01x01 - Migi and Dali

[bunniefuu]

DECEMBER 1989

FAVA ORPHANAGE

Yay!

Oh, my!

How about we adopt them all?

I'd love to, but we aren't
getting any younger.

I know. We can only choose one.

Bye bye!

Thanks!

Shall we come again tomorrow?

Let's.

Gone with the wind...

Caught it.

Thank you. We'll be back for it tomorrow.

Please hold on to it.

I have never seen such a gorgeous boy.

Mind you...

Of course, we can't decide
based on appearance alone.

Must be a passing shower.

The wipers, dear.

Gotcha.

He's the one, dear.

Yes...

FEBRUARY 1990

Today's the day.

Indeed. I must be dreaming.

We were never blessed with children
of our own and now we are parents.

He's here!

Let's make this a happy household.

From this day onwards...

This is your room, Hitori.

This is my room...

Is it too childish?

Perhaps we should have went
with the arabesque quilt?

Oh, no. I love the stars!

I'm so glad to hear that.

We'll help you decorate

and make this room look even better.

Dear, get the box cutter.

Coming up.

Box cutter, box cutter...

I don't recall receiving such a big box.

Heave-h*.

Excuse me.

May I decorate the room by myself?

Of course you can.

Do whatever you like with it.

This is your very own castle.

Thank you so much.

We'll be downstairs
preparing dinner, then.

I'll come and get you once it's ready.

Okay.

Let's tidy up.

Yeah.

Hitori.

-Goodness, you're already done.
-Yes.

Great job.

Oh right, dinner's almost ready.

We should go down. Mommy went all out

and now we have a feast
worthy of The Last Supper.

I'm not sure if we can finish everything.

All clear.

I've never had a meal this tasty before.

What a frank boy you are.

Hitori. How do you like your new clothes?

Did you see how many were in your room?

They're... well...

A little small for me...

Oh, we're so sorry.

We'll be sure to get you new ones.

What clothes do you prefer?

I-I would like to have
two sets of what I'm wearing now.

Heavens! You don't have to
dress like Steve Jobs!

No need to be so modest.

Absolutely. Surely you'd love to wear
different clothes every day?

It's just that I feel most
at ease wearing these.

Is that so? We'll look for similar ones
at the department store.

Thank you.

Come on, sweetie.

-There's still plenty to eat.
-I will.

-I'll get that.
-Thanks.

-Aren't you 13 this year?
-Yes.

I was often teased at the orphanage
for being smaller than kids my age.

Don't you worry about that.

-You're still a growing boy.
-She's right.

You'll be taller and wider in no time.

Mommy's cooking will see to that.

What are you implying, dear?

-I meant it's prepared with love.
-Oh, my.

Lovely meal as always.

Dear, you haven't touched the jambalaya.

Honey, you made far too much today.

But... the jambalaya...

Mom.

I would like to have
more of the jambalaya.

Of course you can!

I'll fill the plate.

There you go.

Thank you.

Mom, your jambalaya is divine!

Thank you.

Hitori.

Good timing, Hitori.

Would you mind giving these
shoulders a massage?

A... massage?

I'll show you how.

Come here.

Okay.

That's it. You're quite good at this.

-Try kneading them next.
-Okay.

That's right,
put some force in your thumbs.

-Actually, could you pound on that spot?
-Sure.

Not too hard.

Maybe kneading is better.

Pardon me, Hitori.
It seems I worked you too hard.

I always dreamt of getting
a massage from a son.

Me too.

I've always dreamt
of this opportunity too.

Really?

In that case, I'll have you
pamper me a little longer.

Of course.

Pound it hard.

Knead that spot.

Now pound.

Knead.

Pound.

Knead.

Knead then pound.

Pound, knead...

Oh, that's amazing, Hitori.

I'm asking for so much,
yet you're carrying it out perfectly.

You ought to be my exclusive masseur.

Thank you.

I'd say our first day was a success.

Always be alert, Migi.

We have to be very careful.

I'm well aware of that, Dali.

We have to be very careful.

All while being one person.

That should be about right.

Migi, that's enough for now.

It's almost dawn.

Good morning, Hitori.

Did you sleep well?

I slept very well, thank you.

Hitori.

There's no need to be formal with us.

That's right. You're our son.

Okay. I will keep that in mind.

It looks like Hitori is still
walking on eggshells around us.

I agree.

I want to make as many memories
of his childhood as we can.

Baking cherry pies with his mommy.

Getting a ride on his daddy's shoulders.

Dear, that's what you want.

Right back at you, honey.

Found it.

This is the one.

Mom.

Hello, Hitori.

May I read with you?

Certainly.

MR. MAX'S CHERRY PIE

Wow, the cherry pie looks so good.

It would be so nice to try it someday.

But I'm sure this pie is pure fantasy.

-It's real.
-Huh?

How about we bake a cherry pie together?

Try stretching out the dough as you roll.

Oh, it became rounder.

It's easy once you know the method.

I memorized it already.

My, did you really?

Then tell me.
What flour do we use to dust?

Bread flour.

-How high must the oven be preheated to?
-200 degrees Celsius.

What utensil is used
to gather up the dough?

-A scraper.
-Your memory is fantastic.

That's because you're a good teacher, Mom.

BUTTER, CHERRIES, SUGAR,
CINNAMON, CORNSTARCH, EGG...

We're going to weave the crust now.

First, you take every second
horizontal strip and bend it...

Bend... Bend it... That's not right.

I'm not good with these tasks!

It's so easy to lose track of
which strip goes where!

Coming. I won't be long.

Sorry for stepping away.

My god! Not a weave out of place!

You know.

I always dreamt of baking
a cherry pie with my child.

Was this like what you imagined?

Not at all. In fact...

This was way faster
and much more enjoyable!

Me too.

I had so much fun.

Hitori...

I'm so grateful to you, Mom.

What's wrong, Hitori?

Oh! Dad.

I want to put this birdhouse up,
but I'm not tall enough.

That is a pickle...

If only I were a little...

A little taller...

Hitori.

It might be possible
if you rode my shoulders.

-Hang on to my head, okay?
-Okay.

May this be a day
he'll look back on fondly.

Ready, steady... go!

To the sky...

Oh, you. What on earth did you do?

I'm sorry. It was because I'm heavy.

You're wrong, Hitori.

It's me. I'm a weak father.

Don't worry.

I'll be sure to give you a ride
once I rest up.

Dad...

He's a lot older than we expected.

Those creaky bones have
no chance of ever supporting us.

That may be so,

but our plan will go nowhere
unless he gets his shoulder ride.

Migi, I have an idea.

So do I, Dali.

Right! Here we go.

Wait.

I'm not ready yet.

You're not the only one.

I'm not ready for this either.

Even so, failure is not an option.

This is a critical moment.

Go for it, Osamu!

I'm good to go.

Here we go!

Ready,

steady,

go!

Hooray! I did it!

Quick, put the nest up!

-It's done.
-Good work.

That was fast. Let me see.

Is something the matter?

Do you not like heights?

No... I'm scared...

I see. It scares you, huh.

-Dad.
-Yes?

Thank you.

Hitori!

Excellent.

They're playing right into
our cunning hands.

The old couple are pretty smitten with us.

We also made new discoveries.

The first being that we can
balance out each other's weight.

Next, the old man has a weak back.

The back of his head smells like an attic.

As for the old lady,
she has a short temper.

But her cherry pie is good.

Also...

FAVA ORPHANAGE

Did you hear?

Someone's coming to adopt us next week.

-Really?
-Yup.

Get this. They're a couple
from Origon Village.

Origon Village?

We get to live the good life!

However, they're only after one kid.

Only one...

How we've waited for this day.

Origon Village...

Hug me too.

This is bad, Dali.

They'll pick Scrotum Head at this rate.

Relax, Migi.

All we have to do is
leave a strong impression.

Well?

Here they come.

Alright. I got it.

Caught it.

-Good.
-Next!

Now's the time.

Dear child, what's your name?

I am...

Hitori.