Original subtitles

Good-bye!

Good evening!

Good evening. Sure is cold.

Just the same?

Kuroi, the principal wants you.

He said to come right away.

The principal wants me, huh?

Will you wait for my manuscript a bit longer?

Yes.

The Principal?

Good luck.

Come in.

Mr. Kuroi, you're lucky.

You'll transfer to Yokogawa Junior High.

It's a good school.

Its principal requested you.

It's near your apartment.

A transfer? I decline the offer.

Have a seat.

I know how much you like this night school.

And your students like you. I'm very glad.

But personnel shifts

are necessary for education management.

It can cause problems if a veteran like you stay

at one place for over ten years.

Principal, they call me 'Old Fox, '

because I've been here so long.

I'd like to stay here as the Old Fox.

Unlike day students,

night students love their school,

they long for it.

Even years after graduation they come to visit.

They'll be disappointed

if there's no one they know.

I know.

I know well.

That's why I twice refused to transfer you...

to let you stay on as an exception.

I've done all I could.

But no more exceptions, I'm afraid.

Why not?

Night junior high schools. are exceptions, too.

It's a very humane system.

Why can't I stay here as an exception...

an oddball like me?

Why not let computers handle routines?

Exceptions make for

a truly humane educational system.

I didn't ask you here to listen to theories.

I have my way of thinking, too.

Right now I'm talking as a principal.

I see.

Anyway, I've told you what I must.

Thanks for coming.

A transfer?

Mrs. Tajima, I found an apartment.

You did? Good.

Where is it?

5 minutes from the station.

Yes.

A Class to Remeber

(Anyone can enroll)

(Tuition is practically free)

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Nice sweater, huh?

You've no other clothes?

My pay is too low.

Kim.

Midori.

Eriko.

Osamu.

Zhang Yun-Long.

Zhang Yun-Long.

I know.

It's not easy for me to pronounce Chinese.

But if in Japanese.

The pronunciation will be perfect.

And Kazu. Seems he's late as usual.

I got a postcard from Ino-san.

Read it later.

He sure wrote a lot.

I wonder how he is...

He says he'll come for graduation.

He already bought a new suit for me.

As I told you last week,

this evening I want you to write a composition.

(Write about memories)

(decisions, etc. At graduation)

Time flies. You'll soon leave here.

Sure is cold.

It may snow tonight.

Aren't you cold?

No. I've got two body wanners.

At Your hips?

Yes.

I'm Kim Jun-Hes, a Korean.

I've been in Japan a lung time. I was already 56

when I started in this school.

Writing was hard.

How's it going?

You can't write flower?

You learned it, eh?

I forget as soon as I remember things.

I can't do it.

I'm dumb.

I'm a fool.

I can't make it!

How can you be a fool?

You have Korean restaurant to run.

And you've raised three children.

You're no fool.

If I'd gone to school as a child,

I wouldn't be suffering like this now.

Don't cry.

Today you're tired. Take a rest.

Put down your pencil.

Prof. How do you write Nara?

Nara? The ancient capital of Japan?

Didn't I tell you during excursion?

It's like this.

This is your country's word, right?

Woorinara.

Meaning...?

My country.

Motherland.

Koreans who immigrated ten centuries ago

called the place Woorinara: Motherland.

It became Nara.

So... write it.

I was a punk. I was a real goof

I got high on winner.

I thought I 'd croak anytime.

I felt spunky.

Give me some soup.

Go away!

Don't throw it away.

Don't drink it all. Give some to me.

Save some for me.

A little bit.

Give me a little bit.

Midori!

You're Midori!

Wait! Excuse me.

Midori! Wait.

Midori! Wait.

Hey, where are you going?

I've been looking for you.

All right!

You even drank a stranger's noodle soup!

You that desperate?

Let go!

Hey, pay for your noodles and sake!

I will.

Were you trying to bilk?

Not at all.

Bilk? Say that again!

He's a teacher.

Why should he bilk? Ass!

Midori! Midori!

Eat vegetables.

If you don't get enough greens,

your blood will get thick.

Blood should be red and flow smoothly.

You must eat both green vegetables

and yellow vegetables,

like carrots and pumpkin.

It's ready.

It's hot! Hot!

Well? Looks good, huh?

You're hungry. Eat.

If so, I come to school?

I don't make any deals.

Whether you go to school is up to you.

We instruct students who want to study.

That's school.

If you really want to study, come.

You yourself decided to come to school, right?

Remember that time?

Eat while it's hot.

Good?

I'll take you home on a motorcycle later.

No?

The“! What?

I'll stay here.

You can't do that.

It'd be fine if you were a boy,

or I were married.

You're pretty and already twenty, and...

I'm still single.

We're a student and teacher, at that.

We must be careful about

what others might think.

Your dad's alcoholic,

you don't want to go home.

But you can't stay here all night.

Try to understand.

What now?

I'll go, if that pleases you.

I didn't say that.

Goodbye!

I'll kill myself.

Hey, wait.

Midori!

Hey, wait, Midori!

Goodbye!

Don't be a fool!

Thanks, teacher.

I found her at last and took her to my place.

She looked haggard from thinner.

I gave her some food.

Who's this 'her'?

Oh, sorry. Midori.

Midori? She's here.

Where?

In class.

Tell me sooner!

Hey!

Hi, stupid.

Stop! What a girl!

I phoned your place.

Your dad said you hadn't come home.

I was wonted.

Worried?

Of course!

If you were a boy,

I'd slap you.

I was so wonted!

Hi! What?

Your hair got thinner.

It's your fault.

This part': Midori.

This, Kazu.

This, Ino-san.

You guys are making me bald.

What? Never mind.

Don't move.

Prof... Listen...

After secondary

I'll go to a beauty school.

Good idea.

When I'll become a beautician

I'll cut your hair.

Thanks.

I can save on haircuts.

Pain.

Pain!

How are you.

Here?

So you're all here?

Composition? Are you serious?

I had a bad hunch.

I should've skipped class.

I was a punk.

I carried rice plants all clay.

It wore me out.

Still, when I walked toward the sunset,

the evening sunshine soaked into me.

It sort of tickled me.

I wanted to keep walking.

It seemed like my house was in the setting sun.

The evening sunshine soaked into me...

Can you tell what the writer tried to say?

After working all day,

he went home, exhausted.

You know how he felt, eh?

The scarlet evening sun softly embraced him.

It consoled him, as if to say,

Thanks for working hard.

What he felt then is expressed.

In the sentence, 'It sort of tickled me.'

Compared with poems

like this-you know-

the usual poems.

About the fragrance of flowers,

and birds chirping...

I mean, poems that only praise things are boring-

Kazu!

Lay off the gum

when I'm teaching!

It's to stay awake.

Others study even though sleepy.

Ino-san here, he's sleeping.

He's as old as your dad.

You're young.

I may be young:

but I work like a dog.

It's not an easy job like yours.

You mean to say that I don't work hard?

Yeah. All you do is talk.

Mine is physical labor.

I went to night school,

too-college.

During the day I worked at a foundry, see?

You talk big!

What's that?!

Tl'? my work.

I will!

You sure?

Ok, when?

Cut the crap!

We didn't come to watch you fight.

Let's get back to studying. Studying!

You awake?

Yeah. I'm writing.

Awake?

I'm doing it.

Where were we?

Do you remember?

The fragrance of flowers.

And birds chirping.

Right. True poems shouldn't treat

only nonsense like the fragrance of flowers

or breezes in May.

I feel all washed out.

What a shame!

I sat up all night preparing for this class.

Hard, wasn't it?

Kazu! It's your fault!

Islams drink coffee?

Sure. It's okay.

Kazu!

What brings you?

What else?

I said I'd try your work, so now I will.

Did you take me seriously?

Of course. And I plan to do as said.

What a man!

Tell your boss to hire me for one day.

I appreciate how you feel, but...

Where's your boss?

It's enough.

I'll do it.

You can't.

It'd blow up!

We're carrying thinner.

See the 'No Smoking' sign?

Yeah. Sony.

I'm sorry.

Can you speak English?

Do it again.

This sure is tough.

Bring the wax, okay?

You're mean!

I'm doing the hard part.

You're using a machine,

it's easy work.

Think it's easy to handle?

Just guide it.

Then try.

We'll trade places.

The switch?

Be careful with it.

It's easy, huh?

Bravo!

It's simple.

Clean this part more carefully.

Watch out!

What are you doing?

Tum off.

Tum it off.

Be careful.

Have some tea.

Eat quick.

We'll be too busy to eat later.

Seems he's tired.

He doesn't know the routine yet.

Hurry!

Something': sticking to the floor.

Remove it, too.

How noisy!

My son's studying.

Do it quietly.

Sorry.

Stand up.

You have classes to teach.

Classes? This is hell.

I wish I could go home and sleep.

What's that?

Your students are waiting!

My name is Zhang Yun-Long.

I came from Ji Lin Province in China to Japan 5 years ago.

My mother is Japanese.

My father is Chinese.

I must lead a hard life in Japan.

My night school teachers are very kind.

He lacks cooperation.

Lacks cooperation.

He takes days off when we're busy.

He keeps griping about his pay.

So the other workers hate him.

They don't want to work with him.

I hired him for Japan-China friendship': sake.

I would like to keep going.

But my patience ran out, so I fired him.

Mitsuru, the steering wheel's here!

Zhang Yun-Long.

Your friend.

Thank you.

Mrs. Tajima!

This company seems good,

it's near your place.

You've worked for cleaners.

It's OK.

Any kind of work will do so long as

I can work by myself,

not with others.

Is he Chinese? Very well.

You're his graduator?

No problem there.

Thank you.

To the office.

Your name's Zhang?

You speak Japanese?

What's the pay?

As stated in our ad,

800 yen an hour to start.

You'll get more after you learn to work.

Other companies pay more.

Your business bad?

Well, it's not good.

So we can't pay more.

Didn't you say 800 yen an hour is okay?

Let me handle it.

I got 850 before.

You keep saying that.

May we talk?

I'm amazed.

He already asked about the pay!

Sorry-

Let's forget about this.

I feel sorry for you.

I'm not saying to get down on your knees and beg.

He was trying to be kind.

You must respond to his kindness.

Why did you ask if

his business is bad?

Take it easy.

A friend of my father

will pay me 1000 an hour.

Why must you keep talking about money?

You can't be like that forever.

What you must do first is

master a technique.

Isn't that why you come?

Am I Wrong?

I'm telling you to endure things.

Endure?

Why must I endure?

I'm not to blame. It's Japan's fault!

Why?

Japanese people respect Americans.

But they despise us Chinese.

When I was small, because my mom's Japanese,

Chinese people hit me,

kicked me and abused me.

Mom said, 'We'll go home to Japan, then we'll be happy.'

I believed her and came.

But everything was a lie.

I speak Chinese.

Japanese people despise me.

I shouldn't have come to Japan.

Japan's awful.

I hate it!

I hate the Japanese!

You mustn't say that.

Why mustn't I?

Zhang, listen carefully.

You're half Japanese.

If you hate the Japanese,

you're hating yourself.

You have the blood of wonderful Japanese

and great Chinese.

Be proud of it.

I know how you feel very well.

But you must live in this country from now on.

You know how I feel?

I don't think so.

You'll never understand!

Mrs. Tajima...

There's nothing I can do for you.

A"! You saying that?

It's too much.

During home room today,

will you discuss the graduation party?

Yes, I will.

Will you listen?

Have a suggestion.

Why not make it a cheerful graduation party?

Students usually end

by hugging each other and crying.

I don't like it.

Crying can't settle anything.

You'll move into a world

where fools act big just because

they're university graduates.

You must live despite prejudice and segregation.

This is no time to weep over goodbyes.

You mustn't be so weak.

What's funny?

Mr. Kuroi,

You're crying.

It is? Wipe it.

Thanks.

You're always the first to start crying.

Yes.

You made a scene last year.

What did I do?

You forgot?

You hugged Mituso and cried loudly.

There are a rumor.

What?

We thought that you might be homosexual.

That it's why you never married.

Enough.

Get back to your composition.

Life is long.

We considered it nothing to repeat

just one year of school.

So we let her stay one more year there.

But she went to school only on the first day.

Her friends came for her

almost every day.

One day, two teachers

all but forced her to get in their car to go to school.

But she soon came home, crying.

I wonder why she became like this.

She used to like school.

She was a good, kind girl.

I wonder why this happened to her.

In the end, she didn't go to school at all the whole year.

All I could do was cry.

My husband got drunk every night.

This may sound exaggerated,

but we thought of killing ourselves.

We thought so many times.

Any school will do...

if only she goes to it.

So we came to this one, as a last resort.

Good evening.

Hey, Tsutomu, are you drunk?

Can you tell?

Sure.

I drank at a ground-breaking ceremony.

Couldn't help it?

Better get sober first.

Your breath will disturb us.

Eriko, how did you find out

about this school?

She saw it on some midnight TV show.

Didn't you?

Please, if you don't mind

I'm asking Eriko.

Sorry-

Keep still.

Did you want to come here on your own?

Yes.

It's all right then.

She came of her own free will.

That's OK.

Everybody think about it, Yellow balloon?

Traffic is...

Traffic is...

convenience.

convenience.

Shopping and traffic is convenience.

Shopping and traffic is convenience.

Please say it.

But there's different questions.

Right?

Please read after me.

Price are expensive.

Price are expensive.

How about wages?

Very low.

Yes, very low.

Wages are very low.

Wages are very low.

Be careful.

Good.

Give it to me.

Good.

Will you serve?

Do your best!

Serve it well!

Be careful.

Well done.

Do it again!

Why not just relax and go?

You can make it.

Will you, Eriko?

Yes, I will.

You sure? Will you promise me?

Eriko says she'll go to that school!

A t heart I really felt sorry fur my parents.

But all I could do was daffy them.

Mum was crying as I refused to go to school.

I remember it well.

Hi, Eriko!

How come you're carrying an umbrella?

Mom told me to.

You're still obedient to your mom?

Go away!

Go away?

I'll take you home, okay?

Keep away!

Don't worry.

You're so pretty;

I want to keep looking at you.

Yokohama.

What?

Bay Bridge, the new showplace.

Please.

Orange juice okay?

You like Coke better, huh?

This is fine.

Eat this while it's hot.

No, not that way.

You'll drop it.

Do like this, then eat.

You're a pro.

About fast food...

beef bowls, noodles... leave it to me.

Elbows like this.

Like this?

Good?

Look what you've done!

Will you lend me a rag?

Hold your pop more firmly.

Sorry, my tum.

Ryota!

Mrs. Tajima!

Your mom shouldn't yell like that.

Your son?

Yes.

Hi!

Hello.

You startled me. You dating?

That's about it.

You alone with your son?

A dreary sight.

Why not find someone to many?

Not so loud!

You spilled your pop?

I'll get you another.

That's nice.

It's dangerous.

He your friend now?

He's good guy.

Somehow! can't talk with him well.

Give me another sheet.

Have you got so much to write about?

I have three sentences only.

Yes, about you.

Cute liar.

You keep blabbing so much,

you've nothing left to write.

Your head's empty.

Eriko rarely talks,

so she has plenty to write about.

Don't blame me if

you cry while reading mine.

It'll be that impressive.

Who'd cry reading your composition?

Quiet, will you?

We did it!

We made it!

What's the rent for this per day?

Never mind about money.

Usually 30000 yen a day.

But we're friends, so...

Shut up!

Pain.

$0 good!

You went too far.

The sea!

It's great!

Give me the thing to put air in it.

What?

The air pump.

It goes with the boat.

Not that.

The one you move with your feet.

No?

Without an air pump, it's just a rubber sheet!

Why didn't you make sure? Ass!

Don't blame him.

Let's blow air into it.

Blow? How?

It's not like water wings.

What a stupid kid!

Don't pick on him.

He's crying.

I'm winded!

I can't see.

Midori, you do it.

No.

It's slick with your saliva.

I'll do it.

It's icky.

You Okay?

It's enough.

What's the idea?

Let it go! Let go!

To keep you awake.

Thanks.

I invited you, but it wasn't fun.

The sea wasn't much. Were you bored?

No. I enjoyed it a lot.

Enjoyed what?

We made a sand castle.

It was fun.

Was that fun for you?

It's not bad to act like fools once in a while.

I'm a fool all the time.

Thanks. Take care going home.

Won't open? I'll do it.

No!

I'm sorry.

I went too far.

Don't cry. Please stop. I'm sorry.

Why not use the nose-hair cutter

We give you?

Yes.

I have it with me.

Day before yesterday I put it in too far.

I cut a vein,

I cut a vein, blood poured out. I was scared.

Oh, sorry.

Still here?

To play the piano.

It's late. Let's go home.

How's that?

Did you talk with your mom about high school?

She still wants you

to go to a regular high school?

She says night school is a shame for our family.

But I'll work during the day

and go to a night high school.

Do whatever you think best.

How about your father? He busy as usual?

He doesn't live with us.

What?

My mom and dad have already applied for a divorce.

I knew it'd happen someday.

I see.

You're having a hard time.

I may be having a hard time.

But if my parents

stay together only for my sake,

it'll go even harder on me.

Why don't we get some noodles?

I'm hungry-

Let's go.

Go, go, Atom, so long as your jet lasts.

Such a kind-hearted child of science.

Iron-arm Atom, you have 100000 horsepower...

Class is over.

What's on your mind?

Something': wrong with you.

I was praising myself.

Thanks to me, you can all graduate.

Finished?

Not yet.

Then why not bring it next week?

Let's eat.

Enough.

What did he say?

Pour some water, please.

What a boy!

Please.

It's gone.

Eat this. Go ahead.

From Yamagata?

Are you Ino-san': aunt? Hello?

What? Hold the phone,

I'll call Kuroi.

Tell Mr. Kuroi he has a telephone call.

Hurry!

Mr. Kuroi?

I'm Sachio Inoda's aunt.

Listen, it's about him actually...

Thanks for helping him.

He suddenly got worse this evening...

and passed away.

Thank you and his teachers for all you did for him.

We'll hold his funeral tomorrow, though a small one.

No, thank you. Please don't bother about that.

Please thank everyone for me.

I'm in a hurry. Goodbye.

About his funeral...

It's already late.

Go by car?

A train': faster.

It snows there.

I'll go tomorrow morning. Anyone else?

I'll go. He was kind to me.

We'll wire our condolences.

It was so sudden.

Let me do the next class.

I'll make it a home room.

Thanks.

Just drink.

No need.

W“? You?

It's an English class.

He's lost.

Home room. I asked Mrs. Tajima.

How come?

Actually, I came bearing sad news.

Ino-san passed away this evening.

Why?

He said he'd be back

to attend graduation.

Why so sudden?

I didn't tell you this:

He was seriously ill.

Knew he'd die?

I wished he could attend graduation, but...

Why didn't you tell us the truth?

We're his friends.

We could've gone to comfort him.

How low of you!

I'm sorry. Kazu': right.

I'm really sorry, everyone.

Poor man!

I know how he wanted to attend graduation.

So, we'll use this period to talk about him,

and pray for him.

First, a silent prayer.

Let's pray.

Yes.

The medicine didn't work.

The medicine didn't work.

The medicine...

didn't work.

The medicine didn't work.

That's enough.

Sachio Inoda.

One day...

Ino-san told me about his childhood.

It was unusual.

His father left home and his blind mother

fell ill when he was ready for grade school.

He went to school, taking his kid sister with him.

Even during class he worried about his sister.

And she often cried, missing him.

His teachers were annoyed,

the kids taunted him.

Yet he somehow put up with it.

During summer vacation when he was in third grade,

his sister fell in a deep river and drowned.

He felt as if it were his fault.

It tortured him.

Finally he left home.

I can't even imagine how he lived after that.

When he was 20 he came to Tokyo.

He did odd jobs.

He collected swill for pigs, washed dishes

at a lunch delivery shop-work like that.

After doing that for years,

he found steady work at a knitting mill

he was over 50.

He was so happy

he tried to phone his mother back home.

But she'd been killed

in an accident a week earlier.

Because she was blind,

she didn't know a car

was moving backward.

Ino-san kept crying all night.

Then he remembered that

his mother always said to study hard.

Or he couldn't be a great man.

So he decided to go to school.

But he was illiterate.

Imagine how hard he tried to get to this school.

You know.

One Sunday in spring,

Ino-san went to View cherry blossoms.

Then he met a young doctor

at a station.

Ino-san sensed that he knew many things.

Young man, I have a question.

Is there a school to teach a man like me?

I want to learn to write.

I work during the day,

so I'll study at night. Any ideas?

I'm in the dark.

You look intelligent,

so I'm asking you.

Doctor...

We'll talk later.

Will you wait? Here, all right?

He was a kind person.

He found this school

and came with Ino-san.

It seemed Ino-san

had got drunk on his way.

His red face.

You were lucky to meet him.

He's tight, eh?

Sony. I told him not to drink.

But he said sake fortifies him.

Afraid of coming here?

It's not easy for a man

who couldn't finish

junior high school to start over.

I guess.

He shouldn't have drunk, though.

And... will you enroll him?

Sure.

This school is for people like him.

He can't write.

No problem.

If you're willing,

you can learn to read and write, and graduate.

The form...

Is this such a school?

I know.

He's wonted about the cost.

What's the tuition?

All but free. The Constitution grants compulsory education

free of charge.

Understand?

I'm glad for you.

A new student.

Good evening.

Good evening.

It all became a fond memory.

When Ino-san enrolled, he was all mixed up.

Ino-san, you can read this, can't you?

Milk. I can read that much.

Right.

Then write it in the block form.

Why not?

I can't do it.

You've learned the block form.

Show me.

You already wrote it here, didn't you?

Why not write it now?

Don't embarrass me I'm not of elite lineage.

What's lineage to this?

No one would have trouble reading what you wrote.

He can read the racing forms.

Horses' names are printed in block form.

Thoroughbred.

You can read complicated words like

probable winners.

Shut up! Just study.

(Oguri Cap)

Write it in block form here.

Hing on!

You see? You did it.

Can I tell you about this horse now?

Sure.

On December 23, 1990

the 35th Arima Memorial Race held.

The horses are in line. The gates open.

Sixteen thoroughbred: go!

They gallop around the first and second tums.

Oguri Cap is running sixth.

Osaichi George is in the lead, but slows down.

The third tum... the fourth...

Now it's the homestretch!

Go, Oguri Cup! He's running hard!

The jockey whips him!

Oguri Cap runs faster.

Go, go Oguri Cap!

He's had bad luck. He's a great horse,

but hasn't run in first-rate races.

How fast! It's like the other nags had stopped.

Oguri Cap is passing them all.

Go, Oguri Cap!

Now's your chance!

Go! Go!

You did it!

You beat them all!

Oguri Cap.

Bye.

Bye.

Are you still studying?

Multiplication?

I'm dumb, so...

Show me.

5 times 6 is 30.

2 times 5 is 10.

Next...

6 times 6 is...

Put this 6 under this 3.

Yeah! I forgot.

5 plus 3?

NINE.

5 Plus 1?

6. I move this 1 straight down.

You did it!

Bright teacher!

Study, and you can do it.

Seeing these figures,

I think of something else.

Like what?

6 and 6 remind me of how much I won.

Last year I bought a 6-6 combination.

It brought 13050 yen.

The races?

At the 1991 Argentine Jockey': Cup

it was a 3 and 3 combination.

I knew would make it, but I didn't but the combination

I'm surprised you remember so well.

You're bright.

'Cause I love it.

Love arithmetic too.

It's your theory.

6 times 6 equals... what, I wonder.

Two 6s?

It'll bring 13050 yen.

You're sure bright.

You beat me.

How's your son?

He's so defiant, he never obeys me.

He's stupid.

Sometimes I wonder if he's really my child.

It's my fault.

We seldom stay together. I spoiled him.

What's wrong with spoiling him?

He's your son,

love him as much as you can.

Think so?

And don't tell him stupid.

From your stock,

he can't be stupid. He'll run fast.

Oh, I mistook him for a horse. I'm the stupe. Sorry.

Inn-san liked Mrs. Tajima.

He thought nobody knew,

thought nobody knew, but actually everyone did

Good evening.

What's that?

My boss said to give this to my teachers.

What's your favorite color?

Color?

Say, your shirt.

Pink?! like it.

Great!

Wonderful!

What?

Wait.

Good. I have one for you.

I put in the rubber cord.

The size okay? It's written here in English.

A curved line in English...

S, you mean?

Are they ours?

Sure. And they're all brand new.

A large-size one for Mr. Kuroi. Pick whatever you like.

Thanks.

Purple ones too.

Ino-san had a dream to get driver's license.

His job was to pull a cart loaded

with a mountain of knitted wear... at his age!

Kim.

Thanks for this card.

You got it?

Sure. Let me read it.

Dear Mr. Kuroi. Good evening.

I like going to night school.

Please continue teaching me. Goodbye.

It's the first postcard she ever wrote.

No problem reaching me.

Thanks...

A mailman you'd never met read it

and delivered it to me.

Maybe it wasn't easy to read.

I disagree.

Delivery of this postcard.

Proves that your writing is perfectly legible.

Have confidence. You'll improve more.

By "18 Way!

I didn't get a card from Ino-san or Kazu.

Why not write one?

I think your writing

is as good as Kim's.

Kazu, it's your homework!

Write about what?

Whatever you like.

What can I write to you,

when we meet every day?

What a guv!

Listen...

writing and talking are two different things.

You can write things you wouldn't talk about, like,

I speak to you so audaciously,

but I really respect you.

So please never forsake me, and be kind to me.

Write it, I'll be deeply impressed.

You nuts? Who'd think that way? What a laugh!

He's teaching us something important.

I see.

Letters are to say stuff you can't talk about.

You can talk about business on the phone.

For example,

Pay back the money!

But sometimes it's not easy.

To talk about how you feel.

Right.

Try to write about it.

That's what 'writing' means.

You write how you feel,

others read and understand it.

When you can do it,

you've mastered Japanese.

I'll try. I'll write it.

You can do it.

Your card

will be delivered like mine.

I doubt it. I did something wrong.

What?

I fought with a mailman last year.

I punched him.

He hates me.

I don't think he'd deliver my postcard.

No way.

It's funny!

What? What's funny?

Here's your lover.

Yes?

I'll write a card as homework.

Can I send it to you?

Oh, thank you.

Then, will you give me...?

My address? Sure.

Maybe it won't get to you, though.

It will. Don't worry.

Teacher, bye.

Bye.

Fish, fish.

Today is hot.

Sony...

Excuse me.

Hello?

Oh, it's you.

Sony to come suddenly.

Come in.

Glad you're home.

What brings you?

Eating lunch?

No, I'm through. Hot, isn't it?

Got a cold watermelon?

Sure.

Then will you bring me a half?

Okay.

The grocer': my landlord, too. A real oddball.

Suits this place.

His kind is a rarity now.

I'm in a fix.

In what way?

Ino-san sent me a postcard he'd written.

Will you read it?

Dear Mrs. Tajima, do me a favor.

Will you many me?

Then I can study every night to get me a good head.

Kindly many me.

He wrote this? Some guy!

I don't think you should take him seriously.

This often happens.

Boys fall for cute teachers like you.

It's nothing like that.

I act strictly toward young boys in my class.

But Ino-san': as old as my father.

So I speak with him too causally.

So I suppose I'm to blame.

I feel sorry for him.

What do you think I should do?

Talk to him directly?

That's not necessary.

Just ignore it. He'll get the point.

I can't do that.

Shall I talk to him then?

A man-to-man talk.

Talk like what?

I'll say to give up.

He'll have other chances.

Then what?

We'll drink together. Can't help it.

Sometimes-no-often guys are disappointed in love.

I know that.

Maybe this isn't his first time.

He'll live.

Forget this, all right?

Thirsty? The watermelon's coming.

Mr. Kuroi...

I've lost my confidence as a teacher.

No one's really confident.

In your class,

you and your students are one.

You breathe together.

You laugh,

and the next moment you're serious.

I wonder when I'll ever be able to teach that way.

Aren't you trying to put teachers in a kind of mold?

Be more frank, if you want to teach well.

What students like

is a teacher's humaneness.

Night students have a heavier burden in life than us.

How can we teach and guide them in our school?

What's wrong?

You're right.

I guess I'm conceited after all.

It's nothing to cry about.

What a mess!

Maybe I'm the one who talked in a conceited way.

No, what a mess!

Oh, thanks. Thank you.

I'm afraid it's not too cold.

It's fine. A good watermelon. Thank you.

Thanks, goodbye.

Were you surprised?

He's a nice guy, but a bit meddlesome.

Maybe he isn't too busy.

Ma, what a sight!

Mr. Kuroi's making a young lady cry.

When people do something odd, it rains, huh?

You want to talk with Ino-san?

Snap I! "P-

Talk before he gets too soused.

I know. I'll talk.

Some rain, huh?

The race might be called off.

He says he has something to tell you.

I'll do as you say about anything else, but

not about the races. Sony.

I gave up on your races long ago.

Then it's something else?

That's good.

Have more, Prof.

Thanks.

Don't get mad. Just listen.

I won't get mad

whatever you say.

Promise?

Sure thing.

Hey! Wasn't it delivered... my postcard?

Yes. Mrs. Tajima got it all right.

It's postmarked.

It did? It was really delivered?

Your writing passed the test.

I'm glad the postal guys could read it.

Drink more.

It took me a week to write it.

I was so shy.

It's embarrassing to write how you feel, huh?

It's strange.

What is?

I sent it to Mrs. Tajima.

That's the point.

As a matter of fact, she gave it to me.

Why did she do that?

Can't you guess?

You know life, don't you?

She's a serious woman.

She didn't know how to respond to you.

She came to me for advice.

She isn't clever enough to answer you in a joking way.

What are you trying to say?

That I'm here to answer you in her place.

Tum me down?

Yes. Don't get mad. You promised not to.

So that's the story? Tell me more directly.

Then, I'll give her up, like a man should.

You understand? Let's drink.

I'll drink with you.

Beer? How many?

Two.

How's it going with the races?

Horses running...

It must be exciting.

Did Mrs. Tajima say she hates me?

No. She likes you.

But marriage is something different.

Try to understand.

Has she got a man?

That's not the point.

She likes you.

Like is different from love.

Friendship and love is different.

Understand?

Let's quit talking about it.

Give us more ice.

It's still strange.

Why?

I sent this postcard to Mrs. Tajima.

Why must you answer?

I've told you.

She's a serious woman.

She doesn't want to hurt you.

That's why I came to

answer you in her place.

You're all in cahoots.

It's a fixed race.

Don't say that.

Shut up! Quit howling!

Be a nice man and drink happily.

Mr. Kuroi and Mrs. Tajima are together.

They're both single.

It's a fixed race. Fixed!

No matter what,

I can't stand the way you talk!

You saying I'm fresh for a student?

I'm here.

Because we're both human and friends. Apologize!

Apologize? Why must I apologize to you?

You take tums reading my postcards behind my back.

And you're laughing at me.

Let's settle this outside. We'll fight!

What a thing to say to your teacher!

Get out of here!

We're both human? Dammit!

You get paid even when you lay off sick, don't you?

If I laid off sick, I'd go broke.

We're of different lineage.

How can you bracket me with you?

Quit talking like that!

Throw him out in the rain.

Come on! We'll fight!

Come on! We'll fight!

I was just a busybody.

Eventually what I did hurt Inn-san the must of all.

Ino-san!

I don't remember.

I bet I said awful things...

when I owe you so much. I'm really sorry.

You were drunk, that's all. Forget it.

You're alone here.

What do you usually eat?

I'm not hungry.

You must eat.

Why don't we get some noodles or something?

Thanks, but I'd rather stay in bed.

What a mess!

May I open that?

The trains are so noisy.

How do you feel?

My belly aches. And my turds are black.

They look real spooky.

How come so black?

Let's go see a doctor.

I'm broke.

I'm not broke.

That reminds me. That young doctor who helped you...

Name's Kawai? Let's go see him.

I'm sure he'll do something for you.

I'll phone him.

Relax a minute, okay?

(Award for Perfect Attendance at School)

It's not certain yet, but as I see it,

he's in very serious condition.

We should've known sooner.

Have him hospitalized now.

I told him.

Is he that sick?

I was thoughtless.

He looked strong enough.

His body's worn out.

While examining him, I thought

his body told the story of his tragic life.

Inn-san was hospitalized.

He spent two months,

summer tn autumn, in the hospital.

Maybe those two months

were the must peaceful in his entire life.

A: he grew worse,

he wanted to go home to Yamagata.

We spake with his aunt.

She still had his mother's insurance money.

She 'd use it to take care of him.

Get well and

come back in March for graduation.

We'll prepare your diploma

Be patient. You still have three months to go.

You'll get better.

I'll win at a mere trot.

That's it.

See you soon.

I wander ha w he felt

as he watched the Tokyo cityscape.

Anyway, it was the last time he ever saw it.

Look, Sachio! You can see Mt. Mantaro.

You're almost home. Hang on.

Sad, huh?

You were close to Ino-san.

He took you to the races.

On the excursion...

Ino-san bought me shoes.

Yeah. You both wore white shoes that time.

He was wearing a bowtie.

He looked so happy then.

How much?

200 yen.

Miss, I'll pay for this.

Take whatever you like. I'll pay.

You're in clover, eh?

Give me beer.

Beer?

Ino-san! Ino-san!

Wait.

Hey, this isn't a picnic.

It's part of education.

These Nara temples were first built

in the 7th and 8th centuries.

You all right?

Sure.

My aching come!

Look this way.

What are you doing?

Ino-san!

You scared of deer? Why?

You look so happy!

Ino-san!

Shut up!

You all right?

You look like honeymooners.

Here I go! Smile.

You tired?

What's not butter?

Cheese!

Cheese, not butter, huh?

What are you doing Ino-san!

Cheese.

Ino-san was lucky to enter this school.

Once, when he was drinking at my joint,

he said he was happy to be studying here.

What was happy about him?

Was he happy during our school excursion?

Look at this.

A man over 50 had to try so hard

even to read railway station names

and calculate change.

What was happy about him?

I had to learn to read

when I was over 50, too.

You have a kind husband who cooks for you,

while you're at school.

Your kids and grand kids help you, too.

All Ino-san had was the races!

His life was a wretched as a rag.

Don't talk like that about the dead!

He died believing he was happy. It's all right.

No. It's not all right.

If he meant it...

If he really believed he was happy,

I feel sorry for him all the more.

Can't stand it.

It's ridiculous!

He should've hated the world that much more.

Stop! Whether or not he was happy...

it was his affair.

Mr. Kuroi, what does happiness mean?

That's difficult to answer.

Let's all think.

Happiness.

Kazuo, what do you think?

Don't ask me.

Don't give up. Think.

Then you'll know.

What about you?

Me? I think I'm happy.

You sure?

Are you really happy?

If not, I can't live.

Is someone happy.

If he only thinks he is?

Yes. Actually we're all unhappy.

You wouldn't understand it.

You're wrong.

Why?

Thinking he's happy is no good.

He should be wiser.

What if he's so wise to know

he's really unhappy?

Let him hang himself?

That's not the point.

A difficult debate.

Osamu, you've been thinking. What's happiness?

Well...

Maybe money.

What's funny? It's a good answer.

He said what he thought.

Yes. Happiness is money.

Everyone wants money. So do I.

Kim said money

would've spared her this hardship, right?

Why so silent? What's on your mind?

Aren't you mistaken?

About what?

You're missing the point. In short...

Midori, you tell us. What's happiness?

It's natural to want money.

We're thinking about something different.

If not money, what is happiness?

I'm dumb. I can't explain.

Everyone here is dumb. Don't worry.

What's wrong?

In short, it's this:

I ran from a juvenile detention office

and tried to return to junior high.

The teachers took me to the principal': office.

They tried to send me to reform school.

Some student told me about that.

You can't graduate, don't interrupt others, please.

I got mad and broke a window.

I ran away.

I can imagine.

Then I got worse.

I got hooked on thinner, my teeth went bad.

Then...

I read something about

this school in a magazine.

I wondered if I could study here, so I came.

But I couldn't walk through the gate.

I thought teachers would question me like cops.

I stayed by the mailbox,

crouching like a fool.

My mind was a blank.

School no longer mattered.

I thought! could make a living anyway.

Why go to school?

Then...

an odd man come.

His breath smelled of cigarettes.

What's up?

You want to enter this school?

So he asked.

He was Mr. Kuroi.

Then I thought...

I thought...

chances were...

I might find happiness.

I understand.

Happiness isn't money, right?

Yes. Money runs out when you spend it.

But happiness isn't something that runs out.

In short...

it's... you want to live some way,

Or you're glad to live...

I can see that.

So... happiness is...

What?

Shut up!

I can't make it.

Eriko, you know what I mean, huh?

Aren't we studying to find the answer?

Isn't that studying?

Yeah! Exactly!

Why keep silent? Why don't you say something?

Classes are sessions that teachers and students

cooperate in building.

I realize it now.

A fine class!

Thank you.

That's all for today.

Please.

Bye.

We'll hold a wake for Ino-san at a restaurant.

You too.

The umbrella is inside.

It's great.

It's great!

You still here?

I was waiting for you.

What's up?

I'll try for senior high.

Really? You made up your mind?

You can make it.

Then I'll try a university. A teacher's norm.

To be a teacher?

I thought about it in the library.

I decided:.

I'll get a teaching license.

I'll return to this school as a teacher.

So you're going to be my successor, eh?

I'll stay at this school until you make it.

Maybe all my hair will be gone by then.

But I'll wait for you at this school.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

Mr. Kuroi.

What a heavy snow!

This is small, but...

Shall we go?

(There are 35 public night junior high schools)

(throughout Japan's main Honshu Island)

(In addition more than ten other night schools)

(are managed by volunteers)