You're Not Normal, Either
There's a festival in town today,
Really? I totally want to go!
First of the year,
I never get to go,
Summer kimono time,
I've got one,
Hey, did you hear?
That cutie Yanagi is dating Ayaka Kimijima,
Oh my God, really? She's totally unworthy,
I think she's a dog,
Right? - There goes my fantasy,
Now I totally hate her,
There she is,,, dog face,
Going to cram school? - I'm too tired,
Let's ditch it,
Yeah, We don't have to go,
Not in the mood, - Totally,
Yanagi,
Did you wait long?
Where do you want to go?
Karaoke,
How about a movie instead?
Sure, - Really? What do you wanna see?
Anime maybe?
Yeah, I like anime,
Or romantic comedy, - That suits me fine,
Let's go,
She met him there just to show off,
Absolutely,
So annoying, - That dog face,
They all love bitching about stuff,
What a small world they live in,
High school and part-time jobs,
They only see the boys around them,
What about you? Who's your type?
Didn't I tell you?
I like men,,,
like this,
A toy maker president? - Not just that,
He thinks about the way technology,,,
is changing human relationships,
Oh, Shall we begin?
The age of AI and robotics is upon us,
Humans won't need to do anything,
That's when our true worth will be tested,
Once we have true freedom,,,
we'll be forced to find meaning in life,
Happiness through knowing ourselves,
We're growing up in a world fundamentally different,,,
from that of our parents, - What's different?
Everything,
Like what? - The age,
What age? - An amazing age,
Amazing how?
This is going nowhere,
What attracts you to this man?
His idea of a new life, - Like what?
God, do you speak Japanese?
I do, but be more specific,
I hear Ms, Yokoyama found a man,
Yeah?
I saw him, Does that make you sad?
No, - You dated her,
We had dinner once,
Where?
She said she wanted to try my usual local diner,
She meant something else, - Like what?
She wasn't interested in your favorite restaurant per se,,,
but where you drink with friends, - Drink with friends?
She wanted to say, "So this is where you come to drink, huh?"
In an atmosphere for adults,
The shop was all adults,
It's not a date spot,
Why not? I had fried chicken,
She had the daily special, - Not the point,
Forget it, Let's start,
You're handsome and stylishly slender, too, What a waste,
A waste?
"You'd get a girl if you were more regular,""
Regular? - Could talk normal,
What's "normal?" - Oh my God,
Tell me how I'm not "normal," I'd like to know,
Sorry, Forget it,
I feel I'm normal,
So I'd like to hear your definition,
I was wrong! Start class,
Open your book to page 11,
Okay,
Mr, Ono, are you going home?
Um,,, yes,
Would you like to grab a bite?
Hey, Akimoto,,,
Miss Akimoto, What?
I'm about to get some food with her, Where should I go?
Around here,,, - Around here?
Please stop repeating me word for word,
Word for word? - Yes, that,
So what restaurant?
What're you hungry for?
What am I hungry for?
I've never thought in those terms,
Fine, I'll text you, What's your number?
What? Phone number for texting?
Do you have a cell phone?
Who doesn't have a cell phone these days?
Then give it to me, I'm in a hurry,
"Letting Kids Grow in a New Age - Isao Miyamoto"
I've spent years making educational toys for children,
That experience,,,
has shown me the unlimited potential of every child,
Don't worry if your child is getting bad grades,
Has the shift from rote learning to a pressure-free style,,,
really hurt academic performance?
Must we change our methods again?
How long will we repeat this?
Excuse me, Oh, sorry,
It's fine,
You couldn't quit, huh?
I'm afraid not,
Will people in the new age be smokers?
Some will be,
Not e-cigarettes?
It will be an age of many choices,
Even the choice to work or not,
I've read every one of your books,
"Life is long, Think 20 years ahead, not just now,"
Yes, Thank you,
I want to become a school teacher who expands kids' minds,,,
not forces them to a fixed mindset,
More people like you will make the world a better place,
I promise to do my best,
I hope we can work together someday,
I'd like that,
Please,,, take this,
I knew you were smoking,
No, this young lady was,
You're under age,
No, I'm not,
You're not? People are waiting,
If you plan to marry someday, choose your partner wisely,
That person might make you quit smoking,
You're the one who said you'd quit,
He's marrying?
You look sad, What's wrong?
Nothing,
How'd it go yesterday?
Nice restaurant,
It was a bit dark, but she liked it,
So it's looking good?
I think so, She told me she liked me,
Wow, Way to go,
Yeah,
What?
I must admit I really like you,
Can you express that quantitatively?
What?
Quantitatively?
Come again? How much numerically,
Respond normally, - "Normally?"
Yeah, just say, "How much do you like me?"
Go mingle with normal people,
Go mingle? - Don't repeat me,
Oh, yes, I'm sorry,
You study too much,
No, I play all the time,
Play how?
Solving prime number mysteries,
Prime numbers? - You repeated,
So what? - Nothing,
Be warned I'm in a foul mood,
Mood?
Why the foul mood?
None of your business,
School teachers discuss their students' lives,
But cram school teachers just need to teach,
Why the foul mood?
Oh, is it a women's cycle thing?
Or something?
Listen to me, You don't say that to a woman,
Why the foul mood?
After that, - After that?
Don't repeat,
Oh, menstruation,
It's not that today,
Shall we begin? - Do you have a heart?
You said, "Just teach,"
Sharing feelings is how two people grow,
Grow? How?
At this rate, you'll never find a wife,
What?
I'll never find a wife?
That's right, - Why not?
Actually, what makes you think you're okay?
I don't know what's wrong, How do I change?
Marriage is about having compassion for a partner,
Making you quit smoking,
Smoking?
If I quit, I can marry?
Where did we leave off last time?
Miss Akimoto?
Miss Akimoto! Wait up!
What did you mean I can marry if quit?
Not what I said,
You did, - I didn't,
Then,,, shall we get a bite to eat?
Your use of "then" is wrong,
I want you to explain more,
The things that are bad about me,
Do you care?
I want to marry,,, normally,
"Normally?"
If you want to be normal, you'll need ten years of training,
That many?
Table for two? Follow me,
Will this table do?
You should get drunk,
I don't usually drink,
Then forget being "usual" from today,
I should come to places like this?
Take off that dorky jacket,
I'm not hot, - Just do it,
Where'd you buy that?
It was 70% off at my local supermarket,
On you, right?
Sure, Cram school teachers get paid well,
I don't spend it, - Got it,
Okay, listen,
When female customers come, say this,
"My sister ordered too much, Care to join us?"
What do you think? - I don't know,
We haven't ordered anything yet,
True,
The portions are huge here,
Please eat as much as you like,
In that case, we will, Thank you,
Looks wonderful! - I'm digging in,
My brother is the biggest bore, All he did is study,
How mean,
What do you two do?
Office workers,
Same one? - No,
School friends, then? - College,
Lower rank, but,,, - It's not that bad,
Yours was pretty good,
Really? - Where'd you go?
He can't say or it'd be boasting,
No, it wouldn't,
Tell us, - "A" rank?
Probably, - He's smart,
What do you do on weekends?
I basically sleep, Pretty sad,
That is sad,
I'm into bicycles right now,
You like cycling? - Yeah,
So do you, right?
Bicycles?
How far can you ride? - Pretty far,
I want to ride to the ocean,
You've done that with pant legs taped up,
Really? The ocean,,, huh?
The ocean is nice,
Cycling on a beachside road would be so awesome!
The ocean breeze! - So refreshing!
Male bicyclists look so cool,
Right? I completely agree!
Gripping the handlebars? - Those arms!
Pack a picnic and ride to the beach, then!
You'd all look great together!
Right? What do you think? Good idea?
Right? Right?
What, no?
Why'd you all go silent suddenly?
They would've dated you if you'd only asked,
But they left, - That was my fault,
You didn't drink,
No, - Why'd you act drunk?
I'm not a drinker, but if I were, I would've wanted one badly,
Wanted one badly?
Is it related to your foul mood?
Wow! I'm amazed you got that!
Oh my God, How teacher like of you,
Can you hang out a bit longer?
Sure,
I need an adult chaperone,
See that couple there?
Is that the guy you told me about?
He's getting married,
What? - Nothing,
Look at her,
What do you think?
She's pretty, - You have those thoughts?
I'm human, too, you know,
You think she's been satisfied?
Satisfied?
You mean with this place?
With the man who left to make a call,
Getting married to him,
I have no idea,
You don't? - How could I?
You need to or you'll never marry,
I'll never marry? - Can't you tell by looking at her?
"Is he really right for me? Maybe there's someone better,"
That's what she's thinking,
I wonder if she is,
I know, She's the daughter of this hotel's owner,
Her father also runs restaurants and health gyms,
Mr, Miyamoto makes toys and runs nursery schools,
He aims to do business with her father,
You researched this? - She wonders if he really loves her,
Or is it just a business opportunity? It's obvious,
Pre-wedding jitters are normal,
Is that how it is?
That's how it is with weddings,
I see,
Go practice with her, - Practice what?
Practice how to properly date a woman,
What do I do?
It looks great on you,
That's not bad,
This is so expensive,
But you can wear it anywhere,
I don't go places requiring suits,
Not until today,
You'll need it if you plan to marry,
Like when meeting her parents,
I'll buy it, - Buy me one, too,
Your baby sister can't look cheap,
What?
Why that particular store?
She has posted it on Instagram many times,
She's friendly with the lady there,
But I'm practicing with Minako Togawa, right?
First, you must get to know this acquaintance,
This way, she can introduce you,
Why go to such trouble?
Didn't you want to learn about "normal" people?
Yes, but,,,
A real woman doesn't marry a guy she met in a bar,
Even very rich people,,,
are easy prey to swindlers posing as high-class,
Aren't you being one?
I'm saying "trust" is a flimsy thing,
Being friends with her mentor is a sure path to her,
Here we are,
That woman recently opened a tableware store,
I have tableware, - Don't buy any, It's more like her hobby,
Just compliment her and get her to remember your face,
She won't unless I buy,
She will if you pretend to be an investor,
You're good at math,
Finance is more Physics than Math,
What I do is pure Math,
Physicists study economic trends,
Fine, whatever,
You're an investor of a brokerage firm,
Your specialty is statistics,
But because you have to meet customers face to face,,,
you often have to give them gifts,,,
such as for marriages, births, etcetera,
Not "I'm a cram school teacher"?
I'm leaving, - Fine, I'm a brokerage investor,
Next week, Minako Togawa's father
is holding a hotel charity event,
That store owner will be there,
You need to befriend her by then,
That'll allow you to approach Minako Togawa,,,
when she's talking to that friend,
Okay, That sounds good,
You need to be convincing you're one of them,
No math babble, okay?
Babble? - Yes,
Let's plan out your lines,
First, wait for her to talk to you,
If she says, "Looking for something?"
Say A housewarming gift for a business client,
Gift for a business client,
Very nice,
Yes, they are very nice,
I think these are really lovely,
These too,
Very nice,
Can I help you? - I know little about this stuff,
My sister is helping me,
A business client just moved,
Oh, a housewarming gift?
Yes, so my sister's helping me,
I see, I may have just the thing,
What about these?
Very nice dishes, especially the,,, let me see,,,
size of these, - Their size?
Yes, And the color,
Not striking, It's like they're there but not there,
Neither good nor bad, and the weight feels right,
Neither heavy nor light,
They even have meaningless bumps on them,
Very charming,
I wonder what I would put in them,
Nothing, You're sending them as a gift,
I think they're very versatile,
Yes, of course,
What's your problem? - I knew it wouldn't work,
"Especially the size?" What the hell?
You said to rave about it,
"Nice painting, Especially its size,"
Painting? I thought it was dishes,
I'll do better next time,
You want a next time? That's weird,
What's weird? - Isn't it obvious?
No, please tell me,
Tell you what?
How to talk to Minako Togawa,
That plan just bombed, - I want to know what's "normal",
I'm not interested in tableware or hotel events,
Didn't you hear me explain?
You're "subnormal" so just do as I say,
"Subnormal"?
You asked me to teach you what "normal" is,
I know Yang-Mills equations,
Hilbert's 12th problem? Do you?
Not at all, So what?
They're unsolved, - Your point is?
Calling me "sub-normal" is unfair,
Mysteries abound, I know many things you don't,
You're angry? - On to our next plan,
"My" next plan,
"Resort Hotel Joint Project"
Mr, Miyamoto and his fiancée's father are collaborating,,,
on an entertainment hotel complex,
Not only that,,,
but nursery schools and play parks,
With simulated tree climbing jungle gyms and mud pits,
In short, a town suited to childrearing,
That woman fell in love with Mr, Miyamoto's idea,,,
and hopes to be his life partner,
But she doesn't understand what's really happening,
Her father is a second-generation hotel president,
He was a very strict father to her,
So she gravitated to Mr, Miyamoto's freer child raising ideas,
Or so you imagine,
She doesn't want to change the world with him the way I do,
You want that?
Of course I do,
I see living proof of rote memory victimization,
You mean me?
No enjoyment, common sense or ability to communicate,
Fated to live and die alone,
I don't wish to be cruel, but yes, it's you,
You don't get it,
You can't enjoy Math just by rote learning,
Math is an adventure,
Groping in darkness to solve mysteries,
Then suddenly a beautiful world unfolds,
How old are you?
18,
In 18 years, have you ever experienced that?
Save this talk for someone you like,
Right, You don't know the joy of Math,
And studying one useless thing has made you high,
Useless?
When I start working, I doubt I'll need to recall a prime number,
Not you, maybe, - Calling me dumb?
I don't use the word "bureaucrat" but the world needs bureaucrats,
Does it really?
Your slanted views may be why you're boyfriend-less,
Can you say stuff like that?
Let's not waste time,
You wasted time with your "Math is an adventure",
I said it differently, - Who cares?
Fine, Whatever, So what's next?
Can't you see I'm annoyed?
Annoyed? - It means "pissed off"!
I know what "annoyed" means,
Really? That's surprising,
Why are you annoyed?
You ruin my well-laid plan, and then just ask, "What's next"?
So now I want to kill you, Why is that?
Repeat the question, - No, It's pointless,
Wait, I'll think hard,
Forget it, - Miss Akimoto,
Please wait, - Let go!
I need you!
Will you help me?
Please?
Thank you,
Okay, Now let go,
Will you promise to do as I say from now on, then?
Yes,
You're serious about this,
No one but you would think to teach me how to be "normal"?
Everyone else gets it already,
Yeah,
That's exactly right,
While people came to find me strange,,,
only you took the trouble to tell me,
Everyone else just stopped seeing me,
But those are "normal" people, right?
I didn't desire friends, so I was happy as I was,
But just recently,,,
thinking about spending my life alone has gotten me scared,
So much that I can't sleep,
I didn't know that,
If I don't try to change now, I probably never will,
I need to do something,
Don't worry,
You're sort of interesting,
I am? - Yeah,
Making fun of me? - Not this time,
My friends are what I'd call "normal" people but,,,
all they do is gossip, and then look for more to gossip about,
Pretty boring, don't you think?
Spending time with you is way more fun,
Really?
I guess being "normal" is tough, too,
Yup, Being normal is tough,
Ayaka's dating Yanagi, but she works at a girl's bar,
No way! Poor Yanagi doesn't know,
We should tell him, - What's your source?
Source for what? - A guy at work,
He saw her? Someone resembling her,
Resembling her?
It has to be true, She's the type,
Why not ask her?
Who wants ramen after cram school?
Seriously? I'll pass,
How about you?
Is it true you're working at an iffy place?
An "iffy" place? Who are you?
You mean a bar?
Yeah, I help out part-time at my dad's bar, Why?
It's not as cool as it sounds, though, More of a "snack pub",
But it's a bar, - Fine, it's a bar,
Teens can't work at snack pubs, - It's a bar,
I often have to fetch my dad there,
So you two met there and hit it off,
Wait, who are you again?
Why do people fall in love with other people?
You're very strange,
I've become confused,
Don't you know? You've never dated?
You really never have?
What was it that made you start liking Yanagi?
I'd appreciate it if you could tell me,
You need a reason?
I met him, and we started talking,
And I liked it, Isn't that enough?
Can you see someone many times, talk many times,,,
and all of sudden like them?
You can,
We're old friends, - Same shopping street,
So when did it change?
Like I said, who are you?
Day of the festival,
Oh yeah, I was working the bar that day,
Everyone had been drinking,
But his dad was the last one there, Fast asleep,
I went to get him, You were cleaning up,
And you helped me, - While our dads slept,
Yeah, my dad was asleep in a chair, too, Pathetic,
The two of us were putting away the glasses,
And it was kind of,,, fun,
Yeah, It felt like the two of us were running the shop together,
That's it?
That's it, Why?
Why would that lead to you liking each other?
It did change that day,
Maybe it was due to where we were standing,
How so?
I'd always seen him from behind the counter when he came for his dad,
But on that day, we both stood behind the counter washing glasses,
That's all?
No, that's not all,
We carried glasses and wiped tables,
I don't think that adds anything,
It's kind of cramped behind a bar counter, right?
So we were talking at a very close distance,
For some reason, she looked completely different to me,
That's what I was saying,
I get it,
Yasuomi!
Use my first name,
What's going on?
It's training, - Training?
For when you get a girl,
Miss Akimoto, - Use my first name!
It's Kasumi! You didn't know?
Call my name, Go,
Kasumi,
Again,
Kasumi,
Again,
Kasumi,
Again,
Your turn, Do you know any songs?
How about this? - Did you think of a new plan?
I also figured I should know my partner better,
So I did some research,
Very motivated,
Her hobby is making hand-made soaps,
She also takes time to read each day,
She likes this writer,
Japanese food is her favorite, but could be her father's influence,
Father complex, I think,
She socializes with many, but no real friends,
Let's do this,
She'll eat tonight at one of her father's favorite restaurants,
If it goes as always,,,
the three of them will eat dinner together,,,
but Mr, Miyamoto and the father will leave to talk business,
That's when you arrive to chat her up,
Just when she's feeling alone and vulnerable, willing to open up,
He's going to blow it,
Evening, - I'm meeting someone,
Oh, is that you, Miss Minako?
Yes,
I was asked here by Mr, Miyamoto and your father,
I'm afraid they just left,
Mr, Miyamoto's introducing a friend,
You mean Mr, Sasaki?
No, Mr, Takahashi,
Oh, him,
The short gentleman,
No, he's rather tall,
I knew it,
They went to see a prototype of Mr, Takahashi's,
I see, May I sit?
If you hurry, you may catch them,
No, I'll stay, I'd like a beer,
Certainly,
I came on time but was forgotten,
Clearly, my sales pitch won't work, I apologize for them,
No need, It's a poor pitch, I'll nibble and go home,
What's good here?
Everything is good,
Make a blunder, Make a blunder, Repeat her,
What is this?
It's soft roe,
Where's it from?
Sanriku coast,
Soft roe?
What is soft roe?
It's cod sperm,
I see,
Tasty, Interesting texture,
First time? - Yes,
What is this?
Ikura,
Oh, I know ikura,
Here's some fried shrimp,
Do you know shrimp? - Of course I know shrimp,
What style of food is this?
Tempura,
I'm joking, I know tempura,
Tempura, huh?
Allow me,
Thank you,
I've occupied myself studying Math, so I'm ignorant of "normal" things,
Ah, I see,
I wanted to be a mathematician,
But there were many better at it in college, so I gave it up,
So now you're studying "normal" life?
Yes,
Then, do you know what this is?
It's okra,
Okra,
I think I will pass on it,
Everything must feel fresh to you,
I envy that, - It's awful,
I have to learn what everyone already knows,
Like okra?
Yes,
I'm doing my best to perform my job,
But truthfully, it's painful,
Behaving like a normal person in society makes it hard to breathe,
There are so many rules, the meaning of which I don't understand,
I feel that a lot, too,
You do?
My father was very strict about things,
I still feel that way,
Really?
Really,
I'll see you off to the station,
That's okay, I'll go home by taxi,
Oh, right, Then I'll see you until the main street,
Sorry to have troubled you,
No, it was my pleasure,
I really enjoyed myself, Thank you very much,
I enjoyed it, too,
Can we meet again?
Yes, of course,
It's been a while since I enjoyed myself,
It'd be nice to talk again,
Well, would you like to walk a little further?
When doing Math, my only hobby,,,
I mean, perhaps it's not a real hobby,
But there was a forest in some hills behind where I lived,
I often went to listen to the insects,
That sounds nice,
The forest is full of nocturnal creatures, so it can get quite noisy,
Not just chirping, but the crunch of fallen leaves,
Mice, I think,
Small animals tend to be nocturnal, Insects, too,
Wait, rhinos are nocturnal,
I digressed there but,,,
when I was stuck on a Math problem, I'd go to that forest to listen,
The sound of things rustling in the wind always relaxed me,
Probably because there's harmony in nature,
The forest itself is a living creature,
And I could feel myself a part of it,
Math only reveals a portion of the rules and history of the natural world,
Nature is already complete yet ever changing,
The world must be, too,
Like the forest,,,
everything may seem governed by rules,
But necessary for harmony and adopting to change,
Lately, I've wanted to hear the forest again,
Because work is difficult,
Shall we go?
Yes,
Well then,
Good night, - Good night,
Miss Akimoto! Wait up!
Miss Akimoto!
Was that you who yelled?
Things were going well, Why'd you interfere?
I don't know,
What feeling is that?
Oh, was I starting to go way off script?
Don't worry, I felt I'm handling it pretty well,
One more push might win her over,
Of course, you'd have to ask her if she liked it,
But as for me, I'm quite satisfied, So cheer up,
I can't speak for her but what do you think?
What feeling is that?
You've changed, Teach,
In a good way, I hope?
You've come alive, - I have?
You were like a robot before,
I'm amazed myself,
She can ramble about nothing and I don't mind,
I nod at everything,
Other people's meaningless talk always bothered me,
But with her, it's oddly satisfying,
You've fallen for her,
Just like you accept Mr, Miyamoto and all his nonsense,
Same thing, No, he speaks about our world,
Without substance,
Hilbert's 12th problem may be vital to you,
But our future is way more important to normal people!
Okay, our next strategy,
Were you listening?
Yes, but I thought we should change the subject rather than argue,
I know, Let's visit that tableware store again,
You hated it,
I'll befriend her for the charity event,
That was my plan, - Let's do it,
You didn't want to, - I didn't think it necessary,
But you were right all along, Now I know,
I should've listened to you,
In Math, too, one mustn't let personal views interfere,
You have to proceed by trial-and-error, Right?
The charity event is over, - Other events?
You made her acquaintance so it's useless,
Why?
Showing up at her friend's event after she turned you down is creepy,
That's stalking,
It is? - Normally, yeah,
Admitting I was right all along also comes too late,
There's a process to proper romance,
No do overs, - New tack, then?
That was quick,
I can jog along her dog-walking path,
That's stalking, - She goes to a gym twice a week,
You'll be arrested,
Dance class,,, - Restraint order,
Then what do I do?
Don't go see her, but be somewhere she frequents,
That's not creepy? - Not if she thinks it's coincidental,
My lying in waiting?
Either you go, or she comes, What else is there?
Something more natural, - What, circumstances just align?
That's perfect, - It's impossible,
No matter what, don't start the conversation,
Let her approach, then act like "Don't I know you?"
Don't I know you? - Don't say it out loud,
But look happy to see her,
Distant but happy, Don't overthink it,
Miss Minako,
Mr, Ono,
How are you?
I smelled a fragrance that reminded me of you the other night,
Is it the same perfume?
I'm afraid so,
I love this author,
I've read all his books, Literary mysteries,
I totally agree,
Are you free right now?
I need to get back to make dinner,
I see, In that case,,,
I eat here, Drop by if you can make the time,
I've been going there to learn being "normal",
It's delicious, You should take your father there,
You liked it there,
What the hell am I doing?
Do you get how I feel?
Yeah,,, so there's a guy that you like,
But he has a girlfriend, so you got your school tutor,,,
to try and come between them, Right so far?
It's very complicated,
Why don't you try dating a boy closer to your age?
Shush, old man,
My son's angry, - Quiet!
Ignore him,
Okay, where were we? Now I remember,
But now you've developed feelings for your cram school tutor,
Oh my God, maybe, - It's totally obvious,
So who is your tutor getting along well with again?
I know! He's getting along with the girlfriend,,,
of your crush? - You mean the tutor?
No, the guy I liked first,
Oh, so the girlfriend of the first guy,
Whose girlfriend? - Buzz off,
Girlfriend, you say! Whose girlfriend are we talking about?
Somebody, please tell me what to do!
Is she drunk? - On ten energy drinks,
Ten? - I'm so confused!
You're confused? Join the club,
I think you should tell your tutor,
Were you even listening, Ayaka?
I'm his advisor for a "normal" romance,
Stop talking like you're drunk!
Your tutor doesn't know how you feel,
Just let him know,
You don't get it, Sister,
When we talk, we don't connect!
He doesn't even try to, Get it?
But with her, he's suddenly smooth and easy,
He doesn't care what the topic is,
As long as he talks to her,
He'd rather be with her! Got it?
Then forget him and find another,
Don't torture me when I'm in such pain!
Be a little gentler, Ayaka,
Women just need someone who'll lend them an ear,
I happen to be a woman, too,
What?
My name is Isao Miyamoto, I'm calling for Kasumi Akimoto,
That's me, What can I do for you?
She just left without paying,
Sorry, Working late - Miyamoto
Evening,
- Welcome,
I don't want to be recognized,
People might talk and all,
Let's go someplace where we can talk at leisure,
Come with me,
This is really the most relaxing place to talk,
It's all right, Take a seat,
Please sit,
You were talking about how technology is changing the world?
No, I'm interested in education,
Oh yes, the relapse to "rote learning" from a "pressure-free" style,
More about the advent of a completely new age in education,
You're someone who I believe truly understands me,
It's okay,
I don't have much time,
"She came! - Ono"
At your age, you're still horny as a teen, Mr, Miyamoto?
Only because I like you,
You understand what my work is about, and that's exciting,
When I was in grade school, I hated the idea,,,
of middle school entrance exams,
I had so many interests to pursue, but wasn't allowed any,
You talked about not restricting children's minds,,,
and giving them a chance to think more freely,
I vowed after high school to study that,
What?
What did you say?
To think more freely,
No, after that,
I vowed to study,,, - Before that,
You talked about,,, After that,
Not restricting? - After that,
I've learned more about food ingredients,
Still not sure what "beef tendon" refers to,
I'm not sure of a lot of things,
I pictured a home where we'd eat breakfast together each morning,,,
and when he came home at night,,,
I'd have made him a place where he could feel at ease,
That's how I pictured marriage,
But now I've come to think that he doesn't need a place like that,
You're still in high school?
"After you're done with dinner, take this road home with her,"
I took you as in college,
18 is 18, - High school's a no-no,
Why?
That's normal convention,
You hate old conventions,,,
But high school girls are a no-no,
If I dropped out? - That's okay,
Wait, did you drop out?
No I didn't, - This is bad,
We can't leave together? - Absolutely not,
I'll go first, I don't want to be left here,
Today was fun!
But why?
Miss Akimoto?
It's not what you think,
Minako, it's not what you think!
Listen to me! - Let go of me!
Right in the kneecap,
Minako,
Minako! Minako!
Should we let him in?
He'll only spout a bunch of lies,
I swear it's a misunderstanding!
Minako! - I'm tired of pretending,
You're an honest person, right?
I'm,,, - You're more my type,,,
No!
I too have been lying,
I'm so sorry!
I don't work for a brokerage,
I'm a cram school teacher,
I wanted to get close to you,
But only for,,,
the purpose of dining together, having enjoyable conversation,
Please forgive me,
I don't care what you do,
I'm more concerned with my desire to see you again tomorrow,
I don't know if it will last,,,
But at least today, I wish for more,
Will you see me again?
Yes,
Then I will formally break up with him,
Since he's working with my father,,,
it may take a little time,
I'll be waiting,
I'll see you, then,
What were you doing in that love hotel?
You don't know?
Sorry, Weird question,
Even I know what goes on in a love hotel,
What I mean is,,,
how did it come to pass that you and he were there?
One more thing, You summoned me by email, right?
What for?
Have you forgotten I'm helping you establish a romance?
Of course not,
You called so she could see her boyfriend cheating on her,
In short, to break them up,
That's right,
And I nailed it,,, Yay,
But Minako Togawa hasn't called me,
Neither has Mr, Miyamoto,
What do you suppose?
It's simple, That woman,,, - Miss Minako,
Whatever, That woman saw her man with a younger girl,
So she did it with you in revenge,
You seem to misunderstand,
We didn't forge any physical relations,
Forge? - No,
But she did promise me something,
What? - To meet,
So I wonder why she hasn't contacted me,
What, are you daft?
You believed she would leave him?
It's not going to happen,
Her father and Mr, Miyamoto are business partners,
Didn't you try to break them up?
Yes, I did, That is true,
But I realized it's impossible,
This is a photo from an event yesterday,
This is "normal"?
I'm afraid it is,
Aren't you sad?
Not really,
Wait, didn't you admire Mr, Miyamoto?
Maybe, - But not now?
Can you forgive him?
What's to forgive? - Well, I can't,
Why? She dumped you, - For her father,
She met you twice! You think she'd leave Mr, Miyamoto for that?
Think "normal",
He forged physical relations with you,
Stop saying that,
Miss Minako knows that as well,
Not breaking up after that,,, is "normal"?
For a one-time affair, yes, forgiveness is "normal",
"Normal" can piss off!
You and he forged physical relations, right?
You slept with him!
Is it normal to sleep with you and casually return to her?
That can't be "normal"!
How can you be calm? Be angrier!
You'd forgive that man?
How'd this photo make you feel?
Didn't it hurt you?
I can't pardon a man who would hurt you like this,
Is this "normal" you speak of just an excuse for giving up?
Don't just say "This is normal", Decide for yourself!
Normal can piss off,
You have absolutely no reason to be tied to that,
Let's go now, Let's see them,
Preparing Your Child for Adulthood - Isao Miyamoto
The advance of technology,,,
will free us humans from labor,
But that is why, conversely,,,
our true worth will be tested,
The world in which our children are now growing up,,,
is substantially different from ours,
I'd like to discuss my "hotel child space" proposal,
Oh, that's right, Our meeting,
Is the material in the anteroom?
Oh, yes,
Right this way,
I'm sorry,
I was flustered that day and said strange things,
Are you okay with this?
Yes, it was all a big misunderstanding,
Misunderstanding?
Yes,
It seems that young lady was a big fan of Mr, Miyamoto's,
She threatened suicide if he didn't see her,
So he took her there to persuade her not to,
That's a lie,
You know that, right?
That young woman is an acquaintance,
She's my student,
She's not one to threaten suicide,
She simply believed she was more suited to Mr, Miyamoto than you are,
But I don't think she really believes that,
I think she just wants to become someone like him,
You know her very well,
I talked to her a lot,
She told me that you wouldn't separate from Mr, Miyamoto,
And that's "normal",
Is it?
He's very close with my father,
They work together,
Yes, I know,
So,,, - But you're okay?
With this?
I can't be with you, - Forget about me,
I'm sure you've realized it,,,
but Mr, Miyamoto is not the kind of man you seek,
I know what sort of man he is,
I always know when he's lying,
But,,,
You're okay with how it is,
If you're fine with it, then it's okay,
I'm so sorry, - Please don't apologize,
I think that would be "normal",
Goodbye,
Real soon, the world is about to change,
For that world, we will need a new type of human being,
Thank you very much for coming today,
I have a little time leftover for any questions you may have,
Hand the mike to the lady in the second row,
My question is,,, - I have one for you,
It's rude to steal someone's mike,
Why do you hold these lectures?
Good question,
My motivation for all my activities,,,
is to make the world better,
I'd like to help everyone lead happier lives, if only slightly,
Then you should start with those closest to you,
You make a wonderful point,
Yes, making those closest to you happy,,,
is often the most difficult,
Not just husband, wife or child,,,
but co-worker and friend,,,
the longer relationships we tend to take for granted,,,
those relationships can fray,,,
regardless of their importance to us,
We might struggle to share with them our true feelings,
Sometimes the most ordinary things are the most difficult to manage,
But if we all understand the nature of that dynamic,,,
I'd like to believe we can work things out in the end,
Your wife will be a very happy woman,
Oh,
Thank you,
I myself am trying to make myself a better person every day,
But the going isn't easy,
Please return the mike to the first questioner,
I want to hear the forest, too,
Will those two succeed?
I get the feeling they will,
Probably,
Thanks for all your help,
I feel like I experienced a lifetime,
Don't exaggerate,
When did you start liking Mr, Miyamoto?
When I failed my entrance exams, 2 or 3 years ago,
I see,
Stupid, right? - No, you're not,
No? - No,
Mr, Miyamoto said things you wanted to hear when you were suffering,
Probably right,
I couldn't do that,
I like you better now,
I like you, too,
I don't mean that, - You don't mean that?
I mean that I really truly like you,
What feeling is that?
Well, I kind of started liking you from a while ago,
But you were into Miss Minako,
You're saying some very un- "normal" things,
No, I'm not, It's a normal confession,
I don't understand, You mean quantitatively?
I've liked you a whole lot from the start,
As a friend, right? I know,
A "Friend"? You?
No, that doesn't seem quite right,
Girlfriend, then? - That goes too far,
Lover? - I'm not married,
Friend is fine,
Start small and let things grow,
Let things grow?
Yeah,
Start small?
Yeah, - Friend is fine?
Shut up, - Sorry,
I'm hungry,
Me, too,
Is your favorite place open today?
I don't know,
You said not to bring girls there,
Yeah, "normally",
You still wish to be "normal"?
I'm tired of "normal",
That laugh is weird,
Weird?
Not normal,
My laugh?
- And face, - And face?
And face,
Weird?
I can't fix that,
I'm kidding,
You're kidding?
About which?
All of it, - All of it?
It's all lies?
From when?
I wonder, Take a guess,
The End
Ryo Narita
Kaya Kiyohara
Mai Otani
Rika Izumi
Kotaro Koizumi
Screenplay by Ryo Takada
Directed by Koji Maeda