OUR NOA IS GOING TO WASEDA UNIVERSITY!
How you used to run around here as a little boy.
And that good father of yours always chasing you around!
A dockworker I know
sold off everything he owned to pay for his journey over.
Probably taking up arms against those bastards this very minute.
If he made it, that is.
I also hear that trip over is getting more dangerous.
Really, why are you being like this on such a happy day?
You did so well!
Stop this now. His mother's not even crying.
So they've all gathered for you.
Apparently.
It's overwhelming.
You'll get used to it.
This is just the beginning.
Here.
This watch… It's how it all started.
Open it.
The food is ready!
It's yours now.
Thank you.
Come sit down!
Please join us.
Let's go.
Sunja, don't just stand there. Sit down.
Pass this along.
I'll take some, please.
Slow down. Wait for the others.
Today, I get to be served first.
This liver is so fresh. Try some.
Our Noa, let's cheer for him!
You see that? My grandson!
He's going to Waseda!
Please run the numbers again.
Especially the over-allotment scenarios.
We've run those numbers several times.
Check again.
Along with the annual reports.
After all this hard work,
I want to avoid future corrections.
Please have these back by end of the day.
Excuse me.
I apologize for interrupting.
The director wants to see you in the conference room.
Excuse me.
- You asked for me? - Ichizaki-san. Have a seat.
We have an urgent matter to discuss.
Does this concern the IPO?
Tom-san, I leave it to you to explain the matter.
There have been allegations
that you breached security protocol.
Specifically,
leaking confidential client information about the IPO.
Are you aware of what I am talking about?
I think I have an idea.
So, you don't deny it?
I admit, it was unprofessional of me.
I should've been more careful.
But I assure you that no sensitive information was shared.
Nothing to jeopardize the IPO.
Our security department is still investigating the matter.
Thankfully, the situation was brought to our attention early enough
to stem further damage…
There would've been no further damage.
Indeed, because Tom has reassured our client.
You spoke to Kinyuu?
I needed to make sure they heard directly from us.
It was the right thing to do.
That being said,
there is still the question of the stain.
As I said,
it was a lapse in judgment.
It will never happen again.
I will call the clients at once
and let them know we are still on schedule…
You do not seem to understand the gravity of your situation.
Your actions could've exposed this firm to serious risks.
And what about your standing?
As one of few women in management,
you are supposed to set an example.
I take that very seriously.
However, if you are telling me that, because I am a woman,
I must remain unblemished for my entire career
then that is impossible.
It's also unfair, is it not?
Especially when others have been afforded a second chance.
Please.
Give me the same chance.
I'm afraid it is too late for that.
We will accept your resignation.
Effective immediately.
It is a shame.
For whom?
It's done. I just got the authorization to call in the loan.
Abe now has a mark of 30 million dollars on him.
How soon till Shiffley's takes bids on the property?
We'll have to see how much Abe-san fights the loan.
But after that, everything's already primed.
If we can come in at the number discussed,
then the auction should be just a formality.
- Call us when you know more. - I'll be in touch.
It all went down as you planned.
I have to admit…
I didn't think you had it in you.
Looks like I was wrong.
Who is Isamu Yoshii?
Just some fortunate thug
who did the right favor for the right person.
Losing those markets will be a hit for us.
We'll take a hit,
but only temporarily.
Instead,
I want you to think about those new subway lines.
Has the contract been guaranteed to us?
We've made the deal.
This is a huge step forward for us.
The rest is up to you.
But you know that.
However,
there is one condition.
Kurogane-kun…
He wants to keep the ceremony private.
He would rather avoid a big affair.
What does he mean by private?
He would prefer
you were not present.
That is
unacceptable.
I figured.
But you agreed to it.
I did.
Because it's what must be done.
Jackpot!
That's all there is?
It's just a game of chance?
Didn't you just see what I did?
I calculated the timing of my flicks,
and figured out just the right amount of pressure…
You really think you can control this?
This isn't winning.
Then what do you call this?
I'm going to trade these in for prizes. Wanna come?
I'll stay here.
Is that true?
Hey, take this.
Share some with your brother.
Be careful not to damage the roots.
See?
Still life in it yet.
But will it survive this move?
I've never had any luck with this.
You just need to watch it carefully.
Make sure it gets the right amount of sun and water.
That place you mentioned…
Connecticut.
Are there many trees there?
So many.
You wouldn't believe it.
And so tall.
I wish I could see America for myself.
It's always been a dream of mine.
Why not go then?
Kato-san,
you are always going on about how little time you have left.
It's not as hard to go as it used to be.
That is true.
But just as expensive, unfortunately.
At least for me.
Everything's getting so expensive here.
It's a wonder how people can afford to make ends meet.
But that's how it is, isn't that so?
We're told to live a long life,
but no one ever told us how to pay for it.
To be honest…
I've been thinking about moving in with my daughter.
She's in Nagoya.
Nagoya?
But so far away?
I'm the burden now.
It's up to you now.
To look after the family.
Stop that talk.
You talk as if you're disappearing or something.
I'm not disappearing.
Tokyo's like a hundred times bigger than this place.
Just wait.
Next time you come home, you're going to realize
everything here is too small for you.
Listen to you!
So wise all of a sudden.
Let me ask you then, what about you?
What are you going to do without me?
Don't worry about me.
I've got my plans.
I'm…
I'm going to America.
I'm serious.
As soon as I can ditch school I'm outta here.
And what's in America?
Big cars.
Big houses.
So much space you can't smell your neighbor's shit.
And all the sweets in the world.
So, that's it, isn't it?
You want to go all the way over to stuff your belly?
That's not it.
In America, I don't have to be the person they see me as here.
That's why I want to go.
He's been living alone these past few years.
He hardly sees his family.
His financial status…
How much has he saved?
As you suspected, no real assets to speak of.
He retired from a printing company after 30 years.
He lives on the pension now
with a mortgage of 27 million yen.
He lives frugally.
But these past few weeks,
he's taken my mother out to eat often.
I figure he's trying to woo her.
So, the question is, what is he after?
But one thing troubles me.
He served in the war.
His generation were all drafted.
True, but…
very few were put on trial.
It's a loan.
Think of it that way.
What is this?
It's not my son's money. It's mine.
The money I saved from selling the restaurant.
But why are you giving me this?
Because you don't have much time left.
Neither of us do.
I can't possibly take this.
I don't need it.
Perhaps then we can go together.
What do you think?
Will you consider it?
I would very much like to see America with you.
Dear Lord,
we thank you for the food you have provided us with tonight
along with all that you have so blessed us with.
You provide for us and keep us safe.
I know it is selfish to ask for anything more,
but as we prepare for our Noa to leave us,
I ask you to keep him safe.
In a city that big where so many get lost,
guide his path so he may never lose his way.
He is a good boy.
It is all thanks to you, Lord.
That I am grateful for.
In your Son's name, we pray.
Amen.
That was beautiful.
It was so good.
Brother, do you think you'll find food like this at Waseda?
Find a church there. They will help you.
Yes.
Yoseb,
I didn't think you would be ready to eat yet.
My eldest nephew's final night,
and I don't even get invited?
Is that how little respect I get in this house?
My apologies.
Is this it?
This is how you send him off?
I promise you, this is a feast to me.
Have you tasted this?
How are we supposed to eat this?
You always oversalt everything.
I'm sorry.
- I'll make you something else… - Don't bother.
It'll just be the same.
How much longer will you go on like this?
What?
Where are your manners?
Is this what's happened while I've taken my eyes off these last few years?
You listen to me.
Had you learned from your brother, you would be doing better than this!
Uncle!
I know I come up short when compared to him.
I'll never be as smart as him or as good or generous.
And he deserves it because of his hard work.
I know that.
But Auntie works hard as well…
Mozasu, enough.
What did she do so wrong?
Or any of us?
We didn't make you into this!
Mozasu.
He's right.
Noa.
What's happening?
Mozasu, help me.
What are you doing?
We're taking you out.
Stop that.
I said stop.
- Get away from me! - Noa.
Uncle, do this for me, just once!
I can't!
Let him be.
He's not ready yet.
Then when?
He hasn't left the house in five years.
How much longer are we to go on like this?
Enough now.
I'll do it.
Be careful.
I can't.
I'm sorry.
But, Uncle,
haven't you faced worse than this?
Yoseb.
Kyunghee.
Give him a chance.
What is this?
We're almost there.
Batter up!
It's that runt again.
Strike!
Try swinging the bat this time.
Strike two!
He hit it!
Run!
Run! Go! Go! Go!
Faster!
- Keep going! - Circle the bases!
Go!
Faster!
- Safe! - Home run!
How did you get the watch back?
The pawnbroker.
I told you.
You were never lost to me.
But why burden him with that?
Sunja,
that watch saved you as it saved me.
Now, it's in Noa's hands.
You don't need to worry for him.
He'll flourish. You'll see.
Now,
my daughter is the one I must worry about.
She's marrying a man who despises me.
He's Japanese.
Is that why he despises you?
I suppose.
Who can tell with these things?
The things left unsaid are perhaps more truthful than what is said aloud.
Will he be good to her?
I don't know.
You said so yourself.
Marriage…
It's just a mere formality.
It seems to have worked out for you.
Is that how you see it?
You shouldn't ask me such a thing.
I should go in.
The boys will be back soon.
Sunja.
Do you remember?
Those days at the laundry cove.
How happy we were then.
But too naive to know it.
I'm rotting inside now.
And the longer I dwell in these shadows…
the more this rot festers in me.
I feel it.
What am I to do?
This rot that grows within you…
you must cut it out.
Sunja.
Thank you.
NADAGAWA NEWSPAPER AUGUST 3, 1948
MASSACRE OF POWS ON PALAWAN ISLAND
Why did you do this?
Because he's poor?
Because we have money.
I'm sorry it turned out this way.
But isn't it better to know the truth?
And what do you think that is?
His unit massacred 139 American POWs.
How can you possibly say that's okay?
Did you hear me say that?
How long were you with Etsuko?
And now Solomon has a Japanese girlfriend.
Why is it okay for the two of you,
but for me to just have a friend…
A friend?
Yes, a friend.
Because I am lonely.
Too many of those I have loved…
They are gone.
Listen to your teacher, understand?
Come back when you miss my food.
I will.
That's enough.
Mother, we'll miss our train like this.
You'll write us often, won't you?
Otherwise, we'll worry.
I will.
I promise.
You heard your mother.
You need to go.
We already said our goodbyes.
Brother!
Don't go.
I can't make it without you.
You said it yourself. You're going to America.
You have your dreams too.
Fight for them.
You hear me?
That's all you need to do.
Look forward, Mozasu.
Always look forward.
Next in line please.
- Name? - Bando, Nobuo.
Oh, it's you.
Hey! Bring over that special delivery.
Yes, sir.
Noa, what is this?
I'm not sure.
BANDO NOBUO
It arrived this morning in a chauffeured car.
It surprised everyone.
Are you looking for me?
How long have you been hanging out with those fools?
I assure you they are good men.
And what do those good men have to say?
The war isn't going well for us.
"Us"?
The Northern army.
I'd like to…
join the fight.
Why would you want to do something so stupid?
It's our country.
Those are our people.
So is the South.
It's just luck which side one was born in.
There's no Providence there.
I miss my home.
For people like us,
there is no home.
You've already set your mind?
Yes.
There's one last job you need to do for me.
After that, you are free to do whatever you want.
Who is it?
It's not like that this time.
This time, you're going to help me make a friend.
You should head back and rest now.
- Mother. - It'll be easier for me this way.
Don't worry.
I'll find my way.
Noa, your grandfather…
He always said he wanted me to fly.
Fly high.
So I could see just how big this world really is.
Now it's your turn, Noa.
You'll have to fly high.
But can you promise me something?
Every so often…
you come back and tell me.
I want to know as well…
just how big it is.
I will.
You're packed.
Are you going somewhere?
Yes.
I'm joining the fight with our brothers in the North.
Why do that?
You're not even from the North.
I can't just stay here and do nothing.
You mean like me?
You have a family who needs you.
I just wanted to thank you.
For allowing me into this home.
You should be thanking her.
It wasn't my decision.
But you allowed it.
Did I?
What choice did I have?
This thing you want to do.
I cannot understand it.
But in truth…
I respect it.
Perhaps…
it's why she loves you.
I've seen the two of you.
The way she looks at you.
No matter how much I have prayed for it…
she has never looked at me like that.
I never meant to cause you harm.
But you did.
I am sorry for it.
I'm asking you to stay.
Because if you leave,
she will shatter.
She's stronger than you think.
I don't want that kind of strength!
I don't want a martyr,
and I don't want to be her cage.
She…
She deserves so much more
than what I can give her.
She's always deserved more.
So…
Go tell her.
She is free.
Do you hear me?
I won't be the wall to stand in her way.
I can't.
Not like this.
Not with you in the deficit.
Mr. Kim.
Yoseb knows.
You don't need to worry.
He's made peace with it.
He said…
he'll let you go.
Kyunghee.
Say something, Kyunghee.
So, the two of you decided what is to become of me?
Is that what happened?
That's not how it was.
Then it was a negotiation?
No, of course not.
You know my feelings for you.
Ever since that night at the farm, I've never wavered.
I just never thought it was possible.
Kyunghee?
That night,
I broke my vows.
And hours later,
my husband was nearly obliterated.
You can't possibly think it was because of us…
I know it makes no sense.
I've long accepted that I am meaningless to this world.
But when I learned of the bomb,
I stayed up all night praying.
Begging the Lord to save him.
I made a covenant.
And my husband came back.
But I love you.
And you love me. I know it.
And that love,
it terrifies me.
You will go.
You will fight, and you will survive.
You must.
Because the thought of being in a world that you are not a part of,
I cannot bear it.
And when it's all over, come back to us.
Bring your wife and your beautiful children.
You will do that, won't you?
Don't do this.
Down with the Americans!
They promised to understand our culture and traditions,
only to make us pawns in their imperialist conquests!
Their evil designs have now reached our campus.
Now is the time for us to rise up and fight!
Tell me.
Are you brave enough to join us?
To demand an end to these vicious purges.
Will you rise with me?
Then join our fight!
Why did you ask to meet me?
Who are you?
Forgive me for alarming you.
I am Yoshii Isamu.
I've come to thank you for your help with the markets.
How did you get in here?
I came in through the entrance.
Where is Hansu?
Where is he?
He is there watching us.