Original subtitles

When people finish their day and hurry home,

my day starts.

My diner is open from midnight to seven in the morning.

They call it "Midnight Diner."

Do I even have customers?

More than you would expect.

It has been drizzling since the early evening.

It's one of those awkward spring rains,

where you can't quite decide if you need an umbrella.

-Over here. -Okay.

Hello.

Welcome. Is it still raining outside?

Yes, but it's just a drizzle.

Beer, for starters.

Sure.

-Are you all right? -Yes.

The Master will make whatever you want if he has the ingredients.

-Don't be shy now. -Really? I can't decide.

I still can't believe it.

Yama is practically bald now.

He was my biggest crush.

Life hasn't been kind to him.

He was laid off, and then his wife divorced him.

I guess all that stress went to his head.

Here you go.

This is Sayuri, my classmate from grade school.

-She teaches at our alma mater now. -I'm pleased to meet you.

-Were you at a class reunion? -No.

Our class reunion won't be until the end of this month.

We're the organizers, so we met up to go over the plans.

We're going to dig up the time capsule we buried

for our graduation ceremony 25 years ago.

It won't be easy.

Wow, 25 years ago? Really?

I know, right?

Speaking of time capsules, did you know they buried two of them

in Osaka Castle Park for the 1970 Japan World Exposition?

One of them will remain underground for 5,000 years until the year 6970.

-Wow. -Really?

I buried a time capsule with my classmates in grade school too.

How did it turn out?

We dug it up ten years later, but the capsule was all wet inside.

Our letters were an illegible mess.

I hadn't even considered that possibility.

The time capsule cover was loose.

I hope yours is okay.

I wish you all the best since we're the same age and all.

Same age?

You have a problem with that?

If you graduated 25 years ago, that means...

Stop counting!

Have you decided what you'll have?

-Glass noodle salad. -Oh, really?

Here you go.

-Let's eat. -Let's eat.

This is really good!

This salad reminds me of Shiga.

He liked it so much,

he asked our classmates for their salads during lunch break.

You still remember that?

Well, I had a small crush on him. He was third in line after Yama.

What about you? Who did you have a crush on?

What?

Come on, tell me.

Shiga.

Wait, what?

Really?

I used to hate glass noodle salad.

But Shiga was fond of it.

So I figured I should give it a chance.

I ate it every day, and now I actually enjoy it.

I had no idea.

I hope Shiga comes to the reunion.

Yes.

-There we go. -Is it in there?

I don't know. Take over, I'm tired.

-Seriously? That's all you've got? -My back hurts.

You can do it.

Hey, Yama.

Have you seen Sayuri?

I haven't seen her. She isn't here yet?

I tried calling her phone, but she didn't pick up.

What happened?

Where is she?

Is that you, Tajima?

Shiga?

-Wow. -There it is!

-We found it! -Really?

-They found it. -Where?

I thought you were Ms. Miho's husband.

Sorry, I jumped the gun there.

We were classmates in grade school. My name is Shiga.

You must be Mr. Shiga. I've heard so much about you.

This is my son, Taichi.

I'm divorced and single right now.

My name is Taichi Tajima. Pleased to meet you.

Thank you for everything you've done for my mother.

He's so grown-up.

I'm usually away from home because of work.

-She comes home drunk. -Hey!

You promised you wouldn't bring that up.

Here you go. An extra-large bowl of glass noodle salad,

and a Kid's Special.

-Thanks. -Enjoy.

-Let's eat. -Dig in.

Is it too hot for you?

Do you like it?

-This is really good. -That's great.

Where's Ms. Sayuri?

She was hospitalized for appendicitis on the day of the reunion.

That's unfortunate.

We went to see her at the hospital today.

It's been a while.

Yes, it has.

Sorry, I know I look disheveled.

Oh, please. We weren't expecting you to dress up.

-Here. -Thanks.

Thanks for coming, Taichi.

-This is for you. -What is it?

We found your letter and music box in the time capsule.

Wow, this takes me back.

-Remember this, Miho? -Of course.

What did you write in your letter?

-Let me read it. -No way.

I'll read it under my covers later.

Oh, come on. We brought it here for you.

She's right. Why don't you read it out loud?

Mom! Whose side are you on?

Here, help me replace these flowers.

All right.

I'll help you.

That's quite all right. You should stay and talk to Sayuri.

-Sayuri. -Yes?

He's still single.

This is your chance.

Komatsu hasn't changed at all.

I was so surprised.

Innocent girls don't change.

Her father died early on,

and she's been living with her mother ever since.

They're really close.

You know so much about her.

We've been friends since grade school.

She was always there for me.

Like when I was scared about giving birth

and when I was depressed about my divorce.

We should celebrate with Komatsu when she gets out of the hospital.

-Let's come here again. -Yes, let's do that.

You'll have to stock up on glass noodles before then, Master.

I will.

Thanks for the food.

-Are you all right? -Yes.

Thanks for the food.

-He's dead to the world. -I know, right? Is he heavy?

-I can carry him. -Really? Thanks.

-Congratulations on your recovery! -Thanks.

Let's toast.

-Cheers. -Cheers.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

I wish I'd been at the reunion.

I helped organize it, and I couldn't even attend.

Don't complain. What? Are we not good enough for you?

That's not what I meant.

I was just wondering how everyone else is doing.

It's been 25 years.

Everyone's changed.

Especially those married with kids.

You haven't changed at all, Shiga.

Neither have you.

-Tajima, on the other hand... -What?

I almost didn't recognize you.

-What was that? -Really?

Are you saying I've turned into an old hag?

I didn't say that.

Don't worry, you're still the same inside.

-What? -What do you mean?

You're terrifying when you're angry.

Was that supposed to be a compliment?

DINER

He's nice, isn't he?

Yes.

-Go on. Ask him out. -I can't do that.

-We only just met the other day. -Oh, please.

-You've known him for 25 years. -That's not how I would describe it.

You're both single. What's the problem here?

You're single too.

The only man I need in my house is my son.

-Really now? -My son is dashingly handsome.

-He's cute. -I know, right?

What? What were you talking about?

It's a secret.

Okay, we're here.

Put her on that sofa.

Come on, just a little further.

All right, we're here.

There you go.

Finally.

I can't remember the last time she was in such good spirits.

She must have been really happy to see that you've recovered.

She told me that

you were always there for her when she needed help.

I didn't do anything.

She overcame those hurdles on her own.

She's a strong woman.

I think she depends on you.

Really?

She wouldn't be sleeping like a baby otherwise.

Look at her.

-See you tomorrow, Ms. Komatsu. -See you tomorrow, Ms. Komatsu.

See you. Be careful on your way home.

-Okay. -Okay.

Ms. Sayuri.

Ms. Sayuri! It's been a while.

Hello.

Welcome. Are you alone today?

Yes. I'll have glass noodle salad and a beer, please.

Sure.

I heard about your appendicitis.

It's a pity you missed the reunion.

I know.

Ms. Miho dropped by the other day with her son and her former classmate.

What was his name again? Shiga?

-The glass noodle salad guy? -Yes, him.

I mistook him for Ms. Miho's husband.

That was really embarrassing.

Actually...

You may end up being right after all.

Wow. Look at this.

So many things have changed, but it still brings back memories.

I used to sit here.

And this was my desk.

It's amazing how much we still remember after 25 years.

Shiga sat over there.

Yes.

I was always watching him from here.

This brings back memories.

It's like we've turned back time.

Sayuri, I'm sorry.

What's this about?

Shiga confessed his love to me.

What?

He says he's serious. He wants to marry me if it works out.

What?

I turned him down at first because I knew how you felt about him.

But...

He cares about Taichi.

He's serious about our future together.

Once I realized he was sincere, I knew that I loved him.

Stop, I don't want to hear it.

But I owe you an explanation.

That's what you think.

Sorry.

I can't lie to myself.

Have you considered my feelings?

You're always like this.

You don't actually want my opinion.

You just want someone to agree with you!

Remember your first marriage?

I told you to reconsider, but you didn't listen.

-And then you divorced him anyway. -You can't blame me for that.

-That's just who I am. -That's the problem!

You don't need me.

I've always looked up to you.

You're strong and confident.

Life never gets you down.

I wanted to be like you.

But I...

I can never be as strong as you, Miho.

Here you go.

I read my letter for the time capsule.

I wrote, "I want to marry the man I love and make some glass noodle salad for him."

I'd completely forgotten about it.

This music box was in the time capsule too.

It's "The Farewell Song."

It was a birthday present from Miho.

She knew I liked this song.

It's perfect for who I am now.

Isn't it ironic?

That's the spirit. Laugh it off, and forget all about it.

You're right.

I'll drown my sorrows in food tonight.

Thanks for the food.

Your glass noodle salad is really good, Master.

Really?

Thanks.

It's okay.

You don't have to smile if you don't feel like it.

It rained again, as though in sympathy with her sorrow.

INARI SHRINE YOMOGI SHOPPING STREET

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'm so sorry about yesterday.

I must have looked so foolish, crying like that.

Don't worry about it.

I brought this with me because I wanted to throw it away.

Do you have the heart to do it?

Hello?

Miho?

Be happy.

I'll...

try to be stronger.

So I want you to...

be happy.

I will.

Thanks.

It looks like the spring rains are coming to an end.

Yes, it's almost over.

See you around.

After boiling the glass noodles, rinse with running water before draining.

Top the noodles with cucumber, ham, and wood ear mushrooms.

Add scallion oil to the dressing

for extra nuance and depth in the flavors.

-Here you go. -Thanks.

Finally!

Master, I'll have macaroni salad.

Sure.

-What? -Good night.

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Subtitle translation by Chen Li Woon