Hanasaku Iroha
Mum,
I'm actually not your child.
Your best friend, an ailing jazz singer,
conceived me with an American soldier at the port.
But the thing is, I don't have any female friends.
Anyway, that's not something a child would confess to her mother.
Well, I tried.
Say, Ohana. Do you know how babies are made?
Compared to the cabbage patch theory, I prefer the stork one.
I agree.
Digging up babies from a garden just isn't right.
Crap, it must be a deadline reminder call!
Get it! Get it!
Quickly!
But, my hands are wet...
Hello, Matsumae residence here.
Oh, hi.
It's your boyfriend.
Sorry about that!
I've been so busy.
The editors are torturing me.
Are you coming over today?
What? If you need to talk, then at least do it over a drink.
I'll even make you dinner!
Episode 1
16 Years Old; Spring; Still Only a Flower Bud
Well, Ohana will.
Kou-chan, I have a question for you.
Hm?
How do you get the corn out?
You know how the corn gets stuck at the bottom of the canned soup, right?
You look really ridiculous like that.
Can't geh dem out...!
Why don't you pour some water in or something?
You weirdo.
That would completely ruin the taste.
It'd be the same as throwing the corn away.
Well, you could dump the water and corn into another cup,
and eat only the corn with chopsticks...
I thought you were just being crude,
but that's actually a nicely thought out idea.
Leave it be.
Kou-chan~ Kou-chan~ Kou-chan is so patient~
What are you going to choose for your second year electives?
I haven't decided yet.
What are you going to do after graduation?
I don't want to decide yet.
You really are just so happy-go-lucky, huh?
If you keep this up, you'll ruin yourself.
Ruin myself... I kind of like the sound of that.
Sounds dramatic.
Huh?
What boring scenery.
A pitiful sky, choked by those buildings.
Riding on a crowded train.
Through the city dyed orange by the sunset. A transient escape.
Wow, that actually sounds pretty cool.
It isn't in the slightest.
One way or another, I'm actually quite the realist...
...given the terrible role model I've lived with.
Yeah, your mother sure is amazing... in a lot of ways.
So, even if I don't decide what I want to do now,
I will probably still find a job, get married at the age of 26,
and buy a plot in the cemetery in District 3 when I get old.
My father tells me that the plots over there are quite expensive, you know.
If you could afford one, then that's-
And you're out! See you!
Hey!
Have any plans for spring break?
Nope!
N-Never mind!
This is the only time of the day I like.
The lights flicker to life, one by one, showing me the way.
If only they lead to the future.
Perhaps then, I could become a more spectacular version of myself.
I'm home.
Wha-
You're finally here, Ohana!
What's going on?
This guy... you see...
...he's fallen into debt.
We're skipping town?!
Well, you see, he gave them our address.
Sorry about that.
So, when are we running away?
Tonight.
We should do it while the opportunity is still good.
Though, there's nothing good about it really.
Oh, you!
Whose fault do you think this is?
The drama never ends...
I can feel a nosebleed coming!
You and that sensitive nose of yours.
But, this might be a chance for me to change myself.
So, where to? North or south?
Huh?
Why are you asking?
If we're going somewhere cold,
I'll need to buy something to keep me warm.
But, if it's somewhere warm,
then maybe I should buy a one-piece swimsuit.
When parents run away, they don't take their children with them!
I guess cases in which they run away together are quite rare...
Here.
Kissui Inn
That's it for the day. You can go.
Okay!
Hey!
You've got to be kidding me...
Seems like I'm headed to my grandma's place by myself.
I'll be going to the high school there too.
I...
O-Ohana!
Don't be so depressed!
What kind of expression is that?
Huh?
My mum doesn't get along with my grandma,
so I've never heard a thing about her,
but living at a traditional style inn sure sounds dramatic!
I personally think that skipping town would have been more fun though...
Kou-chan?
I'm the kind of guy who'd get the corn by flooding it with water.
Yeah, that was a pretty novel idea.
Just because I was the one who got along with you best...
I thought that someday, for sure, I'd be able to...
But, I was mistaken.
Rather, I just realised how wrong I was.
I thought that you'd come to realise my feelings if I was always close to you.
Sorry, Kou-chan. Could you be a bit more clear-
I'll say it. I like you.
I've always liked you, Matsumae Ohana!
Wha-
I... Ah... I... Wha...
W-Wait a minute.
You said you like me... What does that-
Just go...
Just go already!
Kou-chan, wait-
Kou-chan took his leave before I had a chance to.
mune wo fusagu katachi no nai kage wo sukoshizutsu
The formless shadow that protects my chest,
The scenery from the window resembles that of my heart.
I never expected anything from my mother to begin with.
kimi no katachi he chikadzuketeku
Slowly changes form to look more and more like you.
But I had been looking for an opportunity to change myself.
However, after seeing a side of Kou-chan that I'd never seen before...
anna fuu ni waraetarana
If only I could laugh like that...
He never came to see me off in the end...
naki yamu tabi ni kakaru hashi ha
The bridge I cross every time I try to stop my tears,
Have some candy.
Thank you very much!
nanairo de ha arawasenai karasa
Won't ever be the colors of the rainbow,
I've always wanted to, if only just once,
meet a nice old lady who would offer me candy.
itsumo sou boku ha me ga kuramu keredo
Even if I constantly try to see it that way.
Really?
Delicious!
jaa ne boku ha mukou gawa he nan zen shoku no hashi wo koete
Farewell, I'm going to the other side, crossing a prismatic bridge,
This is the first time I've ever seen such a vast ocean view.
Oh my, is that so?
te wo tsunai dara kowai mono ga
Though it's not like all our fears...
Somehow, I've felt like I was trapped inside a tunnel this whole time,
but once you find your way out, everything is so exciting!
nakunaru wake ja nai kedo
...will disappear just by us joining hands.
ai no kotoba ha nodo no oku de mada iki wo hisometeru
The word "love" is still stuck in the back of our throats, hiding behind our breaths,
chiisaku aketa kuchi no katachi de tsutawaru ka na
If we open our mouths just a tiny bit, I wonder if it would be conveyed.
tsutawaru to ii na
It'd be nice if it would.
How could this be?
What an amazing setting!
This feels like a movie!
Ew.
These don't fit very well.
And I just arrived at an inn that feels like it's taken out of a fairy tale too.
Yes, it really was a fairy tale.
A beautiful girl extended her hand out to me.
Then...
Die.
She told me to go die!
Ah, um, that wasn't what I was expecting,
so could you say that again please?
Die.
You shouldn't do that Min-chi!
Suddenly wishing death on a stranger like that...
E-Excuse me...
S-Sorry...
Those were the wild garlic that Min-chi had been growing.
Wild garlic? Minced meat?
They're edible.
Minced meat with wild garlic?
Just wild garlic.
Min-chi!
You must be Ohana.
Could you be... my grandma?
Catch.
Could she be another nice old lady who's going to give me candy?
Here.
Do you understand?
From now on, you are an employee of this establishment.
An employee?
Not your granddaughter?
You're the daughter of some woman I hardly know.
Such a granddaughter is no different from a dog or cat.
I will have you work to earn your keep.
Ah, could it be you're training me to be the next owner-
Mm, nope. You'll be taking care of loose ends.
Mm, nope?
After you finish high school, you're on your own.
You will be paid for your work.
On the other hand...
On the other hand?
Any blunders you cause will be deducted from your pay.
Be thankful that you have food to eat and a place to stay in this day and age.
If only she'd been a candy-giving grandmother...
Will you be here soon?
You will?
Got it.
Eh?
Hello?
Satsuki-neesan-
So you're Ohana-chan.
My, how nice to meet you-
Could you get off me please?
Ah, sorry, sorry.
The more I look at you, the more obvious the resemblance is.
Those evil eyes that are always looking for ways to screw me over.
That mouth with sharpened, savage teeth that are always looking to bite me.
Could you be my mother's younger brother?
Yeah, I may just have to make you pay for her crimes.
Just kidding.
Hey, are you Ohana-chan?
Y-Yes.
I have so many things I want to ask you!
What's Satsuki-san like?
I've heard she's quite a loose woman.
Does she walk around revealing herself in the house too?
Um...
Ah, I'm Tomoe, the head waitress.
I'm your senpai, I suppose.
In exchange for teaching you various things here and there,
you'll have to teach me some things too.
S-Sure.
What a nice car.
She's apparently some business management consultant.
Enishi-san can't help but be all over her. What a sloppy guy.
Is Satsuki-san sloppy like him too?
With her lower body and such...
Um...
That's Mr. Beans.
He's in charge of upkeep and maintenance, but...
Is he called that because he's small?
It's a reference to his name, Denroku.
That's our assistant chef, Touru-chan.
And the one at the back is our head chef, Ren-san.
A crew cut?!
They're busy doing prep right now, so I'll introduce them to you later.
Next is...
Ohana-chan, you're 16, right?
Yes.
In that case-
All right, I'll go check up on it now.
Oh, you two came at just the right time.
It's death girl...
Oh, you know each other?
No, not really.
Thanks for the good work.
That makes things easier for me then.
Minko-chan and Nako-chan.
Since you three are all the same age,
give her a tour around the place.
Thanks!
H-Hi.
I'll leave the rest to you then, Nako.
Eh?
She sure makes it clear that she doesn't like me.
I was expecting her to say something like, "that's not true,"
to cover for her friend, but...
T-That over there is the high school.
Min-chi and I are students there.
Huh? Where?
Oh, so you two work here part-time?
I do... Min-chi lives here.
Now that you mention it, there was a uniform hanging in my room.
I wonder if we're roommates.
I'm not sure...
That uniform was really cute, actually.
Ah...
The colours were quite unique too.
I see...
Should we head back now?
This isn't quite what I was hoping for.
But then again, it's not like I had a clear image of what I was expecting...
What the heck is wrong with you?!
Why did you peel this so thick?
I'm sorry.
Have you ever considered the feelings of the farmers who grew these?
I'm sorry.
And have you ever thought about your grandma's feelings,
when she makes meals with these?
My grandmother doesn't live with me...
Then use your imagination or something, stupid.
I'm sorry.
Excuse me...
Oh, so you're the mistress' granddaughter?
I think you're being a bit too harsh...
Yelling at a child all the time won't help them grow, you know.
What are you-
Mind your own business!
Forget it.
If you have the time to move your mouth, then move your hands and work instead.
I'm sorry.
You, would you mind letting us do our own thing in the kitchen?
We have our own way of doing things here.
I'm so tired.
My life sure has taken an odd turn,
but for the time being, it's not like there's anywhere else I can go.
I wonder if she's still working.
Kou-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
From: Satsuki
Good luck Ohana-chan!
Good luck, huh?
You say that like it's so easy.
It'd be somewhat awkward for me to contact Kou-chan right now.
The dramatic life I had yearned for...
...turned out to be a bit lonely... with a mouldy smell.
M-My back...
Wow.
She went to sleep even later than I did,
and still got up earlier than me.
There's no way anyone could have slept well on that mouldy bed.
Here... we go.
All right.
New here?
Ah, yes.
Pleased to make your acquaintance.
What on earth?!
Dear!
My sincerest apologies, this was inexcusable.
Don't be like that, please raise your head.
Right?
Yeah, it was just a futon falling.
Ohana!
I-I'm really sorry. I didn't notice-
"My sincerest apologies!"
M-My sincerest apolo–gies!
It's not like anyone was hurt or anything.
Don't worry about it.
Now, if you'll excuse us.
Um...
Come.
Tomoe, bring Minko as well.
Y-Yes, ma'am!
Minko's futon was completely flattened,
so I thought I would air it out for her.
Outside the front of the inn, where customers pass through?
Y-Yes.
It was too dark at the back,
and I thought it'd be better in the sun, so-
When working at an inn, the customer's needs must always come first.
Your own needs come second or third.
No.
You should never have the time to tend to yourself.
That sounds a bit wrong.
I agree that customers are important,
but I also think it's important to reward those who work hard.
Excuse me.
Minko, come here.
Ah, yes, ma'am.
This girl inconvenienced a customer because she wanted to hang up your futon.
You should be old enough to take care of your own surroundings.
I'm sorry.
G-Grandma!
Do not call me that.
Mistress, aren't I the one at fault here?
You're being irrational!
What do you think would happen if I had slapped a customer instead?
It'd be far worse than just "irrational", wouldn't it?
And that's exactly what you did.
Everything here should revolve around our customers.
If you can't even accept such a basic principle,
then you have no right to be here.
I understand.
But...
Please slap me, too.
A hard worker was unreasonably slapped,
and customers were inconvenienced because of me.
I don't want it to be like that!
T-Thank you very much!
I-I'm really sorry!
It was my fault you...
I don't really care.
The mistress is really unbelievable, isn't she?
There's seriously something wrong with what she sai-
You're the one who's unbelievable.
Do you even understand what it means to work at an inn...?
More like, do you even know what work means?
Well, I mean, it's not like I came here to work...
Ah, and-
You know what?
Just die.
Once again, she ended up telling me to go die.
She sure is working hard.
Ah, hello?
Enishi here.
I didn't come here because I wanted to work.
Yet...
namida no ame ga hoo wo tataku
涙の雨が頬をたたく
As a shower of tears falls upon my cheeks,
tabi ni utsukushiku
たびに美しく
I become more and more beautiful.
I'm frustrated...
Really frustrated...
kudaranai ru-ru kara hamidasezu ni naiteita
くだらないルールからはみ出せずに泣いていた
I've been in tears over the senseless rules I can't come to accept,
boyakesugita mirai chizu
ぼやけすぎた未来地図
And the map of my future is too muddled to read.
surihetta kokoro wo umetakute atsumeta
すり減ったココロを埋めたくて集めた
I've been trying to mend my damaged heart,
iranai mono bakari
要らないモノばかり
but now it's filled with things I don't even need.
baibai ano itoshiki hibi ha
バイバイあの愛しき日々は
Bye bye, my precious days...
modori ha shinai kara
戻りはしないから
...to which I'll never return.
hiraiteyuku chiisaku tojita kokoro ga
開いてゆく小さく閉じたココロが
My tiny, closed off heart...
yoru no sumi de shizuka ni
夜の隅で静かに
...begins to open quietly in a corner of the night.
irodzuiteku motto fukaku yasashiku
色付いてくもっと深く優しく
It ripens with the morning light,
asa no hikari wo ukete
朝の光を受けて
growing deeper, more tender.
namida no ame ga hoo wo tataku
涙の雨が頬をたたく
As a shower of tears falls upon my cheeks,
tabi ni utsukushiku
たびに美しく
I become more and more beautiful.
Call the mistress!
You don't have any friends, do you?
I'll have to take responsibility...
Call the police.
You don't have to go that far-
Mind your own business!
Really, just what do I want to do?
Revenge is Best Served as a Dish
Episode 2