're sure?
- Absolutely. Right?
- So you got suspended?
- He sure did.
- What was it for that time?
- He wrote a love letter.
And "the Lion" found it.
Sir, how's he doing?
The Lion?
Mr. Miyamoto,
the math teacher.
Ah, he passed away.
He was a nice man.
And how's "the Emperor"?
Mr. Tsukamoto,
the history teacher?
He's in good health.
Lives in Tottori.
Sends me a card every New Year.
And Mr. Amano,
who taught physics -
"The Badger"?
Is that what you called him?
His son is a member
of the Upper House.
He's comfortably retired.
So Mr. Amano's
doing well, eh?
Sir, you have a daughter?
Yes... I do.
A very pretty girl, too.
You're embarrassing me.
How many grandchildren
do you have?
Well, you see, my wife
passed away some time ago,
so my daughter's still single
and looks after me.
It must be kind of lonely
for you two.
Not really...
But you must all have
adult children by now.
Any grandchildren?
His new wife
is practically a grandchild.
Not only that -
and this is just between us -
he says it's "pretty nice."
Really? Congratulations!
Mr. Horie, you were vice-president
of your class, weren't you?
He's still vice-president.
His wife is president!
Indeed.
Delicious.
What is this?
- Sea eel.
- Seal?
No, sea eel.
Ah, sea eel.
It's very tasty.
Sea eel, eh?
Written with the characters
for "fish" and "abundance."
More, sir?
Beer? Thank you.
It must be lonely,
just you and your daughter.
It is, but I got
used to it long ago.
I don't know
how my daughter feels, though.
Well, my thanks to you all.
It was a wonderful meal.
- A little more?
- Oh, thank you.
Yes, it's been most pleasant.
It's been 40 years
since you left middle school.
You're all important men now,
with busy schedules,
yet you generously offer
your valuable time
to treat the Gourd
to your hospitality.
How about one more, sir?
Don't mind if I do.
People have become
so cold since the war,
but the warmth
you've shown me this evening -
The Gourd is very lucky.
Thank you.
Thank you all!
- What is it?
- Where's my hat?
Can't you stay a bit?
I'll drive you home later.
No, I must be going.
Sir, you checked your hat.
Did I?
That's right.
- You're really leaving?
- I'll just finish this.
Please take this with you.
Oh, goodness.
Thank you once again.
Well, everyone...
- I'll go with him too.
- Good idea.
Thank you all again.
I had a wonderful time.
Look after him.
Good-bye.
- Are they gone?
- Yes.
I think the Gourd
enjoyed himself.
He'd never had sea eel,
but he knew how to write it.
He even ate
Kawai's egg custard.
He sure has
a hearty appetite.
He certainly has aged.
He's starting to shrivel up.
A shriveled gourd, eh?
It was our good turn for the day.
- Some more?
- Please.
- Any sake left?
- Yes.
This is it.
Over this way.
- Are you all right, sir?
- I'm fine!
I had a great time!
NOODLE SHOP
- The whiskey!
- It's all gone.
All gone?
Hey, Tamako!
Please come in.
Tamako!
What is it, Father?
I had fun!
Sorry, he's rather tipsy.
- What fun!
- Father!
Great fun!
Mr. Kawai and Mr. Hirayama
saw me home.
I'm terribly sorry
for your trouble.
He's always like this.
Shut up!
What's that supposed to mean?
What fun. Kawai!
Yes?
You're a big shot now,
but you were an unruly brat.
I underestimated you.
Tamako, beer!
Please don't bother.
But you went out of your way.
- Pardon us -
- We must be leaving.
Not yet. It's too early.
Hey, Hirayama!
Hirayama!
Father!
Where's my bottle?
The classy whiskey.
You finished it in the car.
I did?
Oh, that's right. I did.
You always did
have a good memory.
Please look after him.
We'll be going.
I'm terribly sorry
for the trouble.
If you'll excuse us.
Don't leave yet!
Kawai! Hirayama!
Tamako, beer!
What fun! It was great!
Hirayama! Kawai!
Not seal - sea eel.
Here you go.
Did Sugai know the Gourd
ran a noodle shop?
He'd have said so.
It took me by surprise.
His daughter's
kind of