Memories of Matsuko (Kiraware Matsuko no isshô) (嫌われ松子の一生)

It'll be fine as long as there is happiness Oh God!

Everybody dreams.

But only a handful of people see their dreams realized.

Want to be a star?

You're perfect!

The rest of us...

accept our fate...

fall into ruin...

kill ourselves...

Let's break up.

laugh it off...

Don't come near!

committed crime and running after by the goodness.

Life with you...

is a terrible bore.

I feel like dying.

You have no way out.

At any rate...

the future's hopeless.

You quit your band.

So now what?

Sex!

Sex!

Sex!

It's not too late!

Shut up!

You can start over!

Fuck it.

And then a familiar voice called to me.

Reach out. Stretch up high

And grab a star

Matsuko!

Hi, Son.

Dad!

I need a favor of you.

I hadn't seen my Dad in 2 years.

Ever since I left home at 18 for Tokyo...

to become a musician.

What's that?

Ashes.

Mom?

I never told you I had an older sister Matsuko.

She vanished about 30 years ago.

She was found dead in a park 3 days ago.

My dad came to Tokyo to cremate her.

She was 53...

living alone in an apartment.

My dad had to return home that day.

So he asked me to go clean up her apartment.

She was hopeless.

And now she's been murdered.

Murderer!?

The killer's still at large.

Her life was meaningless.

Meaningless.

4 p.m., July 10, 2001.

The body of a middle-aged woman was found on a riverbank.

According to the police...

she was identified as Matsuko Kawajiri.

A tenant of a run-down apartment building.

She had been severely beaten...

"Murder, Say Police"

What a mess!

A teen idol band?

Concrete jungle!

Disgusting.

This is her?

Aunt Matsuko?

That was scribbled by the lady who died 4 days ago.

She was...

a nuisance.

A neighborhood pest.

Fuckin' crazy!

Well, I'm her relative.

Her neighbor, Shuji.

Despite his anti-social demeanor...

My body is my canvas.

He was oddly friendly.

People called the lady here Matsuko the Outcast.

Never threw out her trash. Never said a word.

She smelled weird.

Sometimes, she'd scream her head off.

Teen idols?

I often saw her on the riverbank just staring at the water.

River?

Mystifying.

Not for the hero detective.

Hi, Officer!

Fuckin' scary!

Seen him? He lived with the victim 18 years ago.

He was released from prison last month.

You think he did it?

Don't know. But he's been spotted around here.

Hey, you!

What do you know of her?

Nothing.

She liked teen idols?

Her life...

was meaningless.

"Forgive me..."

"Forgive me for being born."

Who was she?

Schoolteacher.

A junior high teacher.

Popular, too. Beautiful voice.

The moon is crying, a star sparkles

That's where hope lies

Knowledge is endless

Matsuko, age 23, 1971

And stars reach into endlessness

Then came an incident at a school outing.

Get back to your rooms.

A student stole money...

from the inn's shop.

About $100.

Ryu was missing from dinner last night.

So what?

He was the only one missing.

Don't accuse him!

We're not accusing him.

We just want you to talk to him.

He's your student!

Do it!

Yes, Sir!

I'll join you.

For moral support.

That's okay. I'm his teacher.

I trust my students.

I selected my words carefully so as not to hurt his feelings.

Did you take the money?

I believe you but the other teachers...

I'd like to hear it from you.

You think I did it.

If it's returned the owner won't call the police.

We'll apologize together.

Forget it!

Oh no.

Is it me?

My fault?

No, Ryu's to blame.

He stole!

Damn you!

Wait, I know!

I'll return the money myself...

and say I got it from the remorseful student.

Not enough!

I'll pay it right back!

I promise!

He feels terrible about it!

Then bring him here.

He needs to apologize!

Let's go see him, then.

- No! - Yes!

You making fun of me?

Um... no.

Just then...

It wasn't him.

I just wanted this over.

I took it!

I took the money!

You were letting your students take the blame...

for a crime you committed?

I'm sorry!

I wasn't going to the police anyway.

Ms. Kawajiri?

But why?

Let's not tell the other teachers.

We'll let the inn believe you did it.

And the school will pretend nothing happened.

We've no other choice.

As for you, Ms. Kawajiri...

I'm sorry.

How sorry?

Well...

Show me with actions, not words!

Yes, sir!

If you're really sorry then show me your breasts.

Show me!

Now!

Ms. Kawajiri?

It was all a mistake by the inn.

Yes.

People can be so silly.

Ms. Kawajiri?

He looked me in the eye and said...

How would you like...

to go bowling on Sunday?

Then I said...

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

Then he blushed.

Yes.

Is he handsome?

Yes, and his teeth!

Sparkling white.

Good for you, Sis.

Thanks.

I promise to be happy.

Why'd you tell your sister you have a date?

You know she's ill.

She can't go out.