01x09 - Passage

[bunniefuu]

It's morning.

The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House.

EPISODE NINE
- PASSAGE -

Kiyo...
you really love to cook, don't you?

Hmm...

It's not just that I...

love to cook.

When I first came to the yakata...

- Mm-hmm?
- ...I had trouble sleeping.

- Mmm.
- So... I would come down here.

Early in the morning.

And I would...

stare at the light

shining in right around here.

Ohh... Just like it is right now.

Exactly.

And it's just like Aomori
at Grandma's house.

Her kitchen's like this.

Mmm. Ohh.

I fell in love with this kitchen.

You fell in love with it.

Okay, one more time. Miss Tsurukoma,
you are moving your hips too far out.

Arch your back just a little.

Miss Tsurukoma.

Something seems
to be distracting you today.

I'm sorry.

Hey, hey, hey! What do you think
we're having for lunch today?

Hmm...

Hmm. Omusubi?

Ah, that could be!

Hey, did you know?

According to one theory,
onigiri can be any shape,

but omusubi has to be a triangle,

so you can be connected to the gods.

It has to be a triangle.
To look like a mountain.

- Really?
- Yep. That's omusubi.

It's funny how there are
particular meanings to food, right?

Tsurukoma?

Hi.

What's going on?

Do you happen to know what this is?

They're tabi, right?

- They look a little worn out, don't they?
- Mm-hmm.

These belong to Momohana.

She wakes up very early,
before anyone else,

goes up to the terrace
and practices every morning.

When such a talented person puts
so much effort in their craft...

...what is someone like me,
um, supposed to do?

I'm just an average person.

Not everybody can be like Momohana,
you know that, right?

Tsurukoma, you can create
your own pathway in being a maiko.

Mother Azusa...

Um...

Mmm.

This isn't working.

This just isn't...
where I belong, you know?

Is it really not?

I don't really love this.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

TATSUMIDAIMYOJIN SHRINE

- Thanks for waiting.
- Of course.

She didn't really love it?

Yes, that's how she described it.

When I saw the look in her eyes,

I couldn't find the right words
to convince her.

No matter how old they get, people

will just continue looking
for a place they belong, right?

And those who find it
are very lucky, aren't they?

Hmm...

Hmm?

Hmm!

I guess some things never change.

"We shall constantly create

good practices and traditions."

"And in that, we'll be cherished by all."

From now on, I get to do my hair
every day and even do my nails too!

- Shiny!
- Hey, wait until you leave to say that.

You'll make us jealous!

Mm-hmm.

There's finally gonna be a little...

peace and quiet around here
once you leave, right?

Hmm. But I guess we won't get to see
Tsurukoma's funny impersonations.

Mmm.

Well... wanna see a very special one
before I leave?

- Mm-hmm.
- Yes!

You really big idiot!

- I'm Ryoko Shinohara!
- Hey! What? Wait, wait!

- You... you actually sound like her!
- Oh, really?

- Uh-huh.
- Hmm...

Yeah, I can't believe you've been doing
such bad ones this whole time.

- Which was the really bad one?
- Godzilla?

- Godzilla, right! That was bad, wasn't it?
- Hey, I sounded just like it!

I'd like to say thank you
for kindly sharing this yakata.

- Mmm.
- Thank you too.

We're grateful.

I think you should make
the middle thinner.

- Thin out the middle?
- Yes!

- Like this?
- You press it down like this one.

- Then you can stretch it.
- Oh? What is this?

- Sister!
- Miss Tsurukoma!

- Oh! There she is!
- What are you making?

Take a guess, it's really easy!

- Ta-da!
- Oh! I know!

It's that thing you made before,
it started... with an H.

- This is nabekko dumplings.
- Mm-hmm.

- Huh? What? What is that?
- Is this too huge?

- In Aomori we eat it on special occasions.
- It is, yes.

- I'll split it.
- To send someone on a new journey.

- Amazing, that's pretty good!
- Oh!

- It's heart-shaped, look!
- It's really for me?

- Yes it is!
- Of course.

Ōkini.

- All right.
- That looks fun!

- That's cute! It looks great.
- Uh-huh. Look at this.

- Can I help?
- Oh, you're almost done.

- No, you can't!
- Stop!

- Step back!
- Step back.

- Step back.
- You can't! This is for you.

- So you're not allowed to do it.
- What?

- That's right. Just wait there.
- Okay, I get it.

Mmm!

- All right...
- Good job.

- Then, I'll just watch you for a bit.
- Yes.

Oh... oh, Riko,
that doesn't look right at all!

- I suck at this.
- One more?

What?

You shouldn't talk like that, Sister!

- Oh! Coarse red bean paste, right?
- It's big!

- Red beans can be super filling.
- Looks so good!

- This is yours, Tsurukoma!
- This is the best!

- Yay! Ōkini.
- Excuse me.

- Smells good!
- Mm-hmm.

- Really does.
- Tsurukoma, sit here today.

- In the middle.
- Oh? Here?

- Mm-hmm!
- Okay! I'm excited!

- Oh, it's so nice out!
- Let's eat!

- All right.
- Wait! You can't be first to eat.

Hm? Okay.

I can't find
the heart-shaped dumpling I made.

- Oh, huh?
- Oh...

I made a dumpling shaped like
your glasses, Sister.

- Ōkini, Momohana!
- It looks so good I can't wait to eat it.

- All right. Tsurukoma, I hope you like it!
- Mm-hmm.

- Here I go...
- Mm-hmm. Enjoy.

Mmm.

Mmm!

Ohh! It's so comforting.

Thanks, girls. Ōkini!

- All right, shall we eat? Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.

- Here we go. All right, let's eat.
- Let's eat!

That's at Yamakyo.

Wow, this makes me so happy!

Hmm!

I wonder what year I was here.

Ah, we all look young.

Oh! This one!

Oh! Hmm...

Mmm...

Thank you for all your hard work.

Mmm. Seino, ōkini.

See you again.

See you again, Tsurukoma.

Mmm!

Take care now.

You too, Seino.

Hello!
I'm here to pick up a package?

Yes, hi there! Welcome! Thanks a lot for-

Uhh...

Hi! So... where is the package?

I think I... fell in love just now.

What?

Ohh...

Looks delicious!

Okay... Mmm.

What is it?

Nothing.

Would you like some too?

You're done with your exams, right?

- Mmm.
- How was it?

So-so.

Well, okay. So,
are you going to graduate on time?

- Yup.
- That's great!

Hey, uh... so...

I'm thinking of studying overseas
when I graduate.

Really?

- Mmm.
- Where at?

I haven't decided.

And why?

So it's easier for you.

To remarry, you know?

So that's what
Ryoko's been thinking about...

It's like...
I've failed as a mother, haven't I?

Hey, that's not true.

If you are bent on thinking like that,

well, I guess, then you should also try
to learn all about her qualities, yes?

I myself have learned so much from you
throughout the years.

For instance, I learned
to live with a big heart.

Oh! Mother Chiyo...

Well, that's how it goes
with children and parents, usually.

Most times, it's not so one-sided.

Especially as the years go by,
and we grow older.

Here.

Ōkini.

Hey, so, Master complimented me.

Oh, that's great!

She told me that I'm resilient.

And that being resilient
is a talent too.

Huh?

Oh, Yumi, did your face change?

What? Did I gain weight?

No. You just...

You look lovely when you're happy.

Ōkini, Kiyo.

I'll do my best.

Mm-hmm!

You used to come up here a lot.
By yourself, to practice.

Well, and you used to cry up here a lot.

- Isn't that right?
- No, that wasn't crying.

But I did inflict a curse
on your tabi here.

So many times, I've done that.

What curse?

What? Like a "I hope she screws up" curse.

You're gross.

It all feels...

so nostalgic now.

It might be...

nostalgic.

You don't regret it, do you?

Regret what?

That you didn't go with him.

Not at all.

I did consider for a second
trying to get the system to change.

Oh yeah? Change how?

- Allowing marriage...
- Sure, sure, sure-

- Allow giving birth...
- Yup, that's good.

- Ban returning geikos.
- Hey, why is that...

Well, if I ever get another chance,
I'll definitely consider it.

Yeah, well...

With you, us two, this is ours.

Saku House is banjaku.
Here we come!

Banjaku?

- Yeah, that's right.
- Okay, good!

- Right?
- Mm-hmm.

I would be "Ban" and you would be "Jaku."

- I don't care about that.
- Go, Jaku!

TATSUMIDAIMYOJIN SHRINE

Oh! I can see them over there.

Yes!

Now that I've shared all my gratitude,

I'm all set.

We still have to go
to Yasaka Shrine.

Oh. You're right.

A year's gone by already
since we got here.

We ate Grandma's dumplings
and then left.

It feels nostalgic.

It went by so fast.

Kiyo!

Yes?

Do you have any regrets at all?

Moving to Kyoto?

Regrets? Why?

Well...

I'm the one who said
that I wanted to be a maiko first.

What if you didn't want this?

Sumire,

I think I...

It feels like I came here to start
as a makanai. It was like destiny.

Yes.

It was destiny.

Come on,
let's eat it while it's hot!

Nabekko dumpling soup!

Sumire is becoming a maiko,

so we can celebrate!

Momohana is her new name, right?

It's like she's gonna be
living on a different planet.

Oh!

Oh, well, it's not that far away, okay?

When I go to Koshien,
can you cook this for me?

Yes.

Do you think Kiyo would
ever ask you to make this too?

Well, Kiyo... wouldn't ask that.
I'm sure she'd cook it herself, you know?

And are you fine with that?

Yes, of course.

Every single one of us
gets a choice of our own.

We can either cook,
or be the one who eats it.

We can be the ones who up and go or stay.

And none of those choices
are better or worse than the other ones.

KIKUNO, KOTONO, TSURUKOMA

MOMOHANA

Where is it? Give me a second, all right?

Yes.

Okay, so, right after I got it, I...

Don't worry about it, okay?

- Okay.
- Mmm...

Huh?

Mmm... I know it's over on this side.

I know it! Hm.

- Is it that over there?
- What? Where?

Oh! The home shrine!

- Oh! That's right!
- Mmm.

That's where I put it!

Ahh! That's right, that's right!

Momohana.

Okay, Master has given you a gift.

May I open it, if that's okay?

Of course, go ahead.

Momohana,

good luck and keep doing your best.

Thank you, Mother.
Thank you for your continued support.

Excuse me, sir?

Is it okay if I put the lipstick on her?

Listen.

Your strictness is amazing.
It's excellent to have it.

But that strictness can end up
leading you to feeling alone.

Before you even realize it, you'll...
uh, feel distant to others.

That's why that girl,

the one... with the loose screw, you know?

You have to cherish that makanai friend.

Yes, I'll always care about her.

We'll be sisters.
We'll always be, of course.

But something's changed, hasn't it?
We're rivals now.

And I intend on winning for a bit longer.

Momoko, thank you, Sister.

Ōkini.

You look so great.

- It happened so fast, right?
- It did.

That's too high! You cannot
be the nervous one here, okay?

I'm sorry.

Hey, Hiroshi!

I heard something that you said!
Wanna hear it?

"Everyone will be requesting for me
when they become maiko!"

- Did you hear about that?
- Oh, pretty!

How do you know that?

- What?
- Huh?

- Uh...
- Were you trying to seduce her?

Well, I mean, it's kinda
like a sales talk, you know?

You told me that too, Brother Takeshi.

- Isn't that right?
- Ahh, yikes!

- Yes!
- Huh?

I was told that as well, Brother.

- What?
- Oh, really?

Oh, that must've been my father, huh?

Like father, like son, right?

All right, enough, enough!

Listen, Sumire?

Don't forget
that lots of people are supporting you

and celebrating your debut, hm?

Never forget that, all right?

That's right. Never forget that.

- I was referring to you, Sister.
- What?

Oh, stop, you're making me look bad.

- Brother Takeshi? Ōkini.
- I really like those.

Yours is great too.

Yeah!

Oh!

Mmm.

It's delicious.

My dearest Kiyo.

Ōkini.

Oh! Everyone's here!

- You're right. I'm very grateful.
- Oh! Kiyo.

- What are you gonna do with the crusts?
- Oh...

I could make that dish, it's been a while!

Mm-hmm!

I could eat it later when I get back,
so save a little, all right?

- Got it!
- Huh? Seriously?

You're talking about food
on such a crucial occasion?

You'll be stuck in that outfit greeting
as many as a hundred houses tonight.

So if, even after all that,

you keep talking about eating,
I'll deem you a huge monster!

How was it with you, Sister Momoko?

Huh? Do you remember it?

Well, how wouldn't I?

After a hundred houses,
you were still able to gobble up tsukemen.

- Oh.
- And a tempura bowl, remember?

Actually, you're probably the monster.

Go ahead.

There you go.

- Sister, ōkini.
- Of course.

Sumire.

You can do it!

Hmm!

I shall be on my way.

There she is!

Oh gosh, can you see her?

- Over here!
- Oh my gosh!

Would you look at that!

- Oh my goodness!
- Momohana!

- So pretty!
- Oh, that's wonderful.

- Amazing! Congratulations!
- Oh! Look at that! Beautiful!

She is so pretty, huh?

Look here for me?

Good for you! Look at her.

Hey, good job!

That flash is too much.
It's distracting!

Just beautiful!

Oh, has this been
your dream come true?

Congratulations, Momohana!

So beautiful.

Congratulations!

Amazing! Wonderful!

- You sure pour high!
- What?

- Tea tastes better when you pour it high.
- What do I say to her?

- Hmm. I guess...
- Who taught you that?

- They teach you all sorts of things, huh?
- Something funny, right? Or significant?

Ah! Her impersonations!
Just write about that.

- Barley tea too.
- That's good.

- Oh.
- Well, here you go!

Something smells really good.

Oh, she's awake!

This is for you...

It's all gone already!

- We tried to wake her, right?
- They were hot and very crispy.

Don't you think so, girls?
Bread crust rusks are delicious!

Bread crust rusks? Oh my gosh!

Oh, Kiyo! More, please!

Oh, but the rest is supposed
to be for Momohana, right?

I really hope that's okay.

What's with this favoritism?

- Did you eat some too, Ryoko?
- Yeah. They were like...

Mmm... Kiyo's special made rusks.

Huh?

- Mm-hmm.
- Right?

- Good way to put it. I like that.
- Mmm.

Hey! Come on, you're praising her now?

I was just completely denied
the bread crusts you usually throw out.

Actually, just so you know,
I've never thrown them out before.

- Well, sure!
- Mmm.

That's because
instead of letting things go,

you constantly pick things up, right?

Please make sure you pick up my bones
when I die too.

- That's something I can't do.
- You didn't even hesitate!

I'm sure she...

That's right...

Do you think so?

Gosh...

Let me get that for you!

- So pretty!
- Momohana!

- Momohana, so pretty!
- There she is!

- You nailed it!
- That's not how we say that.

I'm back, everyone.

I'm grateful, ōkini.

Congratulations!

- Freaking cute!
- Don't say it like that!

- Get a seal from Momoko.
- I'm telling you, Spain!

- You'll definitely wanna go there.
- No, please don't encourage her like that.

- Godzilla, right?
- Ryoko, you'll stay here, right?

- I see.
- I'm not sure.

- The initial apprentice...
- Tsurukoma taught Riko her techniques, so...

- Ohh...
- How did she do Gozilla again?

- Godzilla?
- Not gonna fall for it. Lose the charm.

- Rarr! Grr!
- You're just a stagehand.

Did you really say that?

- No way! I'll be a maiko, you'll see!
- That's right.

- The stagehand look suited you.
- So I learned a bit of Spanish.

- No, I'm going to be a maiko!
- Enjoy.

- Ōkini.
- Oh, see?

- Take a guess.
- This one's "Everybody Has Secrets."

- Her face gets stiff...
- For you.

- In a way...
- I'll give you three choices.

- Everybody has secrets.
- What I would like to know...

- Oh, I remember...
- Just guess!

What happened
with the impersonation?

Okay, well, here we go.
Just kidding, I won't.

I'd love to hear
about how you got started...

- Gosh...
- Oh...

We're talking about Momohana.

- Ren, do you, uh, have...
- Yes.

It is pretty strong, indeed.

Unrequited Love.

- What are you talking about?
- {Kiku] She did it in front of you too...

- I've noticed that...
- Yes, there was a photo of it...

- Cheese, right?
- Anyway...

- That means we took a photo.
- Almost...

- The Godzilla impersonation...
- So I...

Mother Chiyo! We've been waiting!

- Oh!
- Oh, Mother!

Today is Momohana's
very special day, isn't that right?

- So come here, Momoko.
- Yes.

- Oh!
- And also... Yoshino.

- What? Me too? Really?
- Aah! Mighty rivals, side by side!

- Ban here!
- Jaku here!

- The two of us toge... Wait, was I Jaku?
- Yoshino, that's not important.

Oh, all right. We're banjaku, all right?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

- Why don't we do "Four Seasons of Kyoto"?
- Oh great!

- Ohh!
- Azusa, you too, come on.

What? Please don't do this to me.

I don't even remember it at all.

- You can do it.
- Go on! Hirono!

- Mother Hirono!
- That's right!

- A children's song!
- Welcome!

- All right, then.
- Do you remember the dance?

- Was it like this?
- Right!

Oh, she was so beautiful today!

She did
a really good job.

I'm counting on you tomorrow.

But, you know. I'm so glad...

It's different...

I almost slipped.

What do you mean?

Preparations for tomorrow?

Yes. You know, Sumir...

Oh, uh... Momohana
was beautiful today, right?

Yes...

She'll surpass Momoko. I know she will!

Will you let me take a picture
of you, Kiyo? If that's okay?

A picture of me?

- Yes.
- Really?

Well, why don't we take it here,
in the kitchen?

- Sure.
- Great!

- May I come in, then?
- Please do!

- Yes.
- Good.

- Ready?
- Yes!

You're welcome.

Thank you very much!

Ah. Thank you, Kiyo.

Mmm.

- Good night.
- Good night!

Absolutely. You earned it.

Oh! You're so nice!

Oh, no, no, no!

Kiyo?

You're here!

I'm back!

Ta-da!

Thank you so much!

Today, Sumire has
officially become Momohana.

After a year since we got here,
I've found happiness as a makanai.

- Mmm!
- Delicious!

I cook everyone's meals
in this yakata.

From here on out, that is my job.

- I was nervous today.
- Really?

I was a little nervous, too, actually.

Really? You too?

Mmm.