INTERNATIONAL REMAINS REPATRIATOR:
DELIVERS THE DECEASED BACK TO FAMILIES
Do you need that angle?
Yeah, she looks great from here.
Are we done yet?
Not yet.
Oh, get a full body shot from over here.
One picture like this.
This is really uncomfortable.
Don't complain.
We need to show that Argentinean company
how we arrange bodies here.
Just close your eyes and be dead.
Come on, close them.
That doesn't look natural.
Close them lightly and exhale.
- Looks good, Rinko.
- Excellent.
Very nice.
Relax your mouth.
Why are you grimacing?
Oh, I've got an idea. Put the lid on
and take a picture through the window.
That'll work.
- All right then.
- Okay.
Huh? What is it?
- What's wrong?
- My back...
- Seriously?
- Ms. Takaki?
Ms. Takaki?
Please come to the office.
They're calling you.
Help me. I can't move at all.
What are you doing? I can't move.
Hurry. Hurry and help me.
- Try using this.
- How?
Hold it steady.
- Well that's pointless then.
- Hold me steady then.
Ready, set...
Watch out!
Are you okay?
Ms. Takaki...
Your mother...
Toko Takaki...
She passed away.
Go to her.
- But...
- Go to your mother right now.
Wait.
Where are you going?
To her house... no, the hospital?
Your mother isn't
at either of those places.
Then where?
Mocomoco.
- What?
- She's in Mocomoco.
Where is that?
Close to Lake Titicaca.
- Which is where?
- Bolivia.
Bolivia.
Bolivia?
Mother, is this some kind of joke?
Cherish the time you have left with her.
Shall I tell her?
I'll tell her.
Six months?
PUB TAMAKI
Did you tell her?
Not yet.
But she's very intuitive.
The doctor told me
to cherish the time we have left.
She's the only family I have.
I'm sorry.
You should look after her at home.
Don't worry,
take as much time as you need.
I can fill in while she's gone.
- No you can't.
- What?
- What?
- What what?
Rinko, do it properly.
I know you two don't get along.
Honestly, I don't think I can do it.
My mother hates me.
Why?
I'm inadequate.
Huh?
She's really smart.
She graduated the University of Tokyo
and joined Mitsugamine.
Wow, she's an elite.
She wanted me to go to a good college
and join a top-ranked company.
That was her goal in life.
Worked out well then.
- Huh?
- What?
Did you not hear me?
- Right.
- Right...
I'm a failure in her eyes.
An embarrassment.
She criticizes everything I do,
and she's never approved of me.
My mother was very strict as well,
but she grew frail before she died.
She thanked me for taking care of her.
It felt like the first time
she ever praised me.
Looking back, it was a good time.
People change right before death.
I was too busy with
an accident in Thailand,
so I never got to say goodbye to my mom.
I was so focused on funeral arrangements,
I didn't even cry.
It's sad.
You're the only family she's got.
Take care of her as much as you can.
Yeah. She'll be grateful.
Yeah, there's no way she doesn't love you.
ANTIQUE EUROPEAN FURNITURE
Don't just stand there.
What did you come to say?
Are you that busy with work?
It's a small company,
but I have responsibilities.
I can't take off work like some people.
So? What did you need to say?
Is there anywhere you want to go?
Well, I'd like to see the Louvre again.
I didn't manage
to see everything last time.
I want to drink wine in Burgundy
and eat oysters from the Aegean Sea again.
Seriously? What if you have an attack?
You asked, so I answered.
If you're all done, get back to work.
I have a carer coming, so I can do this...
Where are your meds?
Communication is spotty. It'll be hard
to transport her unless we go there.
So, are you going to Locomoco then?
It's Mocomoco.
There's a flight to Bolivia
via Lima in three hours.
I'll go. I'll be fine alone.
All right, get going.
Wait a second. We can't let you
go into the jungle by yourself.
Then what do we do?
You go with her.
Me?
- Your back?
- I threw it out.
Good luck.
It's passed. I'll be fine.
Just go home.
You can't help anyway.
Even if you stay, you won't be any use.
Mom!
You have three to six months.
That's what the doctor said.
Yeah?
Longer than I thought.
I'll come again.
How long did it take to get here again?
Twenty-eight hours.
Rinko, I'm sorry
I keep asking the same question,
but why did your mom come here anyway?
She used to travel the world
when she worked at Mitsugamine.
She ran a small international
trading company.
She knew a lot of local scenic spots.
Right. So there's
some landmark in Locomoco then?
It's Mocomoco.
You know, you're really starting to...
Hello there.
You're from Angel Hearse, right?
Welcome. I'm Tobe
from the Japanese Embassy.
I'll be showing you around.
This is our guide, José.
Welcome to Bolivia.
Can I get your bag?
Thanks so much.
How do we get to Mocomoco from here?
It's about a ten-hour drive.
Ten hours...
My back is going to shatter.
Any scenic spots in Mocomoco?
No, nothing.
- Nothing?
- Nothing.
- What?
- Let's go.
- Okay.
- What were you saying?
Why couldn't you do it?
You're so incompetent.
Look at this test score.
What a stupid girl. You should be ashamed.
It's going to be bumpy for a while.
Once you get used to...
Just vomit if you need to.
You'll feel better.
Mother, how is this
"taking care of affairs"?
You're throwing it all out?
I'm taking care of affairs.
I don't want to burden you when I die.
I've already arranged a funeral.
What's this photo?
You look like a party girl.
That was the fashion then.
I stopped using film cameras around then.
I won't be needing this.
Take it if you want.
Now then...
I'll take care of the bedroom.
Are we there yet? I'm going to dry up.
The temperature
drops rapidly at night here.
- How much?
- Almost zero degrees Celsius.
What?
Hey. Tobe.
- Yes?
- Do something.
The car's completely busted.
José is ordering us a new car.
It'll be here tomorrow.
- What?
- Tomorrow? Where do we sleep tonight?
I'll take even just a business hotel.
Anywhere with a shower
or a bathtub will do fine.
There's a three-star hotel right here.
This?
I had that coming.
- Seriously?
- Sorry.
I'm sorry for all this.
Huh?
Mother said she wouldn't cause trouble,
and yet here we are.
She's so selfish.
She came all the way here
in her condition.
There must have been a good reason.
Like what?
I don't know...
It might involve you somehow.
Maybe she wanted to tell you something?
There's no way.
We parted on bad terms.
Did you fight?
I've prepared all the paperwork,
so sell the house.
PROPERTY DEED
It's not worth much though.
I'd hate to sell it...
Can you handle it with your salary?
Of course not.
When I was your age,
I made twice as much as you do.
I did so much to put you through college,
and I got you a good job.
But you just up and quit
to work at some funeral home...
It's not a funeral home.
It's international...
You wash corpses.
What were you thinking?
Why did I work so hard to raise you?
Don't look down on it.
To me, it's work that's worth doing...
No.
You're just rebelling against me.
You wanted to make me angry,
so you choose a despicable job.
Take that back. My job is not despicable.
I refuse.
Go home already.
I don't need your help.
I...
I wanted...
to give even
a mother like you a proper farewell.
You make it sound like I'm a bad mother.
I fed you, I changed your diaper,
I educated you.
Do you need more?
You've never once praised me.
You get angry if I don't do as you say.
Even when I do, you don't approve.
Do you hate me?
Because you lost your career
when you had me?
Because you would've been
more successful without me?
You resent me.
How can you say that?
I took custody of you.
I refused child support
and raised you all alone.
I did everything for...
It wasn't for me.
You just didn't want
to be labeled as a bad mother.
I'm just a tool to satisfy your ego.
It's all for your own sake.
That's...
That's not love.
Love?
What is love?
Stupid people always cling on
to something intangible.
That's why this world
is full of spoiled people.
I did...
all that had to be done.
You haven't changed a bit.
I've been a thorn
in your side all my life.
I understand that.
And you're not being selfish?
You act like a caring daughter.
And I thank you.
That's a happy ending for you.
How selfish.
Is that so wrong?
I'm going to be alone.
Despite how you are,
you're the only family I have.
I'm going to be all alone.
And yet you show no kindness.
Not a shred.
Something's wrong with you.
I wouldn't call it a fight...
More like we cut ties.
I doubt I'll even cry when I see her.
It'll be easier at least.
You're so stupid.
It's not that easy...
being a single mother.
She's crying. Would you get it together?
You don't take care of her,
clean the house, or watch the shop.
Why are you even here?
If you don't like it here,
go back to your parents.
You can't love your daughter?
There are lots of people like that.
But it usually doesn't last.
Once she starts walking
and talking, she'll get cuter.
You'll love her before you know it.
Having children and raising them
is the greatest joy a woman can have.
You really don't need child support?
You can support her on your salary?
TOKO MIYABE
You can get her into a decent school
and give her a decent life?
DIVORCE APPLICATION
You think I'm going to
settle with "decent"?
I won't cause you trouble.
Don't come crying.
I tried negotiating with the boss,
but he thinks it'll be too hard
if you're raising a kid on your own.
And it would be difficult
for you to reintegrate yourself.
It's tough for
trading companies right now.
I'll recommend you
to one of our affiliates.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
This is the place.
Excuse me, sir.
Is Dr. Usami here?
He's out right now.
But I've been told about you.
This way, please.
She collapsed at a bus station
and was brought to the clinic.
We did everything we could
with the equipment we had,
but two days later, she died.
She collapsed at a bus station
and was brought here.
They did what they could,
but she passed away two days later.
Thank goodness, she still looks okay.
They've preserved her as best they could.
Let's get her out of here.
Certainly.
What's this?
A bucket list?
A list of things to do before you die?
She mentioned doing these things before.
She's circled one through three.
So she went to the Louvre,
Burgundy, and the Aegean Sea then.
But she didn't do the last two.
"Become young and beautiful again."
Was she going to get plastic surgery?
And "Embrace the man I love."
Was that why she came here?
No way. Who's the man she loved?
I don't know,
but that's the only explanation.
At her age too.
Age doesn't matter.
But would she really have someone
in a place like this?
The doctor is back.
The doctor is back from his house calls.
I'm sorry for being late,
there was an emergency.
You must be tired from your journey.
I'll make you some coffee.
Let me introduce myself.
I'm Usami, here on
a medical humanitarian assignment.
I really don't know
what she could have meant by that.
But this "man I love" has to be you.
Didn't she come to see you?
Even if that were true,
I can't betray her privacy.
Oh, no need to worry about that.
- This is her daughter.
- What?
I'm Toko Takaki's daughter, Rinko.
I see...
Her daughter...
Yes, Toko came here to see me.
Yes!
Question.
What was your relationship with her?
We met on a flight
to Frankfurt ten years ago.
We got along and met up a few times.
So you were going out?
No, it wasn't like that.
We did keep in touch though.
Thought so.
I didn't know she had someone.
It's no surprise she had someone,
as pretty as she was.
I never expected her to come here though.
So, what did she say?
She asked to stay with me.
And...?
I said my place was too small,
but she insisted.
And...
you let her?
- Yes.
- Nice!
What's with you two?
And? And?
And she left
to catch the bus the next day.
But she had an attack
and was brought here.
I figured she wasn't well,
but I didn't think it was serious.
We couldn't do anything...
No, no, no, no.
Don't leave out the juicy parts.
She wrote "embrace the man I love" here.
Why isn't there a circle around it?
Not in front of her daughter...
Don't worry about that.
Rinko wants to know too. Right?
Right?
- Sure.
- See? Okay?
So?
Did Toko try to seduce you?
You turned her down?
Why?
But she must've
had a thing for you for ages.
You just turned her down?
- And you call yourself a man?
- Unbelievable.
Please don't get so worked up.
But she came all this way
for her dying wish.
He didn't know it was her dying wish.
No, it was my fault.
I didn't tell her before.
Tell her what?
He's my current partner.
Both in work and in my private life.
I apologize for
sticking my nose into private matters.
It's all right, I'm not hiding it.
I really am so sorry.
So that's what it was...
Right?
Sorry for prying.
Thank you for caring for her.
I'm just sorry
I couldn't do anything for her.
Um...
Did my mother...
say anything about me?
No...
She gave me a note
saying to call this number if she died.
But that was all.
ANGEL HEARSE
I see.
Thank you for all your help.
Let's go.
Excuse me.
Are you Ms. Takaki?
- Yes.
- I'm Izawa from Angel Hearse.
I'm sorry for dropping by unexpectedly.
Not at all. But are you sure about this?
Unfortunately, Rinko is in Fukuoka
on a business trip.
That's perfect then.
This way please.
Not too tired from your trip?
Come in.
This is it.
This is Rinko's desk.
She comes in first every day
to wipe down the desks voluntarily.
Don't you force her?
In a proper company, it'd be abuse.
Everyone, this is Rinko's mother.
Her mother.
Thank you for looking after Rinko.
- Of course.
- There's no abuse.
I was just kidding.
It's a wholesome workplace.
That's right.
Very wholesome.
- How dare you!
- I'm sorry.
Next time you screw up,
I'll roll you down the runway naked!
- I'll die!
- Good!
Don't be like that, sir.
I hope you get run over by a jet.
Oh, hello. Who's this?
Rinko's mother.
Oh!
Nice to meet you. Sorry about that.
Didn't expect you.
What a good joke.
Just kidding.
This is where we treat the deceased.
We wash them,
sew up wounds, and apply makeup.
So family can see them at their best.
You must see many kinds of death.
Sometimes there's accidents,
sometimes they're already decaying.
Those who die with regrets
tend to have faces full of pain.
It's hard to relax their expressions.
But Rinko always gives it her best,
no matter who it is.
There aren't many people like her.
What?
I didn't cry after all.
And you were wrong.
She didn't come here to tell me anything.
She didn't write about me at all.
After she insulted love,
her final wish was for a man.
She never thought
about anyone besides herself.
But he turned her down,
and she couldn't finish her bucket list.
Things don't work like in movies.
Honestly, it serves her right.
Her ridiculous wish
has caused so much trouble.
She's so stupid.
I don't know about that.
I still think this
was for your sake as well.
Huh?
PUB TAMAKI
PUB TAMAKI
Weren't you gung h* about your career?
Trading companies were
male-dominated back then.
Competent women were a nuisance.
And yet the incompetent men
kept getting promoted.
Right. I got pregnant with Rinko
when I started getting sick of it.
So I got married,
but as I thought, it didn't work out well.
And you've been alone since then?
What a waste.
Oh come on, you must have had
one or two or three men since then.
- She's got one.
- Really?
She's got one now.
What's he like?
I've known him over ten years now.
But it's not like that.
I don't know what it is.
You're surprisingly reserved.
You have to go for them.
No, you do.
What about Rinko?
Single, probably.
Definitely.
That's expected though.
- Hey, you.
- Yes?
Will you date Rinko?
Me?
No, I couldn't...
What about me?
You're no good.
- What?
- No good.
I'll go out with you, Toko.
I'll pass.
I prefer Mr. Tanoshita.
You're turning red, Mr. Tanoshita.
No, I'm not.
Oh, your fly is open.
Don't look.
Stop.
I'm so sorry.
Sorry.
I haven't laughed so hard in ages.
That's great.
Welcome back.
- Welcome back.
- Welcome.
Well done.
Somehow we made it back alive.
What is up with Bolivia?
What's wrong, Rinko? You mad?
- Yes.
- About what?
She's scary...
Here she comes.
One, two...
A wonderful woman.
Yeah.
Hello, Toko.
- Mother!
- Stop.
You're not supposed to cry.
All right, let's get her prettied up.
Rinko, you handle it.
I've never thought children were cute.
"Your own child will be different.
You'll come to love her."
"Raising a child is the greatest joy."
That's what they said.
But it wasn't like that for me.
It was just painful.
I can't tell Rinko though.
Rinko told me that...
something's wrong with me.
I think she's right.
There's something lacking in me.
I think I tried my hardest though.
So I have no regrets.
Even so, it's still scary.
Dying, that is.
But after hearing everything
you said this afternoon,
I realized it's nice to know
how much time you have left.
Now I can do everything I've left undone.
That's true.
You might be right.
Wasn't there a movie about doing that?
Making a list
of things to do before you die?
Yeah, I remember that.
What was the actor's name again?
Uh... Charles Bronson. No...
That wasn't him.
Now I can't think of anyone else.
I got it!
Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.
That's it.
There are lots of places I want to go.
But...
it'll cause trouble
if anything happens to me.
Cause trouble then.
If anything happens, Rinko will be there.
Your daughter will come for you
even if you're at the ends of the Earth.
I hope...
I hate having to ask her for help.
True.
- You going home?
- No, I thought of something.
- What?
- Here, take this.
And this.
Write a list.
FOUR. BECOME YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL AGAIN
FIVE. EMBRACE THE MAN I LOVE
Mother.
Just what have you done?
Involving everyone at my company
in your stupid plans.
Keeping it all secret from me...
What a mess you've made.
Looks good.
They're just my coworkers.
Just my...
You've gotten better.
She looks wonderful.
Like she's smiling.
She looks young again.
And beautiful.
FOUR. BECOME YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL AGAIN
There are many kinds of people.
"No parent doesn't love their child."
That's a lie.
It vexed her and hurt her.
She tried to do what she couldn't.
Your mother...
suffered just as much as you.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom.
Mom, help me.
FIVE. EMBRACE THE DAUGHTER I LOVE
She wouldn't have done this
if she didn't approve of you.
See?
SIX. CAUSE TROUBLE FOR MY DAUGHTER
Why?
Why?
Take it.
Mother...
You were right.
I joined this company...
because I was rebelling against you.
I owe this to you.
Thank you.
I wanted to give her
the strength to live on her own.
That's all I could teach her.
It's hard for a woman
to raise children on her own.
You too, Nami?
I have two kids. He was a terrible guy.
It ended so soon.
I don't even remember his face.
And after him?
Huh?
There must've been a good man.
There was.
But I couldn't believe it.
I thought I'd get dumped again eventually.
Why couldn't I believe in him?
He may have thought so too.
Perfect timing. I want to talk to you.
Yeah, no thanks.
You'll want to hear this.
You intrigue me.
So I did some digging.
Lots of free time, huh?
Digging into Yukito Adachi.
The other two who died
in that accident were yakuza.
When I asked around, some cops think
Adachi might have been forced on a job.
I'm not interested in your dumb theories.
So you didn't know.
You poor thing.
Is that all? Bye then.
Hold on.
Wait.
Yukito Adachi...
might still be alive.
Mother.
I think that...
death is like a constellation.
The infinite stars scattered in the sky
are like the memories of the lost.
We connect them one by one
to create a story like a constellation.
It may be a pretty lie
we're telling ourselves.
But...
the people left behind
find closure that way.
And they move on.
All while holding the story
of the person who is gone...
dear to their heart.
THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION
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