bother.
I guess i'll be going.
- Yeah, you better.
They take after me
more and more.
But only my bad side.
It's a pity.
That's just how it goes.
By the way, don't forget.
- What?
They want that position
at akita hospital filled right away.
All right.
I'll ask him tomorrow.
Good night.
I'm home.
There's my good little girl.
Stay indoors now.
You're early.
Are you hungry?
There's some fried rice.
- Fine.
Mother.
I have something to tell you.
- Oh?
Sit down.
What is it?
I'm going to akita.
On a business trip?
They asked me to run
internal medicine at akita hospital.
They did?
The offer came through mr. Mamiya.
He told me i'd be called back
to tokyo in a few years.
What do you think?
Did you accept?
I'd like to.
If you wish, you can stay here.
You can't go alone!
Will you come with me then?
Well?
Well...
akita's a long way away.
You don't like the idea?
It would mean a considerable raise.
Can't you find a job
like that in tokyo?
No, they only offer
posts like that in the provinces.
This is a great opportunity for me.
I know, but...
and i can do my research
on local problems there.
They promised i could return
to tokyo in a few years.
I can't let this opportunity go by.
What do you think?
I'll accept, okay?
You have a bad habit of getting quiet
when you're angry, mother.
Hello.
What is it today?
I just stopped by.
I see. Have a seat.
- Where's noriko?
- She's out.
Mr. Manabe came by last night.
Did he say anything?
Nothing in particular.
What about noriko?
- What about her?
About marrying him.
She hasn't said anything yet.
Will you ask her?
Me?
- I don't understand her.
- What do you mean?
Is she interested in men?
What do you think?
Sometimes she seems to be,
and sometimes she doesn't.
Has she always been like that?
- Yes.
- Has she ever been in love?
- I don't think so.
But she has an album
of audrey hepburn photos this thick.
Who's audrey hepburn?
- An american actress.
- A woman?
So she goes for women?
- No!
You can never know.
She's very strange, in any case.
Why don't you teach her?
- About what?
Everything.
What do you mean, everything?
Don't try to be coy.
Don't talk to me like that!
That was rude!
Was it? Sorry.
Bring in some tea.
Or some coffee?
Nothing, thank you.
Noriko's late.
She might not be back today.
She's seeing her brother.
That was mean of you.
You might've told me sooner.
- You want to go out for some sushi?
- All right.
What do you like?
Tuna.
- How about an open clam?
- Sure.
- And a nice long rice roll?
- No, thank you!
You're strange too.
Shoji and i came here often
when we were in school.
Really?
We always sat at this table.
That painting was there too.
It's been a long time.
Yes, it has.
We quarreled a lot,
but i loved my brother very much.
I still have a letter from him.
It came through the military mail.
He enclosed a wheat stalk.
I was reading wheat and soldiers
at the time.
Could you let me have it?
Of course.
I'd like you to have it.
Thank you.
There he is.
- Been waiting long?
- Not too long.
Shall we go?
What shall we eat?
Anything you'd like.
It's a farewell dinner in your honor.
Make him order a lot.
Of course it's my treat.
But nothing too expensive.
Stingy.
Expensive dishes
aren't necessarily good.
Let's go.
Good evening.
Who is it?
It's me.
Ah, noriko.
Come in.
I'm glad you came.
Thanks.
- Mitsuko's fast asleep.
- Yes.
You're packing?
I'm not making much progress.
This is a farewell gift
from my family.
You shouldn't have.
You're very kind.
Thank you very much.
Where's kenkichi?
He's still at his farewell party,
even though he leaves
tomorrow morning.
And when will you join him?
As soon as i finish
cleaning this place up.
It must be difficult.
Thanks for everything
all these years.
Is this your first trip to akita?
Yes.
The furthest north i've been
is utsunomiya.
You'll come back in a few years.
Kenkichi says so too.