Original subtitles

"A Long Poem to a Short Love"

The shortest poem in the world

is written with one single word: Love.

The longest poem in the worlds is written

with the same single word, but written a million times.

Before one is finished writing the poem, one grows old

but that is not the fault of the poem

Life is always a little shorter than poetry

YUKO HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENICHI

YUKO HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENICHI

Yes?

Is this the Konishi residence?

My name is Shima. You came into my shop the other day.

Hello?

Yu-chan?

Yes.

Are you free to talk now?

Yes, it's fine.

I was astonished to see you the other day.

Me, too.

Did you know? That that was my shop?

No, we were just walking by and thought the table was lovely.

The truth is, your husband called me today

What?

He wants me to design a table and give him an estimate.

An estimate?

He wants to use it to persuade you to buy it.

May I take the job?

I'm sorry. Someone's at the door.

About the table...

It's fine with me.

I'm sorry! I have to go! Good-bye.

Congratulations on your new house!

Mayumi!

Where shall I put this?

You can just put it over there.

Hello!

This is just a small housewarming present.

Thank you! It's wonderful! What kind of plant is this?

I have no idea!

See? You should ask these things!

Oh, hush! Anyway, show me around!

Go on in! Is it okay to leave your shop?

I just happened to get some free time!

She's been bugging me about wanting to see your house!

Wondering what it looks like!

You said you wanted to see the house, too!

Pardon me!

Wow! Isn't it beautiful?!

I'm so sorry! Ichiro-san!

I'm sorry I kept you waiting!

No, I should apologize. You're such a busy man.

Shall we have lunch together?

Oh, no. I couldn't...

But you haven't eaten yet, have you?

No.

Then let's go.

Yes.

Let's see! What, shall we have?

How nice! I want a living room like this!

What a great kitchen! Looks easy to use, too!

Would you like to hold cooking classes here?

Sure! I work my fingers to the bone cooking for her,

and she won't even come home to eat!

I just went drinking one time and look at him!

Such a whiner!

How nice. Just once I'd like to eat a dinner

my husband made for me

Doesn't he cook?

Don't be silly! Once, I had a high fever

and he barely managed to boil water for me!

Geez! These days a man should be able to cook!

Don't act so slick. Her husband works to support them.

What a whiner.

We're home!

Welcome back.

Hello!

Hi!

Welcome back.

- Go wash your hands. - Yes!

- I need to use the bathroom, too. - The bathroom?

Really!

Ken-chan! Show him where the bathroom is!

Yes. It's this way.

You have it made, Yuko.

How so?

Such darling kids, this lovely house and a husband...

Nobody cooks dinner for me.

And my mother-in-law lives next door.

That is a pretty big minus!

Right?

Listen! I was going to ask Sakiko, too.

How about going to get all fixed up?

What? What are those?

I'm sorry to keep asking favors of you!

Not at all.

Would you mind coming again to meet Risa?

Sure. It's fine with me.

- Really?! - Yes.

Wonderful! I didn't know what I was going to do

if you turned me down! Oh, I'm so glad.

Thanks for waiting!

Thank you.

Was this place really all right?

Eh?

This restaurant?

This is the only chance I have to come here!

That's what we said at dinner the other night!

You're right!

My! That's very good!

See? This is the cheapest and best place around here!

Here.

You're young, so you have to eat up!

I'll eat it.

Can I ask you something..?

Sure.

Do you really not have a girlfriend?

After I left you last time, I wondered

how a great guy like you wouldn't have someone...

If I had a girlfriend, I would have refused that date.

I wouldn't lie about something like that.

I'm sorry for asking.

My life is really very dull. I go to work at 8:30 each morning,

and rarely come home before midnight.

On weekdays, I just bounce between the bank and my apartment.

On my days off, I'm so tired, I sleep half the day,

and spend the other half doing laundry. That's it.

Do you enjoy your life working like that?

Oh...

I wonder..?

Since you are my boss's wife, I say I enjoy my work the most.

But aren't all office workers like this now?

I don't have many chances to meet people of the opposite sex.

Oh, this is to make up for the other day...

Your tie! You got it dirty, remember?

Oh, no! I can't take that!

No, really! And Risa was so rude, never showing up...

No, I mean it..

I'm really sorry.

Oh, my! My skin feels like new again!

Is that so?

How much does it cost to join this place?

I'm on my feet all day! When I'm done, my feet ache so!

Shall I be a little gentler?

Really give 'em a workout!

How many people come here every day. Ow!!

Madam? Madam?

I'm sorry... I just felt so good! I was up early this morning.

Is this nice for a change?

It was like Heaven! And it was free!

Thanks to Mayumi.

Well, I guess so.

Well...

Did it make me look a little younger?

Oh, for Heavens sake!

You're already beautiful!

No, I'm not! Nowadays whenever I look in the mirror,

I think I look one day older...

That's not true!

Nobody would believe you have a 22-year-old daughter!

But I look at Risa and I'm so envious!

Her skin is so lovely! Even when she's out all night,

you can't see it in her face!

Of course not! You can't compare yourself to Risa!

It'd be weird if you did look like she does.

But sometimes it feels like my daughter

is sucking the youth out of me.

With each new wrinkle, Risa gets prettier.

Good grief! You sound like a horror movie!

But I know what you mean!

When I look at Momo's baby cheeks,

sometimes, it feels like she's sucking the freshness out of me.

Doesn't it!

Youth is astonishing.

But no one realizes that when they are young. It's only natural.

True... you don't realize you're young, and you fall in love...

And get married...

And become a mother...

And one day you suddenly see how heavy is the passage of time.

Come on! And here we were feeling so good!

I'm set to meet with that man on Sunday.

But I believe the words you told me the other day.

When can I see you? R

Oh, I feel so good!

And we're all so pretty!

True!

I wonder if something romantic will happen?

Romantic?

Like, some handsome man tries to pick you up!

Someone like Tamura Masakazu!

Get real! You're dreaming, girl. Right?

I'm just speaking hypothetically! Just wishing...

Madam...!

Yes?

Oh no!

What is it?

Your zipper's open.

Oh no! Quick, help me!

I need some tea to pull myself back together!

But I have to go or my kids will beat me home.

Mayumi?

I've got a meeting with the union people.

Everyone's so busy! Well, I guess I'll go shopping.

If you're going to the mall, I'll go! I'll shop for dinner.

Let's do it!

We really are like Cinderella...

Just as we're feeling...romantic... we get the mall!

- Like the pumpkin carriage! - That's true.

- Well, let's go. - See you!

Hello? It looks like I'm going to finish early today...

Oh?...Oh, that's right...

I understand.

Sorry about the other day.

Good-bye.

I'm set to meet with that man on Sunday.

But I believe the words you told me the other day.

When can I see you? R

Sir? The Division Chief wants you in Conference Room B.

All right. I'll go right away.

Do you want to delete it?

It has been deleted.

And it ends up a date with my daughter?

You surprised me! They just said you were downstairs!

But I was feeling so good! I didn't want to just go home.

Yuko was going to go shopping with me,

but it made me sad somehow.

You and Yuko are pretty close, aren't you?

Yeah, we get along really well.

What's she like?

Well...

Huh? Have you never met her?

No.

Well, she's a darling woman. A really terrific woman!

Otherwise, how could I be friends with her?

I'm so glad about Mr. Sawamura.

It's true!

It's hard to believe there are men like him around anymore!

Since Papa introduced him,

I thought he'd be just awful,

but he's very serious and down to earth.

but a nice man, too!

- How can I express it..? - Fresh as an autumn breeze?

- I heard it how many times already! - Is that so?

Mama? Why did you marry Papa?

Eh?

Did you feel some conviction that he was the one for you?

Me? I wasn't thinking anything.

What's wrong? You're looking so serious.

No, nothing.

Listen, your father and I aren't doing this

so you'll get married soon.

We just thought, if you were going to date,

it'd be nice if it were someone we could trust. That's all.

I know that.

If you're coming home for dinner, you should call me!

Anything is fine, even just tea and rice.

Say!

What do you think of these? I found this on the Ginza today.

Ginza? What we're you doing on the Ginza?

I told you, Mayumi was taking us to a beauty spa!

What beauty spa?

You really never listen, do you?!

I still like the other better.

And I like the man who owns it. He has his own studio,

and makes his own products.

- Oh, yeah? - Huh?

Is there something you don't like a out that shop?

Not really.

No?

No.

He said we could work something out about the cost.

Papa! Let's take our baths now!

- Okay, shall we? - Let's go!

- Let's go! Let's go! - Yes, let's go.

Papa! Do you remember what you promised about Sunday?

Sunday? Ah! Taking you fishing on the Tama River?

- I remember! - I'm glad! You did remember!

But to get that, you have to stay in until you count 30.

Yes!

One, two, three, four, five, six, se...

I'm home!

I'm home!

Hello!

I love you!

Your beautiful eyes, your glowing skin...all of you!

I can't let you go!

Ichiro!

Forgive me for everything!

There's nothing to forgive.

I've finally truly realized

that you are the only one I will ever love.

Everything has been my fault.

So...

Let's get married!

Married? But we are...

Well? Did it move you?

Huh?

Maybe I overdid it, I should've had a lighter touch, maybe.

What are you talking about?

My agent called. I've got an audition for the Art Box.

You mean it?!

And it's Sunday! There's no time at all!

Oh, I've made you some oden for supper.

Itchan...I'm so happy for you.

You haven't been on the stage for ages!

What are you saying?

I haven't gotten the part yet, but I will, of course.

Hey.

What is it?

Do it again.

- Do what? - Those lines you just read!

And you can ease me to the floor, too.

Oh, don't be silly!

Yes?

Yu-chan?

It's me: Reiko! Were you awake?

Whatever is wrong?

Well, I got this starry-eyed e-mail.

Ms. Reiko, thank you for your e-mail. To tell the truth, today I got a call from a person I used to know. When I joined the company, I consulted with you a lot. I had a long distance relationship with him at the time. It's been a while since a man called me.

You read it?

I read it. What are you so concerned about?

You know! I never expected to run into him.

How long has it been?

More than ten years.

A reunion of fate!

If you're going to laugh at me, I'm hanging up.

I'm not laughing at you.

Did your heart go pitty-pat when your old lover called?

No, it didn't.

Liar. It's because it did that you wrote me this e-mail!

It's been a while since a man called me.

No, that's not it!

What are you going to do about the table?

My husband...Ryohei, really likes that table.

Well, then. You're buying it.

Why say that?

I finished my work for today. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Bye!

Your husband looks like the forceful type.

Once he wants something he goes out and gets it.

That's him to a T.

I can tell just by watching him work.

And his marriage to you was the same.

Do you still have feelings for this guy?

No way! I'm the mother of two children now!

That's got nothing to do with it!

Men do it all the time!

Fall in love even when they have a wife and kids.

You still awake?

Yes.

Who were you talking to?

Reiko.

Yeah? That's unusual.

Since I saw her, we've been e-mail buddies.

- Honey. - Yes?

Do you like it so much?

What?

The table.

Yeah.

What shall we do with the old one. Throw it away?

Why not? We've gotten enough use out of it.

What's bothering you about this?

Nothing's bothering me.

Anyway, we'll look at the design and then decide.

Okay.

Can I turn this out?

Honey?

What?

Since we got married, have you fallen in love with anyone?

Of course I haven't!

Reiko says the strangest things!

Like what?

That even men with wives and kids fall in love all the time.

She's watching too many soap operas.

But isn't it strange?

Until we marry, we fall in love with people, right?

But then, after marriage, suddenly that's not allowed.

You have lots of people you're in love with.

Eh?

Like Brad Pitt and Kevin Costner.

And Andy Garcia!

Hey?

Wanna join me?

Please let Itchan get the part!

Hello!

Oh, no!

So? He's got an audition today?!

Well, it's not that big a deal.

Right! She's been in a tizzy all morning!

Thank you very much!

So we suggested she go offer a prayer!

She really loves her husband.

Oh, stop! Like you're not worked up about your daughter's date!

I am not!

If you're so excited, you should go with her!

I could say the exact same thing to you!

Well, I hope he gets it.

Then we can all go see him on stage!

- Yes, let's! - Oh, you don't have to!

We'll send flowers! "To Aida Ichiro from Salon de Lutin!"

When you write "to," you use that letter in "Edo."

That's right.

No, that's not right.

Isn't that it? You use that, don't you?

- No! - No? You use that letter, right?

I don't mean that! Not Aida Ichiro. That's his real name.

He's got a stage name?!

I've never seen him, so I didn't know!

What is it?!

Never mind! You don't need to know.

Come on! Tell us!

Well, it's...Oyabu.

Oyabu?

Joji.

Well, rather delicate, isn't it?!

What are you laughing for?! It's a stage name, so who cares?!

I think it's a fine name.

Itchan!

That was pretty quick.

How did it go?

Well, into each life some rain must fall.

My mother is driving me nuts!! She can't stop talking about you.

Yeah?

She keeps saying 'You'll regret it if you don't meet him!'

I didn't think I'd get to meet and talk to you.

Why?

Huh? Well, you're still just 22, right?

No matter how much your parents want it,

you're not going to be thinking of marriage.

You want to have lots of love affairs,

and probably you already have someone you love.

So I thought for sure you'd turn me down.

Miss Risa?

What's wrong? Did I say something that hurt you?

No, that's not it... I'm sorry.

Liar! You promised us!!

You promised us!

Don't be so selfish! You papa has to work!

But we were looking forward to it!

I'm sorry.

Hurry and go or you'll be late.

Bye! I'm sorry!

- Cheater! - You promised!

Careful on the way!

Enough of that! He can take you some other time.

But he promised!

What on earth is all this noise?!

Papa promised to take them fishing on the Tama River,

but he suddenly got called in to work.

Well, he can't help that!

Well! How about if we have Grampa take you?!

Really?!

The goal: 10.000 steps!

Let's go!

- Yes, let's go. - Thank you so much!

- Watch the house for us! - Yes.

Kenta! You obey your grandmother, now!

- Yes! Bye! - Bye!

Grandpa, we've taken a few steps now!

Hey! We just started walking!

Hello, the Konishis.

Sorry to disturb you on a Sunday.

I'm Tanaka, from your husband's section.

We appreciate your good work.

Is the Section Chief there?

My husband has left already.

Huh? For the office?

Yes.

He said he was going to the office?

Yes, he said something urgent came up.

In that case, that's fine. I'll call his cell phone.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

What's going on today?

Hello, the Konishis.

This is Shima.

Ah...hello.

Is your husband home?

I've finished the plan he asked for.

My husband is at work today.

Oh...if possible, I'd like someone to pick it up today.

I'm leaving for my studio tomorrow.

Oh... Well, I'll call my husband and ask him.

Hello, Papa? Where on earth are you?

Mr. Tanaka from work called. Yes... Okay.

The table plan is ready. Can you go get it?

Eh? Me?!

What on earth am I doing..?

I'm sorry. My office called suddenly.

I understand. I'm sorry I called you, too.

Are you all right?

I wanted to see you!

It should be okay. Please call the factory.

Welcome!

I've designed it to match the floor plans your husband gave me

For instance, a 2000mm by 1050mm table, placed like this,

with six chairs. Or with a bench seating four.

Yes.

Or, place a lower height table in the center of the room,

and add chairs that could double as a living room set.

I see.

Why don't you and your husband talk it over?

Thank you very much.

- Want some coffee? - Yes.

It's rough having to work on Sundays.

Eh?

Your husband.

Well... but you're working here today.

Isn't that terrific?! You owning a shop!

Finally! I've finally made it just this far.

That time before, when I heard you were going to Hokkaido,

I was dumbfounded.

You quit college, too.

Have you been well?

Yes.

And you?

Yes, as you see!

Sometimes I would think about how you were getting along.

Me?

Yes.

What did you think I had become?

Well, one... I thought you'd become a career woman in trading.

Another was that you'd go overseas and live like a queen!

That's a good one!

And finally; maybe you'd be a UNICEF volunteer!

Me?!

So when I saw you the other day, I was astonished.

Why?

Of those assumptions, none of them saw you getting married,

and having kids.

But you look very happy.

Well, I was surprised, too.

I never thought I'd be a stay-at-home housewife with two kids.

But I like my life now.

It's expensive to eat at a hotel like this!

Don't be so stingy! It's all right once in a while!

Oh, that looks wonderful!

If you bought this at the market, it'd be only 700!

Oh, stop! You sound like a housewife.

Well, that's what I am.

All I do is wait for you to come home, cook, clean...

That's all I'm good for.

Come on! You lost one part and now you're really down.

You're usually proud of your cooking.

But just a line and a half. That's all they let me try!

When I asked later, they said I was too old.

Anyway let's forget all that depressing stuff and be romantic!

What romance?

You're like some dirty old man picking up a young girl!

Pick me up!

What are you talking about? We're married people.

But...

We haven't done what married people do in a long time.

Okay?

I'm so sorry. I'll just throw something together.

Don't worry. We were thinking about going out to eat.

Grampa's bushed.

Thank you so much for today.

Yuko, when is Ryohei due home?

He hasn't called.

What about his dinner?

I'm sure he'll eat at the office.

Eating out all the time, he won't get enough vegetables!

You should watch his diet. That's a wife's duty.

Yes.

- Mama! Some more fried noodles! - Yes!

I wonder if she'd have dinner tonight?

Hello, Papa? It's me! How have you been?

Risa? Yes... She went to meet Mr. Sawamura today.

She hasn't come home yet. You'd think she could call!

Papa, you know, recently Risa...

I bet she's back! But why would she ring the bell?

Maybe she brought Mr. Sawamura with her!

Bye, Papa! You come home, too, occasionally!

Hello?

Sorry to bother you at night. This is Sawamura.

- Hello! Is Risa..? - Um...

Is Risa home?

Yes?

I don't want to go home.

Dear Reiko: Today, I went to Mr. Shima's shop.

I didn't go because I was dying to see him. Not like before!

I went to pick up the plan my husband had him draw up.

But strangely enough, we were able to talk quite comfortably.

I think it's because he's accomplished what he hoped to.

How should I say it...? He seems very settled down.

But he did say one thing that gave me a pause...

Of those assumptions, none of them saw you getting married,

and having kids.

Just that one thing was sort of a shock.

What on earth is Papa doing?

What on earth are we doing?

Risa is just kicking us around!

I think Risa has someone she's in love with.

Eh?

Did she say that?

Well, not in so many words.

Then why?! Risa and I hide nothing from each other.

I know once when she was in school she had a boyfriend,

but since she got a job, she's...

But she suddenly started crying today.

What?

Sorry to keep you waiting!

Are we really spending the night here?

Sure! Why not?! We can pretend we're having an affair!

Oh, come on! You're embarrassing me!

Remember, a long time ago, when I got so drunk I couldn't move,

and you carried me on your back all the way

from Shimokita to Daita! You weren't embarrassed then!

- What's wrong? - Hmm?

Over there.

That girl...

What about her?