Silent Poor (サイレント・プア)

Drama 10

Community Social Worker.

Kinoshita-san.

For those suffering from poverty or isolation while being trapped in the gaps between institutions...

"Feel relieved. I will be dead soon."

...we search out those who don't have a voice to call out for an SOS.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

How did it go?

Her guest really is a man.

I knew it.

He's been coming here since the half month for three days straight.

Worrisome, isn't it...

Contact Salon

Counseling Room

To Eta-san's home?

That's right.

Three days in a row is incredible, isn't it?

What's the matter?

It seems an unknown man has been coming and going to Eta-san's home.

It seems she's saying he's a friend of her dead son.

That's dangerous.

I've been hearing stories about this recently.

Just the other day, one of the older women I'm in charge of who is living alone...

...was tricked by a man claiming to be a home renovation contractor...

...and he got her to hand over ALL her savings.

I wonder if he's the member of a gang?

Let's check it out.

Yeah.

What is it?

Excuse me... you are?

What? I'm a relative.

A relative...

Look how he ran off like that.

He's definitely suspicious, isn't he?

Eta-san. Eta-san!

Yes?

Ala! Satomi-san. Ishida-san as well.

Welcome.

My! I've had nothing but guests today.

Now, come in, come in.

No. We were in the middle of a home visit just now.

We got to thinking, I wonder how Fusae-san is doing?" and so dropped by.

My! Really? Thank you.

Has there been any changes for you?

No.

Um... Please tell us if there's anything we can help you with.

Yes.

Um... The guest who just left before us was...?

Ah... he's an acquaintance.

He brings his car around when I want to go shopping.

Is that right.

Heiwa Fansubs Presents

Silent Poor

That's a problem...

Eta-san is lonely, isn't she?

Eh?

Episode 4: "A Mother's Song" (of 9 episodes)

I felt relieved about her since we had gotten her neighbors to give her their support.

It's true that once we got all that trash dealt with, Eta-san has changed beyond recognition, hasn't she?

She said he's a friend of her son's, didn't she?

That's an old trick.

Their way of gaining the trust of an old person who's living alone.

Still, each of us is her true family.

Keiko-san, how is your mother doing this winter?

Mine? Well, mine will get by somehow.

Thanks to your help, Ryo, I've been able to take her back and forth to the hospital.

It's just her forgetfulness has gotten a little worse.

Just the other day she said to me...

"Is this the first time we've met?"

You can tell me anything.

Eh?

Since I was the one who gave you the push from behind to take charge of her...

...when you were at a loss as to what to do.

What is that? Don't say such things.

Yoshioka Cleaners

Ala? Back early?

No. I couldn't be.

I came out here to take my lunch break.

I just wanted to drop by and see you somehow.

Ehh... This is rare of you.

Ah then, could you help out a little?

Because of the New Year's holiday, it gets a little hectic around here.

Still, it's great being so busy, isn't it?

Yeah.

Minako, be careful.

Hurry and come!

Okay! Let's go!

We're here!

We're home!

We're home!

Hey! You have to wash your hands first, right?

You're the older sister, aren't you Minako?

Where has it gone?

Hey!

Mother.

Please just bring it out.

Mother, calm down! Mother.

Where has it gone to?!

Mother...

Where has it gone to?!

Mother.

What's going on?

Ah, Keiko, we have a problem.

Your Mother is making a fuss about searching for her purse.

Eh?

She lost it?

It's not that.

Here's her purse. Look.

Eh?

The people at the Day Service were saying that her condition was a bit off today...

...but that she could be brought home.

Mom, what's the matter? Have you lost something?

My purse.

My purse! Where is it?

If it's your purse then look, here it is, right?

Wrong! Where has it gone off to, geez...!

Where has it gone off to?! Did you steal it?!

Mom... Why would I steal it?

Hey... Stop doing that...

What are you doing?! Let go of me!

What's happening to you!?

Let go!

Here! Take a good look at it!

This is your purse!

Ah...

If you had just looked for it calmly, things would have been fine!

Mom...

I'm...

...acting strange.

Doing things like this sometimes...

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry...

Hey Mama, we're starving!

It hurts.

Ah... sorry, sorry. I'll make dinner right away.

She's gotten a little worse...

I guess it's progressed quite considerably...

Keiko.

Keiko-chan.

What is it?

You've become a mother.

I see... All right.

It's become serious, hasn't it?

Yes.

It's obvious we have to think he's a home renovation shyster.

Still, Eta-san believes in him.

Yes. I guess we should let the police handle it?

Yeah...

Anyhow, let's confirm this case with the district welfare officer.

Keiko-san will be worried.

That's true.

Hello, Yasushi-san? Hello, this is Satomi.

Ah, Ryo-chan.

Is the store busy right now?

I have a little something to discuss. Is Keiko-san there?

Um... About that...

Ah... what should I do?

Ah. Is that Ryo-chan?

What's going on?

Ryo-chan?

Well, Kei-chan's mother went off with Minako-chan and hasn't come back home.

Eh?

Back from nursery school, they were playing at Yasu-san's store when she took the opportunity when he wasn't watching...

...and Kei-chan's mother took Minako out.

Everyone's searching for them right now.

Is that right...

Well, I've been looking and calling out for them in the shopping district.

Um, sorry for worrying you.

Yeah...

Her mother's condition has been a bit off ever since yesterday.

It may be she just started wandering away.

I see...

Keiko's looking all over town for her.

All right. I'll come there right away, too!

Keiko-san!

Ryo-chan, sorry about this.

What about the police?

I've contacted them.

The teachers at the nursery school are looking for her as well.

Ah... what am I going to do...

Geez, where has she gone?

What'll I do if something happens?!

Anyhow, we can't think about what the worst might be right now, can we?

That's true, but...

I guess this just won't work out.

My taking charge of Mom is impossible after all.

It's been thirty years now since we last lived together.

Thing is, she just doesn't understand how to deal with small children.

And she almost never even plays with Minako.

So why then...?

Calm down.

How?!

Geez... Ryo-chan...

I don't want such simple advice from a person who isn't in charge of someone!

You guys...

It may be Miwa-san here has become inspired by you, Satomi-senpai.

It's a slightly annoying feeling though.

Eh?

She's already working overtime everyday...