Gondola (ゴンドラ)

GONDOLA

Good.

Stretch out your legs.

Hey, stop, he's heavy!

Come on, dummy, stop!

What?!

Sir! Kagari needs help!

You're home?

What do you think? Is this hairstyle cool or what?

What a strange child.

What are you just standing there for?

Are you going already?

Yes, in a minute.

Kagari, I'm going now. There's a pizza in the fridge.

If you're going shopping, buy some eggs, because I forgot.

Bye.

Make sure to lock the door.

- Hey, hurry, come on, hurry! - Come on on, hurry!

We don't have time!

Wait!

You know, there's a test tomorrow.

- Yeah... - Did you study for it?

No. I'll get zero or 50% at best.

You're really pushing it.

Why don't we go shopping in Shinjuku for some clothes again?

- What if everyone fails? - It'd be great if everyone failed.

- It'd be awesome. - True.

Let's go.

Everything's going to be alright.

There, there... such a good birdy.

Alright then...

we'll leave it in the oxygen tent and check on it tomorrow.

Cheer up.

We better hurry... your folks are probably worried.

Why?

- Your folks—they're usually late? - Yeah.

How much did the vet cost?

Don't worry about it.

No, I want to know.

About ¥12,000.

School's out?

Uh-huh.

- What grade are you in? - Fifth.

I see, you're on summer vacation.

- You don't have time off? - No.

Are you going somewhere with your parents?

Why do you ask?

Here.

How much do I owe you?

It's OK.

You're good.

Why are you following me?

I don't have money. I'll pay you tomorrow.

Are you listening?

Yeah, I'm listening.

Which windows are you cleaning tomorrow?

- A skyscraper in Shinjuku. - Alright, see you tomorrow.

I won't let you sleep.

You don't need to compare me.

Just stop. I already have a toothache.

Go see a dentist then.

Anyway, I'm not asking you to do anything unreasonable.

But deep down you actually think it's my obligation as a woman.

You just pretend like you don't so that I'll appreciate having you as a husband.

Want me to say what you're really thinking?

"Please just stay home and cook...

- and stop drinking." - That's enough.

I've sacrificed so much for your dreams.

Now it's Kagari's birthday, and all of a sudden, you want to act like a father?

How does coming home early for a special occasion...

turn into an issue?

It just does! And it's not the only issue either!

You quit your musician job...

when we decided to start a family...

and that's how you lost confidence in yourself.

Say, how about going out and finding a real job?

- Be a real father; a provider. - Shut up!

I just don't get it.

How did...

- Are you hot? Are you OK? - Yeah.

Either you have it or you don't.

It's my third time.

Do you want it or not?

Of course I want it, but...

Well then, make the decision.

I'm so uncertain.

I can't keep aborting.

Yet I don't have the confidence to do it alone.

But we're all alone.

Rather than breaking up and being left alone halfway through...

it's probably easier to decide to do it alone from the start.

Are you ever glad that you had a child?

I don't know.

Did he die?

Here. I'm a little short, but I'll pay you the rest later.

Are you going to help me bury him or not?

- You used to live here? - Uh-huh.

Stop it!

You're driving me crazy!

Let's bury him.

Wait, never mind.

I'll never be able to visit here.

Chiko just keeps rotting.

When you die, what happens to the part of you that was alive?

All the things you saw, heard, thought...

Where I'm from, they say we return to the sea.

We become the ocean and live forever.

Do you know why the waves rise?

Because the spirits of the deceased laugh, cry, get mad...

it's their souls wavering.

Why?

They're protecting the living.

Are you glad you've become an adult?

Isn't it sad?

It's green.

When did you start that job?

After high school.

Do you enjoy it?

Did I say something strange?

- I don't mind. - I'm sorry.

It's the first time since coming to Tokyo 3 years ago...

that I've talked to someone on the other side of the window.

- Where were you before? - Aomori's Shimokita Peninsula.

Near the ocean?

Yeah. You can see Hokkaido from there.

Do you know what this is?

It's the sound of A.

Do you ever dream while you're awake?

- What kind of dream? - I don't know exactly.

When I'm on the gondola and I look down at the city, I begin to see the ocean.

I don't want to go home.

This is for you.

- Why? - Take it.

So, you finally decided.

I wish I could tell you to hang in there...

but it's you who has to bear and raise the child.

Yeah.

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh.

What?

Marriage?

Wait a minute.

If you wait for him to keep his word, it's gonna be too late to do anything.

Hold on a second.

True, but it's not really something...

I should stick my neck into.

Well...

I'll talk to the boss and explain your situation, OK?

Kagari!

REIKO MATSUMOTO

- Hey, what did you do with Chiko?! - Where have you been?

Where have you been?

I threw it away!

- Where? - I threw it away!

- Give him back! - Why do you do things like this?

You know that's all I have left from my childhood.

Give him back!

Did you realize the stench?

No matter how much I washed, it wouldn't go away!

Do you want some ice cream?

Why don't you come home early on days like this?

So it's my fault?

Your fault? She has a fever and she's in pain.

And is that my fault too?

Can you stop blaming me for everything?

Everything is always my fault.

I don't know what you're thinking, but...

I don't come home late just because I feel like it!

I'm working! I have a job!

Here we go again. Silent, as usual.

How long do you think it's been since you quit working?

Since you stopped playing the piano?

You said you wanted to compose decent music...

- how long's it going to take?! - Give it a rest!

I'm doing the best I can.

It hasn't even been two years yet.

Composing music is useless...

unless it comes from the mind.

I've heard that one before.

Enough already. I can't take it anymore.

You always have the same excuses. Spare me the speech. I don't care.

If you're actually concerned about Kagari, start by looking for a job.

A regular one's fine. Bring some money home.

I have a lot of things I want to do too!

Maybe you're not talented enough. So why don't you stop?

Why don't you call it quits?

Give up already!

I heard you, OK?!