Original subtitles

When people finish their day and hurry home,

my day starts.

My diner is open from midnight to seven in the morning.

They call it "Midnight Diner."

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.

Do I even have customers?

More than you would expect.

Well?

Can you believe she's actually asleep?

Yes, she's asleep.

She always does this.

She's been doing it since her first visit to the diner.

Do you have fried chicken?

I do.

And your drink?

Do I have to order one?

No, it's fine. This is a diner, not a bar.

I was only asking out of habit.

Most of my regulars drink, you see.

Here you go, fried chicken.

Let her sleep.

She must be exhausted.

Her job isn't easy.

Thanks for the food.

What about your change?

Use it to cover her meal.

Your food is ready.

How about a beer?

I can drink alcohol, but not beer.

Wait.

Try this.

After that, she became a regular.

She sleeps at the counter every time she visits.

Here you go.

I don't usually let my customers sleep here.

I don't mind.

My beer tastes better when I see her sleeping face.

Right?

Men!

Men are such simple-minded creatures.

I had a dream.

Was it a good dream?

Someone ate all the fried chicken I made.

I'll have fried chicken please, to make up for it.

Sure.

Is that ginger ale?

It's a highball. Whiskey mixed with soda.

You can order that here?

I think I'll get one too.

Master?

I only have the drinks on the menu.

What?

Playing favorites, Master?

I thought highballs went out of fashion a long time ago.

It's popular with the ladies these days because of the low alcohol content.

Oh, really?

Where did the name "highball" come from?

There are many theories.

This one is the most convincing:

A man was drinking whiskey with soda at a bar in a golf club.

Suddenly, a golf ball flew towards him from up in the air.

He yelled "high ball," and the rest is history.

Most people would yell "fore" if they see an incoming golf ball.

So should it be "foreball"?

Four balls? That's a walk, right?

What?

-We're talking about baseball, right? -No, golf.

What? No.

We're talking about highballs.

Hey.

Sho.

What is it?

-I need 30,000 yen. -Okay.

-Why didn't you pick up the phone? -Sorry.

Can you give me a minute?

Thanks for the food.

What about your fried chicken?

Well...

Why don't you all share it?

You don't have to pay.

That man just now.

I've seen him before.

Who is he?

He's a comedian, I think.

I saw him once on one of those late-night shows.

But I can't remember his name.

Is he famous?

I don't think so. I haven't seen him on TV since then.

I'm supposed to look out for my juniors.

I can't very well ask them to pay.

I know.

Sorry, Saya.

Someone from TBS Television will watch me perform next week.

It's the writer for Comedian Rookies, the show in the 8 p.m. slot on Thursdays.

I see.

I'll do better, I promise.

I'll make it big.

This will be my year.

I'll repay you for everything that you've done for me.

Can I join you today?

My juniors will tease me if you come along.

-Okay. -I'll be home in the morning.

Let's go.

Hello, everyone!

Thanks for coming. We hope you'll enjoy yourselves.

Let's get this thing started.

-Man, I really want to get married. -Where did that come from?

You want to get married?

You'll have to get her parents' approval. It won't be easy, let me tell you that.

-Father... -We're practicing already?

-Yes. -Okay, I'll be the father.

-Father... -Yes?

Give me your daughter's hand in marriage.

-We'll start a family. -In your dreams!

What are you praying for?

For my boyfriend to be famous.

"Famous"?

He's a comedian.

Really? Is he good?

I guess.

You guess?

I don't know what I'm doing.

I want him to be famous, but...

Is this really the life I wanted in Tokyo?

She looks so tired lately.

Give me a beer.

Fried chicken again?

How did it go?

How did what go?

Your meeting with the writer for Comedian Rookies.

Who?

Sorry.

"Sorry"?

What are you sorry for?

Well?

Sorry.

What do you know?

You don't know how I feel.

I'm sorry, Sho.

-Sorry. -What are you sorry for?

Sorry.

You're always looking down on me!

That hurt.

You shouldn't have arrested him on the spot.

But I saw him steal the wallet from the man sleeping next to him.

I caught him in the act.

What if he had a knife on him?

I have a fifth dan in judo.

Don't get cocky.

Stop! You're hurting me!

Let go!

-I'll turn you into a fried chicken! -Hey! Break it up!

-Do you want a piece of me? Bring it! -Stop it.

-That's enough. Stop it. -You'll regret this!

-All right, calm down. -What's your problem?

-Dumbass! -Tell us what happened.

-Who are you calling dumbass? -Cool it.

What's your problem?

-Saya... -Let go!

-Dumbass! Moron! Dimwit! -Screw this!

-Hands off! -All right, that's enough.

It's all your fault. You dodged the fried chicken!

-How dare you? -Stop it!

How dare you hurt my sister?

-Stop it! -You bastard!

Leave me alone, please.

Sorry, Sho.

Let's go home. Come on.

DINER

We grew up without a father.

Our mother was too busy with work to take care of us.

I had to look after Saya myself.

But she was a lot younger than I was.

I ended up being really strict with her.

I couldn't help it.

Well, it happens.

Especially when you're a policeman.

After she graduated from high school, she started dating her current boyfriend.

She moved out as soon as she could.

I tried to stop her, but...

This was what she told me,

Thank you.

"You've never approved of my decisions.

Not even once."

Fried chicken was always her favorite dish.

In her dreams,

you always eat her fried chicken.

She orders fried chicken to make up for it.

That's what she told me.

It sounds childish, doesn't it?

Wow.

Have you had other women in here besides me?

Of course not.

-Don't break it. -This is really cool.

Put it on.

Everything looks good on you.

-Really? Does it look good on me? -Yes.

Shosuke, we're on.

Thanks.

-Will you drink with me after this? -Okay.

I'll knock their socks off.

See you later.

Hello, everyone! Thanks for coming!

Well...

I want to get married...

Father...

I...

You leech off women, and this is all you've got?

You're an insult to men.

Have you kept in touch with Mom?

I see.

Live the life you want.

I'll always have your back.

Here you go.

To make a long story short,

Saya broke up with him.

Welcome.

Fried chicken, please.

Sure.

Saya moved back to Chiba, where her mother lives.

But she still drops by from time to time.

You don't sleep at the counter anymore.

I get a good night's sleep at home.

A few of my customers were sad to hear it.

They had enjoyed watching her sleep at the counter.

Look!

He added highballs to the menu.

-You're right. -It's there.

I hadn't realized. When did you put it up?

This is a historical moment.

I see you're not immune to the charms of women, Master.

-Hey! -Don't take it down.

-It was just a joke! -Come on! Don't do it!

Wait!

We like highballs too! Master, please!

-We want to drink highballs! -Wait!

Back us up, Saya!

-Take it down, Master! Rip it off! -Master, no!

Marinate the chicken

Coat it in potato starch

Toss them into a sea of oil

At 180 degrees Celsius

Add ginger, garlic, black pepper, and other spices

to the chicken, according to your tastes.

Fry the chicken twice.

The fried chicken will be juicier that way.

Do you have anything to add?

No, I'll leave it to you.

Good night.

TO BE CONTINUED

PORK MISO SOUP COMBO BEER, SAKE, SHOCHU, HIGHBALL

THIS STORY IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Subtitle translation by Chen Li Woon