01x04 - The Vietnamese Intern Who Loved Anime

[bunniefuu]

INTERNATIONAL REMAINS REPATRIATOR:
DELIVERS THE DECEASED BACK TO FAMILIES

I'm having surgery.

What? Again?

They need your approval.

I'll send you the forms if you don't want
to come. Sign and send them back.

Thanks.

All right, today's going to be busy.

First up is two coming in from the US.

Then the Vietnamese girl
who died in a traffic accident. Rinko.

- Rinko.
- Oh, right.

Xuan Thi Nguyen, 22 years old.

She was a technical intern trainee
in a garment factory.

She's to be cremated and sent to Vietnam.

I reserved the crematorium
for the day after tomorrow at 14:00.

The family couldn't even
come to identify the deceased.

What'd the police say?

They're ready
to hand her over when we get there.

They have her death certificate?

Umm... I didn't ask.

You didn't?

That report is the last important document
in a person's life.

Sorry. I'll ask now.

- Enough. Come on, Mr. Tanoshita.
- Yes.

- I'll come too...
- Don't.

You help Shusuke and Minori.
Don't drag them down.

I know...

- Be safe.
- I will. We're off.

How dare she give me attitude like that!

She's got to fix that smart mouth of hers.

Rinko has her good points though.

It's good for the company
to have many types of people.

Mr. Tanoshita, you're such an optimist.

Life is about looking on the bright side.

Bright side...

It's too bad the Vietnamese girl
couldn't see her family one last time.

It's cheaper to cremate her here
than to send her remains over there.

Dear...

Have you met Xuan over there?

I couldn't even go pick up our daughter.

It's heartbreaking.

She always worked hard for your sake.

Dad.

Is Xuan not coming home?

I told you. I'm sorry,
but you're not family.

I need to see Xuan...

- Can I help you?
- Angel Hearse, here for the deceased.

Glad to see you.

Deceased? You mean Xuan?

You are?

Umm...

A coworker from the factory
where Xuan worked.

But he's not family, so we can't help him.

I see...

I'm sorry for your loss.

- Come in.
- Thanks.

Will you send her to Vietnam?

No, she's being cremated
the day after tomorrow.

Cremated?

TWO JAPANESE DEAD IN US NATIONAL PARK

Mr. Seijiro Kajiwara and...

Mrs. Satomi Okubo.

And only those two died on the tour.

Hey. What's up?

Come here.

Sorry.

Hey. There's an email
from the insurance company.

The two deceased
were staying at the same hotel.

Acquaintances?

No, I don't think so.

They were both there
on business for different companies.

And both are married.

Maybe they met on business.

On business.

Same hotel... same tour...

- Was it a lovers' rendezvous?
- What?

A lover's suicide?

Hey, hey.

Their families don't know
about this, right?

Their spouses are arriving
on the same plane as the deceased.

All hell might break loose.

Sure will.

Who's in charge then?

Let's decide the usual way.

- Let's.
- How?

Rock, paper, scissors. One, two, three.

Yeah!

It's you two. It'll be good experience.

Rock, paper, scissors? Really?

It's a secret.

Here's her certificate of death.

Can you check her belongings?

Yes.

BEAUTIFUL SENTAI PRETTY GIRLS

You've worked hard in your mom's place.

Now you're taking out debt
to go work in Japan.

I'll be fine.

I'll earn lots of money working in Japan.

I can send these two to school.

I'll buy a big house for us to live in.

Don't overdo it.

Be a good girl in Japan.

You always say that.

I'm 20 already.

I'll see you.

Off I go.

Take care of yourself.

Up we go.

Excuse me.

Who are you?

Her coworker.

I have a request.

Uh...

- Can you go to the factory?
- Huh?

Everyone will want to say goodbye.

It's not far from here. Please.

Please!

President, let's do it.
It's on the way anyway.

True.

- Okay.
- Get in then.

Thank you.

MRS. KAJIWARA, MR. OKUBO

Mrs. Kajiwara?

Mr. Okubo?

I'm Yano from Angel Hearse.

Nice to meet you.

Please come this way.

The deceased will...

go to the hospital
for a mandatory autopsy.

You must be tired. If you wait at home...

we'll bring your husband back to you.

I'll come.

I want to stay with him.

Please let me go too.

All right.

Um...

Did the police say anything?

- Huh?
- About...

About the accident...

They didn't mention anything.

Is something bothering you?

No...

TOMIKAWA GARMENTS

What are you here for? Didn't you quit?

What's that?

- It's Xuan.
- Who?

Xuan, who passed away.

What did you bring her here for?
And who are you?

I'm in charge of
transporting the deceased.

We brought her here at his request.

What?

He's the creep always looking at Xuan.

He's a stalker.

Will you apologize?

What?

Apologize to Xuan!

What for?

Hey! What are you doing?

The deadline's coming up.

- Get back to work.
- Hey!

What?

Mr. Tanoshita!

What are you doing?

Hey! What are you doing?

Hey!

Hey!

- Whoa!
- Stop it!

Hey, give her back.

Open it up.

Why are you staring? Get to work.

- Afternoon.
- Hi.

Where are they?

Uhhh... in that room there.

Huh? In the same room?

There's only one room.

If they find out their late spouses
were cheating, there'll be hell to pay.

It'll be fine. I mean, it's not like
we know for sure they were cheating.

Them being in the same hotel
could be a coincidence.

I'm so sorry.

What?

What's all this about?

I'm so sorry. My wife was actually...

having an affair with your husband.

What?

I'm sorry.

Um...

Sir, I'm taking menstrual leave.

Wait.

I'm taking marriage leave then.

Wait.

Come back.

Come back.

Is he leaving too?

Hey! Open up, or we break in.

Get me a big rock.

It opened!

You haven't hurt her, have you?

What the hell are you doing?

Give her back, or I smack you.

This factory k*lled Xuan.

You can't cremate her.

So, what are you going to do?

Tell him to pay Xuan's overdue salary.

Salary?

And workers comp. Those are my demands.

Watch out!

What are we going to do?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Sorry...

This is wasting money.
It's not for you to play with.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Hey, cut this up.

I won't do it again.
Please don't throw it out.

Hurry it up.

- I won't do it...
- Do it!

Please stop. Don't.

Ma'am.

Please calm down.

Could... could you give us a moment?

Why isn't it working?

- Not enough moisture.
- What?

- Moisture.
- Don't help her.

There's no way he would cheat on me.

He wouldn't...

GOOD NIGHT, I LOVE YOU.

I DON'T THINK I CAN LOVE MY WIFE ANYMORE.

- I'll k*ll you.
- No!

Wipe that smirk off your face!

That b*stard...
Will he hole up there till she rots?

- Yeah.
- What?

Sorry.

Mr. Tanoshita,
I need you to go get some dry ice.

Understood.

- Be careful.
- Yes.

Hey, are you guys being paid properly?

No. Xuan couldn't
send money back to her family.

This place is bad.
A friend hurt her hand and got fired.

Xuan was the same...

I don't care about your problems.
The deadline's coming!

Finish your quota
even if it takes all night.

Jerk.

He didn't pay you this month either.

Should we help?

I'll be fine, you go home.

- But...
- I'm fine.

Go home.

Xuan loved anime.

She made
her own anime clothes from scraps.

Unpaid salary?

That's his demand?

Apparently.

So you pay your Japanese workers
and withhold salary for foreign trainees.

Those who can wait, will wait.
They're out of jobs if I go bankrupt.

Xuan's accident happened as she
was going home. Will she get workers comp?

The family has to apply
for workers comp first.

I don't see family here.

That idiot.
I'll get the cops to pull him out.

You're going to involve police?

- It's just a strike to you.
- Just?

There's a car in my stock warehouse.

And the deceased has been taken hostage.

If anything happens to her,
you're responsible.

Huh? She's already dead. Just burn her.

Have respect for the deceased.

She worked for your sake.

What is all this?

They saw each other every day?

GOOD NIGHT, I LOVE YOU.

Ma'am.

Umm... one of my coworkers
is dressing the deceased,

so could you return to the room?

This is the restaurant in Ginza
I said I wanted to go to.

THANK YOU FOR THE BAG

He said that bag was a treat for himself.

Can you believe this?

THANK YOU FOR THE RING, I'LL TREASURE IT.

Ring?

Where's the ring he bought?

Where is it?

Still... on my wife's finger.

Ma'am.

Her finger has swelled up.
It can't be removed.

- Whoa, wait.
- Don't, don't.

The deceased is a hostage?

What are you doing? Call the cops.

I just don't feel like it.

Your feelings don't matter.
What if the deceased gets damaged?

It's fine, he won't go that far.

I think he just wants to say goodbye.

What? Why are you so relaxed about this?

- Sir.
- Huh?

- Sir.
- Hold on.

Can we cut off her finger?

Why?

The wife requested it.
Minori said to ask you.

Wait a second.
Why do you want to mutilate the deceased?

Whatever, just leave it to me. Bye.

Hey. Wait, don't hang up.

Sir, sir. What do we do?

Wait. Wait a sec.

I don't get it.
Why is it nothing but chaos around here?

What do we do?

What should I do?

Is this yours?

Yeah.

You're very good. Are you a manga artist?

Sort of... I'm trying to become one.

I thought so. They're great.

I love manga and anime.

Wow, that's amazing.

Oh wow, that's great.

What do you think?
Rei from Beautiful Sentai Pretty Girls.

Very cute.

I made it myself from scraps.

Really?

Very good.

My dream is to work in anime.

I want to be able to draw like you.

I see.

Another tough day for you, Xuan.

What's this? A picture of Xuan?

Who drew this?

Ugh, that creepy guy.

He's after you. Look out for yourself.

Open up.

I need to talk.

I need to put her on dry ice.

- Huh?
- You want her to rot?

Let me in.

Okay.

- Okay.
- Coming in.

- Hey, wait.
- I'm coming in.

We're going to fight for Xuan too.

Hey, what did you open it up for?

Oh, I just...

Don't. You can't just cut her finger off.

Are you for real?

Mr. Okubo, are you sure?

If that's what she wants,
then I'm okay with it.

Don't, Mr. Hiiragi. Minori, stop him.

Do it quick and bring me the ring.

- Where are you going?
- Huh?

Stay here.

I'm harming her body for you.
Are you going to run away?

Get out. I'm not paying any salary.

Put yourself in my shoes,
employing useless foreigners.

If they can't even speak Japanese,
they should just shut up and work.

What the hell are you doing?
Get back to work.

You're all fired
if you don't make the deadline.

Get back.

Go on.

Get back to work.

Get back! Hey!

Crappy pay and no overtime.

We're suffering too.

What the heck?

Quit playing.

What are you doing?

Umm... we have a request.

It's an ao dai cosplay.

Xuan loved this the most.

But she died before finishing it.

Could you put this on her?

Of course I can do that.

That day...

I took it from her that day.

Hey, what's this?

I made it from scrap cloth.

Scrap cloth? This is wasting money.

It's not for you to play with.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

- Cut that up.
- Huh?

I won't do it again.
Please don't throw it out.

Do it.

I won't do it again. I'm sorry.

Hurry.

Please stop.

Stop...

Xuan...

died in despair... because of me.

It's my fault she k*lled herself.

Xuan didn't k*ll herself.

Come on, don't go making up things.

She wrote a letter to her dad that day.

She couldn't wait to hear back.

Letter? Wait a moment.

Is this the letter she wrote?

Xuan, can we read your letter?

Can you translate?

Yes.

"Dear Dad."

Dear Dad, how is everyone doing?

I'm doing fine.

Do I have to explain again?
This is coming out of your salary.

Japan staff, close up.

Every day is busy,
but it's worthwhile, fun work.

I'm sorry I couldn't
send you money this month.

I've made clothes
for your birthday instead.

I'll put it on you myself.

I'm so hungry.

We sewed that dress.

It's so cute.

I'm so happy I could come to Japan,

my dream country.

There are sad times, but I'll do my best.

I know Mom is watching over me.

I'll fulfill my dream in Japan
and come home proudly.

Dad. I'm being a good girl in Japan too.

Xuan...

didn't die in despair.

She lived to the fullest to the very end.

Everyone lives their best.

No matter how painful...

No matter who...

they lose.

Why is everyone mocking me?

I don't care anymore.
I don't want his body.

That man... isn't my husband.

I'm sorry.

I thought it might be
better not to tell you.

I was selfish.

I couldn't keep quiet.

I knew she was cheating.

I was jealous but didn't have
the courage to confront her.

I felt like...
everything would be over if I did.

How should I see off my husband

when he loved
another woman and died with her?

Could you do it?

I...

My mother is in the hospital.

She's scheduled for surgery.

But if she died,

I don't know what I should do.

We've been on bad terms since I was young.
She never had any motherly love for me.

I don't think
she'd be happy if I saw her off.

Still...

I can't change how I feel.

But I can do what little I can.

That's what I think.

Um...

Even if you still hate him... that's okay.

Won't you send him off properly?

If you don't, I think you'll regret it.

I'll get the funeral over with.

And find myself a better man.

Yes. I'm sorry.

I'll manage to finish by tomorrow morning.

Yes. I'm very sorry.

I think...

you should accept their demands.

You've got family too, right?

They'll return to work once you pay them.

Right?

Fine.

I'll pay.

Is that the attitude you should have?

Please.

I'll pay your wages.

Please return to work.

You hear that? He says he'll pay.

Open up.

I'm very sorry... for all the trouble.

Please wait.

We have one more request.

You had me worried.
I thought you'd really cut her finger off.

True...

You had to do it,
or she never would have calmed down.

Did something happen to you?

You've been odd all day.

I'm sorry.

I'm okay.

So...

why did you choose this career?

Huh?

Whenever I see you taking care of someone,

it's almost like
you're trying to revive the deceased.

It's like a lost soul will come back.

That's how I feel.

I thought that way once.

Huh?

My mother was Spanish.

I was a wild kid and never
a good son to her. She got sick and died.

We were going to bury her in Spain,
but the illness left her so skinny.

When they treated her,
it was like she was healthy again.

Like... her soul was still in there.

Who treated her?

Ms. Izawa.

Thanks to her, I could say goodbye.

I was almost saved.

Like my mother had forgiven me.

We're having
a memorial service for Xuan with this.

Are these donations?

Yep, I reserved a funeral home too.

Is this even enough?

It's your job to figure out these things.

We can't send her home with just that,

so we're bringing a guest.

- Who?
- It's a secret. Bye.

How much is in here?

Why does no one here
ever let me know what's going on?

No way this is enough.

Ten, twenty, thirty...

Nice to meet you.
I'm Izawa from Angel Hearse.

These ladies pooled
their money to bring you here.

This is Nami.
She helped you come to Japan.

Thanks to you I can pick up my daughter.

Thank you.

I have a request.

Xuan sent this to me.

Could you display it?

He wants you to display that.

Of course.

She kept it.

Sir, this is the man
who drew this picture.

You're the manga artist
that Xuan talked about.

Xuan really admired you.

It was her dream
to work in the anime industry.

Thank you.

Xuan...

You've done so well.

You don't need to be a good girl.

I wish I had been with you more.

But I'm glad to see you at the end.

You're coming home together with me.

Sir, in Japan,

a red vest is given to those who turn 60.

Xuan made this for you.

She'd be happy you have it.

Thank you.

I'm Kakiuchi, the factory owner.

My condolences.

This is Xuan's unpaid salary.

And documents to apply for workers comp.

Also...

CONDOLENCE MONEY

Xuan wrote that she enjoyed working there.

Thank you so much.

She wrote that she enjoyed working.

He says thank you.

You're 60 too, right?

This is from Xuan.

I'm very sorry...

for your loss.

I'm so very sorry.

Cheating is so scary.

Can't even explain yourself
if you're dead.

Maybe their spouses wouldn't have regrets
if they had actually talked to them.

What?

There's no one without regrets.

You only realize it after they're gone.

- Night.
- Good night.

Take care of this.

Did I say something to offend her?

Don't worry about it.

She lost a loved one abroad too.

It's been eight years since
he died at sea. No body was found.

She hasn't given up yet.

I think...

she has something to say to him.

Something to say...

Wait.

I need...

I need...

to apologize to you.

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION