A Tale Of Mari And Three Puppies (マリと子犬の物語) (マリと子犬の物語)

Star!

Rock!

"K"...?

"K"... kit!

Tomato!

Oats!

Saucer!

"R"...? "R"...

Aya!

Say this!

Oh... rice!

Think of it yourself!

Where are you off to?

Moon Field!

My home village of Yamakoshi...

gets great rice from terraced fields.

Elm!

Magic!

"C"...?

Ryota!

Carp!

You cheated, too!

Carp with many colors...

Is Grandpa OK?

He's fine!

The "last letter" game?

What's next?

"P".

"P"... "P"...?

Peritonitis.

What's that?!

Idiot!

Here, you can watch our brave bulls battle with their horns.

- "P" next? Puff. - can't end in "F"! You lose!

Yes, Yamakoshi Village Hall.

Dad works at Yamakoshi Village Hall,

and says we'll soon become part of the next city, Nagaoka.

Tulip!

Pool!

"L"...?

Lock!

"K"...?

Kite!

"E"...?

Elastic!

"C"...? carrot!

Tart!

Teacup!

"P"...?

Puppy!

It's so cute!

Aya...

"Good home, please"

It's a stray.

What's your name?

We can't keep it.

You know that Dad doesn't like dogs.

Come on.

Let's go.

Let's go, Aya.

It's following.

Run!

Ryota!

It followed us! It followed!

It followed!

Good rice seedlings...

I'm back!

I'm back.

I'm going!

Aya?!

Yes...?

It seems odd...

Since when do you like milk?

Well...

Since now.

Since now?

Really?! Good girl!

I'll make your favorite dish for dinner!

OK... hamburger.

I'm not good at cooking hamburger.

There's flatfish, so I'll use that, with "daikon" radish...

Boiled spinach...?

Is it good?

I hope it's warm enough.

No problem, dogs can stand the cold.

can we play a little bit?

Isn't that great!

Puppy, over here!

phoipha -

"Mom, get well soon. From Ryota and Aya"

Ryota...

What is it?

Read it to me.

Again?

To Ryota and Aya.

Thanks for the lovely picture for my birthday.

I was so happy you visited the hospital yesterday.

When I saw Ryota enter the room holding Aya's hand,

I was surprised how he'd become such a big brother.

It made me feel so happy.

Ryota, from now on, no matter what,

please hold Aya's hand tightly and protect her.

Aya, you're too little to understand,

but please listen carefully to your brother and try to get along.

I really love you both.

I love you, love you, love you!

Even when we're apart, I'm always thinking of you both,

and will always be watching over you.

come visit me again. From Mother.

Let's go to sleep.

Ryota...

Was Mom kind?

She was kind.

What was her voice like?

A pretty voice.

I wonder if that dog has a mom and dad?

If it's all alone... it would be sad.

Aya...

It'll be your birthday soon.

- Listen... - Yes?

The crowd's all excited about the much anticipated newcomers.

Both sides loosen their ropes.

Let's have one more big round of applause!

- Want one? - I love rice balls!

Your diet! Only one for you!

Here they come!

Good luck, Katsumaru! Yoshio!

Let's do it! Yeah!

You fool!

He always messes up!

Do it!

Go for it!

So, you found an apartment...

In Nagaoka.

But I didn't find a wife yet...

After joining Nagaoka, I hope to work for them. You?

I'd like that too, but...

I haven't talked to Dad yet.

Your father is so stubborn!

Mayor!

He opposed joining Nagaoka right until the end.

He almost hit me, saying, "The name Yamakoshi can just disappear?!"

Sorry about that!

Even if the name changes,

the mountains and rivers will never change.

Both sides loosen their ropes! Let's have a round of applause!

Way to go, Katsumaru!

I'll go to the washroom.

Grandpa!

What is it?

There's something I want for my next birthday.

Oh yeah! You'll soon be five.

I'll get you whatever you want.

Really?!

In the 7O years I've been in Yamakoshi,

I have not told a lie even once!

I did it! I did it!

It worked perfectly! It worked!

I can't do it.

You said you'd give me whatever I wanted...

You know your Dad can't stand dogs.

Seventy years,

and not one lie.

You're such a big help. The kids love your cooking.

It's like my elder sister's cooking.

It reminds them of how their mom's food tasted.

I suppose.

Maybe yours is better...

Stop!

We're back!

Welcome home!

- Auntie Saeko! - Welcome!

Welcome back!

I'm home.

Father...

Yes?

What are you trying to hide?

Huh?

Another expensive "bonsai" plant? Be honest.

What do you mean?

So, what on earth is it this time?

You want to know?

I want to know.

It's better if you don't look...

What are you talking about?!

Why did you agree to this?!

I couldn't resist such cute grandkids asking for it.

Who'll look after it?

Everyone will help out.

Everyone?

Everyone except you.

We can't look after it here. You're busy with the kids.

And I'm doing the paperwork for joining Nagaoka.

Shall I help?

No thanks!

You're so selfish, hiding things from me.

You're the one who's keeping secrets.

Like what?!

Like moving to Nagaoka!

It's you who is the selfish one!