaving without you.

- Tag, you're it! Tag you back. - I'll get you.

You're it!

- Whoa! - I'll break yours.

Madam.

What a beautiful day it is.

What do you want?

Oh, hello?

Finally got in touch with you.

Can you talk now?

Mmm. What is it?

It's Mom. She passed away.

Oh.

I've been asking all over, looking for you, sis.

Where are you now?

Are you okay?

Mmm. I'm fine.

Oh, good.

Will you come to the funeral?

Mmm...

I will not.

Right.

Okay.

- So... - Oh...

Sorry, I have to go back to work.

Oh, do you?

Okay. Talk to later.

Mmm.

Well, I'll call again.

Mmm.

Bye.

Well, good night.

I'm back from my break.

- Thank you very much. - Thank you.

- Hi. Welcome. - Are you Chihiro?

Yes, may I help you?

I'm Makoto's mother.

Ah.

I want you to stop associating with my son.

You go around feeding him.

Well, my neighbors are saying I don't look after him properly.

As a single parent, I can't be there all the time.

But I'm trying my absolute best to do everything I can for him.

I get that you don't understand, you're not just feeding a stray dog.

You need to understand that what you're doing could be damaging.

I can raise my own child, so would you leave us alone!

I am sorry.

I sincerely apologize.

Please forgive me for my lack of consideration.

So, about our trip this weekend...

The pottery teacher is looking forward to meeting you.

My friend told me

Kuniko's visit inspired him to get some special new clay for you to use.

Really?

Isn't that nice?

I searched online for his pottery,

and the ones I saw were excellent.

So, now you're a pottery expert?

Well, no. I guess you're right.

I apologize.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

This weekend,

I made plans with my friend.

You should go and enjoy it.

What? Why?

But, Kuniko,

you know we've had this planned for a while.

You were excited about it.

So, what are these special plans?

Do tell us.

Do you think anything is more important than family?

You could cancel your plans, couldn't you?

Mmm. I'll ask.

Please do that.

- Happy birthday, Mom. - Happy birthday.

Here Mom, these are for you.

They're gorgeous.

You bought these?

Mm-hmm. I saved up my allowance.

Oh.

Thank you.

This is the best gift I've ever received.

Wow, I'm glad!

TREASURE MAP

HERE!! COME ON IN ANYTIME!

You must be Chihiro's acquaintance.

Oh. Yes.

Mmm.

You can sit down wherever you like.

I'm Betchin.

What's your name?

Betchin.

Oh. I'm Seo.

Seo Kuniko.

Everyone calls me Okaji.

Seo?

Why Okaji?

Oh, it's a super long story.

Mmm.

You go to Nishiko?

Right, Nishiko High.

Our uniforms are the same...

Mm-hmm, Nishiko.

First year?

Second year.

Shut up! We're in the same year.

I'm in class three.

Though I don't go very often.

I'm what you'd call an absentee student.

Oh...

Okay, then.

How do you know Chihiro?

Oh...

I often get thrown out of the house,

so I come here to kill time.

Chihiro sometimes comes here too.

And now we're manga mates.

Manga mates?

Any you like, you're welcome to them.

Uh-huh.

This one's hard.

Could be too difficult, I think.

Easy.

I used to have one just the same.

You did?

Well then, it'll be easy!

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Ooh!

An acorn?

Mmm.

Are you giving this to me?

Mmm.

It's yours now.

Aw. Thank you, Aya.

You know...

I remember when my daughter turned 20.

We went to a hot springs resort.

Oh, it was nice.

We went and bathed together,

collected acorns...

And also found chestnuts.

However, my daughter was bored by all those things.

I'd booked the hotel for two nights, but we didn't stay.

She wasn't interested in those acorns we collected

when once she would have been.

Hmm.

It's no wonder.

She...

wasn't a kid anymore.

It goes so fast.

She was more of an adult than I was.

I wanted that if I said,

"This is nice," that someone would say,

"That is nice."

And if I asked, "Right?"

someone would say, "That's right."

I guess...

...that's all I ever wanted.

So did you make that yourself?

Except, I kind of messed it up.

Can I try one?

It's good.

Don't be afraid.

The nighttime is on our side.

Mmm!

Hey, are there any rabbits on the moon?

Of course not.

Why?

No reason. Just asking.

That way?

Okay, bye.

Hmm?

A gift?

Thank you.

Chihiro's my name.

You can ask for me at this shop.

Bye-bye.

CHIHIRO

PLEASE COME AGAIN 2,000-YEN DISCOUNT WITH THIS CARD

What do you mean you can't do it? Just do it!

I'm sorry, we can't.

I'm the customer. Do it!

- We just don't make that here. - Apologize.

What?

Apologize.

Mind your own business. Look, just do what I want.

Apologize.

Apologize to the cook!

Let go.

Hello, miss.

What a crock!

What a useless place.

I'll never be back.

Can I order?

Uh, uh... yeah.

- One beer and shoyu ramen and also... - Beer.

Are the gyoza large?

Uh, uh... no. Not really large.

- Regular size. - And one of them.

Uh... of course.

- Here's your order. - Oh. Thank you.

Here's your beer.

Looks good.

- Here. - Thanks.

I...

I'm really sorry for causing a scene.

What scene?

Was it awkward?

I always want ramen after I bury something that's dead.

Chihiro, is killing people your real job?

How'd you guess?

Oh, this? It's like a personal mantra.

Looking at it reminds me to stay calm.

But when I see people who are like my father...

I can't stand it.

Acting like they can say and do anything,

bullying people weaker than them...

It kind of makes me lose it.

It got pretty bad with my father.

I thought I was gonna die.

I hit him with a baseball bat.

And I left home right then...

...never returned.

It never made the news, so I'm sure he lived.

FORM IS EMPTINESS

Do you feel sorry for me?

I'm not kind enough for that.

Chihiro.

Have you ever truly wanted to die?

I have.

Why?

I...

Never mind.

If you meet your father again, and he tries to kill you...

mmm...

kill him first.

If I do, will you help me bury him?

But of course.

For a bowl of ramen.

I'd like to have sex.

Don't you ever fall in love?

Hmm?

I've always wondered about that. You never seem to be attached to anyone.

Mmm... what I mean is, don't you want someone just for you?

To want someone so much that it hurts?

You don't have those feelings?

I did a long time ago.

I thought love was meant to be like that.

- But these days... - Mmm?

- I don't believe that. - Why?

You cannot own someone's heart exclusively.

Also, I don't want to be owned.

Mmm.

- I realized... - Mmm.

If love is about owning,

well, then I don't need love.

- I can't get drunk on love. - What do you mean?

Mmm... Hmm...

It's like people who can't drink alcohol.

There are some people who get sick from drinking it,

and even die.

And so, why would you drink it at all?

You can live a happy life sober, right?

Yeah.

But what about...

making love?

You don't need that either?

Hmm...

That's a slightly different story.

A bit like needing to drink water to live.

Yeah, but it's nice to love them.

Oh, Jesus, I sound like such a virgin.

You might think that's important.

I don't really need to have feelings for them.

Mmm...

I don't understand that.

Hmm...

Well, I have found on this planet many others like me.

I'm starved.

- Please, we have plenty. - Mmm!

- Delicious. Mmm. - Really? Yay!

- You were sleeping, weren't you? - How did you know?

I saw you. You were like this on the desk.

- Seriously? - Completely asleep.

No way. Everybody saw? Really?

Oh.

That looks great.

Betchin.

Hmm?

If I hadn't met you, I might've drowned and died in this school.

So dramatic.

I wonder...

Why are you so strong?

I don't think I am.

I was an absentee, wasn't I?

Oh, yeah.

I don't expect much.

Hmm?

Not expecting much from myself or others is a lot easier.

I read that in a manga.

I get a little scared.

Scared of making friends.

But I'm also scared to be alone.

Betchin.

Although...

I'm also glad I met you.

Mmm! Betchin!

Hey! That's tight!

It's tight! Hey, it hurts!

What are you doing?

- Hang on. Wait. - Jeez! Let go!

A bit more, a bit more.

- What? A bit more? - Oh. Just a little.

Give up, give up.

Enough, Okaji.

So, the sixth of next month is when she can go home.

Thank you for taking such care of her.

Tae.

Are you glad to be going home soon?

Yes.

And you've all been so kind.

So these... your idea, were they?

Did you think I'd cry tears of happiness?

MOM, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. MAKOTO

He's not the kind of kid who'd do this on his own.

Stop trying to taunt me and mind your own business!

Huh? No.

You will regret it if you throw these away.

What?

Don't sell yourself so short.

- Don't you know he is like that? - Huh?

How the hell would you know?

You're just a stranger!

Makoto is really kind.

How does his own mother not see that?

Anyone else can see it.

While eating a rice ball from this shop he said,

"My mother's stir-fried noodles are the most delicious there are."

Take a good look at him.

I had nothing to do with these flowers.

Only him.

Please.

Oh, that one? It's sleeping.

He's sleeping?

Yeah.

When they sleep, they lie still on the bottom

And when they wake,

they float up and start swimming around again.

How unusual.

I wonder what dream it's having.

- Hello? - Hey.

Yeah?

You know your friend,

the one I met at the festival the other day?

She visited my shop and decided to work here.

Hey?

How did that happen?

She wants to work here when she's not working at the club.

And she said she'll work for free.

Did you know she liked tropical fish?

Bazi's never mentioned that to me before.

Anyway, where are you now?

Basil and I are going out for a drink.

Would you like to come?

Uh...

Not right now.

I'm at the bottom of the sea.

You're under the sea?

Then you should stay there a while.

Generally, humans tend to float.

You mean dead bodies float?

Dead or alive, they float, you know?

When you're calm, you float.

But when you panic and struggle, that's when you sink.

So, stay there as long as you need to,

and when you float back up, I'll take you out somewhere.

Anywhere you want to go?

Chihiro?

Hey, not so hard. You'll break it.

No, I won't.

Stop. You're making too much noise!

She'll hear us this way.

No. Let's just call out from the street.

- What about from there? - Can you see anything?

- Let's call out from over there. - Mmm.

But seriously, I hope she's not passed out or something.

- She's not. - Huh?

If she was passed out, we'd sense it.

Ahh.

But if she was unconscious...

Wouldn't you sense it?

Hello!

Are you alive?

Are you dead?

Hey! Stop that, stupid!

You're the one who said she might be unconscious.

Just because I said that doesn't mean she's dead!

Huh? Are you scared?

No, I'm not scared.

Oh, okay.

I'll believe that.

Hey!

God, I really hope she's okay.

Hey!

- Chihiro! Are you okay? - Chihiro!

- Oh. She's there! - A-ha!

Wow. She looks terrible.

Chihiro, are you okay?

Be quiet.

- I told you you were too loud. - It's your fault. I didn't wake her up.

- I brought these for you. - We brought you some stuff.

I brought bananas.

Just leave it there.

- Uh... I could just hand it to you. - Hey! No!

- We wanna give it to you. - Go home already.

- Hey? - Let us in!

- Let us in! - Can't you see us for a minute?

- Go put it on the doorknob. - Huh? We wanna hand it to you.

- Go on, go home. - Don't want to.

- It's getting late. - But we came all the way here.

We don't want to hang it on the door knob.

We could give it to a baseball star and ask for...

- Ah! - Huh?

- Just a minute, Chihiro. - Wait!

What?

Aw. She's so mean.

Ah.

Still alive?

UTSUMI TROPICAL FISH SHOP

Here we are.

- Did you sleep well? - Mmm.

Hey, boss.

- Huh? - Listen.

Ah.

So, I've been thinking for a really long time.

About?

We're all from different planets.

- Huh? - I'm sure of it.

I'm pretty sure that you like me,

but you've never tried to make any kind of sexual advances.

I always wondered why that was. I just couldn't seem to work it out.

But I know what it is.

Mmm.

It all makes sense to me now.

Eh?

What... What are you saying?

It has to be that you're my father, yeah?

Are you kidding?

- Me? - Hmm.

No way. Why?

Why?

It's the only thing that makes sense.

- That... - Hmm.

...I'm your dad?

- Right. - Oh, I am, huh?

Her father?

Yeah.

Oh, wow.

She must really have a screw loose.

Indeed.

However, I'll go along with it, as weird as it is.

It's fun though, right?

Oh, hi.

What's up?

Come in.

Hey.

What's the matter?

You said that you'd never slept with your former boss.

It's true.

You never said you went out with him the other day.

Ah...

But there wasn't much to tell you about.

Is that right?

Be honest, Chihiro.

You like him.

I used to admire that I thought you'd always tell the truth.

Come on. I've never lied to you.

You know I only ever tell you the truth.

- So you say. - I told you before.

I can't get drunk on love.

I always liked my old boss.

However, it's not like a romantic relationship.

So now you think he's your father?

Hey...

There's more than just sex between men and women.

- Things aren't that simple. - That's ridiculous.

We're all still men and women.

And even if you want him...

it does not mean he feels the same!

For God's sake, say something.

I think you were right.

You have no judgment.

Huh?

You won't get my old boss. Impossible.

- Don't even try. - Huh?

Why are we discussing this on the doorstep?

- What does it matter? - Just come in, already.

No, I'm done.

Hey.

Oh. You should've said you were coming.

You were great out there.

A, uh... wonderful performance.

So, uh... are you free tonight?

I was hoping you and I might share some sake together.

Ah...

should we ask Chihiro?

Chihiro?

I meant just you and I.

I don't want to drink with my daughter tonight.

Hello.

Um, hello. It's Makoto.

Are you free now, Okaji?

Huh?

I'm busy now.

Why?

It's just that I'm hungry.

Hey?

Where's your mom?

She's at work.

So, uh...

What are you doing?

I'm waiting at the front door of my house.

Why don't you go inside?

Can't find my key.

What?

It's usually in my pocket,

except it's not there.

Huh?

You're locked out of the house?

So, where's the key?

Like I said, I don't know!

Why are you yelling at me?

Oh, you're useless.

I'm hungry!

Oh.

Sorry.

Did I wake you?

I was just a little hungry.

Oh, how nice to be so carefree.

You don't understand my troubles at all, do you?

I'm not cleaning that.

You do it yourself.

Well, you don't understand either, Mom.

You know nothing about me!

Hello, Tae.

Hello.

Come on in.

That rain is wild!

- Let's close for today. - Forget that.

There's an emergency!

The hospital called a while ago.

I was trying to get hold of you!

Wait, wait. Slow down.

What is it? What's happened?

- Tae's gone. Vanished from the hospital! - What?

They said she was in her room with a visitor,

a girl named Aya,

and then she vanished.

Aya?

The girl was saying that her mother was staying at the same hospital.

But when they checked, they couldn't find any evidence of her.

Aya?

What are you doing?

You should be rushing to the hospital!

Bito!

No answer.

Aya is actually Chihiro. Look.

What?

RÉSUMÉ AYA FURUSAWA

Chihiro is the name she used at her former job.

AGE: 29

I dealt with many girls at the massage parlor,

but she was the hardest to work out.

She has the kind of character you never quite get.

In a way, she seemed empty.

It's strange to say, she's like a ghost.

When she came to interview at the massage parlor,

ah...

I didn't know what to think. She looked so out of place.

Just a regular and modest girl.

Even now, she looks like that asleep.

- Except... - Mmm.

When I looked down,

her shoes were worn and dirty.

...and the wrong size for her feet.

I think...

if she hadn't walked through my door that day,

she might not still be alive.

Okay.

You can start tomorrow.

Aren't you...

going to ask any questions?

Huh?

Like...

what are my reasons for being here?

Where else have I worked?

I don't need to ask.

I'm talking to the person in front of me now.

So... what do you want your work name to be?

What do you think?

No.

I can't choose your name.

It's yours, so you choose.

Uh...

Chihiro.

Mmm.

So as of today, Chihiro is your name.

So, Chihiro...

Welcome.

- Thanks. - Mmm.

RÉSUMÉ AYA FURUSAWA

"Aya Furusawa."

Uh...

I like to be called Chihiro.

Chihiro?

Chihiro is kind of my nickname.

It's like I'm having an affair.

Uh... more like eloping.

Or perhaps a double suicide?

A double suicide?

Thank you, Aya,

for taking me out.

So, Tae...

when did you work it out?

Hmm?

When did you realize I was Chihiro from the shop?

Not telling.

The rain makes me feel happy.

Mmm.

Hello!

One seaweed bento, please.

Okay.

One seaweed bento.

Coming up.

With the weather like this today,

here's a little gift for you.

Really?

That's so nice!

Tell me, why are you open on a day like this?

Oh. Well...

I love the rain.

It always makes me feel like going out,

maybe to go dancing.

I thought,

"There must be others out there like me."

And you, dear?

Just finished work?

No.

Right now I'm not working.

Not long ago I quit my job.

Oh. So what were you doing?

I was a sex worker.

Ooh!

In that moment, I thought,

"Ah! This woman...

is maybe from the same planet I am from."

It only happened one time before.

- One of my people. - Hmm.

So...

Then...

when was the other time?

When I met Chihiro.

Sorry I couldn't get something nicer.

That's okay. It's nice.

You want one?

It's okay. It's for you.

I had dinner.

Makoto?

- What are you doing? - Makoto.

MOM, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. MAKOTO

How did you lose your key?

You've no idea where it is?

Mm-mm.

Now I have to get another key.

Really, you're just hopeless.

Right?

Yeah.

Here you go.

- Thanks for the food. - Okay.

- Thank you. - Sure.

Ah...

jeez.

It's so messy.

Sorry for the mess.

And who messed it up?

No idea.

I doubt that very much.

Is it good?

Yes.

Eh?

- What's wrong? - Okaji, what's wrong?

- Oh, what is it? - I'm sorry.

- What's the matter? - Hey?

Are you in pain?

Are you okay?

My mom died.

But...

I felt nothing.

No sadness,

no regret,

no loneliness.

Honestly,

I didn't feel a thing.

I didn't cry once.

Hmm.

I wonder if you had been my mother,

what kind of person I could've become?

Oh, well...

I imagine...

...no more wonderful than you are now.

Hey?

I'm saying...

you're wonderful just as you are.

Yeah.

That's hard to see.

Hey.

Hmm?

Come on.

Come here.

Hey? What?

Let me give you a hug.

Hey? What for?

Just one.

Mmm.

Nice.

Yeah, but it's still really weird.

Good, though.

How does it feel?

I like it.

Mmm... a warm hug.

Mmm.

And you smell good.

- Hey, wait. - Watch out, you two.

What are you doing? Hey!

The kids are great together.

- No, that's dangerous! - Hey, hey! Careful.

- Don't play with bottles. - Now, top speed!

Oh, crap.

Hey!

- You're impossible. - Hey!

Okaji and Makoto, come and help.

- Okay. - All right.

- Take that to the table? - Okay.

- Ah! - What? Ugh!

Uh. What are you doing?

What? So cheeky.

You're cheeky.

Watch your mouth.

They're all done.

I bet this will be really delicious.

Uh... now,

Aya or Chihiro?

Which do you want to be called?

Hmm...

Let's see...

Chihiro?

- Are you warm enough? - Can I help with anything else?

Time to eat now.

Okay.

- No. - Don't do that.

- Don't eat it with your hands. - Why not?

What? You like carrots?

- I'm eating one piece at a time. - I'll eat it.

I've got it.

I can feel it.

- Thank you. - Yeah? Okay.

- Careful, it's got a sticky glaze. - Mm-hmm.

It got very quiet.

Mmm.

Do you want some more?

I've eaten plenty already.

That's good.

- I'd have to fatten up... - The miso soup's still warm.

Wear glasses, and get really nerdy.

- ...so is the red bean paste. - Which should I eat next?

Whoa! Are you talking about me?

- Yes. - These two wear glasses as well.

- We just did. - The other person.

You really piss me off.

- This one. - Are you still talking about me?

- Ooh! More? - Ooh, scary!

Thanks, I'll have some.

- Hey! Don't tell everyone! - You did? Okaji.

That's the worst!

- No. It's not like that. - You're so noisy.

You are!

Hey? What was that?

- Do you want more soup? - What?

Will I get you some?

- Okaji, you can have this. - You're good at that.

Really? Then I'll make something for you.

- Don't eat too much. - You will?

What will you make?

- Hmm... - You might get fat again.

My specialty is pork miso soup.

You're lying.

That or... What do you like?

Oh, well, I love slow-cooked food.

Then, I'll make slow-cooked chicken.

Can you make it for me?

I can.

Hello?

Hello?

You left early.

Hmm.

I was having a good time.

I was getting drunk, and that's rare.

I see.

Hmm.

And how could you tell that I was gone?

Easy.

Suddenly, the air of loneliness was gone.

That's hard not to notice.

Tae, you're able to see a great deal.

Mmm...

So...

Are you thinking of going far away?

Hey?

It's okay.

You can stop running away now.

No matter how fast you run

or how far you go,

your loneliness will follow.

Well...

until tomorrow, then.

Until then.

HELP WANTED (URGENT)

PART-TIME WORKER MAINLY TAKING ORDERS, CASHIER

What is it?

I, uh...

Um...

I'm reminded of when we, uh...

opened this shop, we would do this together.

Hey?

You and I, we'd prepare food all night.

Never much time for us to sleep.

So I said,

"How about we get pre-peeled chestnuts to save some time?"

And Tae, what did you say, hmm?

I don't remember.

What did I say?

You said,

"It would be nice not to have to do it...

but then you'd miss out on the fun of peeling the chestnuts."

Oh, now I remember.

I was so surprised that you might enjoy such unglamorous work.

And you saying that made me love you even more.

I thought,

"How did you get such a good wife?"

Ah, what are you on about?

Ahh...

just reminiscing.

Thank you, Tae,

for marrying someone like me.

Ah, you old fool.

Chihiro leaving must make you a bit sad.

It does.

Yeah.

I miss her.

Mmm. She really was something special, wasn't she?

- Yeah. - Mmm.

Hey.

Can I ask you something?

Mmm.

What was it that made you decide to hire Chihiro?

- The reason? - Mmm.

Let's see...

I'm so sorry...

I left the interview on purpose to watch what she did.

Here is a leftover.

I gave her an extra bento we had left over from lunch that day.

- Oh. You sure? - I'll be back.

Ooh.

Thank you for this food.

Mmm... Mmm!

Mmm!

Mmm!

Oh!

It's so sour.

Thank you for the delicious meal.

I watched her eat the whole thing,

right down to the shrimp tail,

and skin from the mackerel.

I thought someone who showed such appreciation...

...couldn't be bad.

Yes.

That sounds like her.

- Yeah. - Mm-hmm.

Good morning.

Ah. Good morning.

Ah, you're peeling chestnuts. Sorry, I wasn't here to help.

- What a shame. - Huh?

Oh.

Good morning, kitty.

You want something to eat?

Just don't tell Ms. Nagai.

Here you go.

Right here.

Try not to eat my clothes.

Good morning!

There you go.

Morning!

There you go.

Have you gotten used to this yet?

Yes.

Have you ever done this kind of thing before?

No, never.

Hmm...

Well, you're learning fast.

So, uh...

What were you doing before?

I just worked in a bento shop.

Ah.

A bento shop.

Hmm.