Still Walking Page #6

Can't have him forgetting

after just a dozen years.

It was his fault Junpei died.

But Yoshio didn't -

It makes no difference.

Not to a parent.

Not having someone to hate

makes it all the worse for me.

So once a year

I make him feel awful too.

Will the gods punish me for that?

So I'll invite him next year

and the year after.

That's what you keep

inviting him here for?

You're cruel.

I'm not cruel.

I think it's normal.

Everyone keeps

using that word.

When you get to be a parent,

you'll find out.

- I am a parent.

- A real parent.

What's that mean?

Take your bath.

Your father's done.

And take the prince with you.

The prince?

You should.

We have a nice big bath.

Yukari-san.

We usually take separate baths.

On a day like today,

he should let his son bathe first.

He just spaces out all day.

There's no need

to bathe every day.

It's a waste

of precious hot water.

What is it, Mother?

Let Atsushi bathe first,

with Ryota.

Sure.

Usually we don't.

I'll leave your pajamas out.

I brought a T-shirt.

Wear them.

I bought them for you.

Where?

A discount shop, I bet.

Let's see.

- I'll show you.

- Let's see.

- You like this color.

- Oh no.

Atsushi, let's take a bath.

Wait till I finish this part.

The bathtub's really narrow.

I don't think we'll both fit.

Here.

What about my T-shirt?

You've got

your mother's pajamas, right?

I don't need to wear those.

You should.

She took the trouble

to buy them for you.

Are you mad?

She's like this when I visit.

She just wants to look after me.

- It's not about that.

- What, then?

If she's going to buy pajamas,

she could buy a set for Atsushi too.

She treated him all day long

like a guest, not family.

You're projecting.

She just didn't get around to it.

She had three toothbrushes

set out.

Hand me my T-shirt.

Yukari-san.

Yukari-san, come.

Use this.

Job not going well?

It's fine. Why?

Forget it, then.

Don't worry about me.

Things have changed.

Can't you...

call your mom once in a while?

Let her hear your voice.

When I do,

all she ever does is complain.

Be patient and hear her out.

That's not my job.

Can't the two of you work things out

without dragging me into it?

Whatever.

But that line about the corn -

I said it, not Junpei.

Oh yeah?

Yeah.

What difference does it make?

Ryo, it's too hot to get in.

I'll be right there.

Not that it matters anymore.

Damn.

Do you have a splinter?

If you can pinch a mole like this,

you'll be rich.

Grandma?

See this?

Grandma told me,

so I always tried hard to pinch it.

Not that it did much good.

Why did you want

to be a doctor, Ryo?

It was long ago.

Long, long ago.

Is it this one?

Oh, here it is.

I'll give you this too.

Oh no, Mother.

It's too expensive.

Oh no, it's not expensive,

but it's a fine kimono.

My daughter wants everything,

but once she gets it,

she ignores it.

I gave her a beautiful kimono,

but she's never worn it once.

I wonder if she's sold it

on the "Inter-something"

for cold, hard cash.

- I doubt that.

- I wouldn't put it past her.

You get dimples

when you laugh.

It's so sweet.

What's the point

of dimples at my age?

That's not true.

A woman should be charming

at any age.

I'm jealous.

Don't be.

Are you all right?

You're flushed.

Because I drank a little tonight.

Oh, when I was young,

they said, "A woman should

never empty a glass of beer."

You young folks are lucky.

These days,

I rarely drink when I'm out.

So you drink at home?

It must be boring.

My son doesn't drink.

Well, these days

Ryota often drinks

beer at home.

Oh really?

Just a little.

Says it helps him sleep.

I didn't know.

Better dry your hair.

You'll catch cold.

I weigh less than before.

What are you two

going to do about a baby?

We'll probably take some time

to think about it.

Guess you're right.

But if you're going to have one,

you shouldn't wait.

You're right.

You have to think

about Atsushi too.

You'd hate to have things

get awkward with a new baby.

Maybe it's best that you don't.

What a shame.

I wonder if this sash will match.

Maybe it's too plain.

This looks normal... right?

Right?

What?

It just flew in.

You followed us home

from his grave, right?

Keep it closed.

It might be Junpei.

Hey, Mom...

Junpei?

Junpei?

Hurry, get it outside.

Cut it out.

You're pathetic.

- Calm down.

- But -

See, it is Junpei.

Ridiculous!

Junpei.

Gently now, gently.

It's a butterfly.

Just a butterfly.

Right.

Just a butterfly.

I'm letting it go.

On my grandma's

a butterfly flew in at night.

You should take your bath, Mom.

I guess I will.

Yokoyama residence.

Oh, I see.

Please wait a minute.

The lady across the way

feels sick.

I'll take it.

Her heart again?

She's supposed

to be taking her digitalis.

Okay.

Call an ambulance, then.

I can't.

I'd like to, but -

I'm sorry

I can't be of more help.

- Slowly now.

- It'll sway a little.

We'll stop here

and turn around.

What's her pulse?

Please get back.

Let's open up

and load her in.

You don't understand. I'm -

You'll be fine.

Excuse me. Get back.

Time to go to bed.

Don't walk around

in those pathetic pajamas.

He said he'd fix the tiles,

but he ate his fill,

took a nap, and went home.

He's always like that.

All talk and no action.

Grandma was acting

strange earlier.

It just seemed that way to her.

Even though he's gone?

Even when they die...

people don't really go away.

Your father's here.

Right inside you.

Half of you is made

of your father.

Half of you is from me.

What about Ryo, then?

Ryo will become

a part of you too.

Slowly but surely.

Slowly but surely?

What?

Slowly but surely what?

What do you say?

Do you want to let Ryo in?

Hey, let me in.

How will he get in?

Through your mouth?

What through the mouth?

Through your belly button?

Belly button?

My belly button,

slowly but surely?

I became one

of the relay runners

in the fall track meet.

I saw a yellow butterfly today.

Just like the one I caught

with you in Karuizawa, Dad.

When I grow up...

I want to be a piano tuner

just like you, Dad.

If that's impossible,

I'd like to be a doctor.

I'm off.

Please look after him, Father.

Off you go.

Sorry there's leftover fish.

Be careful.

Don't go in the water.

Okay.

- The beach?

- Yeah, let's go.

- Don't fall.

- I'm fine.

What about

the Bay Stars baseball team?

These days...

I follow the Marinos.

You, into soccer?

I catch games

at the Yokohama stadium.

Uh... who with?

Oh, who cares?

We should go, with the kid.

We should.

One of these days.

That ship ran aground.

Go see a dentist.

- One of these days.

- Don't keep putting it off.

A single cavity

can ruin your teeth.

Okay.

It's too late

if you have to pull them.

Okay, okay, okay.

And take your weekends off.

You're getting older.

Yesterday you said

I was still young.

Here it is.

I'm sure I still had

something left to say.

Come visit again soon.

Please teach me

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