Sand Clock (砂時計)

There is a landscape I can't forget.

All that happened there made me who I am today.

A collection of singular moments serving as my life's timeline.

Each moment like individual grains in a sand clock.

The first time I saw the giant sand clock, I was 14.

My mum and I had returned to her hometown...

After her divorce from Dad.

Now, 12 years later,

I find myself standing before it once again...

With "him."

SAND CLOCK

That's an hourglass?

The world's largest.

How much time does it mark?

A whole year.

A year is a lot of sand.

Ann?

Would you like your own?

Sure. I'll take this one.

SHIMANE PREFECTURE, 1995

The lower half is the past.

The middle is the present.

And the top is the future.

The past just became the future. Right, Mum?

I told you he was a good-for-nothing.

His business failed, he's in debt and now he's left you.

Quite frankly, I can't afford to feed the two of you.

Are you listening, Miwako?

You have to get over this and move on.

You must be stronger.

Wow, Grandma's more intense than I remember her.

Is there a convenience store here?

You're Misayo's granddaughter, right?

Oh, yes.

I heard you and your mum were back after a long time.

You've sure grown up.

Ah... I'm sorry to hear about your folks.

Okay.

Take care, eh?

Stop staring.

TSUKISHIMA BREWERY

Thanks for coming.

- Thanks. - Thanks.

Liquor, huh?

That's Miwako's girl.

Her father left them with big debts.

Poor thing.

No, I'm not.

You guys broke?

I can give you work.

No, thanks.

Mind your own business.

You need to work to live.

My mum did work.

From morning till night.

Here, hold onto this.

Follow me.

Wait!

This way.

What's going on?

She's helping me.

Good for you. You should help your mother.

No, I...

You'll get paid quickly here.

It's a good job.

Come on.

The firewood has to be stacked here.

By whom?

What's your name?

Ann Minase.

By you, Ann.

And you are?

Daigo Kitamura.

You the new help?

Hardly. I was forced into this.

By Daigo?

You a friend of Daigo's? Yes? Yes?

Are you new in town?

Tell me, what's your name?

Ann Minase. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm busy.

Yoo-hoo, big brother! This is Ann. She's new here!

That's my brother, Fuji.

I'm Shiika.

I'll hold that for you.

What, again Shiika?

Get back to your "flower class".

I want to help.

Not in a kimono, you don't.

We're here.

Thanks.

I'll pick you up at 10 tomorrow.

What?

You mean there's more firewood?

Four truckloads worth.

Good luck.

Over here.

Here, Daigo.

You two look chummy.

I don't call this "chummy." Here... here... here.

Oh, hello.

Want to help, Fuji?

Here.

So you'll come if Ann asks you, huh?

Want some ohagi rice cake?

Really? I'd love some!

Great, you eat while we work.

I'm swamped too, you know.

I've no reason to be playing around here, you know.

Stop trying to use a Tokyo dialect.

You're enough of a snob already.

It's this way.

I'm starving.

Come on, Daigo.

I haven't had ohagi in years.

We make it.

Really?

Yours are way too sweet.

Then don't eat any.

I'll eat 20, then!

Well, that figures.

Ann!

Ann!

Come quick!

It's your mother!

Eh?

Has she exhibited any erratic behaviour?

Like going from depression to sudden anger or tears?

Do me a favour, Ann.

Try not to tell your mother that she's got to be strong.

She got this way by trying too hard over a long time.

Mother.

Where are you going?

I can't sleep.

I'm just going out for a little fresh air.

I'll go with you.

Take me with you.

No, you stay here, Ann.

We still can't find her.

We're looking everywhere.

Don't worry. Your mother will return.

I'm sure she just wanted to be alone.

God won't abandon you. Even if he does, I won't.

What?

It'll be okay.

The wake for Miwako Uekusa will be held tonight

at the family's home from 6 pm.

The town extends its deepest sympathies.

They found her buried in the snow in the hills.

I hear she slashed her wrists.

How dreadful.

Ann...

forgive me.

I kept telling your mother to be strong.

It's all my fault.

No, it's not.

It's Mum's fault.

Ann...

Weakling! You're a weakling!

Ann!

I'm so sorry.

It was easy to fix.

Your grandmother told me... your mother bought this for you.

Here.

Don't throw it away.

Daigo...

Now I'm...

all alone.

My mum's left me.

Like I said...

I'll stay with you always.

I promise.

I'll stay by your side.

I promise.

A YEAR LATER

Stop tickling me! Wanna crash?

Eyes forward!

Out of the way!

Watch it, lovebirds!

They need to replace this with a new bell.

It doesn't work. It won't grant my wish.

What's your wish?

You'll find out soon. It'll come true.

Let's go to the Grand Shrine of Izumo. That'll work.

Okay!

I'd better earn some money, eh?

Your accent!

You've become a local!

Afternoon.

Good afternoon.

I'm home!

We wouldn't have wanted you at the funeral anyway.

Stop your crying! Crying won't bring Miwako back.

Father...

Did you read my letters?

Go home. The station's over there.

I honestly didn't realise your mother was ill.

I don't know what to say.

I'm sorry.

Mum wasn't sick.

That's a cop out, Dad.