Original subtitles

This is Takeda Mieko, who will work here starting today.

(I'm Takeda Mieko.)

December 1997 --- No one cared about me, no one protected me,

I was quite overwhelmed by this reality, since I used to think I'd be able to do anything by myself.

The 15th Television ATP Award Grandprix Winner --- But, I met him.

The 15th Television ATP Award Grandprix Winner --- His name is Nobe Hirofumi, a hearing man.

He told me he loves me.

Of course we had many obstacles, while we were dating.

I don't want to let my son live a life with burden.

But... he said to me...

I didn't fall for you because you're deaf.

I love Takeda Mieko!

(Please marry me.)

His parents have also given their blessings and so we are happily married.

October 1998 --- Congratulations. You're 3 months pregnant.

October 1998 --- What do you mean you don't want to give birth to the baby?

October 1998 --- She won't know what the child is singing,

October 1998 --- she won't know what her child's voice is like!

Nobe-san, do you understand how painful this would be for her?

The 7th Hashida Award Winner --- I also.. want to... give birth to our child.

Although there are things you can't do,

there are many other things you can do for the child.

It'll be alright. Ah, it must hurt.

And so we have another member in our family.

Her name is Chizuru. Nobe Chizuru.

Kimi no Te ga Sasayaite iru (Your Hands are Whispering) --- ~* Chapter 3 *~

subbed by yanie

edited by jenn

Yay!

(You like it?) / Yes!

A rabbit again?

Why do you like rabbits so much, Chizuru? / I like it!

You're right. I'm going, then!

Papa, have a good day!

Okay, bye bye!

I'll be a bit late tonight.

I'll eat something with Nakata.

Bye!

Mama, eat the rabbit lunchbox too, okay?

Just promise me!

Good morning!!

Ah, Rui-chan! Mama, I'm going!

Good morning!

Yes, I'll take care of her.

Let's drink tea together.

Lunch last time was so good!

It was the best. / I love eating outside.

Let's have a meal together again next time! / Yes, yes!

Let's have a meal together again next time!

I have never heard a sound even once since I was born.

But even so, I got married,

and have a child.

I'm sure that it's a gift from God, for me to be able

to have more wonderful encounters than anyone, in place of my deafness.

That's what I think.

Chizuru is 4 years old now,

and she goes to kindergarten.

The world was just the three of us - family, all this time, so..

...as Chizuru started to go outside, I honestly felt scared.

I wonder if she can accept the fact that her mother is

different from her friends' mothers.

It seems like she hasn't shown any sign of being troubled about this now...

..but somehow I have a bad feeling about this.

I don't mind being hurt.

Whatever happens, I have confidence that I can endure anything for her sake...

But...

...if she's hurt..

If she's hurt, because of me...

I don't think I can stand that.

That's what I'm scared of the most.

Welcome home.

Welcome home! Good girl!

Mama...

I'll be a bit late tonight.

(Hello!)

(Ambulance...) / This is 119.

(Please!) / May I help you?

(Hello, ambulance!) / Can you tell me your name and address?

What's wrong??

What? I don't understand!

Call?

(Ambulance! Please!)

Ambulance??

Something happened to Chizuru-chan!?

Chizuru-chan?

Oh, no! What a high fever!

Mieko-chan, measure her temperature!

Huh? Ah, sorry..

Measure...

..her temperature.

Phone, phone!

Hello, ambulance please!

A 4 year old girl suddenly got a high fever...

How many degrees? Wait, wait...

Mama.

Uhh, Nobe! / What?

I met her by coincidence... Naoko-chan.

Is that so. And? How is she?

Yeah. Then, well... actually...

It's okay, go ahead.

A mail...

Chizuru in the hospital.

Minamigaoka Chuo Hospital.

Nakata, sorry! I'll leave the rest to you!

It was only a step away from pneumonia, but--

Please, wait for a moment.

How's Chizuru?

Then, I'll talk to the doctor.

I'm her mother. / Hello.

In her place, can you please tell me about Chizuru's condition?

There's no need to worry, he said.

She almost caught pneumonia.

She has to be hospitalized for 2-3 days, so that they can observe her condition.

It's alright.

For inpatient registration, tomorrow morning--

Somehow, as a mother,

I feel so helpless.

I feel so miserable.

What's wrong, Mieko?

Be strong!

Have confidence in yourself!

Ah, I'll get her changing clothes. Mieko, you better stay here.

I see. You won't understand them. But, hurry, okay?

Even if I'm there, I won't be helpful after all.

She doesn't need me.

As I think like this,

somehow I feel like my body has lost its strength.

I couldn't move.

Hirofumi-san.

Mother, thank you!

How's Chizuru?

She's alright now. The fever's down already.

Is that so.

Where's Mie-chan?

She went to get Chizuru's clothes, but... she's so late.

Nobe-san. / Yes.

Actually, Mi--

Chizuru, what's wrong? / What is it?

Mama...

Mama...

Mama.. Mama..

Mama...

This time, I...

felt like I could hear Chizuru calling me.

What are you doing here?

Let's hurry and go to the hospital.

What are you saying?

Chizuru kept calling you, Mie-chan,

"Mama, Mama...".

You have to be there.

It has to be you.

It has to be 'Mama'.

Mie-chan, have confidence in yourself.

Chizuru's mother is only you.

It's only you.

Be more confident.

It reminds me of when..

my mother always stayed by my side

when I got a fever.

She thought I'd be anxious when I open my eyes

if no one is around me, especially since I'm deaf.

So she stayed by my side all the time.

Whenever I opened my eyes,

I always saw my mother's face.

In comparison, what kind of mother am I...?

It's so boring,

to be a father.

I went there in a hurry, but then she kept calling 'Mama'.

I wish she would call 'Papa' just once.

Let's go!

Mama...

Mama...

She's so late.

Mama will come soon.

You're late!!

You have to be stronger!!

I'm sorry.

Mama...

Let's eat the rabbit lunchbox together.

In the end, I can never be on par with her mother.

No! I want a rabbit!

Aa!! It's a rabbit!

Mama, eat it first!

Yes, Mama!

(It tastes good.)

It's not good.

Chizuru left the hospital healthy.

And because she had been good,

as a present, we went to the zoo as Chizuru wanted.

Papa! Give me a ride on your shoulders! / Okay.

This one looks like Papa!

No way!

What's that?

Ostrich.

Ostrich.

So long. / Yeah, ostrich.

Chizuru, let's go to Mr. Lion's place. / Yes.

She's weird.

Mama...

Look at that.

What is that woman doing?

Don't say that and don't point your finger at them. / But they're so weird.

Chizuru, what's wrong?

Papa, what are they doing?

He's telling a secret. / What's that?

It's something he doesn't want other people to hear.

Chizuru wants to do it too!

I want to tell a secret to Mama, too!

Did you get that?

Chizuru, stop it.

Why?

Chizuru also wants to tell Mama a secret!

Mama can't understand Chizuru's secret.

Alright?

Why?? Chizuru wants to tell Mama a secret too!

Chizuru!

This is not good.

Chizuru, let's go see Mr. Monkey, okay?

Mama, it's Mr. Monkey!!

Akkanbee~

Chizuru.

Mama is calling you.

There's a monkey look-alike in front of Chizuru?

Yes, they look alike!!

Akkanbe~ Mama, let's go!

Chizuru, you just shared a secret with Mama.

I see!

(I love Mama so much!)

(Mama loves Chizuru verrry much, too!)

It's so high.

You're not scared? / No! I wonder if we can see the rabbits from here.

Maybe...

Why does Chizuru like rabbits so much?

Rabbits... I asked her why she likes rabbits so much.

(Mama wants to know, too.)

Because, if Mama could have long ears like a rabbit,

Mama's ears would be healed too, right?

That's why you like rabbits?

Chizuru!

Mama will cry. She will definitely cry.

See? / You're right!

Nothing! Right? / Yes.

I wish that we could stay like this and that the Ferris wheel would never stop.

I thought like this.

I want to stay like this forever...

I'd be so happy if the world could stay like this, just the three of us...

I thought like this.

Because I know, there will be so many hard things waiting outside.

Especially for Chizuru.

I just wish that this Ferris wheel would never stop.

Nakata?

Aa! Naoko-neechan!

Yes, so we are dating now.

Oh, about that...

Since around a month ago..

Why didn't you say anything before? / Well... you know...

(I'm sorry.)

Oh, well... in any case, let's have a toast!

You're right!! Let's have a toast!

Not that I'm trying to imitate you. / What do you mean??

I wonder what they're talking about.

How's your sign language?

Currently on intensive learning.

But I wouldn't understand if they do it so fast like that.

What do you like about Nakata-san?

Kind, handsome,

funny, smart, everything about him is wonderful!

Seriously!?

I lied! / What do you mean??

Chizuru-chan??

Cheers!!

It's good! Chizuru-chan, cheers!

Cheers, once again! Cheers!!

Let's cheers, two more times!

And then, 2 years passed.

What do you think of this?

Father, how about this??

Chizuru will become an elementary student starting April.

I'm hooome!!

I'm home.

Yay!

Awesome.

We have to send last year's temporary budget calculation documents to the accounting department.

Nakata, can you do that? / Yeah, okay.

Nobe! / Come here for a moment. / Yes!

Please, continue.

Sendai?

Yes, for the time being.

Sit down.

Nobe, as an employee, this is definitely a good job relocation for you.

Well, I can't say much, but the Sendai office is currently growing now.

You know, right? / Yes.

But...

But your wife...

So, regarding this matter, please let me know as soon as possible.

Thank you.

So, you will be transferred?

I never thought of this before.

But as an office worker, I guess that's common.

So, you'll get promoted?

What about Mieko-chan?

What should I do...

I think even ordinary wives would generally hate the idea of moving.

It's a difficult matter, especially for her.

My parents' and her parents' homes aren't that far from ours right now.

She'd feel lonely if we move further from them.

Is that so..

She is finally able to communicate with the neighbors too.

Chizuru will also enter elementary school starting April. She's looking forward to entering the same school with her friends.

So, what are you gonna do?

What am I gonna do...

Chief said, if I don't do this, it doesn't mean I'll never get promoted,

and he said I can do other comparable things instead.

But as an employee, it would be hard for you if you reject this.

I guess so.

You have to face so many hard things, huh.

You were the one who bought it for her, right?

She seems so happy.

You went and saw her school?

It's great that she can be together with her friends, huh.

Of course...

It's great for Mie-chan too, that many mothers whom you know are there.

I see.

Is that so. You will be transferred.

I'm confused about what I should do now...

I really don't know what to do this time.

My life has changed ever since Mieko was born.

To be honest, it was so hard that ordinary parents would never experience it.

Yes.

I've changed jobs a few times too. I can't say my career was successful.

Is that... / But, it's okay.

Sometimes I think about it, too.

If I stayed in that company,

what my life would be like, now.

I wanted Mieko to go to a good school,

and at that time our place was too far away from the school, so...

Yes.

When I quit my job, a colleague said to me,

"As a man, is that the right thing to do?".

Of course, I do not regret it.

I don't regret it.

But, Nobe-kun.

No one will know what is right and what you should do.

I also can't tell you what the right thing for you to do is.

Yes.

However, it will be hard for Mieko,

if she starts thinking that she's a burden to you

and that it affected your career.

Yes.

I'm sorry. I can't help with anything.

What are you saying?? This was a big help.

I'm glad I can talk to you.

Okay, let's drink! / Yes!

They learned sign language for you, huh?

I see.

Mama!

You've decided?

Yep! / Really.

This is the best thing to do.

Then, please make copies of this.

I totally didn't notice.

I totally didn't notice that he had been facing

such a problem all by himself.

He must have thought of me,

and worried about that.

It is such an unbearable feeling.

(Why didn't you say anything?)

But... I've decided.

I will go there by myself.

I think that's the best thing to do.

Listen to me.

First of all, I won't be there forever.

Just for a few years.

Also, I can't say...

that it would be a very good environment for you.

You don't know anyone there. And you'll be far from your parents.

(I know, but--)

It's the same case for Chizuru, right?

Right?

Honestly, I was going to reject this.

But I want to do this work as a man.

I want to aim higher in work.

(I understand.)

I think this is the best choice for us.

I just didn't want to

burden Mie-chan and Chizuru.

I don't want you to leave this good environment.

That's why I think this is the best way.

I also want to stay together with you.

I want the three of us to stay together.

Please, understand.

This is the best way.

I've made a decision already.

I've decided.

Don't give me that face.

Please! It'll be alright.

It's not like I'm going abroad, anyway.

What do you mean you don't have confidence?

Why?

You're not strong like Mieko-chan?

But, Naoko-chan...

...we are "us," right?

Sorry, Naoko-chan. Please, more slowly.

More slowly. Or else, I won't understand what you're saying.

What is it?

Mama has a request?

Help Papa?

Is Papa in trouble?

I'm home!

What's that? What book?

"MIYAGI Playground Guide" (*Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi prefecture.)

"SENDAI - Shopping" (*Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi prefecture.)

Papa!

I want to go here!

Mama said she wants to go here!

Mie-chan?

But...

(This time, I think you're definitely wrong.)

(You always said to me...)

(Why do you always decide things yourself, as you like?)

(What am I here for, then?)

(You said that to me, right?)

(Right?)

(Then, let me ask you, what am I here for?)

(Am I that unreliable?) / No.

(You're right. If we stay here,)

(it would be easier and safe for us,)

(but we won't be happy.)

(The three of us have to stick together no matter how troubled we are.)

(Or else, I won't be happy!)

Mie-chan...

(Any objections?)

Objections, you said?

Mama won! / Heyy!

Hey...

Why did you make such a big decision on your own like that?!

We can't do anything about that.

But Sendai is so far! Right??

Well, I guess you won't be able to pass by our house coincidentally again.

What an annoying boy.

Mieko-san.

Are you really okay with this?

He will take you too, Chi-chan?

Of course!

Just asking!

So, it's Sendai...

Father, let's get commuter tickets!

For the Shinkansen, please prepare it! / Yes, yes...

Don't just say "yes, yes", do something about it!

I can't.

Mieko-san, we'll do our best!!

Chi-chan, Grandma will be so lonely. / Chizuru too.

I see. So you've decided.

Yes, sorry to worry you. / No, no.

Do your best!

By the way, you'll take Chizuru too, right?

No... just asking.

What's that, Father! Of course, they'll take her too.

Hello!

So, Mie-chan will go to Sendai, too?

Yeah, we've decided to go together.

I see...

Hey...

What do you think Mieko-chan and Naoko-chan are doing now?

Dunno...

Perhaps some of that girl talk.

Really.

Nakata, don't be discouraged!

Okay.

(There are many hard things we had to face,)

(but... Naoko,)

(I think,)

(compared to normal married couples,)

(we communicate a lot more.)

(Normal married couples would probably stop talking to each other as time passes by, right?)

(They'd stop looking at each other's faces...)

(But we won't be like that...)

(Because if that's the case... we'd understand nothing about each other.)

(If we keep talking face to face,)

(we'll be able to keep understanding each other.)

(Our feelings will also never be apart.)

(If we talk face to face,)

(we'll be able to solve most problems.)

(Go for it!!)

(It's gonna be alright! During childhood, you never lost to me in a fight, right?)

Naoko-chan?

Please be good to me...

Yes!! Yess!!

That's great!!

And so we moved in a hurry.

Compared to Tokyo, Sendai seems so relaxing, somehow..

Unexpectedly, this city might be an easy place for me to live.

That idiot...

Nobe-kun, let's go!

At first, I was nervous around the neighbors.

But I know them well now.

I don't know why we worried so much before coming here.

I'm home!!

I'm home!

Mama, I played dodgeball today at school.

With a ball, like this...

Really?? Mama, you were good at that?

Me?

Yeah, I always ran away. But it was fun.

So, I shouldn't run away?

What relieved me the most is the fact that Chizuru immediately blended in with her new surroundings.

Seems like she's having fun at school too. She tells me everything that happened at school so noisily everyday.

This is what relieved me the most.

I didn't notice that at this moment, Chizuru's little heart

had already started to feel pain.

I'm home. / Welcome home.

Chizuru, I'm home. / Welcome home.

Where should we go tomorrow Sunday?

Where should we go tomorrow?

But, I'm scared.

Maybe a part of me wants Chizuru not to run away but to face it.

Don't run away!

Chizuru, do your best!

Oh, no!!

Yay!! I hit Papa!

How mean!

"Parents' Day Notification" (*the day when parents may observe their children in class)

(I'm so happy! What class will I be able to see?)

Japanese language class.

Thanks for the meal!

Parents' Day!

That's cool! I want to go too!

Too bad, I have work.

Japanese class? Chizuru, how are you doing in this subject?

I want Papa to go.

I want Papa there.

Papa, please come! I want Papa to come.

What's wrong, Chizuru?

Papa, please come.

I'm sorry, but I have to go to work.

You'll have Mama there, anyway, right?

The others will have their Mamas come too, right?

No! I want Papa!!

It has to be Papa!

What's wrong, Chizuru?

Why does it have to be me?

Come on, tell me.

Chizuru?

If Mama comes, the others will stare.

They will laugh at me.

That's why, I want Papa to come.

What are you saying, Chizuru!!?

Did someone say something to you at school?? Lift up your face!

Someone said something to you, right??

Answer me!

Chizuru, answer me!!

Chizuru!!

Chizuru!?

Are you alright?

Ever since Chizuru was born...

someday...

I knew this would happen someday.

A part of me always knew.

Someday...

(Poor Chizuru...)

Chizuru's face when she answers me cheerfully, when she greets me,

and when she reads a textbook,

came into mind.

Normally, I never thought of it.

Why am I thinking this now?

I want...

to hear Chizuru's voice.

What kind of voice does Chizuru have?

What's her laughing voice like?

What's her angry voice like?

What kind of voice does Chizuru have?

So you're here to visit your grandchild? / That's right!

I don't look like a grandmother, right?

I don't, right? / No, you don't!

That's right.

That's Chi-chan!

Sorry, please stop!

Stop the car!

Your mom is weird! / Say something!

Nobe's mom is so weird! Why is she talking with her hands??

What are you boys doing!!!

Wait a minute!! What are your names??!

Grandma...

Do they always do that to you!!?

Does Papa and Mama know about this??

Chizuru!!

Why??

Don't tell Mama, please.

Don't tell Mama.

Or else Mama will cry.

Please, don't tell her. Promise me, Grandma.

I feel bad that I have to break my promise with Chi-chan, but...

I feel so upset!

So upset...

We can find out who those boys are,

I remember their faces, too.

Mom...

I will lecture them. Don't kid me!

Why must they do that to Chi-chan...

Don't you feel upset about this??

Of course I do.

I don't care if they're just children, I wish I could hit them!

That's right.

But...

But what can we gain if we do that?

In the end, Chizuru would feel the same.

It is something Chizuru has to go through with her own strength.

Well, that's right...

Thanks, Mom.

I'm going, then!

It will only be for a night. I'll be back tomorrow.

Will it be okay, Mie-chan?

Chizuru, I'm going! / Bye bye!

I feel like I'm falling apart...

You don't have to go.

You don't have to go to school.

You don't have to go outside. Just be together with me here forever.

I feel like saying all of these.

To know that in her little heart, she is keeping so much pain,

is such an unbearable feeling.

To know that it is because of me...

I feel like...

crying my heart out.

Is that so.

I'm very sorry. Seems like I always bring bad news.

What are you saying? / Yes...

Hirofumi-san.

I feel frustrated.

It's frustrating,

that as her parent, I can't do anything.

I can't do anything.

I can't do anything for Mie-chan nor Chizuru.

Nobe-kun.

It's frustrating.

It'll be alright.

Chizuru will be alright.

She's Mieko's child!

She also... Mieko also experienced it.

When she was a child, she wore a hearing aid in her ear.

She was often mocked.

What are you wearing??

Furthermore, she went to a school for the deaf.

Different than the school the neighbors' kids went to.

She...

always cried when she came home, at first.

But, in the end... Right?

She received a reward for perfect attendance.

Amazing, right?

This is the reward medal.

She really did her best everyday.

So, she'll be alright.

She's Mieko's child, anyway. She's strong.

Chizuru will be alright.

Perfect Attendance Prize Takeda Mieko March 20, 1986. Tokyo Elementary School for the Deaf.

Naoko-chan.

Can you tell me about Mie-chan's childhood?

What kind of child was she?

It reminds me of my own childhood.

It was also very hard for me.

Why must I be the only one to suffer like this?

There were times when I thought like that.

But...

But...

...it was about myself.

It might be harder for Chizuru.

If only I could bear the pain in her place.

What's this!! We don't understand this!

Shut up!!

Nobe's mother is weird!

Weird! Weird! Weird!

What are you doing??!

Stop it! Stop it!

What's the matter with you, Chizuru-chan!?

Stop it!!!

If you have thoughts concerning what happened today during break time, please speak up.

I think Chizuru's mother is pitiful.

That's what I think too.

I don't think we should say anything like that about a pitiful person.

We have to be kind to them.

That's right.. That's right..

We're sorry!

I'm very sorry, I didn't realize.

Please, you have to come to Parents' Day!

Everyone will read their essays. Essays.

Really?

What should we do about Parents' Day?

(I want you to go.)

Is that okay?

You want to see her, right?

Right?

Mie-chan, you want to see Chizuru in class, right?

Am I right?

I think I can take a half-day off, but...

Don't do that.

But, is that okay with you?

Alright, fine!

(What's Chizuru's voice like?)

A cute voice.

The cutest voice in the world.

(I thought so too.)

I'll go to Parents' Day.

That's better, right?

(Do your best!)

What's wrong, Chizuru?

Mama, you don't want to see me?

You don't want to see Chizuru studying in class?

"You don't want to see me?" she asked.

Chizuru wants Mama to see!!

I want Mama to see me!

Chizuru will read an essay, you know. I can read it well.

I want Mama to see me reading the essay.

Mama, you have to come!!

(Really?)

Will you come?

Mama, will you come?

I'm sorry.

Mama, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for being a bad girl.

Chizuru, I'm sorry.

I made you endure such pain. I'm really sorry.

But, hang in there!

I hope you'll be able to handle many other hard things too, from now on.

Rise!

Greet!

Good morning!

Sit.

Parents' Day is finally here!

Are you feeling nervous? / Yes.. yes..

(Is it really alright if I go?)

(Won't I just bring more sorrow for her?)

Will it bring sorrow for Chizuru?

But she's the one who wants you to come, right?

So, let's go!

She said she wants more. So she gave her a snack.

It was a very delicious cake.

The end.

Good job!

Okay, next is Nobe Chizuru-chan!

Please come forward and read your essay.

"My Mother"

by Nobe Chizuru.

My mother is deaf.

The other day, in class...

everyone said my mother is pitiful.

But I don't think my mother is pitiful.

My mother is beautiful, very stylish,

she's also very good at dodgeball and fast at running,

she's good at drawing, she's good at tying up my hair,

her cooking is very delicious, too.

When she's angry, she looks scarier than my father.

But my father loves my mother very much.

I also love my mother very much.

So, I don't think my mother is pitiful at all.

The end.

Thank you, Chizuru!

Thank you!

She read it in a loud, clear voice.

I can hear you, Chizuru!

Although I cannot hear it with my ears,

I can hear it in my heart.

Your wonderful voice.

I can hear it!

Chizuru!