Stepmom and Daughter Blues (義母と娘のブルース)

April 2009

Pop, rock, classical,

jazz, folk,

enka, opera.

The world is full of songs.

Songs of happiness,

songs of passion,

songs of sadness,

songs of confusion,

songs of joy.

If I was to make a song about my life,

it would definitely be the blues.

I can't ride the bicycle blues.

Don't be too wary of the snake in the cup.

In other words, you can control the bicycle better

if you set aside your fear and just speed up.

Akiko-san~!

Weren't we supposed to meet at 3 o'clock?

Since I was going to your house, I thought I should check out the surrounding environment,

and arrived ahead of time.

You're well prepared.

We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country—its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps.

- That is Sun Tzu. - But of course.

You may want to commit it to your memory.

I will.

Oh... Miyuki.

This lady is going to be

Miyuki's

n-new...mother.

I've been meaning to tell you but I missed the timing.

Pleased to meet you.

This is my business card.

Housework, child rearing, tidbits of everyday life.

Due to lack of such skills,

there may be times I may cause you trouble.

However, being that I plan to earnestly do my best,

I would appreciate it if you would kindly consider a lasting relationship with me.

Miyuki. You're supposed to accept that.

Come on, Miyuki. Aren't you going to say hello?

No!

- Hey, Miyuki. - I don't like her!

Don't say that. Come on, be a good girl and...

I'm sorry. It's because I didn't tell her beforehand

that she was caught by surprise. Right? Miyuki. Come on, Miyuki.

Say hello, okay?

- No! - You don't mean that, do you?

- No! - Then

if you'll excuse me for today.

What? Are you leaving already?

It appears I'm disliked.

- That's not so... - If you can't win people over with your first move,

- that presentation is a failure. - Is that right?

I shall withdraw once and make plans for a different approach.

Also, I have this.

Miyuki-chan, please accept it.

Uh... I'm sorry about all this.

That's all right. Well then, goodbye.

Oh, then Akiko-san,

see you!

With footsteps like metronome

that don't miss a beat,

my stepmother

was a career woman.

Her name is Iwaki Akiko-san.

She works for our rival company. Look. In sales.

You know I'm in sales too, right?

That's the same too~.

And the way Akiko-san goes about her work

is really, truly amazing.

Her thorough research, rare analytical ability,

bold presentations!

The next model will be sure to reach the top of world share.

And her method of using every trick in the book.

President, I had it warming up for you.

Thanks. You're very thoughtful.

Shall I have it squashed?

Using every possible weapon and any means necessary,

once she sets her eyes on a proposal, she's bound to make it her own!

I look forward to working with you.

Her method of attack was that of Sengoku (period of warring states).

They call her the Sengoku Buchou of the metal industry, you know.

Don't you think she's amazing?

If someone like that became your mom,

I think you'd be invincible.

Oh, look at this.

Miyuki, she put furigana (ruby characters) by kanji characters.

So that Miyuki can read it too.

You learned it in school too, didn't you?

To put yourself in the other person's shoes.

She won't only be strong,

but I think she'll be a compassionate mom too.

Why don't we try reading this.

I have a mom already.

Thank you for the food.

But Miyuki, your mom's

already gone to a faraway place.

In which case it might not be a bad idea

for you to have a new mom to protect you.

That's what I think.

When I bought a bottle of this today,

I won two free bottles.

It's not that unusual to win one free bottle, but

two in a row is nearly impossible, right?

This is a miracle, don't you think?

The way I see it,

I think it's a sign from Mom.

Telling us to live happily with a new mom.

I don't think so.

Don't you think it's a sign telling us please don't forget about me?

Just so you know, I don't need a new mom.

I see, I see. All right.

But I'm going to marry her. Got it?

What are you going to do, Dad?

Mom doesn't like it either.

Look, you're making Mom cry.

Buchou (Department Chief)! Good morning.

Good morning, Taguchi-kun.

Iwaki-kun! Can you tell me your future outlook

in regards to the surcharge on raw materials?

The greater fluctuation in the price of copper...

Iwaki Buchou, in regards to the price of aluminum...

That darn Mitsutomo!

Coming up with an unnecessary proposal.

If you're a major corporation, act like one, I say.

Right? Miyamo-chan.

- Hey. - So close~.

- What's so close? - That license plate.

If it was 4, the numbers would have been in sequence.

It was so close~.

It was almost a miracle.

Miyamo-chan.

You're good.

Wait a sec, wait a sec...

- All right, let's go home, huh? - Oh...okay.

Buchou, I got the proposal ready for Harumi Seiki.

Thank you.

Buchou, if you'd like, I can go buy lunch for you.

Please. I'd appreciate that, Taguchi-kun.

Buchou, what are you doing with that?

I got an opportunity to interact with a child.

In order to get close to one's opponent,

one must first get to know the opponent.

So, what kind of bento would you like?

- I'll leave it to your discretion. - Got it.

Ryoichi-san

Hello.

Taguchi-kun! Cancel my lunch.

Got it!

- What can I get you? - Ice tea please.

Sorry to bother you at work.

Thank you for taking the time to come out during work.

How has Miyuki-chan been doing since?

Well... I've been trying to talk to her, but...

You're making Mom cry.

That's...that's just rain.

What do you like about a weird woman like her? Her face was all stiff.

Naturally, it's...

how she's good at her job.

Who do you like more, her or Mom?

I like...both of them!

After that, she said what do you mean you like both of them, and

I was like...reproached even more

than the time I inadvertently blurted out the bidding price.

I don't know what to do anymore.

If you don't mind,

shall I try explaining to Miyuki-chan?

No.

I'll explain it to her.

She's my daughter after all... So please wait a little longer.

All right.

Here's your order.

Would you like to eat with me?

Thank you.

Miyamo-san, do you have any correction tape?

Oh, sure.

You're really put on the spot when you run out of correction tape.

That's right. I'll just have to put her on the spot.

That's right.

Just put her in on the spot. Put her on the spot!

Oh, Miyuki-chan.

I wonder if your dad can't come today. Did he tell you anything?

It's already 7:00,

but I can't get a hold of him.

Do you suppose he's working overtime or something?

See how you like being put on the spot.

How come?

Why isn't Dad coming?

Miyuki!

I'm sorry for being so late.

I want a mom after all!

You do?

Maybe I should get going.

- Sensei. - Hey.

Were you in a situation where you couldn't even answer your phone?

Uh...some urgent work came up...I'm sorry.

Oh, where's Miyuki?

- She went home with Shimoyama-san. - What? I didn't ask Shimoyama-san

- to pick her up today. - Miyuki-chan made the call herself

and asked to be picked up. Poor thing.

Get your act together, Dad!