Our Little Sister (海街diary)

A work call so early?

But it's no big deal.

Sorry we can't eat together.

I'll pay you back when my temp job pays.

There's no rush.

OUR LITTLE SISTER

- Welcome home. - How's our big sister?

I don't think Sachi slept much last night.

You should let us know when you're staying over.

- It just sort of happened. - "Happened"?

Some things just happen to grown-ups.

- Thanks for the lesson. - You're late!

Why are you always late when it really matters?

Do you understand?

Yes, yes, yes!

Chika! Time to get up.

In Yamagata?

Apparently Dad worked in a hot springs hotel.

Kind of sounds like a made-for TV movie.

Exactly!

"Murder in the Secluded Hot Springs," right?

Nobody killed him.

Was it "that woman" who called?

Apparently "that woman" died.

Chika! Don't shovel your food.

So, he was living in Yamagata with his current wife.

His third wife? Wow!

You'll get high blood pressure just like Grandma.

But your pickles don't taste salty.

They're not supposed to.

Apparently, he left behind a daughter.

Meaning, our little sister?

I guess so.

What about Dad's funeral?

I can't go because of work.

Really? It's no big deal.

You could go, couldn't you? And take Chika with you.

I am not looking forward to this.

He was our dad, but I hadn't seen him in 15 years.

Dad was kind, right?

He used to take us to the zoo.

But they used to fight a lot at night.

I remember seeing Sachi comforting Mum so many times.

I hardly remember him at all.

You were still little.

- A little sister... - You always said you wanted one.

That was when I was little! It's a little late for that now.

I know...

Why did he move here, of all places?

Eh? What?

I said, this is the middle of nowhere.

Are you the Kodas?

I'm Asano Suzu.

So, you're...

I'm grateful for you coming all this way.

It's a little steep, but it's a shortcut.

- It's like a mountain! - I know.

It's there.

She said that's it.

Wow, it's fancy.

We're here.

Welcome. Thank you for coming so far.

Thank you for having us.

Thank you.

My mother will come and see you later.

Thanks for coming to the station.

Thanks.

She's mature for her age.

More than us, eh?

This way, please.

Oh, it's cool.

Beer!

- I want a beer! - It's so pretty! The river's right below.

- I wonder if you can fish here. - Just give me a beer.

Are you all right, Yoko-san?

Hush now!

- You made it. - After working all night?

A friend drove me here.

That's the girl?

Hello, I'm Koda Sachi.

I'm Asano Suzu.

Your little brother?

Yes, but he's my stepmother's son.

I see.

Excuse me.

Hello, I'm Koda.

- Are you the oldest daughter? - Yes.

Hello, I'm Asano's wife.

Thank you for joining us, I know you're busy.

- Thank you for caring for my father. - Not at all.

It was your father who looked after me.

Before the funeral procession can begin,

you need to address the guests.

Can you manage that?

I can't...

Please do it for me, Uncle.

But then again...

How about Suzu-chan?

Yes, that's a good idea. She's his daughter, after all.

That's not the right thing.

But she's very mature.

Suzu-chan will manage just fine. She's smart.

No, this is a grown-up's job.

If you want, shall I do it?

Just address the guests?

I understand.

I'll do it.

Can you manage, Yoko?

I can manage, Uncle. I'm his wife.

Oh, look at the smoke.

You're right.

Smoke from a crematorium is so old-fashioned.

Dad must've been happy here.

So many people came to see him off.

Everyone mentioned how kind he was.

He was kind and useless.

He guaranteed a friend's loan and went into debt.

He sympathised with women and started affairs.

His widow, Yoko, is a lot like our mother, isn't she?

But she nursed him until the end. We should be thankful.

You're right.

I'm sure she barely visited him in the hospital.

I bet she stayed 10 minutes at most, after delivering his clean clothes.

But in her mind, that's attentive nursing.

- Only a skilled nurse knows... - Excuse me!

- What is it? - I have something for you.

This... I found it in Father's desk.

Is that you, sis?

The fireworks at Kamakura.

Oh, I remember this trip to Enoshima.

Chika, you got lost on this trip and caused such a fuss.

You even pooped at the visitor centre.

Really, did I?

Goodbye, then.

Wait.

Do you have time?

Yes.

Where's your favourite place in this town?

I wonder if the kid'll be all right.

I just wonder if she'll make it here.

She's unrelated to Yoko.

What a beautiful view.

I came here often with Father.

Doesn't it look similar?

It looks just like our Kamakura without the ocean.

Right? It brings back memories.

Suzu-chan...

You're the one who nursed Father, right?

I'm sure he's grateful to you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Do you like it here?

I'm not sure, I haven't lived here that long.

That's right.

But now I understand why Father wanted to live here

Here it is.

- See you. - Take care.

Yes. You, too, sisters.

Suzu-chan, why don't you come to Kamakura?

We could live together, the four of us.

Our house is really old, but it's huge.

We all have jobs, so we can take care of you.

But...

You don't have to answer right away.

- Think it over. - See you again.

I'll come!

Hey, sis, she's here!

OK!

Watch your step there.

Welcome!

- Are you tired from the long trip? - I'm fine.

Your room's upstairs. Put your things up there.

- You're next to me. - Thank you for welcoming me.

Come on.

- Thank you. - This way, this way.

- Yoshino, help me fix lunch. - We're not ordering out?

Noodles should be home-cooked.

Lotus root and eggplant tempura, please.

- I have eggplant. - Great.

I'll help.

You should unpack your things, Suzu. You're the only one who can.

You're our little sister now, no more Suzu- "chan".

OK.

Yotchan's room is at the back. This used to be Sachi's room.

It's a little small, but it faces south.

I wonder if the desk'll fit. So many tight corners in this house.

Suzu?

That's Grandma and Grandpa. They were both teachers.

She looks like Sachi-san.

Don't tell her. She hates being told that.

Oh, really?

Every time she argued with Mum, that's what Mum told her.

- Hello! - Oh, he's here.

We're done moving.

It's hot!

Hot!

He's the manager at Max's Sportswear.

Are they dating?

I don't want to think about it.