Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
WEBVTT
00:22.480 --> 00:24.770
Are you full already, Charlotte?
00:28.700 --> 00:31.700
I don't really like meat.
00:32.200 --> 00:33.950
You mustn't be a picky eater.
00:37.370 --> 00:40.710
I wish someone would help me finish.
00:43.290 --> 00:46.710
I heard a story recently
about elves helping a shoemaker.
00:46.710 --> 00:49.970
My! What kindly elves!
00:50.800 --> 00:56.600
But they wished to help the shoemaker
because he was an honest, diligent worker.
00:57.970 --> 01:01.560
Charlotte, you must not act so spoiled.
01:08.190 --> 01:09.360
Having the elves...
01:10.950 --> 01:15.120
Having them eat it for me,
or trying to eat it on my own...
01:17.700 --> 01:19.370
I wonder which is better.
02:25.770 --> 02:27.650
BAR DAIKICHI
02:27.650 --> 02:29.650
DAIKICHI ODEN
02:32.190 --> 02:35.570
This year, the Sumida River's
Ryogoku Festival
02:36.200 --> 02:39.530
will be renamed
the Sumida River Fireworks Festival
02:39.530 --> 02:42.080
and held for the first time in 17 years.
02:43.160 --> 02:44.000
In other news,
02:44.710 --> 02:47.920
along with the summer excursion season,
this year...
02:47.920 --> 02:49.130
Welcome home!
02:49.130 --> 02:51.380
She was in a great mood today.
02:51.960 --> 02:54.130
Thank you once again.
02:54.130 --> 02:56.890
- About the schedule from tomorrow...
- Yes?
02:56.890 --> 03:01.680
- Mommy, my dolly broke.
- Oh dear. It'll be okay.
03:02.390 --> 03:05.850
I heard the Z family's kid
failed the entrance exam.
03:06.900 --> 03:08.230
Really?
03:08.230 --> 03:13.110
And I heard the Xs are getting divorced.
03:13.110 --> 03:14.240
I knew it!
03:20.030 --> 03:21.080
Shut up!
03:23.040 --> 03:24.870
- Huh?
- Who was that?
03:31.750 --> 03:32.880
JAPANESE DICTIONARY
03:35.840 --> 03:38.550
14TH JONICHI PUBLICATION
CULTURE AWARD CEREMONY
03:38.550 --> 03:40.720
Mr. N.
03:40.720 --> 03:43.930
He says hello when I see him, but...
03:43.930 --> 03:48.270
Please be careful, Mrs. Y.
Some people get mad for no reason.
03:48.270 --> 03:51.520
You never know what they might do.
03:51.520 --> 03:54.530
- Mommy, will you read me a book?
- Later, okay?
03:55.190 --> 03:58.280
People like that
tend to vent their frustration
03:58.280 --> 04:01.490
on those they consider
weaker than they are.
04:01.490 --> 04:03.790
That's so true, isn't it?
04:06.080 --> 04:08.460
"Never know what they might do," huh?
04:08.460 --> 04:15.550
IN A FIT OF RAGE,
HE BEATS THE OLD LADY TO DEATH
04:17.050 --> 04:18.880
Landlord, sir!
04:18.880 --> 04:23.350
Listen, does that Mr. N
have some serious issues?
04:23.350 --> 04:25.470
I'm not sure if they're serious.
04:25.470 --> 04:28.600
A grown man cooped up inside all the time?
04:28.600 --> 04:31.850
It isn't normal. In fact, it's weird.
04:31.850 --> 04:34.320
Well, he is a novelist after all.
04:34.900 --> 04:36.990
A novelist? As in an author?
04:37.530 --> 04:39.780
What has he written? Is he famous?
04:40.910 --> 04:45.740
Have you heard of The Two in the Ruin
or Ask at Midnight?
04:45.740 --> 04:47.750
What? "The Ruin"?
04:47.750 --> 04:49.710
I think I've heard of that.
04:49.710 --> 04:52.830
Well, he's the one who wrote it.
04:52.830 --> 04:56.210
Really? How long ago?
04:56.210 --> 04:58.300
Quite a while ago.
04:58.800 --> 05:02.180
Maybe 10 years. Or was it 20?
05:02.180 --> 05:06.140
Wow, 20 years! And he's still writing?
05:06.140 --> 05:07.970
So I hear.
05:08.730 --> 05:15.690
He used to give me one of his books
each year or so, but none lately.
05:15.690 --> 05:17.070
I see.
05:17.070 --> 05:18.740
Flowers!
05:18.740 --> 05:21.450
Come now, behave yourself.
05:21.450 --> 05:24.870
Anyway, he's like a closed book, and--
05:33.420 --> 05:36.750
Well, let's head home. Let me help you.
05:36.750 --> 05:39.760
Don't see you out and about often.
05:39.760 --> 05:41.720
Yeah, well...
05:41.720 --> 05:45.220
That's wonderful.
Gotta gather material for your book.
05:45.220 --> 05:47.680
Oh, I'd better head back too.
05:49.850 --> 05:52.390
How's it my fault
she thinks I'm a closed book?
05:58.980 --> 06:02.820
When was it that I was called
the darling of the literary world?
06:02.820 --> 06:05.490
A NEW RISING STAR!
"ASK AT MIDNIGHT" BY N
06:05.490 --> 06:09.120
But that was a long time ago.
06:09.120 --> 06:10.200
ACCOUNT BALANCE
06:11.500 --> 06:12.500
Thanks.
06:13.710 --> 06:15.120
Oops, sorry.
06:16.330 --> 06:21.170
People worry I'll die alone.
They even fear I might kill someone.
06:21.840 --> 06:24.590
I'm only... No, I'm less than only human.
06:26.840 --> 06:28.680
Hello, my name is N.
06:28.680 --> 06:32.560
Oh, yes! Thank you for calling.
06:32.560 --> 06:35.730
Your editor, H,
transferred to another department.
06:35.730 --> 06:37.480
- What?
- It's been so busy
06:37.480 --> 06:39.900
and H did feel bad for not telling you.
06:40.570 --> 06:42.860
So who's my new editor?
06:43.490 --> 06:47.200
I am S, and I'd be glad
to discuss the matter with you.
06:47.910 --> 06:52.790
About the draft of my latest work
I sent last month...
06:52.790 --> 06:55.040
Mr. N, I must apologize.
06:55.620 --> 06:59.040
What was the title of your manuscript?
06:59.750 --> 07:01.460
From the Shores of Stupor.
07:02.050 --> 07:07.140
I'd like to get back to you after giving
From the Shores a good read.
07:07.760 --> 07:11.180
I'll call you again next week.
07:11.810 --> 07:12.810
You will?
07:13.390 --> 07:15.520
I'd appreciate that very much.
07:16.270 --> 07:17.480
Now, if you'd excuse me.
07:27.490 --> 07:30.910
I don't remember when it became like this.
07:31.950 --> 07:34.660
I didn't let success go to my head.
07:34.660 --> 07:36.330
Well, maybe a little.
07:36.330 --> 07:39.790
But there are authors far worse than me.
07:40.630 --> 07:42.550
And the level of my work...
07:48.050 --> 07:48.930
Welcome.
07:48.930 --> 07:51.430
- A large beer and cold tofu.
- You got it.
08:12.740 --> 08:15.290
The story isn't that bad.
08:15.950 --> 08:21.290
Nothing has changed since
Ask at Midnight sold 3.5 million copies.
08:21.290 --> 08:24.920
No, my compositional
and descriptive skills improved.
08:28.010 --> 08:30.010
Is it the theme or the subject matter?
08:30.590 --> 08:34.680
But I'd be a sell-out
if I wrote a romance novel at this point.
08:34.680 --> 08:36.060
Hey.
08:37.480 --> 08:39.020
Hello? Anyone home?
08:39.020 --> 08:40.650
Huh? Yes?
08:41.560 --> 08:44.940
Looks like you're drowning your sorrows.
08:44.940 --> 08:46.070
What?
08:46.070 --> 08:48.820
Why drink if you don't enjoy it?
08:48.820 --> 08:51.410
Barkeep, a sake cup for my friend.
08:52.700 --> 08:54.330
Go on, drink up.
08:54.330 --> 08:57.330
I don't drink sake.
08:59.580 --> 09:01.000
Actually, I'll have some.
09:03.630 --> 09:04.590
Good, isn't it?
09:05.090 --> 09:06.050
Sure.
09:06.630 --> 09:09.090
"Sure"? Where's your spirit?
09:10.220 --> 09:12.220
Don't be like that.
09:12.220 --> 09:14.890
And can't you even say thank you?
09:14.890 --> 09:16.260
Thanks for the drink.
09:16.260 --> 09:19.180
There's that grumpy look again.
09:19.890 --> 09:23.770
Guys like you
turn into sexual molesters or arsonists.
09:23.770 --> 09:25.190
No, I won't.
09:25.190 --> 09:27.360
Can't even manage a proper greeting.
09:31.030 --> 09:33.700
You're angry now? You are, aren't you?
09:33.700 --> 09:35.200
Please stop hassling me.
09:35.870 --> 09:37.540
That was rude!
09:38.120 --> 09:41.870
What a shitty attitude!
I was trying to cheer you up!
09:43.870 --> 09:46.790
I don't recall asking you to do that.
09:46.790 --> 09:49.010
Huh?!
09:49.010 --> 09:50.510
You "don't recall"?!
09:51.010 --> 09:54.510
- It's not like I wanted to talk.
- What did you say?!
09:54.510 --> 09:59.470
I'm not some raggedy-ass geezer like you.
09:59.470 --> 10:00.930
You bastard!
10:08.070 --> 10:10.110
But it was his fault!
10:10.110 --> 10:12.450
Whatever. Just don't come back.
10:12.450 --> 10:13.530
What?!
10:20.450 --> 10:25.330
SAKE
10:25.920 --> 10:27.250
What's wrong with me?
10:33.920 --> 10:36.180
A "raggedy-ass geezer."
10:36.890 --> 10:39.430
What a shitty thing to say.
10:40.060 --> 10:42.600
So this is what they call
"cowardly self-pride."
10:43.350 --> 10:45.810
I'm no different from him.
10:47.310 --> 10:52.110
No, I'm worse because I'm so unproductive.
10:53.280 --> 10:57.320
But I've convinced myself I'm special
10:57.320 --> 11:00.660
just because I'm a writer.
11:04.460 --> 11:06.830
"FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR" BY N
11:15.970 --> 11:20.140
"Having killed the old lady,
the man wanders around town in a stupor."
11:20.970 --> 11:26.140
"Women he had been involved with
appear one by one to question him."
11:26.140 --> 11:28.600
I swear I've heard this story before.
11:29.730 --> 11:32.110
Is it an autobiography? Or a confessional?
11:32.860 --> 11:33.780
What?
11:34.820 --> 11:36.570
What are you trying to write?
11:38.820 --> 11:42.200
What are you doing out at this hour?
11:42.700 --> 11:43.910
I've been scolded.
11:44.910 --> 11:46.120
By whom?
11:46.710 --> 11:48.330
I've been told to be good.
11:49.170 --> 11:52.290
Maybe you should go to the police.
11:53.000 --> 11:54.340
Would you take me?
11:55.800 --> 11:57.970
Um, pass?
12:00.340 --> 12:01.350
I thought so.
12:03.010 --> 12:04.850
Your focus is all fuzzy.
12:05.640 --> 12:10.350
Is it the protagonist's anguish
or the milieu of the era?
12:11.150 --> 12:15.440
You can't focus on both
with your writing skills.
12:15.440 --> 12:16.780
Give it back.
12:17.820 --> 12:20.950
The Alaskan Supermarket was awful too.
12:21.740 --> 12:24.660
Did you get carried away
with your extended fieldwork?
12:25.490 --> 12:27.910
It's all so pretentious.
12:29.250 --> 12:33.710
It was cloying beyond compare.
Same with The Castle in the Strait.
12:34.210 --> 12:37.920
You have a catastrophic lack of talent
in selecting material.
12:38.970 --> 12:42.850
On top of that,
your character development is shallow.
12:43.720 --> 12:44.560
You...
12:44.560 --> 12:47.810
But you did have a period of brilliance.
12:48.390 --> 12:50.310
You exuded youth.
12:50.850 --> 12:52.650
Now you're utterly hopeless.
12:53.610 --> 12:56.980
Where did you learn to speak like that?
12:57.490 --> 13:00.820
Are you allowed
to walk around alone so late?
13:01.490 --> 13:02.740
Go on home.
13:03.820 --> 13:05.450
You truly are mediocre.
13:05.950 --> 13:07.040
What?
13:07.040 --> 13:09.120
So obviously cliché.
13:09.750 --> 13:14.920
One who wrestles with words
would never be so perfunctory.
13:16.920 --> 13:21.430
You seem to think
that being an author is a big deal.
13:21.970 --> 13:26.560
It's not like we always speak
with clever turns of phrase.
13:26.560 --> 13:28.810
That's only in our writing.
13:29.390 --> 13:31.310
This really is disappointing.
13:31.980 --> 13:37.270
Your turns of phrase lack life,
whether in your work or in person.
13:38.110 --> 13:42.990
Whatever, just go home.
I can't stand brats like you.
13:42.990 --> 13:44.870
Is that right? Too bad.
13:45.370 --> 13:49.500
You have neither the ability
to write nor listen. How sad.
13:50.080 --> 13:53.210
But that is who you are, correct?
13:53.210 --> 13:55.460
You're seriously mistaken
13:55.460 --> 14:00.130
if you thought I'd sit here
and listen to you blather on.
14:00.670 --> 14:03.380
Kids get hurt when they mess with adults.
14:03.380 --> 14:06.720
You'll drag me
into a public bathroom, rape me,
14:06.720 --> 14:09.100
chop me up, and throw the pieces away?
14:09.100 --> 14:10.180
What?
14:15.900 --> 14:17.610
I'm kidding. Goodbye.
14:21.780 --> 14:22.950
What the hell?
14:39.550 --> 14:40.710
Oh, my head...
15:02.150 --> 15:03.280
This is the worst.
15:21.210 --> 15:22.050
Huh?
15:22.050 --> 15:25.010
"SELF-INTRODUCTION" BY N
15:33.470 --> 15:35.940
That's my writing.
15:39.310 --> 15:43.150
The title is Self-Introduction, huh?
15:43.650 --> 15:44.690
A novel?
15:52.280 --> 15:54.450
It was so strange.
15:54.950 --> 15:58.460
A story I'd never seen,
written in my own writing.
16:00.040 --> 16:03.960
Honestly, I didn't quite get the story.
16:04.510 --> 16:08.090
A detached portrayal
of a middle-aged man's pitiful life.
16:08.090 --> 16:10.180
It lacked dynamics.
16:18.310 --> 16:19.940
Looking back now,
16:19.940 --> 16:23.940
I'm not sure how I felt
about the whole thing.
16:24.820 --> 16:28.320
Confusion, a dash of despair, and anger.
16:29.030 --> 16:30.990
That about summed it up.
16:32.120 --> 16:33.490
MR. S
CENTRAL PUBLIC OPINION CO., LTD.
16:33.490 --> 16:37.910
I even hoped the editor
would lose the manuscript again.
16:38.620 --> 16:41.040
That way, he'd owe me one.
16:41.580 --> 16:46.420
Maybe I'd get some cash as an apology
or a story published out of pity.
16:46.420 --> 16:48.420
I thought one of the two might happen.
16:51.930 --> 16:53.260
I'm washed up.
17:03.360 --> 17:05.230
IMAIZUMI STORE
17:07.360 --> 17:09.320
There he is! Over there!
17:10.280 --> 17:11.820
CENTRAL PUBLIC OPINION CO., LTD.
S
17:11.820 --> 17:15.660
I couldn't contain myself
after reading your manuscript.
17:16.910 --> 17:22.290
This has caught me by surprise.
Is it about From the Shores of Stupor?
17:22.960 --> 17:27.090
Of course not.
It's about Self-Introduction.
17:27.760 --> 17:29.050
It's a short story,
17:29.050 --> 17:33.010
but it's a solid piece of work
with an underlying universal theme.
17:34.800 --> 17:36.760
I'll cut to the chase.
17:37.350 --> 17:41.640
I'd like to open next month's issue
with Self-Introduction.
17:41.640 --> 17:46.230
It will be your big comeback,
and it's guaranteed to create a stir!
17:46.230 --> 17:49.360
Would you please allow us to publish it?
17:50.150 --> 17:52.030
You seem quite taken with it.
17:52.030 --> 17:53.030
That's right.
17:54.030 --> 17:57.450
I'm quite taken. No, I'm in love!
17:57.450 --> 18:02.750
Editors rarely come across a work
they truly believe to be a masterpiece.
18:02.750 --> 18:06.380
If there's anything you want,
I'll do my best to deliver.
18:08.460 --> 18:10.760
I don't mind you publishing it,
18:11.760 --> 18:15.010
but could I get paid sooner than usual?
18:15.010 --> 18:16.850
- Get paid?
- Yes.
18:17.510 --> 18:19.680
Oh, your manuscript fee!
18:19.680 --> 18:22.850
I will speak with the editor-in-chief
and accounting at once
18:22.850 --> 18:26.060
to come up
with an amount satisfactory to you!
18:26.060 --> 18:28.940
I didn't know what was happening.
18:29.690 --> 18:34.030
It was like there was a membrane
between me and the world.
18:35.530 --> 18:37.240
Nothing seemed real,
18:37.240 --> 18:42.660
as if I were seeing things
from underwater.
18:44.330 --> 18:46.790
It was a strange view.
18:47.460 --> 18:52.710
The short story no more than 20 pages
was a hit and caused quite a stir.
18:53.300 --> 18:56.680
The magazine did a reprint
before it went on sale.
18:57.510 --> 19:00.600
That was the first time in their history.
19:11.480 --> 19:17.030
I'm sorry to come unannounced, Mr. N,
but I want you to write something for us.
19:17.030 --> 19:21.700
- Who do you think you are?
- May we discuss the matter?
19:21.700 --> 19:22.870
HAKUBUNKAN, INC.
B
19:22.870 --> 19:24.040
When did you...
19:24.540 --> 19:26.210
But why me?
19:26.790 --> 19:30.040
If nothing else,
I have a good eye for people.
19:30.670 --> 19:33.050
Self-Introduction deeply moved me.
19:33.590 --> 19:36.300
I'd love to read your next work.
19:36.300 --> 19:39.300
You'd love to read it? Show some respect!
19:39.800 --> 19:41.890
That's how I truly feel.
19:42.390 --> 19:46.350
I'm sure we could agree on a price
that would satisfy you.
19:46.350 --> 19:47.940
It's not just the money!
19:47.940 --> 19:50.190
But money is important.
19:50.190 --> 19:51.900
You two talk it over.
19:51.900 --> 19:53.070
- Mr. N!
- Mr. N!
19:54.440 --> 19:57.320
DEPOSIT: 2,000,000 YEN
19:58.110 --> 20:01.280
The manuscript fee
was an impressive amount.
20:01.870 --> 20:06.250
And editors started visiting me each day.
20:07.000 --> 20:09.330
They all wanted me to write for them.
20:10.790 --> 20:13.300
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad.
20:13.960 --> 20:17.010
Actually, I should admit
I was on cloud nine.
20:18.010 --> 20:20.840
Fans are waiting for my next work.
20:20.840 --> 20:23.850
That brought me some happiness
20:23.850 --> 20:26.890
and gave me
a sense of pride and superiority,
20:27.640 --> 20:32.110
even if it was all thanks to a story
I didn't recall writing.
20:41.240 --> 20:43.450
I've got nothing.
20:46.080 --> 20:48.080
What's so great about this?
20:48.960 --> 20:52.330
The ability to analyze literature
is in short supply.
20:52.330 --> 20:54.750
They just say whatever they feel.
20:54.750 --> 20:58.880
If someone proclaims it's interesting,
everyone says the same.
20:58.880 --> 21:02.050
And if someone slams it as boring,
everyone agrees.
21:02.050 --> 21:03.760
That's how it works.
21:07.810 --> 21:13.270
I'm terribly sorry,
but I can't accept this.
21:14.360 --> 21:16.690
Is something troubling you?
21:17.530 --> 21:18.650
What do you mean?
21:19.240 --> 21:22.990
Well, there is no easy way to say this,
21:23.620 --> 21:28.620
but I got the feeling you weren't
your usual self when you wrote it.
21:29.330 --> 21:31.790
Are you saying I've lost my mind?
21:32.420 --> 21:35.170
That's what you meant, didn't you?
21:35.170 --> 21:38.170
I must apologize
for always prodding you to write.
21:39.050 --> 21:42.340
I'm sure it lowered your motivation.
21:42.340 --> 21:46.310
It's all my fault for expecting
and hoping for too much.
21:47.640 --> 21:52.390
Perhaps this was written
by a student of yours?
21:52.390 --> 21:56.360
- It's utterly artless--
- You think I had someone write this?!
21:57.230 --> 22:00.650
I could only conclude
someone else wrote it.
22:01.150 --> 22:05.740
If that's the case,
I'd understand the poor quality.
22:05.740 --> 22:08.870
But if I were to rate the story itself--
22:08.870 --> 22:10.290
Enough.
22:10.290 --> 22:12.960
You guys aren't the only game in town.
22:12.960 --> 22:15.960
I'll take it elsewhere,
and you can't stop me.
22:18.250 --> 22:19.210
Very well.
22:19.210 --> 22:22.340
Please do as you wish
with your manuscript.
22:27.180 --> 22:28.310
I'm sorry.
22:28.850 --> 22:30.560
I did take a look,
22:31.220 --> 22:34.020
but short stories aren't my area.
22:34.850 --> 22:36.980
Sounds like BS to me.
22:36.980 --> 22:38.480
I'm really sorry.
22:39.150 --> 22:44.860
But I'm glad you reached out.
Why don't you write a long-form novel?
22:44.860 --> 22:46.870
You're just saying that.
22:48.330 --> 22:50.620
What would you like me to say?
22:51.200 --> 22:53.330
Give it to me straight.
22:53.330 --> 22:56.670
How would you rate this?
What did you think?
22:57.170 --> 23:01.630
Another editor totally trashed it,
claiming someone else wrote it.
23:02.340 --> 23:04.340
You mean Mr. S?
23:05.130 --> 23:06.050
That's right.
23:06.640 --> 23:09.430
You have a better eye than him.
23:10.220 --> 23:11.930
All right.
23:12.430 --> 23:15.560
Let's put aside whether you wrote this
23:16.100 --> 23:19.650
and the fact that my area
is long-form novels.
23:19.650 --> 23:20.900
My impression is
23:21.780 --> 23:23.610
rather than a novel,
23:23.610 --> 23:27.570
it felt like being made to listen
to a dream lacking an end.
23:29.120 --> 23:31.950
Sorry, that's just my impression.
23:31.950 --> 23:35.120
If someone else read it,
I'm sure they'd feel different.
23:36.420 --> 23:37.500
Forget it.
23:40.380 --> 23:43.800
I didn't write Self-Introduction!
23:44.670 --> 23:48.470
I adapted, no,
plagiarized an existing work!
23:48.470 --> 23:50.970
Mr. N, please calm down.
23:50.970 --> 23:53.970
I know more than anyone
how talented you are.
23:53.970 --> 23:56.480
My talent dried up long ago!
23:57.140 --> 24:00.190
Mr. N, you're not in your right mind.
24:00.730 --> 24:03.020
It's concerning, even if you're drunk.
24:05.320 --> 24:06.530
I'm totally fine.
24:07.030 --> 24:10.160
After all, I'm not even writing anymore.
24:12.080 --> 24:15.410
Damn it! It's all that kid's fault!
24:15.410 --> 24:18.960
It all went to hell
after that brat said that weird shit!
24:29.680 --> 24:30.550
Calm down.
24:31.220 --> 24:32.510
Mr. N!
24:33.310 --> 24:35.470
Are you okay, Mr. N?!
24:36.480 --> 24:37.480
What?
24:38.100 --> 24:39.640
What a relief.
24:40.440 --> 24:42.980
I was worried sick all last night.
24:45.610 --> 24:49.820
I couldn't reach you and thought maybe...
24:51.410 --> 24:52.370
Is that...
24:53.280 --> 24:54.280
Mr. N!
24:55.080 --> 24:58.250
Is this it? Is this why...
24:59.080 --> 25:00.000
Huh?
25:06.210 --> 25:07.710
Congratulations.
25:08.590 --> 25:10.180
This is amazing!
25:10.760 --> 25:13.760
I've only read the beginning,
but I can tell.
25:14.470 --> 25:17.350
It's a masterpiece. A work of genius!
25:17.890 --> 25:19.890
I've never seen such passion.
25:20.520 --> 25:21.850
"Passion"?
25:22.520 --> 25:26.230
You delve into the heart of our age,
redefining literature.
25:26.230 --> 25:28.490
What a powerful opening!
25:29.280 --> 25:33.110
I'm sorry to ask you this
when you're so exhausted,
25:33.110 --> 25:35.450
but I want you to meet
our editor-in-chief.
25:47.210 --> 25:49.590
Please, Mr. N, have a drink.
25:50.170 --> 25:52.180
Please enjoy, sir.
25:57.100 --> 26:01.730
S has already told me
about your latest work.
26:02.440 --> 26:06.480
I have absolute faith
in his talent, literary analysis,
26:06.480 --> 26:09.440
and aesthetic sense as an editor.
26:09.440 --> 26:12.150
I haven't seen S praise a story this much
26:12.150 --> 26:15.870
since your previous title,
Self-Introduction!
26:15.870 --> 26:19.040
I got another company to publish
From the Shores of Stupor,
26:19.040 --> 26:21.960
but it didn't generate any buzz.
26:21.960 --> 26:25.460
No, it got slammed, if I'm being honest.
26:26.500 --> 26:27.840
Don't be silly.
26:28.460 --> 26:31.260
Your latest work will be a major event.
26:31.260 --> 26:33.090
A literary phenomenon.
26:33.090 --> 26:34.090
Right...
26:34.090 --> 26:38.310
Please do what you will
with the manuscript.
26:38.310 --> 26:40.890
I have no intention of complaining.
26:41.850 --> 26:46.480
I believe your apprehension
toward your writing proves
26:46.480 --> 26:52.530
you approach literature,
and even the art itself, sincerely.
26:53.570 --> 26:54.860
I'm not apprehensive.
26:55.530 --> 26:57.700
Please put your faith in us.
27:02.830 --> 27:04.460
It was a strange feeling.
27:05.710 --> 27:09.790
They claimed I wrote a manuscript
I couldn't remember writing
27:09.790 --> 27:14.090
and tried to convince me
about this or that.
27:17.890 --> 27:18.800
Excuse me.
27:18.800 --> 27:19.890
Yes?
27:20.390 --> 27:24.600
Actually, may I see the manuscript again?
27:25.190 --> 27:26.520
Of course.
27:27.770 --> 27:30.230
It was a surreal experience.
27:30.940 --> 27:34.490
The story seemed strange
yet familiar at the same time.
27:35.070 --> 27:38.780
It was my writing, but it wasn't.
27:39.950 --> 27:42.370
I couldn't help but feel confused,
27:42.870 --> 27:47.750
as if a mirror showed a portrait of myself
rather than my reflection.
27:55.470 --> 27:56.470
Mr. N.
27:57.680 --> 27:58.590
I've read it.
28:00.470 --> 28:01.510
What did you think?
28:05.230 --> 28:06.560
It's not bad.
28:06.560 --> 28:07.560
Indeed.
28:08.850 --> 28:10.690
"The Elves and the Shoemaker."
28:11.560 --> 28:15.070
It's an exquisite title full of allegory.
28:16.240 --> 28:17.450
You're right.
28:18.660 --> 28:19.820
It's magnificent.
28:20.740 --> 28:21.740
Yes.
28:22.450 --> 28:23.740
It's magnificent,
28:24.660 --> 28:25.660
or it should be.
28:29.370 --> 28:30.750
Yes, indeed.
28:37.590 --> 28:39.880
This piece is wonderful.
28:39.880 --> 28:41.220
It is, right?
28:42.510 --> 28:44.680
You're absolutely right.
28:45.810 --> 28:50.440
This will be my magnum opus.
It's music to my ears.
28:53.230 --> 28:55.110
Yes, that's right!
28:56.400 --> 28:59.530
Absolutely magnificent.
29:03.830 --> 29:05.620
How does it feel to win?
29:05.620 --> 29:08.200
Do you see yourself in the protagonist?
29:08.790 --> 29:11.170
Where were you all this time?
29:11.670 --> 29:14.380
Any ideas for your next work?
29:18.470 --> 29:20.550
THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER
29:23.090 --> 29:26.470
CONGRATULATIONS ON
"THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER"
29:29.520 --> 29:32.150
MORE GROUND-SHAKING
THAN HIS PREVIOUS WORK!
29:46.370 --> 29:47.660
Mr. N, this is B.
29:47.660 --> 29:48.870
Oh, it's you.
29:48.870 --> 29:50.910
Thank you so much for today.
29:51.460 --> 29:54.710
Our president was delighted
to spend time with you.
29:54.710 --> 29:59.670
We decided to do another print run
of your new book before its release.
30:00.300 --> 30:05.050
Since it was the first time
our company published your work,
30:05.050 --> 30:07.760
our sales department went all out.
30:08.970 --> 30:12.850
Anyway, I hope you're
taking good care of yourself.
30:13.560 --> 30:16.270
You've already published
five long-form novels,
30:16.270 --> 30:20.070
and we were wondering
when you'd have time to rest.
30:20.070 --> 30:22.070
I'm getting plenty of sleep.
30:22.780 --> 30:24.110
But thanks.
30:30.370 --> 30:33.210
Yeah, no need to worry about me.
30:34.790 --> 30:37.670
This is good. Let me out here.
30:41.460 --> 30:44.090
It's already been paid for.
30:44.090 --> 30:47.300
No worries. Take it.
30:52.980 --> 30:54.230
As Verlaine said,
30:54.230 --> 30:58.310
"I feel the ecstasy and the terror
of having been chosen."
31:02.530 --> 31:04.200
"Arrogant self-pride."
31:05.150 --> 31:07.490
Or was it "shame"?
31:19.960 --> 31:23.090
NO TRESPASSING
DO NOT ENTER
32:30.370 --> 32:31.530
It's been a while.
32:37.660 --> 32:38.710
What's wrong?
32:43.750 --> 32:45.340
Where am I?
32:45.960 --> 32:49.800
The park where we met for the first time.
32:51.510 --> 32:55.470
But I moved, first to a condo
on the edge of metropolitan Tokyo,
32:55.470 --> 32:57.770
then to a prime spot in central Tokyo.
32:58.270 --> 33:01.520
I just dined with the president
of a publishing company
33:01.520 --> 33:03.270
and was on my way home.
33:04.190 --> 33:07.860
There's no way I'd return
to a backwater town like this.
33:19.080 --> 33:21.960
Hey, are you almost finished?
33:23.080 --> 33:23.920
With what?
33:25.040 --> 33:27.380
Your novel, silly.
33:30.050 --> 33:30.880
What's wrong?
33:30.880 --> 33:35.260
I have one book planned for next month
and two more by year's end.
33:37.020 --> 33:38.270
Not those.
33:40.730 --> 33:44.860
The one you showed me
about a murderous young man.
33:45.360 --> 33:46.610
What happened to it?
33:48.900 --> 33:50.360
Didn't you rewrite it?
33:51.320 --> 33:53.410
Not interested. I let it go.
33:54.030 --> 33:55.120
Why?
33:58.160 --> 34:01.410
You're the one who said it was no good!
34:02.210 --> 34:04.540
Yes, I said something like that.
34:05.380 --> 34:07.550
But if you don't write that story,
34:08.880 --> 34:11.010
what exactly can you write?
34:12.550 --> 34:14.220
What can I write?
34:15.050 --> 34:19.930
Don't you know who I am
and how many books I published since then?
34:21.310 --> 34:22.390
Have you?
34:22.390 --> 34:25.650
Yes, I have! Every one a bestseller!
34:25.650 --> 34:29.150
Publishers beg for my manuscripts.
34:29.150 --> 34:33.070
I am the number-one
best-selling author, who...
34:33.650 --> 34:35.030
Really?
34:39.910 --> 34:40.950
Is that true?
34:50.210 --> 34:53.090
Were they really your novels?
34:53.670 --> 34:55.380
My novels?
34:55.380 --> 34:58.760
What do you mean?
What are you trying to say?
34:59.560 --> 35:00.640
Are you stupid?
35:01.220 --> 35:06.520
"Your novels" means the stories you wrote.
35:07.110 --> 35:10.780
I have no interest
in a writer who doesn't write.
35:11.820 --> 35:13.490
How unfortunate. Goodbye.
35:14.240 --> 35:15.700
Wait!
35:27.290 --> 35:31.210
If they're not my work,
then who wrote them?
35:39.510 --> 35:44.180
I wake up each morning,
and there it is on my desk.
35:45.560 --> 35:51.480
A manuscript in my handwriting
about stuff I might write about!
35:52.610 --> 35:53.480
Beats me.
35:56.320 --> 35:59.950
Won't you at least tell me I wrote them?
36:00.700 --> 36:03.450
You know better than anyone.
36:07.170 --> 36:09.500
I can't tell.
36:10.500 --> 36:11.710
You can't?
36:12.210 --> 36:14.130
It is my handwriting.
36:15.420 --> 36:18.760
I sense myself
in the phrasing and tiny quirks.
36:19.590 --> 36:22.760
But I can't tell
what's so great about them.
36:22.760 --> 36:26.310
Even after countless reads,
they're still not entertaining.
36:26.310 --> 36:29.020
I don't even understand
what they're about.
36:29.850 --> 36:36.490
But people say they're good,
a masterpiece, a work for the ages.
36:37.070 --> 36:41.990
It's like I alone
have slipped into another world.
36:42.490 --> 36:44.200
I feel so alone.
36:44.830 --> 36:48.120
Everyone around me is a strange creature.
36:48.120 --> 36:50.170
Do you understand how I feel?
36:50.170 --> 36:53.170
I'm scared. It's like I'm losing my mind.
36:53.170 --> 36:57.630
How can I stay sane in a place like that?
37:00.680 --> 37:02.470
I must accept my fate.
37:03.140 --> 37:06.560
All I can do is pretend
I'm the same creature as they are!
37:11.230 --> 37:12.480
I'm sorry.
37:14.270 --> 37:18.190
You've been content
with the fate of your choosing.
37:18.990 --> 37:21.490
And you made no attempt to resist it.
37:22.200 --> 37:24.200
There's nothing I can do.
37:24.740 --> 37:28.910
I was only interested
in your novel after all.
37:30.290 --> 37:31.620
Goodbye.
37:45.300 --> 37:46.810
Welcome home.
38:13.620 --> 38:14.710
Mommy's here.
38:15.880 --> 38:17.000
There, there.
38:46.320 --> 38:48.700
"FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR" BY N
39:09.180 --> 39:10.430
THE END
39:38.830 --> 39:41.710
EXTERMINATE DRUNKARDS
39:56.600 --> 39:58.230
"FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR" BY N
40:24.880 --> 40:31.260
BREAKING NEWS
SUDDEN DEATH OF BEST-SELLING AUTHOR N
40:58.910 --> 41:01.330
"THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER" BY N
42:38.100 --> 42:40.720
THE END
42:42.480 --> 42:47.150
Subtitle translation by: Jason Franzman
31043
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.