Ema comes home from school, and meets Kumatora in front of the house. The old man asks Ema about the essay on family that she is supposed to make. He asks that they talk for a bit. He shows her a drawing of a caterpillar that he made. He explains that when a caterpillar eats leaves, it will become a lovely butterfly. He says just like it, if Ema eats her meals everyday, obeys her parents, and study well, she too will become a lovely "butterfly". "Just like Mother?" Ema asks. "Yes," he answers. He also informs her about Takeshi and how he has to be absent from school and help out at the farm. "So try to get along with him when he comes back to school, alright?" Ema says yes and goes inside her house. Then, Massan comes home and is greeted by Kumatora. They talk about what happened in Osaka. Ellie comes out too and greets her husband. Massan asks about Ema, and Ellie says she has something to consult him with about their daughter. Massan asks that they do that later because he has to go and see his factory for the meantime.
Massan tells Toshio and Kazuma that they need to change the label of the product as ordered by his investor. He also plans to ask department stores in Sapporo and Hakodate to sell their product. Toshio says he and Kazuma have been discussing about hiring sales people to do promotions and advertising for their product since Massan can't do everything alone. But Massan says he can't afford to hire new workers at the moment.
Hana is teaching Ema the kanji for "parent". Then Ema asks Hana, how was her mom like. Hana says she was around the same age as Ema when she lost her mom, and that she cried "morning, day and night" when she died. Ema asks if her mom looked like her. "Yes," Hana answers, awkwardly. "There are some parts that we look similar, and some parts that are not." Ema wonders which part she is similar with her own parents, Massan and Ellie. Hana answers that she has the same smarts as her dad, and pretty and friendly like her mom. "Is it maybe why my hair is as black as dad's?" Hana says yes, a bit uncomfortable.
Later, Hana tells Ellie and Massan about her awkward conversation with Ema. So the couple decides it is best to tell Ema the truth...
Ema is in her room, writing the essay about "family". Massan comes in and asks Ema to come and have a talk with him and Ellie. In the dining area, the family of three sits down to have that talk. Massan is mainly the one who explains to Ema: that immediately after she was born, her real parents died because of an epidemic; and that he and Ellie had raised her up after that. He and Ellie assures her that they think of her as their real daughter no matter what, and that they love her very much. Ema is crying quietly while listening to her father. But in the end, she says she understands. The three hug each other after the talk.
The next morning, Ema leaves the house to go to school while Ellie sees her off outside the house. Ema sees Toshio along the way as usual, and do their normal "good morning" routine. But this time, Ema greets him in Japanese, rather than in English. Toshio senses a change in Ema. Hana who has heard asks Ellie if Ema already knows, and Ellie says yes. Toshio asks what had happened, but as usual Hana just ignores his questions. Ellie, however, looks into the distance, and seems worried... (~synopsis by ec)
Massan tells Toshio and Kazuma that they need to change the label of the product as ordered by his investor. He also plans to ask department stores in Sapporo and Hakodate to sell their product. Toshio says he and Kazuma have been discussing about hiring sales people to do promotions and advertising for their product since Massan can't do everything alone. But Massan says he can't afford to hire new workers at the moment.
Hana is teaching Ema the kanji for "parent". Then Ema asks Hana, how was her mom like. Hana says she was around the same age as Ema when she lost her mom, and that she cried "morning, day and night" when she died. Ema asks if her mom looked like her. "Yes," Hana answers, awkwardly. "There are some parts that we look similar, and some parts that are not." Ema wonders which part she is similar with her own parents, Massan and Ellie. Hana answers that she has the same smarts as her dad, and pretty and friendly like her mom. "Is it maybe why my hair is as black as dad's?" Hana says yes, a bit uncomfortable.
Later, Hana tells Ellie and Massan about her awkward conversation with Ema. So the couple decides it is best to tell Ema the truth...
Ema is in her room, writing the essay about "family". Massan comes in and asks Ema to come and have a talk with him and Ellie. In the dining area, the family of three sits down to have that talk. Massan is mainly the one who explains to Ema: that immediately after she was born, her real parents died because of an epidemic; and that he and Ellie had raised her up after that. He and Ellie assures her that they think of her as their real daughter no matter what, and that they love her very much. Ema is crying quietly while listening to her father. But in the end, she says she understands. The three hug each other after the talk.
The next morning, Ema leaves the house to go to school while Ellie sees her off outside the house. Ema sees Toshio along the way as usual, and do their normal "good morning" routine. But this time, Ema greets him in Japanese, rather than in English. Toshio senses a change in Ema. Hana who has heard asks Ellie if Ema already knows, and Ellie says yes. Toshio asks what had happened, but as usual Hana just ignores his questions. Ellie, however, looks into the distance, and seems worried... (~synopsis by ec)
After that talk that night, Ema lies on her bed, frowning. Even if she told her parents she understands, she seems troubled about the truth. She is probably worried what to write on her essay, now that she knows the truth about her birth. It is because , on her study desk, her essay lies unfinished, with an angry stroke ruining the rest of the paper...
In school, Yoshie greets her and asks about the essay. Ema says she hasn't finished it yet. Yoshie too says she's having trouble with it. "If I write the truth (about how her parents are always fighting), they might get angry." Ema is bothered with the word "truth," remembering what her parents had told her. Yoshie asks what's wrong. Ema: "Nothing"...
At the factory, Massan asks everyone to change the labels of the bottles. Toshio complains that they should also change the contents as well (into whisky). The women wonders if the company will be all right. Massan tells them not to worry. The truth is, Massan is thankful for this, since it gives him an excuse to halt production (since he has too many unsold items), and just have the workers concentrate on changing the labels.
At the herring palace, Hana and Ellie are pickling some food into a pot. Ellie tells her how she and Massan told Ema the truth. Hana says it's a good thing, but Ellie still feels worried. Then they hear Ema, who has just arrived at the house.
Ellie goes to the house to welcome Ema. The girl refuses snacks since she has homework to do, and goes straight to her room. Ellie knows that this behavior is similar to the day when she pushed Takeshi down, and pretended that things were alright. Seeing her shoes neatly arranged at the door also causes her to worry...
Inside her room, Ema looks at the essay that she couldn't bring herself to finish. She angrily tosses another textbook on it so she wouldn't have to see it.
Ellie goes to Massan's office to tell him of Ema's "strange" behavior. "She greeted me properly, arranged her shoes, washed her hands, did her homework (all without being told)." Massan just laughs it off, and says not to worry too much. He asks that they talk about it later since he's too busy at the moment.
Ellie goes back to the house. She checks up on Ema and sees her sleeping, her head resting on her desk. Sensing something is wrong, she holds Ema. She feels feverish...
Massan and Ellie asks Hana if she has ice to bring down Ema's fever. Hana will go and get some. Kumatora tells them not to worry since it's just a fever. He also informs them that it might be stress due to the upcoming parents' visitation, and the essay. Ellie says she hasn't heard anything about that...
In her room, Ema is asleep while Ellie watches over her, placing a damp cloth on her forehead. Then, Ema, while asleep, calls out "Mom... Mom..." She takes out her own hand from underneath her blanket. Ellie, for some reason, stares at her daughter's hand and did not touch it.
Later on, the doctor had already come and examined Ema. After he left, Ellie tells Massan about Ema's "sleep talk". "She was crying out 'Mom, Mom'. Is she calling for me or perhaps...?" Massan tells her not to worry, and assures her that Ema thinks of her as her only mother. Then, Hana comes to give them the ice. She apologizes, saying that maybe she should not have said "unnecessary things." Massan and Ellie tell her it's not her fault...
Ellie continues to care for her sick daughter. Ema cries out 'Mom, Mom' again. She sticks her hands from underneath her blanket but this time Ellie holds her hands, and kisses her child. She remembers some of her memories of Ema growing up... She kisses her hands, and tells her, "No matter what, I am your mom."
The next morning, Ema awakes. It looks like her fever had subsided. She sees her mother beside her, and calls out, "Mom?" Ellie wakes up, too, and happy to see Ema well. Ema: "Did you stay with me the whole time?" Ellie: "Of course." Massan peeks from behind the door and is also happy to see Ema well.
Later that afternoon, Ellie is feeding Ema some rice-red bean porridge. Ema says she isn't hungry yet. Then, they hear a visitor outside. Ellie goes to see. It is Yoshie who has come to visit Ema. She just came from school, and she also brought along Takeshi with her. Ellie shows them inside Ema's room. Takeshi looks shy and embarrassed. Ellie leaves the three classmates to prepare some snacks for them...
Yoshie prods Takeshi to say what he wanted to say to Ema. Takeshi explains that he had been bad to Ema because he felt envious of her. Takeshi lost his mother early on, and seeing Ellie making and delivering delicious lunch to Ema, and holding her that day (at the herring palace), he felt mad and envious. But he says he is sorry now. Ema says she forgives him. Yoshie tries to make him confess too, that he likes Ema. But Takeshi denies it. Ellie is outside the door listening to the children, and smiles. She comes in, bringing a tray of cookies and apple juice. The children eat, while Ellie looks on, happy that they have gotten along well now. (~synopsis by ec)
In school, Yoshie greets her and asks about the essay. Ema says she hasn't finished it yet. Yoshie too says she's having trouble with it. "If I write the truth (about how her parents are always fighting), they might get angry." Ema is bothered with the word "truth," remembering what her parents had told her. Yoshie asks what's wrong. Ema: "Nothing"...
At the factory, Massan asks everyone to change the labels of the bottles. Toshio complains that they should also change the contents as well (into whisky). The women wonders if the company will be all right. Massan tells them not to worry. The truth is, Massan is thankful for this, since it gives him an excuse to halt production (since he has too many unsold items), and just have the workers concentrate on changing the labels.
At the herring palace, Hana and Ellie are pickling some food into a pot. Ellie tells her how she and Massan told Ema the truth. Hana says it's a good thing, but Ellie still feels worried. Then they hear Ema, who has just arrived at the house.
Ellie goes to the house to welcome Ema. The girl refuses snacks since she has homework to do, and goes straight to her room. Ellie knows that this behavior is similar to the day when she pushed Takeshi down, and pretended that things were alright. Seeing her shoes neatly arranged at the door also causes her to worry...
Inside her room, Ema looks at the essay that she couldn't bring herself to finish. She angrily tosses another textbook on it so she wouldn't have to see it.
Ellie goes to Massan's office to tell him of Ema's "strange" behavior. "She greeted me properly, arranged her shoes, washed her hands, did her homework (all without being told)." Massan just laughs it off, and says not to worry too much. He asks that they talk about it later since he's too busy at the moment.
Ellie goes back to the house. She checks up on Ema and sees her sleeping, her head resting on her desk. Sensing something is wrong, she holds Ema. She feels feverish...
Massan and Ellie asks Hana if she has ice to bring down Ema's fever. Hana will go and get some. Kumatora tells them not to worry since it's just a fever. He also informs them that it might be stress due to the upcoming parents' visitation, and the essay. Ellie says she hasn't heard anything about that...
In her room, Ema is asleep while Ellie watches over her, placing a damp cloth on her forehead. Then, Ema, while asleep, calls out "Mom... Mom..." She takes out her own hand from underneath her blanket. Ellie, for some reason, stares at her daughter's hand and did not touch it.
Later on, the doctor had already come and examined Ema. After he left, Ellie tells Massan about Ema's "sleep talk". "She was crying out 'Mom, Mom'. Is she calling for me or perhaps...?" Massan tells her not to worry, and assures her that Ema thinks of her as her only mother. Then, Hana comes to give them the ice. She apologizes, saying that maybe she should not have said "unnecessary things." Massan and Ellie tell her it's not her fault...
Ellie continues to care for her sick daughter. Ema cries out 'Mom, Mom' again. She sticks her hands from underneath her blanket but this time Ellie holds her hands, and kisses her child. She remembers some of her memories of Ema growing up... She kisses her hands, and tells her, "No matter what, I am your mom."
The next morning, Ema awakes. It looks like her fever had subsided. She sees her mother beside her, and calls out, "Mom?" Ellie wakes up, too, and happy to see Ema well. Ema: "Did you stay with me the whole time?" Ellie: "Of course." Massan peeks from behind the door and is also happy to see Ema well.
Later that afternoon, Ellie is feeding Ema some rice-red bean porridge. Ema says she isn't hungry yet. Then, they hear a visitor outside. Ellie goes to see. It is Yoshie who has come to visit Ema. She just came from school, and she also brought along Takeshi with her. Ellie shows them inside Ema's room. Takeshi looks shy and embarrassed. Ellie leaves the three classmates to prepare some snacks for them...
Yoshie prods Takeshi to say what he wanted to say to Ema. Takeshi explains that he had been bad to Ema because he felt envious of her. Takeshi lost his mother early on, and seeing Ellie making and delivering delicious lunch to Ema, and holding her that day (at the herring palace), he felt mad and envious. But he says he is sorry now. Ema says she forgives him. Yoshie tries to make him confess too, that he likes Ema. But Takeshi denies it. Ellie is outside the door listening to the children, and smiles. She comes in, bringing a tray of cookies and apple juice. The children eat, while Ellie looks on, happy that they have gotten along well now. (~synopsis by ec)
That night, Massan hears about what happened on that day: that Ema's classmates had visited her, and found the apple juice delicious. Ema thanks Ellie for staying with her the whole time while she was sick. She also says sorry to her since she now knows how hard it is for Ellie to come to Japan, learn the language and the food, and take care of her and Massan. Ellie says she is fine with all that, and not to worry about her. Ema also asks them not "to die earlier than me". "Since my real parents died, I didn't get to meet them. So don't die ahead of me." Massan and Ellie promise and they hug each other.
Ellie presents to them matching nemaki (sleepwear) she had been sewing for some time. She made one for each of them and for herself. Massan and Ema are delighted. They all put it on and wear them that night. Later, the family of three are wearing the nemaki. Massan and Ema, are asleep while Ellie is still awake, gazing lovingly at her family...
The next day, Ema is in her room. She finally gets down and works on her essay. This time, the words are flowing out of her, and smiles when finished.
Then the day of the parents visitation has come. That morning, Ellie shows Hana two western-style dresses, and asks which one she should wear to Ema's school. Hana chooses the grey one, but Toshio butts in and comments that Ellie should wear a kimono instead. Hana says Ellie shouldn't try to be like the other mothers and just wear what she normally wears. The two argue about it. Toshio: "You're like a bossy woman." Hana: "Neither a woman nor a man have anything to do with this!" Toshio: "A woman should just be quiet and listen to what her husband says!" Hana: "Well, I am not your wife!" Ellie tells them to stop fighting and that she'll just choose for herself.
At the factory, Massan asks Kazuma if he should donate some apple juice for the school visitation. Kazuma finds it weird. Massan says he'll only give it to the teacher and maybe the kids but still Kazuma doesn't think it's a good idea. "I won't find it strange to bring it as a "get-well" present for patients at the hospital, but for parents' school visitation? I've never heard of something like that before." When Massan hears "get-well present", he suddenly has an idea...
He broaches his idea to Ellie. That is to recommend apple juice as a get-well present to patients at the hospital (since Ema seemed to have gotten better after drinking the juice). Hana who is nearby listening, thinks it's a great idea, since apple juice is nourishing and good for the body. Massan says he will try and market his product to the hospitals starting tomorrow.
Then, the couple goes to Ema's school for the visitation. Other parents are there, including Sugimoto. The couple smiles at him. Chie also arrives. She and Ellie greet and thank each other since their daughters are best of friends. Then, the essay reading starts while the parents are at the back, watching and listening. And at last, it was Ema's turn to read her essay in front of everybody. Massan excitedly wishes her good luck, eliciting giggles from the others. She reads: "'My Family' by Kameyama Ema," She starts with "I lost my real mother and father when I was born." There is silence, and her classmates look surprised. "But I do not miss them," Ema continues. "It's because for me, I have the world's best mother and father. My mother is a good cook, and is very good in singing. When I became ill, she stayed with me the whole night, and nursed me. But, when she gets angry, she can be scary. My father always believes in whiskey. He came to Hokkaido from Osaka to make whiskey. In order to fulfill their dream, Mom and Dad are always working hard. Though sometimes they fight, they are very good friends. I love them both." She is smiling as she reads her essay while her parents are teary-eyed, and beaming proudly at her. "I also have a dream," she continues. "My dream is to become a grown-up like my mother someday. And when that dream comes true, I want to marry a man just like my father." She finishes and goes back to her seat. Massan and Ellie are crying with joy. Ema's teacher is also moved to tears. Ema looks back at her parents and smiles at them.
Some time has passed. Production has started again at the factory. The workers are placing a new label on the bottles. It still looks the same, except that the katakana words, <甘味 リンゴ汁> or "Sweet Apple Juice" are added and displayed prominently. It seems that the drink had become popular in the hospitals of Otaru and Sapporo, and that its reputation has also spread outside Hokkaido. Massan is now shipping his product to Tokyo and Osaka as well.
Narrator: "It seems the days of making whiskey here in Yoichi are approaching."
At the house, Ellie is teaching the English alphabet to Ema and her classmates, Yoshie, Takeshi, and Mitsuru. Ema is now looking very happy.
Narrator: "The whole family has regained their smiles; it seems their new life in Hokkaido has begun smoothly." (~synopsis by ec)
Ellie presents to them matching nemaki (sleepwear) she had been sewing for some time. She made one for each of them and for herself. Massan and Ema are delighted. They all put it on and wear them that night. Later, the family of three are wearing the nemaki. Massan and Ema, are asleep while Ellie is still awake, gazing lovingly at her family...
The next day, Ema is in her room. She finally gets down and works on her essay. This time, the words are flowing out of her, and smiles when finished.
Then the day of the parents visitation has come. That morning, Ellie shows Hana two western-style dresses, and asks which one she should wear to Ema's school. Hana chooses the grey one, but Toshio butts in and comments that Ellie should wear a kimono instead. Hana says Ellie shouldn't try to be like the other mothers and just wear what she normally wears. The two argue about it. Toshio: "You're like a bossy woman." Hana: "Neither a woman nor a man have anything to do with this!" Toshio: "A woman should just be quiet and listen to what her husband says!" Hana: "Well, I am not your wife!" Ellie tells them to stop fighting and that she'll just choose for herself.
At the factory, Massan asks Kazuma if he should donate some apple juice for the school visitation. Kazuma finds it weird. Massan says he'll only give it to the teacher and maybe the kids but still Kazuma doesn't think it's a good idea. "I won't find it strange to bring it as a "get-well" present for patients at the hospital, but for parents' school visitation? I've never heard of something like that before." When Massan hears "get-well present", he suddenly has an idea...
He broaches his idea to Ellie. That is to recommend apple juice as a get-well present to patients at the hospital (since Ema seemed to have gotten better after drinking the juice). Hana who is nearby listening, thinks it's a great idea, since apple juice is nourishing and good for the body. Massan says he will try and market his product to the hospitals starting tomorrow.
Then, the couple goes to Ema's school for the visitation. Other parents are there, including Sugimoto. The couple smiles at him. Chie also arrives. She and Ellie greet and thank each other since their daughters are best of friends. Then, the essay reading starts while the parents are at the back, watching and listening. And at last, it was Ema's turn to read her essay in front of everybody. Massan excitedly wishes her good luck, eliciting giggles from the others. She reads: "'My Family' by Kameyama Ema," She starts with "I lost my real mother and father when I was born." There is silence, and her classmates look surprised. "But I do not miss them," Ema continues. "It's because for me, I have the world's best mother and father. My mother is a good cook, and is very good in singing. When I became ill, she stayed with me the whole night, and nursed me. But, when she gets angry, she can be scary. My father always believes in whiskey. He came to Hokkaido from Osaka to make whiskey. In order to fulfill their dream, Mom and Dad are always working hard. Though sometimes they fight, they are very good friends. I love them both." She is smiling as she reads her essay while her parents are teary-eyed, and beaming proudly at her. "I also have a dream," she continues. "My dream is to become a grown-up like my mother someday. And when that dream comes true, I want to marry a man just like my father." She finishes and goes back to her seat. Massan and Ellie are crying with joy. Ema's teacher is also moved to tears. Ema looks back at her parents and smiles at them.
Some time has passed. Production has started again at the factory. The workers are placing a new label on the bottles. It still looks the same, except that the katakana words, <甘味 リンゴ汁> or "Sweet Apple Juice" are added and displayed prominently. It seems that the drink had become popular in the hospitals of Otaru and Sapporo, and that its reputation has also spread outside Hokkaido. Massan is now shipping his product to Tokyo and Osaka as well.
Narrator: "It seems the days of making whiskey here in Yoichi are approaching."
At the house, Ellie is teaching the English alphabet to Ema and her classmates, Yoshie, Takeshi, and Mitsuru. Ema is now looking very happy.
Narrator: "The whole family has regained their smiles; it seems their new life in Hokkaido has begun smoothly." (~synopsis by ec)