Sweet Season - Episode 6

revenge of the wife

Akira locks the door behind them.
Akira: "so ka". you were waiting there for me?
Mahiro: um. i was worried for you. also, i had dropped my earring.
Akira: "gomen". i decided to send her home. at the same time, to pick up my cat. but it ran off. i spent the time searching for it

====> good question. as a detective, do you believe him? or was he with his wife?

Mahiro: so that's why. is your wife ok?
Akira: she's fine, don't worry

he dangles a key in front of her
Akira: this is the key to my apartment. if only i had given it to you yesterday. i'm sorry you caught the flu.
Mahiro: "arigato". i am very glad
Akira: then. what shall we do after work? shall we have dinner together?
Mahiro: eh?
Akira: we haven't been to an italian restaurant for a while now. what about it?
Mahiro: i can't make it today. i have a very important appointment.
Akira: it's just for a short while
Mahiro: no. today, i have something important on
Akira: it's just for a short while
Mahiro: no way
Akira: what's so important?
Mahiro: whatever. (she switches back to employee mode) today, because i have the flu, please let me go home early
Akira: oi!
Mahiro: "kachou" is also coming down with the flu. you should also go home early. i am leaving now.
Akira is puzzled

yokohama port scene

Yayako is looking at her barren sakura tree. grandma pops out too
Fuji: that sakura tree cannot flower anymore
Yayako: from THAT time, it's been 20 years
Fuji: when Masako (Mahiro's deceased brother) was young, we used to enjoy the sakura blossoms of this tree
Yayako: yes
Fuji: the year Mahiro was born, it bloomed a lot
Yayako: "okasan"
Fuji: "nani"
Yayako: nothing.
she never shares her feelings. she walks towards the house
Fuji: is it about Mahiro?
Yayako stops, then carries on walking

night. Mahiro's running, with loads of shopping in her hands

Fuji: too irresponsible!
Yayako: eh?
Fuji: you're the "haha" (mother). Mahiro has an illicit lover, isn't that so?
Yayako: what...
Fuji: what do you mean, what?
Fuji: you've always been like this, pretending not to know anything. even when you're unhappy with Shinya, you never show it. you never say the things in your heart. as a parent, you cannot be like this. whatever their age, children need guidance from their parents. right?
Yayako: i'm sure Mahiro has already thought it through
Fuji: if you want to stop it, do it fast. (====> actually, it's already too late) in the heat of passion, they will get physical, leading to the need to marry. you ought to be very clear what this is all about. (referring to something similar, in Yayako's past)

Akira returns home, sees a woman waiting outside the apartment, and smiles. then it turns to disappointment. that's not Mahiro. a man comes out to meet the woman.
man: "gomen". "gomen"
woman: i'm very hungry

Akira trudges home. opens his door, and enters. surprise! the room is full of lit candles.

Mahiro presents a birthday cake

Akira: Mahiro...
Mahiro: 'happy birthday'!
Akira: eh?
Mahiro: it's your birthday
Akira: birthday? mine?
Mahiro: yes!
Mahiro: come here, come, come
Akira (recalls his birthdate): ah. "so da"!
Mahiro: quick, sit down. take this (hands the cake to him)
she presses the camera's timer, then sits down beside him
Mahiro: when the flash blinks, blow it out
Akira: eh?
Mahiro: blow
Mahiro: ok. 3, 2, 1
flash goes off, Akira blows out the candles on his cake, picture taken

Mahiro: "omedeto"
Mahiro: ok. now for the next item
Akira: what's next?
Mahiro: look, quick, look. over here. i have prepared something to eat. italian noodles (spaghetti)
Mahiro: i wanted to give you a surprise
Akira: "arigato"
Mahiro: "kanpai" (cheers! or toast that means, 'drink up')

night, Shinya is smoking outside his home, not wanting to go in yet. Yuma walks up and is surprised
Yuma: "otosan"
Shinya: oh!
Yuma: you're early today
Shinya: Mahiro didn't return home with you?
Yuma: "onechan" hasn't been going home with me lately. she's behaving rather strangely. i thought we were very close sisters. but lately, she's not been sharing her thoughts with me. she's always angry, or else moody. our family's becoming strangers to each other. don't you feel it?
Shinya: sorry. it's daddy's fault. i've always kept it from you, i'm truely sorry. Masako's and daddy's past. i didn't want you to know. sorry.
Yuma: forget it. we can talk about it another time. let's go home. oh! let's plan a holiday for the whole family!
Shinya: vacation?
Yuma: let's go on a holiday. daddy, you can surely make our family united again. and i have lots of travel brochures. do take a good look at them.
Shinya: travel?
Yuma: yes. let's go on a holiday.

Akira: i feel at peace
Mahiro: looking at the flickering candlelight, i've heard that's like the beating of our hearts
Akira: the feeling of hearts beating...
Mahiro: it can regulate the beating of our hearts
Akira: yes
Mahiro: the rate of flickering varies. it can be like the flames of a raging fire, or the rolling waves of the ocean
Akira: same pace as waves?
Mahiro: yes
Mahiro: that's why there's the calmness. that's what my brother told me
Akira: huh? you have an elder brother?
Mahiro: um
Akira: how old?
Mahiro: 31
Akira: i see
Mahiro: oh yes! i still have a present for you. please wait a while

Mahiro blows out the candles, then plugs in a slide projector
Mahiro: starting now!
she turns on the projector, and it flashes a map of the world onto the bare wall.
Akira: that's great!
Mahiro: your map cannot be destroyed
Akira: that's because i've been using it
Mahiro: no matter where you journey, this map will never be destroyed. it will last forever
Akira: with this, we can journey on together.
he hugs her from behind

1:30 am. Yayako's waiting
Mahiro: "tadaima"
Yayako: where have you been?
Mahiro: where have i been? don't be like dad (she sneaks up to bed)
Yayako: today, i received a call from a woman. her name is 'Goto'
Mahiro stops in her tracks on the stairs
Yayako: she said she's the wife of your superior
Mahiro: what else did she say?
Yayako: she wanted you to return her call
Mahiro: "so"?
they continue moving, and speak in low voices
Yayako: Mahiro! the man you've been going out with, is he 'Goto' "kachou"?
Mahiro: what are you saying? it must be something to do with the magazine interview. i was asked by "kachou" to do it
Yayako: Mahiro!
Mahiro: i won't do that sort of thing
Yayako: as your mother, i'm just concerned, that's all.
Mahiro: i have seriously considered that. this matter is not just my own. there are many things i have seriously thought about. "oyasumi"
she enters her room.

mum turns around, to see her mum looking at her. silence, as she returns to her room, where her hubby is reading travel brochures. as she enters, he hides them under the futami.
Yayako: haven't you slept yet?
Shinya: yes.
he then proceeds to turn out the light and goes to sleep

in the dark, Mahiro makes a call
operator: "hai", i am 104's yama.
Mahiro: i am looking for the number for tokyo "kou" (red) shimbum ("shinbun", or newspaper), please
operator: "kou" shimbum?
Mahiro: "hai"
operator: just a moment, please
pause
operator: sorry to keep you waiting, the number for 'kou shimbum' is...
she writes down the number

dawn
Akira's mobile phone rings
Akira: "hai". Chika
Chikako: "hitori" (alone)?
Akira: ah.
Chikako: "saki" (earlier, before), "kachou" "denwa". Tashima's Usui-san just passed away he needs you to attend the funeral on his behalf.
Akira: on his behalf?
Chikako: i cannot tell him you're not here
Akira: "waka ta". sorry about that
Chikako: have you eaten yet?
Akira looks at the cake on the table
Akira: ah.
Chikako: "so". "jaa"
she hangs up

Yuma: i haven't gained any weight, yet my face looks fat. it's terrible.
Mahiro: "ohayo"
everyone: "ohayo"
Yuma looks meaningfully at her father
Shinya: all right, let's go for a vacation
Yayako: eh?
Shinya: let's all take a family vacation during Golden Week
Yayako: "ryoko" (travel)?
Shinya: to the countryside
Yuma: oh! "sugoi" (terrific), "otosan"! when the whole family goes on a vacation together, the feeling is like it's been a long time since.
Shinya: Mahiro, how about you? can you go?
Mahiro: it's so sudden, it's difficult for me
Shinya: but it's more than 2 months from now
Yuma: that's right
Yayako: perhaps she has other commitments
Shinya: compared to going on a family vacation, what can be more important?
Mahiro: i only said that right now, i'm not sure. later on, who knows?
Shinya: in that case, you must go
Yuma: yes, you must go. all of us must go together.
Fuji: "ohayo gozaimasu"
usual round of greetings
Fuji: going for a vacation?
Yuma: yes. right now, we are discussing about going for a family vacation. ne, "otosan"?
Shinya is quiet now. he doesn't want the mother-in-law tagging along on their vacation.
Fuji: "ryoko"?
Shinya: oh.
Fuji (gets the message by his totally unenthusiastic response): that's not a bad idea, taking a family vacation. then let me look after the house. everyone can go and have a good time.
Yuma: what are you saying? you're coming along with us. "otosan", "obachan" is also going with us, right?
Fuji walks over to Shinya, who is busy eating his breakfast.
Fuji: but...
Shinya chokes on his food
Shinya: yes.
Yuma: "obachan", don't say these sort of inconsiderate words. we'll all go, together, on vacation, and we'll all be happy-
Shinya: Yuma, don't talk so much. quick, finish your food
Yuma: i am eating

Akira rings the bell to his own apartment. no response. he opens the door with his own keys. he sees a card on the table. it says:

"otanjou omedetou" (happy birthday). there is a cake that i have not baked in these 10 years or so. Chika

he sees the cake on the dining table, looks at it, then leaves it untouched. he leaves the house. Chika was hiding in her study. she comes out when he has left, and checks to find the cake uneaten. she is very sad.

Yayako leaves house in the afternoon.
Yayako: "okasan", can you prepare this evening's meal?
Fuji: of course. but why?
Yayako (evasively): "chotto"
Fuji (direct): where are you going?
Yayako: i will be back in about 2 hours. all the food is in the front part of the freezer. "onegaishimasu"

Mahiro's running in the streets, and so's her dad. she enters a phone booth as her dad passes across the street.
Mahiro: "sumimase", may i speak with Kou Shimbum's Ebihara-san, "onegaishimasu"

at the same time,
Shinya: "sumimase", where can i find Fujitani Mahiro?
Mahiro's colleague: "hai". this way, the 4th row.
Shinya: ah, "so desuka", "doumo"
he heads for her desk
Yuma (yells): "otosan"! "otosan"! "otosan"!
Yuma (to Yukata): Chiyohachi-san, my father's here.
Yuma: "otosan", you've finally come
Yukata: it's been a while since we last met. how are you?
Shinya: Chiyohachi
Yukata: "otosan", what brings you here today?
Shinya: er...
Yuma: "ryoko"? for the purpose of planning the trip?
Shinya: yes
Yuma: that's great!
Yuma: Chiyohachi-san, please assist my father. we are going for a family vacation
Yukata: ok, let me show you to the travel office and help you plan.
Yuma: you know, the holiday season options are taken up very quickly. if they are all booked, it will be troublesome
Shinya: "so ka"?
Shinya: Mahiro?
Yuma: she's out visiting clients.
Yukata's colleague: Chiyohachi, let's go
Yukata: ah, "so da" (similar to "so desuka"). "sumimase". i have something to attend to right now.
Yuma (indignantly ====> what? my dad's custom is not good enough for you?): eh?
Yukata: what shall we do?
Yuma: really!
Yukata (looks around for someone to help): "kachou"!
Yukata: "kachou", "chotto", "sumimase". "onegaishimasu"
Akira: what is it?
Yukata: i need you to help me, for a short while
Yukata (to Shinya): Goto "kachou", "desu". when it comes to travel, he's the best person.
Akira: and he is...
Yuma (very happy to show her dad to her boss): this is my father
====> odd instance, father meeting future son-in-law

Mahiro goes to the cafe to meet Chikako

Shinya waits in the travel cubicle for Akira, looks at his card and tries to recall having seen him somewhere before
Akira: "doumo", "sumimase", i've kept you waiting
Shinya: "iya" (no, in this context). i'm the same. really sorry to trouble you when you have work at hand.
Akira: "iie", don't say that. come, let's begin. regarding the range of travel packages we have, here are some of the most popular ones.
Shinya: "ano", we can't afford the expensive packages, because it's for the whole family.
Akira: may i ask, how many members are there in your family?
Shinya: just 4. my wife and i, and 2 daughters
Shinya: oh, and there's my mother-in-law. but i am not sure if she's going. actually, Mahiro hasn't decided if she wants to go. so she may not be going. a daughter at that age, would always choose to be with her lover than her loved ones. it's really useless, having daughters. you work hard to bring them up, and then they are taken away by another.
Akira listens politely. (====> he'd better, especially when some day he has to finally confess to loving his daughter!)
Shinya: oh! i shouldn't be telling you all this, and meeting you for the first time too.
Akira laughs deprecatingly
Shinya: it's seems like we have met somewhere before
Akira: "iie"
Shinya: "so desu ne" (similar to "so desuka")
they laugh away the tension

Chikako: i will come to the point. Akira, what is it you see in him?
Mahiro is silent
Chikako: a woman like you, must have many suitors. why must you snare a married man of 35?
Mahiro: the reason i called you, is because i hope that you will understand.
Chikako: what?
Mahiro: i love Goto-san, i do. but, i know this will hurt everyone
Chikako: what do you mean?
Mahiro: of course, we can speak in this manner, is not because of a simple "yes" is enough.
Mahiro: but i cannot, not explain it to you
Chikako: same here
Chikako: i want to know who you, the one Akira likes, are like. why he had to leave home.
Mahiro is silent again
Chikako: i hope you will follow me to a place
she goes

HIS office
colleague: "kachou"!
Akira: eh!
colleague: "denwa", "desu"
Akira: 'thank you'
colleague: "onegaishimasu"
Akira speaks into the phone, then is stunned into silence.

Chinatown scenes. Yayako is walking into a Chinese restaurant

scene cuts to Mahiro following Chikako into a apartment block

Yayako enters the restaurant, and looks for a person. she finds him. it's Akira!
Yayako: you are Goto-san
Akira: "hai"
Yayako: Mahiro, "haha", "desu"
Akira: "hajimete", Goto, "desu"
they bow in greeting to one another

Chikako and Mahiro are outside Chikako's apartment
Chikako: "douzo"
Mahiro hesitates
Chikako: "doushita" "no"? afraid?
Mahiro enters

Yayako: why is it that people can't live their lives peacefully? i understand your wife's feelings. my family has gone through it before. experienced the husband who left home and didn't come back.
Akira: i'm sorry, but what caused your husband to return home?
Yayako: it because Mahiro's brother died
he is shocked (====> Mahiro told him she has a brother, but he sort of expected it, cos the father already said during travel planning that he only has 2 daughters at home)
Yayako: you didn't know?
Akira: "hai"

walking around the apartment
Chikako: what do you like about that boy? sorry, but you don't seem to know him at all.
Mahiro: what do you mean?

Akira: her eyes. when i look into them, i cannot lie. it causes me to confess the truth. that's my feeling. and also why i like her feelings. no matter what, i can no longer deceive myself. it's my fault
he bows in admission of guilt
Yayako: will you break up with her?
Akira looks up
Yayako: that is the reason why i came to see you today. for her good, will you break off from her? you can still go back
Akira: can i still return? even if i were to break up with her and return to my wife, i think nothing can be the same again. because the split already exists.

even as he is talking to her mum, Mahiro is seeing the revenge of the wife, in the cake that was cut (====> but we all know he didn't eat one bite) and his mobile phone on the table

Akira (continues talking, the video cutover is still in effect): even if 10 years have passed, will it be forgotten?
Yayako: both of you are still young
Akira: it's not a matter of age. i feel that there is no correlation between love and age. just because you are young, does not mean that disappointed hopes and betrayal won't cause pain, and thus fade away.
Yayako: this matter, this matter i well understand.
Akira: therefore, i... no longer can turn back
Yayako (====> general custer's last stand): everyone will face misfortune. you and Mahiro, and your wife too. and... my family too.

hostess offers Mahiro a drink.
Chikako: what do you think of this home? it's the result of Momotaro's achievements these past 35 years. whether it's this cup or that desk, or even this chest of drawers, it's built up with his hard work.
bangs chest for additional effect
Chikako: but you want to take all this away from him. can you feel his loss, just a little bit?
Mahiro is still silent
Chikako: Momotaro was blessed with fortune.
Mahiro: i will make him even more fortunate (====> that i know you will, babe)
Chikako: how? in that empty place? how?
Mahiro: "aishiteru", "desu"
Chikako smiles derisively
Chikako: love conquers all? then see if you can live it out! the world is not what you make out to be. it's very practical. needs money, and there's all sort of trash about. it's not just this cup or that chest that's enough.
Chikako slams down the cup, breaking it.
Mahiro: i'm leaving

fireworks, and Akira's all alone in the chinese restaurant. he looks in his bag, it's empty

as Mahiro leaves, Chikako stops her
Chikako: "wait"
she holds out something in her palm
Chikako: you forgot something
Mahiro turns back, and Chikako returns the earring. ====> strange, eh? she lost it in his bachelor pad, but turned up at his apartment.
Chikako: it's yours, right?
Mahiro: this... where did you find it?
Chikako: where? ah... he didn't say? he couldn't possibly tell you.
Mahiro: what happened?
Chikako: it's between a husband and wife.
Mahiro leaves, humiliated.

Akira returns to his apartment even as Mahiro has left. rings the door bell
Chikako: "hai"
Akira: "ore"
Chikako: "what is it?"
Akira: i forgot my "keitai"
her temporary gladness turned back to dullness

Mahiro is walking in Chinatown
proprietor: Mahiro-chan!
Mahiro: "konbanwa"
proprietor: buy a bun home today?
Mahiro: today? no thanks. i'm very full. "jaa ne"
proprietor: "jaa ne"

Akira: ah. thanks for handling the situation for me this morning
he picks up his mobile phone
Mahiro: you haven't been able to find Kiji (the cat)?
Chikako: um. return home soon (====> to cat or hubby???) you can come back. i will be waiting
Akira: Chika... i won't be returning
Chikako: "doushite"? what's so good about that girl? she's just an ordinary girl! because of age, because she's younger than i? yes, by age, she's won.
Akira: it's not that
Chikako: then what? why throw away everything you've got? why? explain it to me! what is the difference between her and i?
Akira: Chika
Chikako: "nani"?
Akira: she's carrying my child
Chikako: child?
now she's shocked beyond words
Akira: but it miscarried. because of me. therefore i hope to stay by her side
she slaps him
Chikako: "doushite"? why must this thing happen? if it's just a matter of children, i also can. is that such a big deal? even the cats and dogs can
insulted, he leaves. she holds him back, he pushes her off
Chikako: Momotaro!
Akira: you always only ever say bad things about others. you are forever thinking only of yourself.
Chikako: you leave me no choice. because that girl did things in an underhanded manner, i despise her! getting involved in an affair, then together with you...
Akira: i will send the divorce papers over
he leaves.

Fujitani phone rings. no one picks it up, so Shinya does.
Shinya: "hai". Fujitani, "desu ka"
silence on the line
Shinya: "moshi moshi". who is it?
Chikako: this is a matter regarding your daughter
Shinya: huh?
Chikako: your daughter and her superior are having an affair
Shinya: may i ask, who are you?
Chikako: the person is Goto, Goto Akira.
she hangs up. boy, is he furious! furthermore, he recognises the name Goto

Shinya: where's Mahiro?
Yayako: oh, probably working late.
Shinya: how can that be?
Yayako: what happened?
Mahiro returns home
Shinya slams down his beer mug.

<THEME SONG>

Mahiro: "tadaima"
Shinya: where have you been?
Mahiro: somewhere
Shinya: come with me
Mahiro ignores him and walks towards the stairs. he grabs her
Shinya: Mahiro!
Mahiro: it hurts! what is it?
Yayako: "anata"
Mahiro: let me go!
Shinya: sit down!
Mahiro: what is it?
Shinya: what have you been up to lately?
Mahiro: what have i been doing? going to work, coming home
Shinya is fed up with her excuses. picks up Goto's namecard, and plonks it down before her.
Shinya: what happened?
Yayako is not surprised, so Shinya guessed as much
Shinya: you already knew?
Yayako: "iie"
Shinya (to Mahiro): is it true?
she keeps silent. he gets up and slaps her.
Yayako: "anata"!
Shinya (shouts): what have you done?
Mahiro (shouts back): none of your business!
Yayako (holds back hubby): please stop!
Mahiro: i also want to hit father
Shinya: what did you say?
he hits, but the mum gets in his way and gets it instead
Yayako: "anata"!
Fuji: what's going on?
sees her daughter on the floor
Fuji: Shinya-san!
Shinya (to his wife): do you have the right to interfere? you knew your daughter is having an affair, yet you pretend not to know. is that being a parent?
Fuji: didn't you do that too? then, you didn't tell us either!
Shinya: mother, you're very good at pushing the responsibility onto others. to the point of driving away her (Yayako's) father.
upstairs, Yuma is trying to shut her ears and still hear what's going on.
Yayako: please don't bring up the past
Shinya: i'm not talking about the past. i'm talking about the present! you knew your own daughter is having an affair. why didn't you do anything about it?
Mahiro: i want to leave. leave this home
Shinya: Mahiro!
she runs upstairs. her father chases her
Shinya: Mahiro!
Yuma tries to hold her dad back, but is brushed off
Yuma: "otosan"

he keeps calling, but Mahiro has locked her door and started packing. so he kicks the door down
Mahiro: what do you want?
Shinya: this (he grabs her bag)
Mahiro: don't come in (====> yeah, right. he's already barged in)
Shinya: this is MY HOUSE!
Mahiro: that's why i'm leaving
she makes to go, he holds her back and throws her onto the bed
Shinya: what did you say?
Mahiro: i want to leave. all along, i've hated this house and everything in it!
for the 2nd time, she makes to go, he holds her back and throws her onto the bed. he then closes the door on the rest of the family.
Shinya: you cannot go. i will not let you do it!
Mahiro: move aside!
she struggles with her dad
Mahiro: i said i want to leave, so move aside! didn't you ask me to leave too? move aside!
Shinya: i will never let you go!

next morning, all silent at breakfast
Yayako: "otosan", do you want another bowl?
Shinya: no
Yuma: please give me another bowl of soup
Mahiro: "gochisousa mashita" (same as gochisousama"). "itte kimasu"
Shinya: where are you going?
Mahiro: to work. do you want to come along?
Shinya: come home early
the mums: "itte rasshai"
Shinya: Yuma, eat up, quick

Akira in his bachelor pad, filling in the divorce papers. puts his stamp on it. sighs. looks at his ring, takes it off his ring finger.

Yuma: "mate!" (wait)
Yuma runs to catch up with her sis, as Mahiro stops
Mahiro: "nani"?
Yuma: about Goto and you, is it true?
Mahiro is silent
Yuma: "doushite"?
Yuma: "onechan", weren't you the one who never could forgive father?
Mahiro (rebuked by younger sis): Yuma...
Yuma: where's your sense of responsibility? you're too selfish!
Yuma: "onechan", "kitanai" (disgraceful)!
she storms off, leaving Mahiro speechless

sweet season
Akira: "doushite"?
Mahiro: "wakarinai" (hard to understand). yesterday, suddenly, how did they know?
Akira: yesterday, your father was at the company, making travel inquiries. at that time, he did not show any sign.
sudden recognition between the 2 of them. his wife had leaked out the news.
Akira: most likely.
while they are still talking, the scene flashes to Chikako alone at her desk.
Akira: "gomen". "daijoubu"
the desk fax machine has just finished sending a fax.
Mahiro: um. "demo", there was a big upset. even with my younger sister.
Akira: Yuma-chan?
Mahiro: she now despises me.
Akira: despises? (====> by association, him too, since he is Yuma's superior)
Mahiro: hard to believe, that this sort of big sister was a big sister that once can be trusted. she always had high hopes for me.
Akira: "waka ta"
Mahiro: um, it's my own family problem
in the HIS office, the fax machine is printing out a fax.
Mahiro: "demo", "atashi", plan to leave home
Akira: leave home?
(====> starts to second guess she'd want to move in with him)
Mahiro: don't worry. i will stay with my friend, Saki
Akira: come and live with me
the fax output has been picked up by Yukata
Mahiro: "demo"-
Akira: although i haven't formally divorced, and it would seem too quick to be living together (====> that's consideration for Mahiro's family)
Mahiro: "daijoubu"!
Akira: "so ka"?
Mahiro: um!

Yukata reads the fax: Fujitani and Goto are having an office affair. is this permitted by the company?

<THEME SONG>

Yukata is stunned!

Chikako sits at her desk, depressed

Akira (answers a call): "moshi moshi"
Akira: oh. "doushita"?

*** End of sixth episode ***