The Balloon Page #4

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Did you invite her?

Of course.

She's not allowed to come again.

Why?

It's just not allowed.

Why not?

Is she bad for not having money and

working in that sort of place?

Ask your father.

I want to let her do what she wants.

It's not such a big deal.

I disagree. It's not something

a good family should allow.

It's not something to set in stone.

But what kind of home is it where some morally

dubious woman is allowed into our daughter's room?

That's too much. There are lots of people

who live in difficult circumstances.

Judging people just from their

circumstances is cruel.

There have been times when we've been

deep in debt and unable to pay it.

Not in front of the children.

It's fine.

I'd like to tell her more about it.

Tamako, go upstairs.

I'd like to hear

what Papa has to say.

Are you interested

in what I was saying?

Please don't.

I'm not asking you.

I'm asking Tamako.

But let's leave it for today.

By the way, I'm going to the Kansai region

at the start of next month.

I thought I might take Tamako with me.

Really?

I'm so pleased! And Mother, too?

If it works out.

Anyway, go to bed now.

Good night.

Keikichi's late.

When he comes back,

talk to him about that woman.

I don't know what you're all coming to!

I thought Keikichi's was such a good son.

What Mikiko said, is it true?

Didn't you think so?

Look at me properly.

Is it really true?

I won't lie to you.

I did meet her.

I'm not hiding it.

It's in the past - I can forget it.

You can just forget it too, can't you.

What do you mean?

Just tell me you'll never do it again.

So I have to promise you?

And just that will reassure you?

I probably can't feel reassured...

but I'll try really hard to believe you.

That's impossible to keep up for long.

This old thing's still here?

What should I do then?

Whatever I try to think about...

it's always you and only you I think about.

Waking and sleeping both.

You're my reason for living.

And if that makes me feel suffocated?

I need to cool off and think.

Let's not see each other for a while.

I can't, I can't.

Being apart from you .. I... I'll die.

Then I'll tell you to try dying.

People who've really

decided to end it all...

they tend to get on with it.

They don't wait for permission.

Here's this month's money.

I'm not staying over.

Think it over calmly.

I don't think you're that sort of a fool.

- Here you are.

- Thank you.

Sorry it's nothing special

but I hope you like it.

- Do you like the sweets?

- Yes, they're delicious.

Mr. Murakami told me to get

you anything you wanted.

He gave me money - so much too!

So it's just you and Tacchan?

Yes.

But we manage to get by OK.

I know I just have to get on with it

by myself so I can't moan about it.

Hey, why don't you come to my home?

Go to your house?

I'd like that.

Your father said he'd be back

from Osaka late, didn't he?

Stay at my place. We can

telephone your hotel.

- Go on!

- That sounds great!

Good morning.

- See you soon.

- Yes?

- Take care.

- Yes?

I said take care of yourself.

I will, thank you.

Good morning, Rui.

Thank you for everything. Where's Tamako?

My brother went to buy

something for dinner...

She went with him.

She's funny...

Just a moment.

Tamako is very much like you.

You think so?

She's very sweet - a well brought up girl.

You paint pictures, don't you. Have

you done anything here in Kyoto?

No, not yet,. That's not

what I came here for.

What's your part-time job?

I'm a photographer's assistant.

I do the developing and copies.

I also work as a tutor at 3 houses.

- And also...

- There's more?

No, just those at the moment.

I used to work part time helping

at the Gion Festival etc.

Doing what?

I wear a white kimono and an

eboshi, and parade around.

- Oh, my!

- I wasn't bothered by that.

I used to meet friends and teachers but

it's OK - mental preparation is the key!

We're back!

Welcome back.

Tamako said she wanted Tofu-skin

so we went and bought some.

It's delicious.

I must buy some to take back to Tokyo.

What are you going to do, Tamako?

There's somewhere I want to go.

Where's that?

I heard there's a place

that produces fans...

I want to see how they split

the production process.

- Do you make fans?

- No, that's not why.

Anyway if I ask across the way I

think they'll know where it is.

I know the place you mean.

- It's just NEGI to the museum.

- "Negi?!?" (spring onions)

Not "negi"! It's "neki".

It means 'next to'.

Oh, I see.

Why not eat with us first.

Yes please. I don't normally

eat breakfast but why not.

Let's eat then.

You boys go upstairs while I get ready.

You're in the way!

So you're going to be a teacher?

Yes, I'm at Gakugei University

so that's all I can do.

- You like teaching?

- Yes, I like kids.

That's good. I'm a bit envious.

There's no need. You are

a very successful man.

I'm not so sure about that.

When you get to be my age,

everything you've done somehow seems

a bit futile and empty.

Thinking like that is a luxury!

You're such a capitalist!

Our day to day life is precarious

and even if I become a teacher...

it's not easy to be successful

and do what you want.

Having money doesn't mean you've

done something worthwhile.

Being able to look back and say you dealt

honestly with what you were faced with...

Being able to think that is

what makes people happy I think.

(Ooops!)

Rui said she was going

to rent this space out.

- Have you found a tenant?

- No.

Then I'd like to rent it. Like I used to!

Wouldn't that be a waste of money?

I never waste money. As you

said, I'm a capitalist!

When I think of what I pay for a

couple of nights at a hotel...

It would cover the monthly

rental for this place.

You have strange tastes though!

This dirty old place ...!!

- Please come again.

- Thank you.

You're very popular!

When I come here they all call me sensei.

I'm really embarrassed.

Anyway, did you find the

fan-maker interesting?

Yes, but it must be a hard job in winter.

Yes, but there's no point

making fans in summer.

Anyway it's people making them.

Not machines.

Fan making seems very peaceful. Very Kyoto!

Sensei!

Here's my classroom. I'll say goodbye.

Thank you so much. Goodbye.

Let's sit down.

Did you enjoy staying at Rui's place?

Yes, very much.

Rui and her brother quarrel

so much -and so loudly.

Do they?

But then they laugh and play

around as if it's nothing.

They get on so well. I'm envious.

Could you live there?

Live together with them?

Why do you ask?

No particular reason. But

they're poorer than us.

But they're good people. I

think I could live with them.

It might be tough... but it would be

more interesting than life at home.

I'm sorry to say it but nobody

treated me like an idiot there.

You're sorry?

Who treats you like an idiot? Your mother?

Your brother?

Nobody. It's just me thinking that way.

Ignore me.

I'm afraid he's not in the office today.

It's me, Mrs Murakami.

I don't suppose Keikichi is there, is he?

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