Original subtitles

- Excuse me sir... the water pipe. - Isn't it working?

Well... I'll see to it... a little later.

And how are you, sir? How's your heart this morning?

Today it's beating.

You make it sound like it might not be tomorrow.

If you don't take it seriously, one day you might really get sick.

I'm already really sick.

Oh, I almost forgot. The mail came.

AND THEN...

It's not what I'd imagined... it's nicer.

I had to borrow 20 sen from an old woman out front.

I splurged and came by rickshaw... only to lose my wallet!

And so how've you been?

I could tell you... well, a lot of things.

You used to write more often back then.

So what's up with you?

Much the same.

That's just as well.

Things can change too much...

It's warm there eh?

Yah... pretty warm.

- You're still single eh? - Yah.

Didn't marry while I was away?

I would have informed you if I had.

More importantly...

Your letter surprised me.

After so long... and then you casually throw in, "By the way, we're moving back."

This is no promotion for me.

I'm changing vocations.

Did you quit... the job at the bank?

Over time... it became clear the manager didn't like me.

Then a subordinate caused a mess by spending bank funds.

So I took the responsibility.

Why did you have to take the responsibility?

That's just the way it works.

The higher your company position, the more freedom you have.

People like you... who haven't worked in the real world, wouldn't understand.

I've lived in the real world since I was born.

It's just... my "real" world is different from yours.

You may say that now, but things can change in a hurry.

If I couldn't afford to eat...

I'd have to change my tune.

But since I'm surviving fine...

why should I accept to kiss someone's ass?

I'd be like an Indian, wearing a thick coat all year long, just to be warm in winter.

How much did your subordinate spend?

Just under a thousand yen... I took care of it myself.

You had that much?

Seems you've been doing alright.

It might seem so to you, but...

everything's spent...

I've barely enough left to survive.

I had to borrow the thousand yen.

My inn's in Jinbo-cho.

I'll take the tram.

Okay.

I'm sorry you lost your child.

It would've been better he weren't born.

Won't you have another baby?

Probably not.

It doesn't look like she'll be well enough.

She's always asking... about your mother, and you... if you're married yet.

You're back early.

It's been pretty windy... it's been blowing all evening.

I thought about catching a movie in Asakusa, but...

It's been such a long time. I miss going.

You miss it that much?

I could really use some saké.

Shall I ask the inn keeper?

Don't bother, I'll go out.

I asked Nagai to find me a job.

He said he'd ask his brother... but... I'm not sure.

He'll do his best for us. I'm sure.

He's sitting pretty. He's got no worries.

Uncle... you're always listening in secretly.

Yuri... your vibrato's getting much better.

No need to be nice. I don't care.

Uncle... do you know what grandfather's always on about?

No.

He's trying to find you... a bride.

I'd better go.

Please do.

Do your best!

Good luck!

You're already 30, right?

That's correct.

Are you healthy?

The last few years I haven't had so much as a cold.

You're rather smart, aren't you?

Well, I'd say so.

Spending your time doing nothing's... a waste.

What was his name... the man who used to visit you...

I met him a few times?

You mean Hiraoka?

He wasn't supposed to be very clever...

but didn't he get a job straight out of Keio University?

Yes, but it fell through... and he's come back.

Why?

Probably...

because he has to work to eat.

Oh... so you're here.

I can't find my comb... I think I left it in here?

You always were absent-minded.

Won't you sit down? Let's have a little chat.

Today's such a beautiful day.

Why not... go and look at the flowers or something?

Only if you agree.

To what?

Don't think you can fool me.

I heard Father left with a sour face again.

"Her mouth and chin are askew."

"Her eyes aren't centered in her face."

"Her ears are positioned wrong."

You give weirder excuses each time you see a photo...

of a potential bride.

Is it wrong to object... about the position of ears?

You can't escape. The time has come.

Don't pressure me.

She's the daughter of father's old friend Mr. Sagawa... Father owes him a lot.

So I should marry to cover one of father's old debts, is it?

Well, I can't do it.

Only you can, Dai.

Uncle! Uncle Daisuke!

Hey... getting any better at baseball?

Now Keitaro's hooked on ball-riding.

Ball-riding?

He's really just a kid.

I am not!

Accept the proposal... to Mr. Sagawa's daughter.

You think I should too?

You can't escape fate.

Wouldn't it be better to create my own fate...

than to let my elders create it for me?

Well then... do you have someone else in mind?

BOARDING HOUSE

If that's so, why not see a doctor?

It's not that big a deal.

But...

Oh, it's you.

Nagai.

Well... come in.

Actually... it's nothing important.

I just dropped by... to see how you were.

You going out?

Yeah.

Then let's go together.

I have to find a house soon and get settled...

but I've been too busy to do much about it.

I can't expect old friends or connections to find me a job.

Well, couldn't my student-valet look for a house for you?

The market's down... there's bound to be vacancies.

- Welcome. - Thanks.

The other day... how come you left so quickly?

Well... Hiraoka was on his way out.

Couldn't you have stayed... a little longer.

You shouldn't act like a stranger.

It's been so long. Let me treat you to dinner.

I can't today.

I don't have much time.

It's past three already.

I had to stop somewhere on the way here.

Do you have to go?

I should get back as soon as possible.

You've become very domesticated these past three years.

There's really nothing I can do about it.

That's right... you're moving tomorrow.

Do you like the house?

It's very quiet, but...

Thank you for helping us out.

Come again... after you're settled in.

But...

I came... to ask you a favour.

What is it? Please don't hesitate.

Could you... lend us a little money? ...500 yen.

Is it to repay the branch manager?

We can delay that as long as we have to...

it's something else.

How did you get so much in debt?

I really don't like to think about it.

I'm the one who got sick. So it's my fault, though...

How is... your heart?

For a while it was better, but...

about a month before we came back... it started again.

My doctor said it wasn't any worse than before.

There's no problem with the function of the pericardium.

The treatment... forced you into debt?

Can the cost of medicine be that much?

Good afternoon.

There's a rumor that some senators...

will finally be held responsible for the Nittou incident.

Careful what you say... who knows, you might also be affected.

No use worrying about it...

We're entering a time...

when politicians and businessmen must collaborate even more.

Minister, please assist us when the time comes.

Of course...

Ah... there you are.

What happened to Father today?

A meeting...

And sister?

She's entertaining guests at home.

Other than the heat... it's a fine day.

Busy as usual, Brother?

Unbelievable... busier and busier.

I heard that there was a major earthquake.

Yes... I saw it in the paper.

I also hear they found a huge snake in the hold...

of a foreign ship in Yokohama.

Brother, I'd like to talk to you about something.

Are you free any time soon?

Free...?

How about tomorrow morning?

Tomorrow morning... I have to go to Yokohama.

Afternoon...?

I'll be in my office in the afternoon,

but I have a meeting so I won't have a lot of time.

In the evening?

I have an engagement then.

Ah... that foreign couple over there... the ones blowing their noses...

I'm taking them to the Imperial Hotel...

so, it's no good.

If it's urgent, why not today?

Good idea...! We'll have dinner...

It's been too long.

So... you feel sorry for your friend...

and you'd like to help him?

What do you think?

Do you have the money?

I don't have that kind of money.

I'd like to borrow it.

From whom?

I was thinking to ask you.

By the way... as to your marriage...

Father may be pushing it because he owes his friend...

but I look at it differently.

Who do you think... have the most advantage in today's economy?

I honestly have no idea.

Excuse me.

The land owners... they'll drive the Japanese economy forward.

Is that so?

The Sagawa family are big landlords in Kyoto.

To borrow money from the banks the best collateral is land.

If I can't borrow money from you...

could you perhaps employ Hiraoka?

That's not a good idea.

I don't like people like that.

Even in this weak economy...

people I've refused to help...

are doing just fine... even without my help.

Maybe it's because... sister's helping them out

behind your back.

You're too easy going.

What? No way!

It seems to have a nice layout.

We don't have a choice.

If we want a nicer house... we might have to start buying stocks!

You haven't had time to get settled in yet.

Get settled in...? We might not finish in this lifetime.

Thanks for the other day.

What's that?

A baby kimono...

I made it for the baby, and hadn't unstitched it yet, so now....

What are you still doing with that?

Just turn it into a dust cloth or something.

I made it to match your kimono.

This one?

This is useless. I'm too hot in it.

Of course it's hot, if you wear it underneath.

I'll throw it out. I don't like it any more.

Have a drink... our first in a long time?

I'll get it ready. Please stay as long as you like.

You're laughing at my failure...

yet you've done nothing yourself!

You've never had enough will power.

I wasn't laughing at you.

If I'm laughing... it's only at myself.

You're lying... lying, lying!

Oh, I'm feeling good for the first time in a long time.

I've become the same old Tsunejiro Hiraoka of the past...

but you're not the same old Daisuke Nagai...

It's unforgivable.

Drink to your old self... and become him again!

When you're drinking, your words are slurred...

but your brain isn't drunk.

That's all I'll say.

Yes, that's it! That's the old Daisuke Nagai.

This is sardine, isn't it?

I haven't tried it before.

It was my brother's favorite dish.

Michiyo...

why do you think Nagai doesn't work?

In his ostentatious words,

Japan's relationship with the West is unbalanced.

He says there's no other country...

so much in debt and so insecure.

Yet we still think... we're a first class power.

People in nations oppressed by the West...

can't work in their natural manner, so they can't do anything worthwhile.

These days...

we can't think about anything except our physical survival.

Someone like me struggling with reality...

has no time to ponder such esoteric thoughts.

Whether Japan's poor or just an annoying insect...

a working man, has no time for these thoughts.

People like you with time on their hands... think like that.

When you have to make ends meet...

you can't worry about such things.

Please pray for my brother.

What...?

Don't you remember?

Pretty soon... it'll be his death anniversary.

Ah, that's right.

Has it been four years already?

Yes... it's four years.

It was rotten luck he caught that disease.

Suganuma was a nice guy.

You and Suganuma studied literature.

I was the one who studied economics.

Master, something terrible's happened...

the Nittou incident.

Executives of a big sugar company...

bribed several senators with company money.

It's exciting...

to see those arrogant senators and executives...

arrested.

In the next few days...

a lot of people will be arrested for questioning.

Are you going out?

If you can't find anyone...

to lend you money for your friend...

what'll you do?

There's nothing you can do.

Be honest about it.

Isn't it true you show no respect for your family?

Brother's cigarettes really are good.

I don't care to question your reasons.

That's why... I've been begging you from the start.

No, I can't help you.

Isn't it just a bit too much.

In addition to the fact that you're living off your brother and father,

now you want them to support your friend?

Listen, Dai... do you don't intend to stay single your whole life?

Why don't you stop being so selfish and make up your mind?

Sister...

Is it really so bad... if I don't get married?

It just seems strange that you don't want to.

There's someone... someone you like, isn't there?

Tell me her name.

When I heard the bell ringing I turned and saw...

A fellow on a bicycle singing as he rode

Not only singing, but a daredevil too...

Not even holding on to the handle bar

Swerving here and there...

Swerving here and there

Just as I told him to be careful, down he fell

You're drinking a lot today.

Hey... D'you know the story about the pig?

Pig?

What does a pig do when he sees his favorite food?

Well...?

If you tie it up...

and put his favorite food in front of his nose...

instead of reaching with his foot...

he stretches his nose out further and further.

It grows out until it reaches the food.

The power of desire is amazing... even in animals.

I wonder what Master's planning on doing?

Not that I'm really worried...

He'll have to do something, but...

Well... I suspect once he's married...

he's sure to find a position in government or something.

I envy him...

I wish I could live like that...

reading or listening to music all day.

You do?

I wouldn't read so much...

but I could enjoy a life like that.

If you're busy I'll come back.

No, don't go... My legs are dead.

Just since morning, I've already earned 25 cents.

Cheerful as usual.

Why not... write an article for my client's magazine?

You could earn some money.

Well, no thanks.

Those magazines just sit on store shelves for a month.

So long as you... can live care free, it's fine...

but that may not last forever.

People can't just stop eating.

There must be a better way to earn a living than writing.

Well, writing isn't such a great business.

You're doing fine... keep at it.

It's not so fine. I'd rather be earning serious money.

Saké!

Hey, Nagai... can't you lend me some money...

to start a business or something?

Serious work would mean no writing.

"The long and the short of it gentlemen, is that it is better to do nothing!

"Better conscious inertia!

"Though I have said that I envy the normal man...

"to the last drop of my bile...

"yet I should not care to be in his place...

"such as he is now. No, no!" ("Notes from Underground" F. Dostoyevsky)

When you were here last time...

I was sorry I couldn't do what you...

asked me to do.

For now, this is all I can do for you.

I am sorry, my husband still isn't...

It's me.

I didn't realize who it was.

Is Hiraoka still struggling?

This past week he didn't even go out.

He'd say he was tired and go to bed... or just sit and drink saké...

and he'd often shouts at me.

I'm starting to worry... that he's becoming frustrated.

I wanted to bring this sooner... but couldn't manage it till now.

Is your problem solved yet?

Not yet.

Because it's impossible to solve in the first place.

Is this too little?

Thank you.

Hiraoka will be glad.

I may be living an easy life...

but I realized... when I wanted to help you...

just how... impotent I am.

If this 200 yen doesn't solve your problem...

I'll try again.

Try again?

I could borrow money at high interest.

No! If you do that...

you'll be in the same boat as Hiraoka.

At first, when we went to Osaka, he worked so hard.

But ... when I lost the baby... it broke his heart.

Since then he's started to go down hill.

Gradually he's losing himself.

I know he still cares about me.

That's why it's my fault.

Don't give up hope.

Be determined... like you used to be.

I often wonder, if our child had lived...

how our life would be now.

Brother!

Come... have a drink.

Can you guess... how old this wine is?

He couldn't possibly say!

It's delicious.

So guess in what period it was made.

What period?

I can't believe you bought this.

Can I take a bottle home?

I'm sorry, it's the only one we have. It was a gift.

What's so special today...

to make you so happy?

Are you always so relaxed?

Nobody understands me.

What's so hard to understand?

You seemed pretty busy recently.

Has the Nittou incident affected you in any way?

It seems... you've been reading the newspapers.

- Shall I thank him for the cheque you sent? - Shhhh!

A little exercise is good once in a while.

It's no good just sitting around and eating all the time.

Didn't father summon you today?

OK, it's time to go and be scolded.

Please be careful today.

He's getting more impatient with you these days.

No more nonsense.

Don't you want to have your own money and be independent?

Of course I do.

In that case, you'd be wise to marry Sagawa's daughter.

Why are you in such a hurry for me to marry her?

Then... does it mean I should go and thank him?

We don't have to beg for his help.

What's wrong?

I'm just out of breath.

Is this clean water?

I drank from it... I'll get some more.

Hatano...! Hey, Hatano!

Water, water.

I just had that water.

It looked so clean.

Why did you do that?

It isn't poisonous, is it?

What if it'd been sitting stagnant for a while?

I sniffed the water before I drank it.

It was fine... no odour.

Please sit.

Your heart hasn't yet... completely healed, has it?

I'll never be completely cured... that's just how it is.

Thank you for the cheque... last time.

How is Hiraoka these days?

It seems likely he'll land a job on a newspaper.

That's great. I didn't know.

Sounds like you'll be fine from now on.

I should... apologize to you.

The 200 yen was intended to pay our debt...

but because we moved we spent it on other things.

But when I received it, I wasn't trying to deceive you or anything.

Please forgive me.

I gave it to you...

I'm glad if it was useful.

You have a nice thing here.

You shouldn't smell it too closely.

Oh.. why?

Because...

Don't you like lilies?

I'm disappointed. I went out of my way for them...

it was threatening to rain so I ran...

till I was out of breath.

Master, you have a guest.

Why did you come at this hour?

You! Napping again, eh?

A man with no work becomes lazy and no good.

What were you born for?

None of your business! What made you come here now?

I don't want to talk about money problems again.

You aren't exactly polite, are you?

Well, come on in.

I'm a busy person. I have to translate this.

This has to be ready within two weeks.

Otherwise, I'll have nothing to eat.

You're rather boisterous.

I came all the way from Hongo to see you.

Not to borrow money... that might've been better.

I need your help... there's a part I don't understand.

That is a bother.

The fact you've got it easy...

shouldn't make you unkind.

For me it's a matter of survival.

It's so hot!

You are so selfish!

I can tell I'm going to have a sweet night tonight.

I bet that's what you tell your wife.

I'm busy... I don't have time for bullshit.

Oh wow... they're so beautiful.

Fire flies used to be popular with our people...

now a days, writers hardly write about them.

I wonder how they're doing.

I suspect they'll diminish...

as electric lights overwhelm them.

Master!

Master!

But, isn't that a bit too much!

Brother.

There he is.

What's is it?

You sent for me without saying why.

Dai, you're free today, aren't you?

Well... yes.

Then please accompany me to Mr. Matsuzaki's house.

We're invited. It's Mendelssohn.

I'll come over around four when my business is over.

By then she'll have woken up and be listening to the music...

you know how women are.

I see.

So you see?

So you see.

Mother...

I can't decide.

This one looks too childish.

What do you think, Uncle?

How about... putting them all on?

That's her. Mr. Sagawa's daughter.

Mr. Nagai sir?

Mr. Nagai sir?

Uncle.

Going on a trip?

Want a souvenir?

So, where to?

I don't know where. Just touring around.

Uncle... when are you going to get married?

Yuri, I'm waiting... for you to grow up.

No need to flatter me. I'm not interested.

Too much free time, eh?

I've read it twice.

Does Hiraoka always come back so late?

I heard that you came over...

when I was away.

I was on my way back from the bath-house.

It seems you're managing alright now.

You think so?

I had no choice.

Please forgive me.

Use this.

I can't do that.

If you'd receive a ring...

then you can receive this, right?

Think of it as a paper ring... please take it.

But then if...

If Hiraoka finds out, will you be in trouble?

Welcome home.

Oh, you're here.

Can't you come home earlier?

You shouldn't sit in the dark. Come inside?

Would you like some saké, or maybe...?

Nobody drinks tea at this hour.

I'm now officially a newspaper employee.

You are?

Executive reporter, finance department.

That's great!

We asked you a lot of favours,

so I wanted to come over and thank you,

but I just couldn't get the time off.

Well, it seems.... my brother's company is struggling.

We couldn't find a position... nothing you'd like.

In any case... let's celebrate... Drinks are on me.

Is it okay?

You really did us a lot of favours.

What is it?

Master, if you're going on a trip...

shall I arrange for a car?

There's no need.

Good night!

Morning, brother.

Good morning!

What brings you here this early.

This room smells nice.

Is it from your hair?

The smell was here before I came in.

You're very fashionable.

Please, have a seat.

Yesterday Yuri said, "Uncle's going on a trip."

So I came.

What's the matter?

Come have lunch with us today.

I have to go somewhere now...

but please be sure to come.

What d'you think?

Don't want to marry that woman?

Go for her!

If you become too choosy you'll look ridiculous...

like a Genroku era playboy or something.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

I understand. I'll be sure to be there.

So... you're from Kyoto.

Kyoto is great. She's very skilled in calligraphy, eh?

Do you like to watch plays?

Maybe not plays, but... you like novels, don't you?

No, not novels either.

Me too... I don't like novels.

She plays the piano...

and before that she studied the koto and the tsuzumi...

even a little violin.

Isn't that great!

How do you like it?

It tastes like Western cuisine.

It's true.

I'm here again.

I came over two days ago, but you weren't home.

I'll open the front door.

Thanks for waiting.

It's good... no?

Did you tell Hiraoka about the money?

No.

Then, he doesn't know yet?

I thought about telling him...

but he's hardly ever at home, so...

I received a letter... from my father.

Your father?

My mother and my brother have passed away,

but I still have my father in Hokkaido.

I didn't know.

Your brother never told me about your father.

He separated from my mother a long time ago.

He used to have some rice fields...

but about the time of Russo-Japan War...

a friend got him into stocks... and he lost everything.

Then he returned to Hokkaido to start over.

I envy you.

Why haven't you... taken a wife yet?

I'm so very lonely... please come again.

Well... been a long time.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

So... how are things?

I'm reporting on economic affairs.

Doing my job, I've learned a lot of interesting things.

Should I write the inside story on your brother's company?

It must be very interesting.

The Nitto Incident wasn't an isolated affair.

Your family business associated with Nitto...

so it must've been affected by the incident.

So it actually happened?

Of course it did. It's your family.

But what would you know?

I'm not a social butterfly.

I'd rather... you didn't categorize me as such.

Please excuse me.

Mr. Hiraoka...

Excuse me.

Sorry about that.

In fact there's something I'd like to talk to you about.

I am trying my best to get the money together.

But I haven't found a way yet.

Give me a little more time?

In the mean time, I've been refraining...

from writing about your brother or father.

You've changed a lot.

Michiyo must be lonely.

Oh, don't worry about her. She's changed a lot too.

You think she's still the Michiyo of three years ago?

She's changed a lot.

No way.

She hasn't changed a bit.

How do you know?

It's no fun for me at home... so what should I do?

Dai?

Is father at home?

He has a guest with him.

If it won't be too long... I'd like to wait.

Well... I really can't say.

Why don't you come in for a minute?

Is Brother out as usual?

From morning until evening... he's hardly ever at home.

Don't you feel lonely?

If you do get married...

be sure to spend time at home, and take good care of your wife.

There's a woman I know in the same situation.

I feel so sorry for her.

I wondered how other women felt about it.

Just a minute... who are you speaking of?

You should tell her husband...

to take better care of his wife.

I did but he wouldn't listen to me.

Well then... I guess there's nothing you can do.

So the woman's duty bound...

to remain a good wife to him... no matter what?

This is just hypothetical...

It may depend on the degree of his unkindness to her.

What if she has... another man she loves?

I don't know. It's mad.

If she has a man she loves...

shouldn't she have married him in the first place?

You're acting strange.

You usually hate to meddle in other people's affairs.

I'm thinking of turning down the marriage proposal.

No matter who we bring in, you don't like her anyway.

Even the finest lady wouldn't be good enough.

Therefore, you should just accept the woman...

father likes...

and everything will turn out okay.

Sister!

There's a woman I love.

I'll be back.

It'd be better if I see father another time.

Dai!

Why don't you marry that woman?

I don't marry her, because I can't.

You've acted very badly.

You've been deceiving me.

Why didn't you tell me?

You probably thought...

it wouldn't do any good to tell me, but...

Hatano!

Hatano!

Is it something urgent?

Well... just a casual visit.

I bought these flowers earlier.

Lovely scent.

I wanted to remember the time...

you and your brother lived in Shimizu-cho.

That's why I bought so many.

I keep thinking about that time...

do you remember?

I do remember it.

You were wearing the flashy sash...

and the heart-shaped hairstyle.

Since I came to Tokyo... I don't wear it that way any more.

When you brought the ring the other day...

weren't you wearing it that way?

You noticed?

That was the only time.

If my brother... hadn't passed away...

and were still alive now...

I wonder what I'd be doing now.

Would you have become a different person?

I wouldn't be a different person.

- And you? - I wouldn't either.

I'm...

I'm not the slightest bit...

different from who I was then.

That's a lie.

My existence requires...

your existence in it.

Whatever the consequences...

I should have said so...

four years ago!

You're cruel.

Please forgive me.

But I've been receiving...

an appropriate punishment.

It's been more than three years...

since you got married.

But I've...

remained single.

But... after all that was your choice.

No...

Though I try to marry, I can't... so I don't.

While you take your revenge on me...

I can only remain single.

Revenge...

I...

I was born this way...

my crime was natural.

Even though my punishment is public,

I can only repent in front of you.

I...

In order to punish myself... I married Hiraoka.

Because you didn't say anything to stop me...

That's why I've hated you.

Any man would have done.

A man recommended by you was even better.

It's me who should be punished.

Michiyo...

Please stop saying you're sorry.

If only...

If only you'd said earlier.

Would you have been happier...

if I'd remained silent for life?

No, not at all.

Actually...

if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't...

have been able to live much longer.

Please promise me!

You can accept it, can't you?

It can't be helped.

Let me make up my mind.

Welcome back!

Come here.

Hey... who's wife are you?

What's that man ever done for you?

What will he do for you... in the future?

Listen! There's nobody... less reliable than him.

You overestimate him.

On his own... he's not even half a man!

He can't even support you?

As far as that goes... I don't really care.

Why do you want to go to him?

There's no point saying I'm sorry... now that I'm leaving you.

Are you going to elope with him?

Whatever I do...

I won't be able to live much longer.

I know I'm dying.

Have you read my letter?

It's so hot here.

I'm sorry...

I forgot to reply to you.

I've got a sick person at home.

A sick person?

It's Michiyo.

When she was helping me dress for work...

suddenly... she fell clutching her chest.

She's anemic...

and suffering a nervous breakdown.

Is it serious?

You don't have much time.

Is your business... related to what Michiyo told me?

She said you wanted to apologize to me.

She asked me to come here and hear what you had to say.

Hiraoka...

Will you listen until I've finished?

After I finish...

I'll listen to anything you want to say.

I... did betray you.

Three years ago... do you remember?

When you and Michiyo were getting married?

The one who said he would mediate for us... was you.

And the one who confessed his desire to marry her... was you.

I haven't forgotten it.

It was one evening...

after taking the train... from Yanaka through Ueno.

The rain finally stopped...

and the road was flooded.

We talked for a while...

in front of the museum.

When we reached the bridge...

I saw that you were weeping for me.

I'd never known such true friendship before.

I was so happy... I couldn't sleep that night.

It was a full moon night...

I sat up until sunrise.

Why was it that you...

were weeping for me then?

Why did you swear to help me marry Michiyo?

And then end up doing what you're doing now?

Why?

I didn't do anything bad to you!

When you told me of your love...

I thought as a true friend it was my duty...

to make your longing come true.

That's what friends are for!

It's what I really thought.

But now...

what makes me truly sorry...

is what's happening to Michiyo.

Because of an act of chivalry I naively committed then.

Chivalry?

To be more accurate...

it was actually a crime against nature.

That's why in truth...

nature has been taking its revenge on me.

So I'm formally apologizing to you.

I hurt you...

and Michiyo.

Won't you give Michiyo back?

I will.

I'll give her to you... but not now.

Michiyo is too sick now.

Not just a little either.

I won't give her up to you... while she's so sick.

Until I do... I'm her husband...

and I'll care for her.

With what's happened this evening...

from a social standpoint...

I can't see you ever again.

Keep in mind...

our relationship is over as of today.

You must stay away from my house...

whether I'm at home or not.

I agree.

Our fate allows no other way.

If Michiyo's illness...

if she takes a serious turn...

I'd like to see her one last time.

I won't ask for anything else.

As for that... I'll play it by ear.

You only intend to let me see Michiyo when she's dead!

That's cruel. Cruel.

I wouldn't do that.

Sincerity... is the way... of Heaven.

SINCERITY

IS THE WAY

OF HEAVEN

I hear a lot of VIPs...

are coming to today's garden party.

So you've come too.

Father...

I want to talk about something.

I too... have something to say.

I've become quite old.

I'm thinking about retiring from business.

I don't have the courage to get married...

so I can't help declining each proposal.

Do you know... this man?

You were in the same class at school. Is it true?

Do you have a relationship... with this man's wife?

Dai!

A man named Hiraoka sent this letter...

addressing it to father and me!

It's true isn't it?

It's true.

No one is more dangerous than someone you don't understand!

You never know what they'll do or think!

And you're one of them. But I still believed...

that eventually I'd understand you...

so I put up with you!

Are you so stupid? Idiot!

Do what you want.

I won't pay your way anymore.

Get out!!

Directed by Yoshimitsu MORITA