that persistent?
It's all she talks about.
The other day, a man with a tuxedo
and a white scarf walked past us.
Mother asked if I wanted him for a husband.
So I turned round to look at him,
and I saw an advert for a nightclub
on his back.
I envy you, Setsuko.
Your parents aren't like my mother.
They're so understanding.
I wouldn't be so sure of that.
They're not like Mom at all.
She always goes on and on
and never gets to the point.
She has an interesting way of talking.
Yeah, too interesting, if you ask me.
Setsuko, we should team up.
What do you mean?
You help me
when my mother's being unreasonable,
and I'll do the same for you.
- That sounds good.
- Remember, I'm relying on you.
Will you take a pledge?
What was that?
It means, "13 silver hairpins, bloody
broken spider webs, and three..."
- It's an incantation.
- I see. In that case...
Thank you.
- Should I wait?
- No, you can leave.
Hello.
- Excuse me.
- Yes?
I'm happy to see you again.
This is a surprise. Welcome. Come in.
May I? I hope I'm not bothering you.
It's all right. Come in.
Thank you.
Have a seat.
- Welcome.
- Hello.
I'm sorry to bother you.
I brought this as a present.
Thank you very much.
It's for the family, not for you.
I know.
I'm sorry.
Are you busy with something?
I knew we'd talk long, so I went to the toilet.
I see.
Is Hisako at school?
Yes, and Setsuko's at work.
They're both lovely girls.
Yukiko returned home without me.
You got in a human dock, didn't you?
It's such a horrible place.
They sent electricity
through wires around my hands and feet,
and injected me with some kind of blue ink.
It turned everything blue. It was horrible.
That's not all. I had to drink
this muddy, plaster-like substance.
It tasted horrible.
I was supposed to stay three more days,
but I just couldn't take it.
But you finished your treatment?
Yes, there's no need for them
to poke and prod me anymore.
I don't need to be their patient anymore.
And what about your heart?
The old doctor told me it was fine.
He said it was just neurosis.
I tell him I still have pains,
but he doesn't listen.
Isn't that outrageous?
I'm glad there was nothing serious.
I didn't need to come all the way to Tokyo.
It's always better to be sure.
Yes, I suppose it is.
But what about the young doctor?
He's the one who did it.
What do you mean?
He's the one who injected the blue ink.
I begged him to stop.
He said it was necessary.
He was cruel. I hate him.
You wanted to match him with Yukiko.
I'll find another prospect for her.
You must help me.
I'll do my best.
I'm doing all I can,
but Yukiko just keeps telling me
to leave her alone and not bother her.
Children are so ungrateful.
Our children are the same.
It must be the same everywhere.
You think? If we wait too long,
Yukiko will never get married.
She'll find someone.
She's capable and pretty, too.
- Do you really think so?
- I do.
I know. In fact,
I already have another prospect lined up.
Who is he?
He's not a doctor, but it's close.
- What does he do?
- He's a pharmacist.
He is the second son
of an important pharmacist in Osaka.
He's a bit old, though.
I can't remember if he's 24 or 25 years old.
He graduated from Osaka University.
Maybe this will be the one.
You certainly have a lot of candidates!
That man is ideal.
I tell you... Hold on. Excuse me a moment.
Please, go ahead. Wrong way.
That's right.
Are you sure I'm not bothering you?
Don't go too far!
Don't worry!
The weather is so nice.
It's rare that we get to go out like this.
The weather really is nice.
Maybe I should take advantage of it
and go for a game.
- You mean golf?
- Yes.
Please, not today.
This may be the last time we go out
if Setsuko gets married.
You're right.
But why wouldn't we go out again
before she marries?
You're always too busy.
Why does she just grin
without saying anything?
You mean Setsuko?
I was the same at her age.
Times have