01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

Wait! Please!

Regardless of how harsh your life is now,

you can change the world.

Your efforts will open the door

to the future.

Dad!

Behind the door is a stairway to the sky.

When you climb up the stairs

and walk through the clouds,

you will see

the castle of hope soaring in the sky.

The Sky Castle

will satisfy your curiosities.

It will fulfill your desires.

SKY CASTLE

Teito Hospital boasts top doctors

from Japan and abroad.

It's a state-of-the-art hospital

with advanced medical care.

The affiliated Teito Medical University

integrates high school and university

education to nurture elite doctors.

The graduates are highly sought after

by hospitals in Japan and abroad,

making it the most attractive school

for aspiring doctors.

Only Teito Medical High School's graduates

can enroll into Teito Medical University.

The entrance exam is very difficult

for even the elite junior high students.

You passed!

KAORI SAEJIMA

Congrats!

You did well, Haruto!

HARUTO SAEJIMA

I'm so happy for you

Thank you.

I'm so glad! Let me have a look.

KOYO GAUKEN JUNIOR HIGH

Koyo Gakuen Junior High, a famous school,

also has many students aiming to get in

to Teito Medical University.

Hurry up!

-You have a mock exam at your cram school.

-I'm not feeling it.

-You need to put your heart into this!

-I know!

The actual exam is next year.

You know that, right?

Yes, I know.

I'm so nervous.

Today's test will determine

their class placement for the third year.

KYOKO NIKAIDO - SAE ASAMI - MISAKI NATSUME

It'd be best if all our children

remained in the advanced class.

Hey, sweetheart!

How was the test?

I wasn't sure about some questions.

Sorry if I don't come out on top.

Placing first would be ideal.

Think you can make it to the top ten, Sho?

I think it will be tough. Sorry.

-Kensaku!

-Don't ask me anything about the test.

Why? Do you know how much

I paid for your cram school?!

Quick, we're going

to be late for cram school.

Director Saejima.

Isn't it about time the results come out?

I'm even more nervous than

when I took it as a kid.

TETSUTO SAEJIMA

NEW MESSAGE

HARUTO PASSED!

HIDEYO ASAMI

Looks like good news.

Haruto passed the exam.

-Congratulations.

-Thanks.

Did he pass? He passed, right?

NOW ENROLLING

We made it in time.

Shall we go then?

Hey, have you heard anything

about the entrance exam?

I heard they are putting emphasis

on school activities

and volunteer experience.

I see

We need to focus on those too then.

Please excuse me.

What's wrong?

Arrange a congratulatory gift

for Director Saejima right away. Now!

Could it be Haruto passed the exam?

No way! Haruto from Class B passed?

I wonder how he passed.

Girls, the guests are about to arrive.

Give me a hand.

Arrange the plates.

Okay.

We bought them a gift,

so why do we need to have this party?

I'll do everything I can to help

my daughter pass her entrance exam.

Getting on your boss' good side

is also good for your career.

You've fallen behind.

I'm sure the Asamis

are trying to ingratiate themselves

to get the secret to Haruto's success.

Why don't you be useful for once?

I don't want to go to the party.

What are you saying? It's a party

to congratulate Haruto and his family!

Hurry up and get changed!

Oh, you are definitely not going

wearing that.

Kensaku!

I don't wanna.

Well then, a toast to Haruto

for passing the exam.

Cheers!

-Cheers!

-Congratulations.

Everyone,

thank you for this party

-and for gathering together.

-Thank you.

As colleagues

who work in the same hospital

and live in the same

Sky Castle neighborhood as you,

I couldn't be any happier!

The person most responsible for this

is my wife, Kaori.

Mrs. Kaori, I heard

Tetsuto gifted you a trip to Egypt

since Haruto passed the exam.

Oh, yes.

Haruto also finally gets to visit America.

-America?!

-The USA.

Wow, you're so lucky.

You can just ask for it next year.

Next year will finally be

everyone's else turn.

Do you mind if I ask?

What's the secret behind Haruto's success?

It was

because of all his hard work.

What motivated him?

I believe it was our dream

of wanting him to become a doctor.

And he made our dream come true.

Well, of course. But we would like to know

the details such as learning methods, etc.

Well, we can talk about that later.

First, let's enjoy the food.

You're right!

It all looks so appetizing!

Hey, don't do that!

I prepared it with all my heart.

It's all for Haruto.

-I appreciate it, Mrs. Sae.

-Thanks.

Let's dig in, shall we?

I feel sad when I think

about the exam next year.

I'm looking forward to it.

I can imagine myself

with a big smile a year from now.

Why is everyone trying so hard

to become doctors?

KENSAKU NATSUME - SHO NIKAIDO

I really don't wanna be one.

I can't stand the anatomy practicals.

Just follow your passion, Maju.

I don't want to hear that coming from you.

She has a point.

Exactly!

Haruto's party is over.

Will the next party

be for your promotion, Chief?

After all, you are a candidate

to be the future director.

Actually,

the director did talk to me about this.

-Oh!

-Is that so?

The director's seat

is finally within your sights then.

For my successor,

I plan to nominate you as the chief

of the neurosurgery department.

Thank you very much.

Nikaido and Natsume,

I'm counting on you guys to assist him,

so that he can perform like me.

I want to follow in his footsteps.

Let's have another toast, shall we?

Mrs. Kaori,

isn't it about time you told us?

What did you do

so your son could pass the exam?

How can I, whose son is in Class B,

be teaching you,

whose kids are all in Class A?

Their current grades mean nothing.

What matters is

the year prior to the exam.

I heard Haruto ran

for student council president

and volunteered a lot.

And starting this year, they are

emphasizing those areas in the evaluation.

Did you have access to information

beforehand?

Okay, I give in.

I will confess.

I didn't want to say it at first

because it's like bribery.

You bribed someone?!

Have you heard

of the term "exam coordinator"?

Who is that?

They are special exam tutors

who will pull out all the stops

to make sure

your child passes the exam.

They guarantee it?

I paid quite a hefty sum,

so I didn't really want to recommend it.

How much, roughly?

Where can I find such a tutor?

There's an educational seminar

that only those with strong connections

to Teishin Bank can attend.

It's a secret meeting

that connects parents

with the coordinators.

Secret meeting?

That's all I can say.

It's getting late.

I'll help clean up.

It's fine! We can do it.

You should rest. You're the star today.

SAEJIMA FAMILY

Haruto, how do I look?

Both of you.

Your trip is next Saturday, right?

Don't go too wild while I'm gone, okay?

I wish I could,

but my schedule is full of operations.

-Mrs. Sae?

-I forgot to give you something earlier.

You should bring this with you

for your trip to Egypt.

I prepared for you a list of Korean dramas

that you said you wanted to see.

I heard Wi-Fi availability

is poor in Egypt.

Oh, my!

You really didn't have to do all this.

There may be times when you get bored.

-Oh, hello, Haruto.

-Good evening.

-Is something the matter?

-The PC broke down,

and I need to look up information

on Dodger Stadium.

Is it okay if I borrow that tablet?

-Go ahead.

-Thanks.

I heard Egypt's sunlight is harsh,

and its climate is extreme.

You should prepare for it.

You can have this, if you'd like.

For me?

You're the best, Haruto!

-It's beautiful.

-Thank you for having us today.

-Enjoy your trip to America.

-I will!

The two of you are very close!

I've devoted everything to him after all.

This is the ideal family.

Your son got into the best medical school.

Your husband is a future director.

You're a winner in life.

You don't have to go that far.

I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

Mrs. Kaori

you are my idol.

You have a way with words.

You've won me over.

Please keep this a secret

from Mrs. Kyoko and Mrs. Misaki.

This

is the invitation ticket to the meeting

we talked about earlier.

They have a policy

where successful parents

can invite one of their acquaintances.

But it felt unfair,

so I was hesitant to give it out.

But you went out of your way

to hold a party for Haruto,

and it would really be a waste

if I didn't give this to anyone.

Here you go.

This means a lot, Mrs. Kaori.

You must be Mrs. Sae Asami

from Mrs. Kaori Saejima's recommendation.

This is your registration number.

Please fill out your profile

when you are inside.

Thank you very much.

Aren't you excited?

Mrs. Misaki?! How did you get in here?

My husband did everything he could.

Both Mrs. Kyoko and your husband

must have done a lot to be here.

Mrs. Kyoko is here too?

Now then,

I'd like to introduce you to the tutors

who will be guiding

your children to success.

Tutor number one, a law graduate

from the University of Tokyo.

The number of students he helped

get accepted into schools

with low acceptance rates

-is 16.

-Sixteen?

-He has a success rate of 80%.

-That many passed?

He charges five million yen annually.

Please keep me informed.

I will decide which tutor to select.

Don't be fooled by the success rate.

Haruto's tutor is a select few.

That's why he was able to receive

tailored guidance on volunteering

and student government,

the areas that matter.

Moving on to the next tutor.

Tutor number seven is

a graduate from Oxford University.

Two of this tutor's students got

into schools with low acceptance rates.

She has a 100% success rate.

-100%?!

-She charges

30 million yen annually.

30 million yen?!

Only two students

30 million yen

Haruto's tutor has a 100% success rate.

But her fees are also sky-high.

Now, I would like to ask

all of you to select on your card

your preferred tutor's number.

Time is almost up. Please hurry.

ONE NEW MESSAGE

Please wait a moment.

-Mrs. Kyoko.

-Mrs. Sae.

Are we the only ones here?

Looks like it.

Pleased to meet you. My name is Kujo.

Pleased to meet you. My name is Kujo.

AYAKA KUJO

Please have a seat.

Firstly, let's talk about the fees.

After the contract is signed, please make

a lump-sum transfer immediately.

Fret not.

It's my job after all to ensure your child

gets into the school of their choice.

In the unlikely event your child fails,

I will refund the full amount.

I only accept two students per year.

I already have one student

under my tutelage,

and as such, I will have to ask

one of you to take your leave.

-Mrs. Nikaido.

-Yes.

What are you doing

regarding your son's education?

My husband, who is passionate

about education, pours his heart

into guiding my son

to follow in his doctor footsteps.

If you sign a contract with me,

your son's education

will be left entirely to me,

and your husband

will not have any say in this.

Is that possible?

I will discuss it with my husband.

What about you, Mrs. Asami?

As a graduate of Harvard University

and a former teacher,

I have been educating

my children since birth.

I could tell my daughter has ability.

-In what?

-She is extremely competitive.

When she was five, she was so bothered

with losing to her dad in Othello

that she challenged him nonstop.

Even now, when she doesn't come out on top

in school, she cries her eyes out.

Of course, I will leave

my daughter's education in your hands,

and as a mother myself,

I am prepared to do whatever it takes

to ensure my daughter's success.

If it's determination we are

talking about, I have it as well.

Regarding my husband,

he'll be fine with it.

-Mrs. Nikaido.

-Yes!

Let's just say we weren't meant to be.

Mrs. Asami.

Yes.

It will be a pleasure to work with you.

Mrs. Asami, do you know

why you were chosen?

No. Please tell me.

You will fulfill your desires

even if you have to push people away.

That is the kind of impression

I got from you.

This is an important factor

in passing the entrance exam.

May I ask you something as well?

Was one of your students

Haruto Saejima?

I can say that I achieved results.

I'm glad to hear that.

CLASS PLACEMENT TEST RESULTS

ADVANCED CLASS 3A

NUMBER 1 - RURI ASAMI - 497 POINTS

I did it! I am the top scorer

and will stay in Class A.

You did great, Ruri!

I'm so proud of you.

I found you an excellent tutor,

so that you can reach even higher levels.

Thanks, Mom!

I'll try even harder next time.

-Aoba, wait.

-What's wrong, Ruri?

I have good news to share with you.

-Sorry, I have plans today.

-Plans?

I have a talk with Miku.

Sorry, Ruri.

MIKU YAMADA

You have bed hair.

What?

Let's go, Aoba.

See you later.

You really are incompetent.

Do you know how much effort I put in

for you to get into that seminar?

And you dare come back empty-handed?

It's okay, Dad.

I got into Class A.

I will try my best to

You weren't even in the top ten.

Who are you to speak?!

I'm saying this for your own good.

If you really want the best for him,

do something about this room first.

Mom's right.

It's suffocating to be

in a room with no windows.

To improve concentration

and learning efficiency,

I thoughtfully designed this room.

A test-taker has no need for windows.

Next question.

Okay.

F five million a year for tutoring?

-Yeah.

-You don't seem shaken.

-That's way too expensive!

-Can't you borrow from your parents?

-It's for Kensaku's sake.

-Don't waste money on me.

Why? You barely escaped bottom of

your class, and you're still in Class A.

Your current grades are better than

Haruto's, and he passed the exam.

Try your best, okay?

Okay.

What kind of tutor charges 30 million yen?

Are you sure it's not a scam?

Director Saejima's son passed

the entrance exam after hiring her.

If my daughter fails, she will fully

refund it. You may see the contract.

-What did Hideyo say about this?

-He said to discuss it with you.

I beg you!

I want to make Ruri

a great doctor as I promised you.

Dad wished Ruri could continue

the family's doctor lineage that has

-continued from generation to generation.

-I will transfer it tomorrow.

I'm doing it for Ruri, not for you.

-Thank you so much.

-However!

If she fails the

Teito Medical University affiliates' exam,

I will not recognize you

as part of the Asami family.

This is your last chance.

I hope you do not forget

the fact that I

still have not forgiven you.

I would like to talk to you about

my teaching policy for your daughter.

A top scorer like Ruri should first aim

for admission through the recommendation

process, which will be in the fall.

But her school can only recommend

one person, am I right?

Yes.

Her biggest rival is Aoba Minamisawa,

who's vying for the top spot.

For someone who hates to lose,

I believe he will be a great motivator.

You even researched her classmates?

I thought it was natural

to do so, if we want to win.

He's self-taught and contends for the top

spot even without attending cram school,

so we can consider him as superior

to your daughter at this point in time.

I am very interested to know

what kind of education

he is receiving at his home.

AOBA MINAMISAWA

IZUMI MINAMISAWA, 090-361-763

Dear Izumi Minamisawa,

I am the mother

of your son's classmate, Ruri Asami.

My name is Sae Asami.

As parents whose children will both

be taking the test, could we meet?

You're not going to reply?

I don't really like to deal

with your classmates' moms.

IZUMI MISAMISAWA

-She's not picking up?

-She's ignoring me.

I'm so mad.

-Huh?

-Mrs. Kaori?

She's already back from Egypt?

-I'll leave it here.

-Thanks.

My mother who went with me

suddenly became ill,

so we decided to fly back.

MEDICATION

31ST MARCH 2024

I'm so exhausted from the flight.

Your trip went to waste.

Things happen. What can I do?

Oh, yes. I want to thank you

regarding the exam tutor.

Kensaku seems to be

a little more motivated now.

Sorry, I need to head to my mom's house.

Can we have this talk another time?

We'll be taking our leave then.

-You can do it.

-Shh!

Haruto

returned from America in a hurry.

Who would have thought

something like this could happen?

I can't imagine the pain her husband

Tetsuto is going through.

The police deemed her death to be suicide.

But why?

I have no idea.

Why

SAEJIMA

So they really did move.

I heard they already sold their home too.

I wonder if they just wanted

to leave the sad memories behind.

Please wait.

Don't tell me you're going to quit.

I know it's painful,

but isn't it your role to encourage Haruto

to become a successful doctor?

That is no longer necessary.

What do you mean by that?

What? Director Saejima quit?

Then what is going to happen

to Hideyo's promotion?

Back to square one probably.

With Saejima gone, people will likely want

someone who is less ambitious than Asami

and an a*s-kisser at that.

The director is the kind of old dunce

with an outdated Showa mindset

Good morning, Director Okochi!

Morning.

-I will be counting on you guys.

-Yes.

That was a close call.

BELOW FACILITIES ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED.

GYM, PARTY ROOM, MEETING ROOM

WE APPRECIATE YOUR KIND UNDERSTANDING.

He quit?

Then what's going to happen to Haruto?

That is the strange part.

He wouldn't have quit

if he was thinking of his son.

Perhaps there is something

we don't know about.

Like what?

The move and the sale of their house,

it all happened too fast.

You're right. They didn't even say bye.

It's as if they were running away.

I

-remembered something.

-What?

The medicine Mrs. Kaori took

when she came back from Egypt

It was prescribed on 31st March.

That was the day after she left for Egypt.

Then that means

Mrs. Kaori didn't actually go to Egypt?

She lied to us.

But why would she do that?

Maybe she was trying

to spy on her husband.

Weren't there many rumors

about Tetsuto cheating on his wife?

Maybe she found definitive evidence

and couldn't take it anymore

But that's not a reason to k*ll yourself.

It's unthinkable that Mrs. Kaori would

k*ll herself and leave Haruto behind.

She had everything

at Sky Castle.

If I were her

I would never want

to leave that life behind.

Did something happen

between you and Haruto?

The one who k*lled my wife is

The desk and the window arrangement

are all ideal for learning.

Your mother really knows her stuff.

Her learning method is wonderful too.

I'm excited to see how far you'll go

under my guidance.

Thank you.

This is a gift from Ms. Kujo.

This is a light stand

that improves concentration.

You may use different lighting colors

for science, math, and memorization.

Additionally, Mondrian's paintings

promote brain activity.

To raise your internal scores, which

is key in the recommendation process,

I will prepare and provide you with

the questions for on-campus examinations.

I will propose the campus and volunteer

activities that Teito Medical University

so emphasizes in due course.

Here is a list of meals proposed

for your child during the exam period.

-To think you'd go to such lengths.

-That's so cool, Mom!

Taking care of your daughter's health

is also an important task as a mother.

It's so reassuring to have you as a tutor.

I am merely doing my due diligence

to assist your daughter in passing.

By the way, did you manage to find out

anything about Aoba's learning methods?

About that

I tried contacting his mom several times,

but she has not answered.

And it just so happened that a good friend

of mine just had an accident

Please spare me your excuses.

Regardless of what happens to your friend,

the date of the exam will only get closer.

Perhaps you're still not aware of it yet?

What is it?

It's about Haruto Saejima's mom.

My job is to assist your child

to pass the entrance exam.

Our business relationship ends after that.

Mrs. Kaori committed suicide.

Her death

remains a mystery to me.

Do you by any chance have

any idea why she k*lled herself?

We talked a lot about entrance exams,

but I am not aware of her family issues.

Well, of course.

HARUTO SAEJIMA

Big news!

Saejima's replacement

is from outside our hospital.

An outsider was selected

over someone in-house?

I have his details.

His name is Kohei Minamisawa.

He's a Hokumon Medical College graduate.

A doctor from such

a shitty, third-rate, rural medical school

-is coming to Teito Hospital?

-Did you say "shitty"?

He could be an acquaintance of

the director or related along those lines.

Dr. Minamisawa being

the next chief of our department

is the exclusive rumor.

He's been doing medical volunteer work

in Nepal for years.

He's a humanitarian physician.

And at the

neurosurgical conference last year,

he won the Best Thesis Award.

This goes to show that he's promising too.

I look forward to him bringing new life

to our long-established Teito Hospital.

Hello, my name is Kohei Minamisawa.

KOHEI MINAMISAWA

I intend to dedicate myself

to the future of healthcare.

I look forward to working with you all.

If any of you have any questions,

feel free to ask.

There's no need to hesitate.

Go ahead.

-Are you referring to me?

-Natsume,

ask this outdated Showa

old dunce any questions.

So he did hear it.

Nikaido. Do you agree with your friend

that I'm outdated?

Not at all.

How about you, Asami?

Director Okochi, you, being devoted

to the introduction of advanced medicine,

are one of the most progressive doctors

in our country,

and we strive to be like you.

Thanks for the exemplary answer.

We will now move on

to this week's conference.

Your husband might not

be promoted to director?

The director's favorite transferred in,

and people seem to have turned

their backs on Saejima's group.

Worst case, they will be relocated

to an affiliate regional hospital.

That's not good.

I will never let that happen.

Right! If you are willing,

you could always ask your mother-in-law

to talk to the higher-ups.

I have no plans of letting my husband

miss this promotion opportunity.

Thank you for using our service.

Let's unload these.

It's the Saejima's house.

Someone's already moved in?

I've heard this is

a residential area for celebrities,

but I'm at a loss for words.

This place is convenient

for both your school and my workplace.

SKY CASTLE

It's your mom's book.

Izumi.

-What a spacious backyard.

-It's all yours.

-You can grow as many plants as you like.

-Thanks.

I wonder what the new neighbors are like.

-Who might you be?

-I just moved in across the street.

I came to say hello.

Hello.

This a small gift from us to our new

neighbors. They are tomatoes that I grew.

Thank you.

Oh, and this I believe the previous

owner left it behind. What should I do?

That is

the tablet I lent to the previous owner.

Do you mind if we come to say hello too?

They're my friends

who live in Sky Castle too.

What's it like moving to a celebrity city?

It's too beautiful a town for me,

but I heard there is a resident's gym

and a library which both interest me.

The common facilities in the clubhouse

aren't available right now.

Something happened. That's why

Could it be that you moved in

without knowing anything about it?

-Is something wrong?

-Have we met somewhere before?

I think you must be mistaken.

My apologies.

Sorry for the delay in introducing myself.

My family name is Minamisawa.

Minamisawa

Don't tell me

you're Aoba Minamisawa's mom?

Yes, I am.

Did you not receive a message from the mom

of your son's classmate, Ruri Asami?

Dear Izumi Minamisawa,

I am the mother of your son's classmate,

Ruri Asami. My name is Sae Asami.

I am her mother, Sae Asami.

My apologies.

I am not good at socializing.

I have many things I want to ask you.

I look forward

to being neighbors with you.

It will be my pleasure.

I'll take my leave now.

Soon, I'll come to learn

about the tragic incident

that happened at Sky Castle,

the dangerous truths behind

what seemed like a happy family.

KOREAN DRAMAS

I can't believe I wasted so much time

downloading and adding these.

Haruto's diary?

My dad beats me when my grades go down.

He would tell me to go k*ll myself.

I'm on the verge of collapse.

My mom pretends not to see it

and just forces me to study.

All she talks about are exams and grades.

She never listens to me.

This house is hellish.

My parents should just die.

THIS HOUSE IS HELLISH.

MY PARENTS SHOULD JUST DIE.

That tragedy

was linked to our reality.

What happened between you and Haruto?

You don't want anyone

to know about your past?

Just who do you think you are?!

Please reconsider!

She moved into the house of a woman

who died mysteriously.

-There must be some meaning to this.

-What I hate the most

are hypocrites like you.