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.

The wind is really strong tonight.

When the cold autumn winds begin to blow,

you get a craving for warm sake.

Hands off! That's mine.

Come on, spare me a little.

Okay, just a little.

-Thanks. -Two milliliters.

Two milliliters?

-There. -Thanks.

Welcome.

She always comes on a windy night.

Yakisoba with sauce and a fried egg on top.

Special yakisoba with sauce.

Thanks for the food.

You look like you really enjoy it.

Master, that was Rinko Kazami, right?

Who?

She used to be an idol!

You see her in a lot of movies and TV shows nowadays.

Well...

Now that you mention it, she does look familiar.

Really?

What did she have?

Yakisoba with sauce and a fried egg on top.

It's Rinrin!

It has to be.

It's Rinko Kazami. Her real name is Rinko Morinaka.

Born in Kochi on September 3, 1966.

-Favorite color, blue. -Favorite food...

-Yakisoba with sauce and a fried egg! -Yakisoba with sauce and a fried egg!

-You're creeping me out. -Right.

How do you know so much about her?

We used to be in her fan club.

He's Fan No. 44. I'm Fan No. 45.

You two are fans of Mr. Erect too, right?

You have so many idols.

Mr. Erect is our god.

Rinrin is our goddess!

I see.

Wait, you've never heard of it?

She had this song called, "Pesky Boys, Go Away!"

That's a terrible title.

No, you just have bad taste.

Excuse me?

I think it's a fine title.

Right?

Are you serious?

Why are you sucking up to these migrant workers?

I'm not! Don't be ridiculous.

I don't want to be a goody two-shoes

I'll walk my own path

I'll get rid of all

The pesky boys

Your heart is mine

Nothing is going to stop me

These pesky boys

They keep hanging around me

These pesky boys

Go away boy, you're a pest

I'll spray insect killer on you

I don't want to be a liar

I'll be true to myself

I'll get rid of all

The pesky boys

You're the one I'll marry

Nothing is going to stop me

These pesky boys

Go away boy, you're a pest

I'll spray insect killer on you

Look at these grown men sniffling at the counter.

But I don't blame them.

Rinko Kazami must have been a major part of their adolescence.

Rinrin was always so full of life,

but her childhood wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows.

Exactly.

Her father walked out on her, leaving her with massive debt.

She was a delinquent before entering showbiz.

Listen,

I know you're excited about Rinrin, but can I have your orders?

Yakisoba with sauce and a fried egg on top.

Make it two.

Sure.

DINER

And then, about a month later...

She came to my diner again, on yet another windy night.

Yakisoba with sauce and a fried egg on top.

You must really like yakisoba.

I had this all the time when I was little.

I watched her as she ate,

entranced by the wistful look on her face.

Before I knew it, I had become her fan too.

She became a regular at my diner after that.

Master, is it true that Rinko Kazami comes here to eat too?

Pickled plum.

Salmon.

Cod roe.

Thanks for the food.

What a disappointment. Is she really a celebrity?

Well, that was depressing.

She has this gloomy cloud around her.

We're a much better catch.

-Right? -Right?

-Right? -Right?

-Are you all right? Get it together! -Rinrin, I'm so sorry!

Did you trip over yourself?

Where's Rinrin?

You missed her. She just left.

You missed the Ochazuke Sisters too.

Who cares about the Ochazuke Sisters?

We missed her again.

Looks like you aren't fated to meet.

Yakisoba with sauce.

And a fried egg on top.

Sure.

Thanks for the food, Master.

I only have the bigger notes. Is that okay?

Sorry, I lost my wallet today.

I don't have a small change. I'll put it on your tab.

How much was in your wallet?

Not much. But my driver's license and credit cards were inside.

That's unfortunate.

-All right, put it on my tab. -Sure.

Let's go.

Master, save me.

I can't keep up with her.

Master!

Move it!

Excuse me.

This is yours, right?

I found this yesterday, but you had customers.

I didn't want to go in and spoil the mood.

Thanks.

Here.

A token of my appreciation.

That's okay, I just wanted to return it.

-I know, but I'd like to thank you. -It's fine.

All right, how about this?

Have you had your breakfast?

I'll treat you to a meal.

You don't have to do that, really.

Here you go.

It's nice and warm.

During the press conference for the upcoming movie River Song,

Rinko Kazami shared with us her thoughts on her starring role.

The character I'll be playing is a lot like me.

I hope I'll be able to bring this character to life

by channeling my own personal experience.

That's Rinko Kazami.

She's lovely, isn't she?

She comes here sometimes.

In fact, she was here last night.

She always orders the same dish.

Yakisoba with sauce and a fried egg on top.

She must really like it.

Did you know?

Yakisoba tastes better if you sprinkle Shimanto River seaweed on it.

Oh, really?

You won't believe it's the same dish.

If she comes by again, add the seaweed to her yakisoba.

PRESS CONFERENCE FOR RIVER SONG

I'll do that.

Seaweed from the Shimanto River, got it?

Okay.

This is really good.

It hits the spot.

Dad,

why did you abandon me?

I...

If you hadn't been there for me...

Okay, cut.

-Let's take a break. -Okay.

-All right, we're taking a break. -Break time!

-Lunch break. -Okay.

Put the equipment away.

Ms. Kazami, we're ready to roll again.

Okay.

If you hadn't been there for me...

Retake.

Sorry.

Take, where did you find that wooden doll?

By the river.

Really? What a lucky find.

How can I do better?

It's too fake.

Is it my expression?

All of it is wrong.

Your tone, your expression, your aura. None of it feels sincere.

I told you this would happen. Idols can't act!

I want this shot to be perfect, okay? It has to be perfect!

This movie is everything to me!

Welcome.

Yakisoba with sauce

and a fried egg on top.

Sure.

My new movie...

Yes?

It's about a woman and her father.

I see.

The woman was abandoned by her father.

At the end of the movie,

she reunites with her father and tells him how she really feels.

Well...

Nothing really happens in the movie.

It's just a simple story about family.

I see.

She was abandoned.

But she tells her father, "I don't resent you."

She thanks him instead.

If I were to meet my father again,

would I be able to say the same thing?

Do you...

resent your father for what he did?

I don't know.

Here you go.

Thanks.

Is this...

Someone told me to do that.

He said yakisoba tastes better

if you sprinkle seaweed

from the Shimanto River over it.

Thanks for the food.

Do you like it?

It's delicious.

The man who told me to do that

is a big fan of yours.

Here you go.

Yes!

Look, Rinko.

It's Shimanto River seaweed, your favorite.

Let's make it rain!

There we go.

Your yakisoba is the best!

-That's right! -That's right!

Dad, I...

I don't resent you.

If you hadn't been there for me...

Dad...

Thank you.

Mister, you're blocking my view.

Hey, mister!

Since then, Rinko Kazami

has earned widespread praise for her acting skills.

I heard that she'll be making her overseas acting debut soon.

Even then...

RINKO KAZAMI WINS BLUE ARROW BEST ACTRESS AWARD

So how did it go with your junior, Kana?

No matter how busy she gets,

she still drops in now and then, and always on a windy night.

Yakisoba with sauce and a fried egg on top.

Sure.

TO BE CONTINUED

Here's how to make delicious yakisoba.

Before you stir-fry the noodles,

pour hot water over it.

This will help remove excess oil, loosen the noodles,

and make it easier to coat the noodles with sauce.

Until next time.

Good night.

RIVER SONG

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Subtitle translation by Chen Li Woon