Silent Poor (サイレント・プア)

Drama 10

Community Social Worker.

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

The one who smashed up his life... was me.

That's not true.

...it's our job to make a support system and search for those in our region...

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

Though he's been living alone all this time, I wondered if he really is okay.

He isn't answering at all.

Both his electricity and gas are working though.

Because it seems he's just gone out, let's come again.

Um...

If it were you, Senpai, what would you do at a time like this?

Eh?

Though it seems he's seen my memos, he won't meet with me.

Does he dislike me?

I'm sure each of them have their own circumstances and feelings about us.

But...

"Don't run away or quit," right?

Eh?

Sorry for making you come all these times.

Satomi Ryo, I'll do my best!

How are you doing? I'll come again.

Miwa Manaka

So long; I'll go from here.

Have a good night.

Thank you for your hard work.

Hello there.

Hello there!

It's already become pitch-black out.

What are you doing here?

Yeah. I'm waiting for my Dad.

Your Father...?

I see...

Heiwa Fansubs Presents:

Silent Poor

Episode 6: "A Tiny SOS" (of 9 episodes)

Boy.

Ah.

Where's your Father? Not back yet?

Yeah.

Where's your home?

Over there! Towards the river.

Ehh...

What about your Mother? Won't she be worried?

Does she know you're this late?

No. Mama's at work.

Then, you're all alone at your home?

Yeah.

Have you had dinner?

Ah. Not yet.

I'm starving!

I have a little shopping to do, but once I'm done, I'll take you home.

The trains are all done for the day...

...so your Father may not be coming back from the station.

Ah. That's right...

How old are you? Are you at Minami Grade School?

Yeah! I'm in the third grade!

What's your name?

Subaru!

Subaru! That's a cool name, isn't it? Like an Idol's name.

Eh? Onee-chan, do you like Idols?

Yeah, I do...

Chikyuu no min'na o mamoru tame In order to protect everyone on Earth

Dohyou wa kesshite waranai zo I will never break the sumo ring

What song is that?

Sumo Warrior Utcharia!

A guy who fights on TV, huh...

I've loved those ever since I was little.

Really?

Yeah.

Say. Is your Mother always late getting home?

She's gone from Noon til morning!

I see...

Ah, look. This here's Utcharia!

Great, isn't he?!

You're right. He's cool, isn't he?

Eh? Aren't you coming in? Come in!

When your Father and Mother aren't around, I can't just come in.

Let's be sure and play another time.

I promise to come visit.

Yeah!

Promise!

Um...

Because I bought too much, if you'd like, please eat this.

Thank you!

Make sure to lock up properly!

Yes!

So long.

I hope it's not a case of neglect.

The number of cases of parents, pressured by their lives, who reluctantly give up their children is increasing.

It may lead to abuse, as well.

You mustn't simply blame the parents.

Pressured by work; having to deal with both housework and childcare...

...they want to carelessly cut corners and can fly into rages.

Add in a single working Mother and this can happen.

There are working single Fathers as well, aren't there?

It'd be best if you kept an eye on him for now.

Yes. I'll have the region's district welfare officer keep him as a subject to watch over as well.

What is it?

Sorry for the sudden visit.

Are you Subaru's Mother?

I've come from the Social Welfare Council. I'm the Community Social Worker, Satomi.

Leave!

The other day, Subaru-kun went out at night all by himself.

If there is something that is troubling you, please tell us anything.

(No problem! Subaru no problem!)

Um, I am the district welfare officer who watches over this area.

So please feel free to contact me at anytime.

Watches over us?

Um... well... Watching!

Watching?!

Why? Leave!

She might be someone who's come as an immigrant worker.

Truth is, he's fallen behind in his school lunch fees.

I've handed him the contact information many times over...

...but it never reaches his mother.

And moreover...

...he collapsed the other day during morning assembly due to anemia.

It seems he told the Health sensei that he hadn't eaten anything at all that morning.

Um... do you know where his Mother is from?

I heard she's from the Philippines.

His Father is Japanese...

...but it seems they broke up when he was little for some reason.

Is that right...

Um, what does his Mother work at?

I believe she works at a factory that makes box lunches.

He's always boasting about how his Mother's lunches are being lined up at the supermarkets.

You open it! You open it!

I'm trying to open it!

Hey!

Onee-chan, what are you doing here?

Subaru-kun!

Because I had some work nearby, I stopped off to see you.

Is that right!

Hey, you're in the middle of cleaning up. Do a good job on it!

Yes!

Yes!

Hey! No running!

Anyhow, since coming here at first grade until third grade, he's been very cheerful.

Only that much is certain.

He's fast at foot races and he's popular among all the others.

Oh! Takeshi!

Here I come!

It's kinda sad somehow.

So he could at least be with his Mother at nights, it would be great if we could restructure their lives, but...

I've heard family ties among Philippine families are strong...

But when you're in an unknown country...

...it can become lonely when you don't have any family or relatives around.

Yeah.

Say. There are lots of Philippine families living cheerfully here in Japan.

So let me ask around the connections I have on that side.

Thank you, Keiko-san!

What are you doing?

Ah, I'm translating Subaru-kun's school printout.

Minami News

It's quite an important announcement.

Ah, I see.

Shall I help you?

Eh?!

Well, I wasn't all that good when it came to languages, but...

If the two of us join forces on it, we can at least make one decent translator.

Thank you very much!

Then, please take care of this portion.

I did it!

Satomi, I got it!

Utcharia!

The guy at the bazaar had one left!

Ah, awesome! That's spinning faster than mine did!

Whaa!

Good at that, aren't you?

I did it!

Yeah!

Yeah!

Wow, that was good.

Grandpa!

This is my Grandpa.

Ehh...

Is that your bike?

Oh, that one? That's right.

It's the cleaning store's bike.

Awesome!

You're all in good spirits, aren't you?

Okay! Bring whatever dirty clothes you have to me.

Because I'll wash all of them.

We did it!

What's the matter?

I was wrong again.

Huh?

I thought he was Papa.

I see. Does your Father come by here sometimes?

No.

Then, where is he?

I don't know.

Ah but, I do remember what he looks like!

I have a photo of him, too.

Let's do more!

Here, here, this way!

Onee-chan!

What should we play?