Tokyo sonata Page #3

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Don't ask some strange organisation

to sign for you.

Do it, then.

Kurosu?

Mr Kurosu passed away. With his wife.

The day before yesterday.

From gas poisoning.

Really?

A double suicide,

but he forced her into it.

-Welcome home.

-Hi.

Just listen to him, dear,

and try not to get angry.

What is it?

l want you to sign these papers for me.

l absolutely forbid it.

Why?

l raised you so you could

lead a happy life.

This couldn't be farther from that goal.

But in the military,

you can work for peace.

That's just rationalising it.

But it's true. Why should l alone

have a happy life?

lt's better to make

the whole world happy.

The whole world?

What nonsense!

Who cares about that?

l'm not worried about the world,

l'm worried about you.

That's why Japan's so hopeless.

What?

The American military

protects Japan's peace.

So what?

Just think about it.

The reason l want to join

the American military

is to protect you and mum and Kenji.

-That's how it works.

-Don't be a smartarse.

ln this house, l protect you.

That's how it works.

You can't just do whatever you want.

You're the one that needs

to think about it.

l don't want your protection .

Get out, then.

Get out.

Get out!

Forget it.

l'll ask someone else.

Takashi, wait!

Can't you figure out

a better way to talk to him?

Takashi, if you want to leave home,

fine,

but not for America.

Stay in Japan and do

what you can here, understand?

What am l supposed to do?

You say you're protecting us, Dad...

... but what do you do every day?

You can't even answer me.

l have to get ready.

Just listen to what l have to say.

Okay.

You're talented.

Extraordinarily so.

Are there any musicians

in your family?

No.

l see. You were just born with it.

Once in a while,

there are children like you.

ls that so?

l think you should go

to a school specialising in music.

Of course

you'll have to take an exam.

But this is an important discussion

l need to have with your parents.

-lmpossible.

-Why?

My father is against me learning piano.

l didn't realise...

And there's stuff going on at home.

l don't know what'll happen

if l mention piano lessons...

l can explain it to them.

l'll tell them myself.

Please, just give me a little time.

lt's a cleaning job at a shopping centre.

ls that okay?

Yes.

-Any preference for working hours?

-l'll leave it up to you.

Okay. When can you start?

Anytime.

This is for plastics,

this is for wood, this is for veneer.

But only use this one for painted veneer.

And this is multi-purpose.

Use it for anything , got that?

Can't l just clean everything

with that one?

No!

-Why not...?

-lt's not professional.

-Why do we carry it around?

-lt's for just in case.

Excuse me,

we need to clean the restroom.

Stay in touch, okay?

Swear to me, you won't get into trouble.

-l won't.

-You swear?

Listen ...

Why don't you divorce him, Mum?

Just get a divorce.

You're still totally fine.

What are you talking about?

That's the one thing that worries me.

Who else will play mother in the family?

What difference does it make?

lt's not as easy as that.

Really?

Being in the role of a mother

isn't all bad, you know.

l just don't get it.

l'll be off, then.

NATlONAL BORDER

No question about it.

He owes three months' lunch money.

Really?

l give it to him every month

without fail.

Also, he's excused himself early

from classes...

...countless times.

Do you know the reasons why?

No, l don't.

ls he being bullied?

lf anything, he does the bullying .

Which child?

Me.

l'm an adult so it hardly bothers me,

but your son is definitely

out of place here.

Really?

lt's something you should discuss

within the family.

l will.

Hey! You can't just barge in here!

What's that?

lt's nothing ! Get out!

What did you do with your lunch money?

You haven't paid for three months.

l was so embarrassed

when your teacher told me.

What did you spend

that 1 5,000 yen on? This?

No, l found it on the street!

Then what did you spend it on?

And tell me the truth.

On piano lessons.

l'll get a job and pay back

the 15,000 yen, all right?

You're kidding? Piano lessons?

You should have told me.

l would've paid for them.

But you said, "No piano."

l did.

But pocketing your lunch money

is worse.

But l don't mind you learning piano.

l think men who play the piano

are attractive.

Don't tell Dad.

You know he'll never let me.

All right, then.

KANEKO PlANO SCHOOL

Welcome home.

lt seems Kenji's been taking

piano lessons in secret.

Really?

He's been lying to us

all this time, the little sod.

Kenji, get down here ! We need to talk!

Please, don't get too mad at him.

l won't. But he needs to be told

once and for all.

We got a letter from

the Kaneko Music School.

lt recommends that you apply

to a music conservatoire.

Explain what's going on .

Explain !

l just studied a little piano.

-Behind our backs?

-Who cares what l do?

-l thought l told you , "No piano."

-That makes no sense.

lf you don't think l'm making sense,

then just say so !

Going behind our backs,

hoping you won't get caught,

l hate that kind of cowardly attitude

more than anything !

Look at this...

l n the letter from Kaneko,

it says Kenji's piano playing

is extraordinary.

That he's a rare child prodigy.

How can you possibly believe that?

How could our child be a prodigy?

Who the hell is this Kaneko, anyway?

This guy's nothing but bullshit!

My teacher isn't like that!

-And besides...

-What?

She's a she, not a guy.

What a idiot!

These music schools praise everyone,

that's how they make a living !

l'll give up playing piano, then!

Just leave me alone !

This is all your fault for not telling us.

You're the liar, Dad.

What?

You're lying when you say

you'll listen if l talk.

No matter how much l talk to you,

you won't change your mind !

Just like Mr Eroto. All you really want

to do is lecture me and act tough !

Stop it!

Are you okay?

Go on upstairs.

Don't hit him.

Why can't he play piano?

Once l've said no, l can't go back on it.

lt affects my authority as a parent.

l was too lenient with Takashi,

so l'm shoving my parental values

down Kenji's throat if l have to.

You have to stand by me.

He needs a clear message

from both parents.

What's that look for?

l saw you the other day.

You were standing

in the free food line at the park.

You're unemployed, right?

-You knew?

-Yes, all along.

Why didn't you say anything?

Because if l had ,

your authority would be screwed.

Screw your authority.

What?

Kenji!

Call an ambulance !

-l was just trying to grab him ...

-Shut up and call !

This is the 11:
00 News.

The US announces it is expanding

its war effort in the Middle East

and planning an increase

in military deployment.

According to the US

Department of Defense,

this deployment will include

soldiers of any nationality.

This means it is likely

that the 138 soldiers

recently recruited from Japan

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