Original subtitles

When people finish their day and hurry home,

my day starts.

PORK MISO SOUP COMBO BEER, SAKE, SHOCHU

That's all I have on my menu.

But I make whatever customers request

as long as I have ingredients for it.

That's my policy.

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.

You should just ask him! There's no sense beating around the bush.

Do you think it will work?

It will be fine.

He's an easygoing fellow, unlike you. Isn't that right?

I agree.

Can I have my omelet back now, Mr. Chu?

Oh, right.

He should be here any minute now.

This is really good. Is it soup stock omelet?

Here, I split the mackerel into two.

Thanks! Where is it from?

Well, it's from the corner store.

The best mackerels are from Rausu, Shiretoko.

Really?

Why do you know so much about mackerel, Mayu?

I love fish, I always have. Thanks for the food.

It's delicious.

We'll go home as soon as we're done here.

It's past your bedtime.

Hello.

Look at you! I see another notch in your manly belt.

I got a good one today.

-Master, can I order? -Go ahead.

Here, you should quench your thirst first.

Thanks.

-There you go. -Bottoms up.

That really hit the spot.

Round 8, 32 seconds. You turned the tables with a one-hit KO.

How did you know?

He told us. He was at the match.

He was so eager to share the results.

Thank you for your support.

Well, actually...

Stop mumbling, Komichi. Man up and say it out loud.

Well, I...

I'd like to take photos of you.

Photos of you training in the gym, for example.

Would you mind if I did that?

He's a rookie photographer.

He wants to publish a collection of boxing photos one day.

But I'm not famous. Are you sure?

Yes, of course. Thank you.

I'll do my best.

Excellent! Let's have a toast to that.

Hey, mister, what happened to your face?

Mayu!

Sorry.

I'm a boxer.

Like K-1?

Well, not exactly.

How did you know about K-1?

She's a martial arts fan.

Whenever Katsutoshi wins a match,

he comes here to eat pork cutlet rice, it's his victory dinner.

His full name is Katsutoshi Kawada, by the way.

He's a good guy.

That looks so good. I'll have one too, but make it keto.

"Keto"?

Without rice.

I see. Did you know that, Mom?

I want mine with extra rice, non-keto.

-That "non-keto" is completely redundant. -Exactly.

Sorry, my diner only opens at midnight.

I know. "Midnight Diner," right?

I brought you tickets for Mr. Komichi's photo exhibition.

It's a bar on Golden Street. I've been going around giving out tickets.

Where's Komichi?

He practically lives in the gym now.

He photographs the other boxers too. He's really gung ho about it.

Twenty tickets should be enough, right?

Akemi and Mayu dropped by the other day.

Oh, I remember them.

The K-1 kid.

They were on their way home after seeing your match.

They had a sudden craving for pork cutlet rice, so they dropped by.

Really?

The next time you see them, tell them I'll buy them dinner.

You should tell them yourself.

Akemi works in a snack bar. It isn't far from here.

She should be there today.

I can't just show up unannounced. She'd get the wrong idea.

Is her bar nearby?

I'll draw a map for you.

No, that's fine. I have to go to my gym now.

What happened...

to her husband?

He died. She's a single mother.

She lives in Okubo.

I was just curious.

I'm not actually interested in her, okay?

Yes!

Here you go.

Thanks!

You don't have to treat us, really.

Don't worry about it.

It's delicious.

I'd like to cheer you on at your match.

Really? I'll give you a ticket.

But kids shouldn't be there alone. Your mother should come with you.

-Let's go! -We can't.

-What? -Why not?

We'll be there, but we'll pay for our tickets.

Oh, I see.

If I win my next match, I'll treat both of you to pork cutlet rice.

I mean it.

You have to win. It's a promise.

Okay. Pinky promise?

We swear on our pinkies

Anyone who lies Will have to swallow 1000 needles

Pinky promise

My number is written here.

Thanks.

Call me when you have the date of your match.

Master, where's Akemi's pork cutlet rice?

Give me a minute.

This is amazing.

Look at that view!

TORU SAMEJIMA LIGHTWEIGHT RANKING: NO. 4

KATSUTOSHI KAWADA LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION

SAMEJIMA VOWS TO KNOCK OUT KAWADA

DINER

Can I have some water?

Mr. Komichi...

is really serious about his photos.

I have to step up my game so that I don't disappoint him.

Listen...

I've decided to quit my day job.

I need to concentrate on boxing if I want to win my matches.

I see.

You're not very good at juggling things, are you?

You're right. I'm not.

This match will decide my future.

This may be my last chance.

Will you have breakfast before you go?

I have to make a clean break.

I need to be able to walk away with my head held high.

If I don't draw the line somewhere, I'll keep boxing until I age out.

My opponents don't see me as a threat,

but I'll prove them wrong.

I'll make them think they have the match in the bag,

and then turn the tables on them at the very end.

Yes.

I saved a seat for you too.

No, I'll wait for you here.

I'll open the diner early, just for you.

Give the ticket to someone else.

Okay.

Listen...

-Promise you won't laugh? -Okay.

I'm...

I'm going to propose to Akemi from the ring.

You know, like Rocky.

Okay.

-You should ask her out. -Really?

It's worth a shot.

What about a boxing match?

You're joking, right?

If Samejima wins this match, he'll be boxing for the title next.

Kawada doesn't stand a chance.

Of course not. He's up against Samejima.

But the match will be shown live on TV.

-It could be Kawada's big break. -Excuse me...

-Would you like a drink? -Yes.

-Shochu? -Yes, please.

Sure thing.

Kawada will probably retire if he loses.

He may as well go out in a blaze of glory.

Yes, that's probably what he's after.

DINER

Hello.

Welcome.

Slow day today?

Yes.

Where's Mayu? At home?

She's sleeping over at her friend's house tonight.

You should have seen how excited she was.

Her friend has everything she doesn't.

Respectable parents and a comfortable life.

Bourbon on the rocks, please.

Sure.

I get tired too, Master.

Mayu's growing up.

Her tuition fees are going to be a problem.

And I'm not getting any younger.

Did you know? Katsutoshi quit his job.

He says he wants to focus on his training.

But what if he loses the match?

I don't think he's thought it through.

All he cares about is boxing. Everything else is secondary.

For now.

Give him some time.

Mayu admires him, you know.

She has no memories of her father.

She'll take to any man who's nice to her.

You're going to cheer him on at his next match, right?

I haven't decided.

This is oolong tea.

Good. You can still tell the difference.

Come on, don't tease me.

You should go to his match.

Life is like the Yoshino River. You decide who you want to be with.

See you later.

Okay.

You have to win, okay? You promised.

Samejima, the Golden Rookie, is one step away from making history.

Kawada can't afford to lose this match either.

The first round is about to begin.

Time's up.

Kawada goes on the offensive.

-Yes! -Go for it!

-He's down! -Katsutoshi!

Take your time.

You did your best.

Thank you. All of you.

I made it this far because you believed in me.

Katsutoshi.

You deserve a toast.

Cheers!

-Cheers! -Cheers!

Master, I'll have pork cutlet rice.

Mayu!

I'm starving!

You don't mind, right?

Three bowls of pork cutlet rice, please.

Sure.

I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise.

But you didn't lose. We know you're a winner.

-Right, Mom? -That's right.

Does it still hurt?

This is nothing.

Don't cry, okay?

Okay.

Master...

What's this?

I'm all out of pork cutlets, sorry.

Here's parent-and-child rice instead.

TO BE CONTINUED

Here you go.

The pork cutlets are simmered before serving,

so they only have to be about 80 percent cooked when you fry them.

Be careful not to overcook them when frying.

Next, here's the recipe for parent-and-child rice.

Oh, it looks like we've run out of time.

Anyway, we're a happy family now. Good night!

-Good night. -Good night.

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Subtitle translation by Chen Li Woon