01x20 - 24 Hours

[bunniefuu]

[♪ upbeat rock theme music playing]

The Fable



What is your relationship

with Misaki?

We're just co-workers.

Do you have feelings for her?

No, of course not.

Is that right?

Misaki previously did work
as a bikini model and actress.

[Utsubo] She produced a photo book
and PR videos, but she soon quit.

A friend of mine recently opened
his own talent agency

and is working to restart Misaki's career.

So he asked me to do
a background check on Misaki.

I checked for anything
that could become a scandal later.

And I found hidden cameras
in Misaki's place.

[gasps shakily]

Etsuji, does that ring a bell?

What? Don't tell me...

Not long ago, you tried to get into
Misaki's place with a spare key, right?

I do not have a spare key!
You can check right now!

Go right ahead and search my place!

Are you sure you want me to search it?

Won't I find a few things?

[Utsubo] Misaki's photo book, PR videos,

and hidden camera videos...

You're lying, Etsuji.

You were carrying a stun g*n, rope,
duct tape, and even a video camera.

What were you planning on doing to Misaki?

Sorry. My meeting
with the TV station went long.

[surprised gasp]

[Utsubo] You've met this man,
haven't you, Etsuji?

This is Mr. Isaki
from the talent agency I mentioned.

You must be Etsuji's mother. I'm Isaki.

Actually, that day, I was just going
to give Misaki a little surprise.

You weren't going to surprise her.

You were going to threaten her.

Clearly, it was attempted r*pe.

Fine! Think that if you like.
But it was just attempted!

Etsuji, those are nothing but lies.

If you're not careful,
people will stop believing you.

-[keyboard key clicks]
-[♪ dramatic music sting]

[shocked gasp]

A human presence detection system.

You left the ultimate evidence.

-[Utsubo] Too bad for you.
-[both gasp]

Etsuji, how could you!

I didn't want
to show your mother these images.

[Utsubo] There were five cameras,
in the bath,

changing area, toilet, and other places.

Hey! Wait a minute! Five places?

Sit down, Etsuji!

-But...
-Etsuji!

[Kainuma grunts]

We haven't told Misaki
about the hidden cameras.

I don't want to frighten her
before she restarts her career.

But I have consulted our corporate lawyer.

[Isaki] Our company has invested
quite a lot of money into her return.

With hidden cameras like these, who knows
where the videos may have leaked.

It's not likely her return will go well,

so all the money we spent on her
has been wasted.

We will file a lawsuit
demanding 120 million yen

-in reparations and compensation.
-[both gasp in shock]

Now, Mr. Isaki, Etsuji is still young.

If charged, he would go to prison.

-Prison?
-[Utsubo] That would look bad.

But from our perspective...

Why don't you try discussing this
and come to a settlement?

Even if you won in court,
you'd probably get 80 million at most.

[Isaki sighs]

And going to court takes time and energy.

For both your sakes,
a settlement would be best.

Etsuji, as you can see...

-[shaky breathing]
-...regrets what he did.

Why don't we forget the whole thing
for half of what he wants, 60 million?

[shoe stretching]

[Akira]
What's important is to visualize it.

Visualize it?

Visualize a clear image
of your legs working.

It isn't prayer.

First, form a clear image in your head.

[Akira] The flow of blood in your veins,

the nerves and muscles,

and the shifting of your weight...

Just moving them isn't enough.

Exercise with that image
always in your head.

Does that really work?

I heal from injuries
faster than most people.

I'm proof, so trust me.

At first, I didn't have
any strength at all below the knees.

[Hina]
But I've rebuilt my strength this much.

Is that right? That's great.

You've worked hard.

That's enough.

Your hands are getting dirty.

Dirty?

This isn't what I'd call dirty.

It's Sato, right?

How do you know all that stuff?

What kind of life have you lived?

-Come on... [grunts]
-[Kainuma'mom] Etsuji! Slow down!

Etsuji! Wait up!

-Come on, Etsuji! Wait!
-[Kainuma breathing heavily]

That was great acting,
mister talent agency president.

Same goes for you, Mr. Utsubo.

Do you really think
she'll send the 60 million yen?

Ms. Kainuma is a single parent,
but she's got land and assets.


if it keeps her son from becoming

a convicted criminal
and disgracing their family.

Yeah, he is quite a disgrace, that Etsuji.

[Utsubo] Life is like a children's swing.

[inhales deeply, exhales deeply]

You learn not to get hurt
by falling off and getting hurt.

What are the hurts in life?

Shame and humiliation.
That's how you develop self-respect.

Are you kidding?
Is that anything for a villain to say?

Remember this, Isaki.

[inhales deeply, exhales deeply]

The ones who speak the truth
are your enemies or the evil.

Take a good look
at those who pretend to be righteous,

and think about it very carefully.

[Isaki] Hmm...

As long as you're sure of yourself,
you'll enjoy life.

When and where did I go wrong?

Why? Why did things turn out this way?

It's clearly not my fault.

I only planted one hidden camera.

I'm the victim! I was framed!

Misaki, if only you had never existed!

[Kainuma screaming angrily over earphones]

Blames everyone but himself, huh?

The perfect example of a stalker.

[Suzuki] Hello? Mr. Utsubo?

That chicken we're after,

he's totally lost his marbles.

He says he's going to k*ll Misaki.

[Utsubo] Well,
if he wants to k*ll Misaki, let him.

Then it would be more natural
for him to go missing after that,

and more dramatic.

But make sure to kidnap Kainuma
before he's arrested by the cops.

Octopus

[humming]

[door opens]

Good morning, Kai.

-[Kainuma mumbling]
-Hmm?

Morning.

[heavy breath]

[Misaki] Huh?

[Kainuma] This world's all messed up.

Pay 60 million to this slutty woman
who makes dirty DVDs?

Someone needs to set things right.

And that person is me.
I am sure I am the one for the job.

[phone ringing]

[Isaki] Hello? Yes...

"Taihei Detective Agency"

The settlement?

-[keyboard keys clacking]
-Okay.

Then we'll forget about it.

Yes, 60 million.

Yes.

I see it's in the account.

Ma'am, your son must be very lonely.

You should really spend some time
talking with him.

[Utsubo chuckles]

[Isaki] Okay. Goodbye.

[chuckles] Awesome!
That's 60 million in the bag!

Now, Etsuji can k*ll Misaki anytime...

[shushes] Quit shouting.

Hina will hear you.

[surprised grunt]

Hina doesn't know?

Have you ever seen me
talk about this stuff with Hina around?

Get a clue, Isaki.

Sorry.

You used to be a yakuza, right?

[Utsubo] Learn to read between the lines.

[Isaki] I'll be more careful.

-[stomach rumbles]
-Oh, my stomach.

Maybe I drank too much last night.

You've been drinking
every night lately, Prez.

I don't have diarrhea every day.

Hurry up and go to the restroom.

Restroom...

No Caller ID

-Hmm?
-[door opens, closes]

[Misaki] Hello?

[mumbling]

-[informer] Get out of there right now!
-Huh?

[informer] Just get out of there!

-What for?
-[informer] You're in danger there!

[Misaki] Uh, who is this?

[Kainuma] Misaki...

Misaki, Misaki, Misaki...

It's all your fault.

That was practically all water.

No different than peeing.

[Misaki] Hello?

Huh?

[♪ ominous music playing]

[spluttering in shock]

[♪ music intensifies]

[gasps, splutters] Mi...

[Kainuma grunting]

[body thuds]

[gasps]

-[both gasp in shock]
-[informer] Hello?

[groans]

Sato, what the...

[Akira] Oh, crud. Prez saw me.

[groans]

Anyway, are you hurt?

[Akira] No.

What just happened?

I'm not sure...

[Misaki]
What was he doing with that knife?

He was holding this knife
and was going to do something to me.

[Akira] When I turned around,
he panicked and fell.

It looks like he got... a concussion.

Uh, yeah. That's what happened.

Why would he do that to you?

I don't know.

Misaki, I'd like you to do the deliveries
instead of Sato today.

Huh? Me?

I need to talk to Kai and Sato

to see if there's been
any trouble between them.

I might even have to report it
to the police.

Okay.

[gasps] Hello? Hello...

They hung up.

I got a strange phone call just now.

[Misaki's boss] Strange? What do you mean?

There was no caller ID.

They said, "Get out of there."

[Akira exclaims softly]

[♪ ominous music playing]

[Utsubo] Who did you call?

[scoffs]

How's your physical training going?

I heard you work at it every day.

Have you seen Sato since then?

Sato's so sincere, it's incredible.

I'm glad to hear it.

He says I'll be able to walk

and even run.

Sato gives me confidence.

It's good to have confidence.

But be prepared
for the disappointment too.

[♪ ominous music continues]

Make sure you don't do anything
that would disappoint me, Hina.

You see, I'm always prepared.

[Misaki's boss] Understand, Kai?

Why did you do this?

Depending on your answer,
I'll have to call the police.

[Kainuma breathing shakily]

I've got no choice.
I'm calling the police.

Water...

What?

Water.

That's a good idea.

[water running]

What do you think?

He really tried to stab Misaki, right?

And from behind.

This is attempted m*rder, right?

We should hand him over
to the police, right?

-[gasps]
-Don't worry. I'll catch him.

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

Hey!

Well, well.

[♪ tense music playing]

[Akira] A Hush Puppy.

A pro, huh?

[Suzuki] Mr. Utsubo.

That Sato guy saw me.

I'll get rid of Sato
before he tells the cops.

Send over Isaki.

[Isaki] What's the rush?

What happened, Mr. Suzuki?

Just get going.

You stay put in the mountains
until I contact you.

All right. I got it.

[engine revving]

[Suzuki] It's that guy.

Who the heck is he?

[phone buzzing]

Sorry, I lost sight of Kainuma.

Okay. I'll go back now.

[♪ tense music playing]

All right. After we get home.

I want it now! The pork bun!

-When we get home.
-[child] Now!

Pork bun! Pork bun!

[bike creaking]

I want you to return Kainuma.

I won't ask what happened
or tell anyone either.

All I want is to have him back alive.

Who do you think you are?

You wouldn't say that
if you knew who we were.

I'm sure you have your reasons.

But we've got our reasons too.

So I'll wait until tomorrow.

Just return Kainuma without a scratch.

Who the heck are you?

I don't want to cause a commotion.

So I'll wait until tomorrow.

But if you don't, you'll face
a commotion you never imagined.

You've got 24 hours.

[bike bell rings]

[bike creaking]

[policeman] For the time being,

make sure we can reach you
anytime on your cell phone.

Okay, we'll be going now.

[Misaki's boss] Thank you.

[door closes]

-[phone ringing]
-Hmm?

Hello, Octopus.

[Hina] Is Akira Sato there?

Sato?

[stifled grunting]

It's no use. Your arms are tied.

-[Kainuma whimpers]
-[phone buzzing]

Hello?

[Suzuki]
Ask Kainuma if he knows Sato's address.

Sato?

[Suzuki] Sato from Octopus.

Threaten to k*ll him now
if he doesn't tell you.

-[Isaki] The address is...
-[train clanging]

[Suzuki] Huh? What is it?

Hey! I can barely hear you. What is it?

[Isaki] I'm pretty sure that house

is owned by the Maguro Group.

-[door opens, closes]
-[Akira] I'm back.

[Misaki's boss] I've left the issue of Kai
in the hands of the police.

I contacted Kai's mother
and spoke to her a little on the phone.

Apparently, he had feelings for Misaki.

She said he'd secretly filmed her
and almost got sued.

It's all so confusing,
I can't think straight.

I'm not sure where to begin.

Say, Sato.

You're actually a tough guy, right?

[♪ tense music sting]

I've lived 50 years, so I can
figure things out without being told.

I don't know what martial art you do,

but you must have hurt someone badly
in a fight and really regret it.

You're a kind person, so you stopped
using your skills after that.

Instead of hurting anyone,

you'd rather avoid fights
by pretending to cry.

That's basically it, isn't it?

How about it?

That's exactly right, Prez.

I knew it.

Don't you worry. I won't tell a soul.

Ah. Also, you got a call
from a Hinako Saba.

She wants you to call her
and gave me her cell number.

[soft grunt]

-[burner clicking]
-[fire flares]

[door opens]

Brother, are you showing up
at this time again?

Would you please give me a call at least?

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

Why don't you take a seat?

Get me a glass of water.
I'll ask the questions.

[Suzuki] You'll answer them.

Don't you worry.

I just want to talk a little.

See?

Just don't do anything stupid.

It would be pointless anyway.

If you cause me trouble,
I'll k*ll you without mercy.

You've got a big brother, right?

Nicknamed Fable.

[sighs] Oh, my stomach.

[bubbling]

Fable? Who's that?

[scoffs] Oh, give it up.

That kind of thing is so annoying.

You know, you sure seem awful calm.

A stranger came into your home
without taking off his shoes.

Can't you be a little more surprised?

Oh...

What's your relationship
with the Maguro Group?

We're distant relatives
of Mr. Hamada, the boss.

To be frank,
we're his mistress's children.

I see. So that's the story.

But I'm no idiot.

Judging from your brother's aura,
I can guess what he is.

Then your guess is wrong,
about both my brother and me.

And what do you mean by that?

You sure have underestimated us
coming alone like this.

Your g*n's on the table.

[Yoko] Are you sure you want it there?
And you've lowered both your arms.

Are you okay with that?

I see. A cool composure. I like it.

[Suzuki] If you can grab this g*n,
then go for it.

Are you looking
at what you should be looking at?

-Are you steady even sitting down?
-[♪ tense music playing]

Do you understand what I mean?

I'm giving you an advantage.

[♪ music intensifies]

[grunts]

I told you your guess was wrong.

[Isaki sighs] Sheesh, it sure is cold.

[Isaki sighs]

How long do I have to wait
for him to call?

Huh?

[panting]

[♪ dramatic music playing]

Where'd he go?

[Isaki] Stay calm.

There's no way he's gotten far.
How dare he!

I'll k*ll him!

[♪ upbeat closing theme music playing]

Next Episode
The ABCs of Villainy